Visa Issuance And Information For Access Requests

Guidance information: issuance of emergency entry visas for international staff working in humanitarian organizations

This information provides the mechanism to be followed when international staff apply for an emergency visa.

In order to facilitate humanitarian assistance to Iraqis with regard to emergency needs, the Iraqi Government will issue an emergency entry visa for staff of international NGOs through an exceptional mechanism.

The purpose of an emergency visa is to facilitate the entry of international staff.

1) who have emergency missions and work of an exceptional nature and time.

2) Facilitate the periodic entry of staff working with international NGOs that are in the process of being registered with the Government of Iraq. The purpose of the emergency visa is not to replace the multiple entry visa obtained through the application to the Iraqi Ministry of Foreign Affairs. International staff working with registered organizations who need to visit Baghdad or other parts of Iraq as part of routine program management and do not include emergency humanitarian issues must apply for a regular entry visa.

This operation is managed by the Joint Coordination and Monitoring Center of the Iraqi Government and supported by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs . Each request will be followed up by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in Iraq with the Joint Coordination and Monitoring Center. International staff working with non-governmental organizations that are in the process of registering with the Iraqi NGO Department through the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in Iraq on behalf of NGOs.

What is an emergency visa 

Who can apply

Procedures for applying

Approval

Procedures for submission

Official Approval

Regular and multiple entry visas

What is an emergency visa 

A visa issued on an exceptional basis to an international staff member of an NGO that is or is planning to carry out humanitarian activities in Iraq. This visa is limited to one-time access and a one-month window. It may take up to 4 weeks from the date you apply to be issued. Once pproved, the international employee must enter the country within 30 days. He must leave after 30 days. The visa cannot be extended or converted to multiple entry or long-term visas.

The purpose of this visa is to facilitate the entry of an international staff member who has an emergency work within a specified period of time or to assist an international NGO staff member who is in the process of formal registration with the NGO Department. It does not replace the multiple visa. You can not submit two applications for both visas at the same time. An emergency visa holder must submit a multiple visa application after issuance of the emergency visa.
The emergency visa holder must not travel outside Iraq, but can travel between Kurdistan Region, Baghdad and other parts of central and southern Iraq, while not complying with the number of travel times within the 30-day visa period.

Who can apply

Who can apply for an emergency visa?

The purpose of an emergency visa is to facilitate the entry of international staff working with:
1. Non-governmental organizations that are not registered or are in the process of registration with the NGO Department, for example an employee entering short-term assignments in order to inspect the registration mechanism or an employee entering to support the registration process.
2. Organizations registered with the GOI, for example, an employee entering short-term support or unexpected work of a time nature

Procedures for applying

Procedures for applying to non-governmental organizations that is not registered with the NGO Department:
An international employee working with a non-governmental organization that is not registered with the Department of Organizations must submit a visa application according to the following procedures. The application letter must be submitted by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs and addressed to the Joint Coordination and Monitoring Center. Please note that unregistered organizations can apply for only two staff at the same time.

1. Complete the application form in both Arabic and English (Annex 1 and 2) signed and stamped by the organization. make a Color photocopy of signed and stamped form.

2. Attach clear photocopies of the passports of each employee (for only two employees) who require a visa.

3. If the organization is registered in the Kurdistan Region they must attach a colored photograph of the certificate of registration issued by the Kurdistan Regional Government

4. An e-mail with all these documents is sent to Reem Badawi at the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs at [email protected].

Within 24 hours of receipt of the application and all attachments, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in Iraq will prepare an official request (in Arabic and English) and submit an annex with the application and supporting documentation to the Joint Coordination and Monitoring Center of the Iraqi Government on behalf of the requesting organization.

Approval

The approval of the issuance of the visa is received through the Joint Coordination and Monitoring Center and is provided through OCHA to the following organization:

1. Upon arrival at Baghdad International Airport and prior to carrying out the immigration procedures, the visa inspection must be followed in a room on the right where the letter of approval and passport is presented and the officials stamp the visa in the passport

2. Once the passport is stamped you can go to the immigration office.
As mentioned above, this mechanism may take four weeks

Procedures for submission

International staff working with a non-governmental organization registered with the NGO Department

must apply for a visa according to the following procedures. Organization request submitted directly to the Joint Center for coordination and monitoring with a copy of the e-mail to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Complete the application form in Arabic and English (Annex 1 and 2) signed and signed by the organization, please send a colored photocopy of the signed and stamped form.

1. Complete the application form in both Arabic and English (Annex 1 and 2) signed and stamped by the organization. Please do a colored photocopy of the signed and stamped form.

2. Attach clear photocopies of passports to each employee requesting a visa.

3. Attach a colored copy of the registration certificate issued by the NGO Department.

4. Prepare an official application using the logo of the organization in Arabic and English stamped and signed by the organization and carry out a photocopy of it.

5. To submit all these documents through a letter to the Joint Coordination and Monitoring Center at [email protected] and a copy thereof to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs [email protected] and also the NGO Coordination Committee (NCCI)

Official Approval

Approval of the issuance of the visa is received through the Joint Coordination and monitoring Center and provides the applicant organization directly, and a copy thereof to OCHA, taking into consideration the following:

1. Upon arrival at Iraq’s international airports and prior to the residence procedures, the visa inspection must be followed by the letter of consent and passport. The officials will stamp the visa in the passport.
2. Once the passport is stamped, you can go to the residence office.
As mentioned above, this mechanism may take four weeks.

Regular and multiple entry visas

A regular multiple entry visa can be obtained for one to three months or six months for international staff working with international non-governmental organizations registered in Iraq. To apply for a regular visa, the organization should send the application directly to the Ministry of the Interior, Residence Section. The Ministry of Interior / the Residence Department checks the status of the NGOs. Once the audit has been completed, the Ministry of the Interior will send the letter of approval to the NGO. This may take between 6-10 weeks.
The request may also be submitted to the Joint Coordination and Monitoring Center

Guidance information

Issuing emergency visas for international staff working in humanitarian organizations

Information required to grant access attribute

Fill out the form below and send it to the following email address

[email protected]

Visa Application-Download

Instructions for Access facilitation requests:
1. The organization shall appoint a focal point who shall be responsible for communicating via e-mail and telephone with the Joint Coordination and Monitoring Center (JCMC). The focal point shall be accountable for any mistake or incorrect information.
2. Drafting a cover letter in Arabic, addressed to the Joint Coordination and Monitoring Center (JCMC) The letter shall bear a reference number, date; signed and sealed.
3. The cover letter shall provide justification for the request (movement) and indicates date of movement (from – to) and travel itinerary (from – to).
4. In case of transporting equipment/ materials, provide JCMC with a detailed list of the materials to be transported (both quantity and type).
5. For Iraqi national staff, fill in the attached form indicating all four names + surname, civil ID number and personal phone number for drivers or employees.
6. For international staff, fill in the attached form indicating full name as written in the passport, nationality and passport number. It is the responsibility of the organization to make sure that its staff have valid residence visa before sending the request. Type of visa shall be indicated (Federal Visa) for each individual and in case the visa was issued by KRG, the name shall be removed from the list.
7. For vehicles (private, load, buses, trucks), provide full details (type, plate number, color and model) for all vehicles. It should be noted that taxis are ineligible for access permit.
8. Attach the supporting documents of Iraqi drivers and employees (identity card + residence card + car registration card) in one sheet (front side only) for each person. In case the driver is not the owner of the car, a legal authorization letter from the owner shall be attached. The organization shall archive physical copies of the supporting documents and send them to JCMC upon request.
9. The filled form shall be sent to JCMC in (WORD) free of seals and signatures.
10. The number of the request letter shall be written in the subject field of the email before sending.
11. The request shall be sent 72 hours prior to the planned date of movement.
12. The access letter shall be valid for one month only. If work continues for more than one month, a new request shall be submitted 72 hours prior to the expiry date of the granted access letter. It is not possible to modify/ amend the granted access letter subsequent to its issuance.
13. Access letters shall not be issued for individuals only; all requests submitted must include vehicle details.
14. For requests to transport medicines and medical supplies and equipment, an approval letter issued by the Ministry of Health must be attached with the request.
15. In case transporting goods and commodities from Kurdistan Region to other parts of Federal Iraq is needed, the organization shall provide JCMC with approval letter of the Ministry of Finance\ General Commission of Customs.
16. Transporting, car lending and security companies, etc… which are contracting with UN organizations and agencies shall provide tax clearance letter addressed to the National Operation Center (NOC).
17. The organization shall provide JCMC with the registration certificate issued by the Department of NGOs of the General Secretariat of the Council of Ministers upon submission of the request only for the first time.
18. All emails to JCMC shall be sent to: [email protected]

Access requests form

Local Staff Name List