South Africa to Iraq visa requirements

South African ordinary passport holders need an eVisa to visit Iraq for tourism. Apply online at the official portal (evisa.iq) before travel; visa-on-arrival was abolished and is no longer available. The eVisa allows a stay of up to 30 days. As of 2026, South African ordinary passport holders require a visa to enter Iraq for tourism, and the standard channel is the electronic visa (eVisa) obtained online before departure. Iraq abolished its visa-on-arrival facility on 1 March 2025, requiring travelers to apply electronically in advance. The IATA Timatic-backed reference (reflected on Wikipedia's visa-requirements tables that airlines use) lists Iraq as "eVisa" with a 30-day allowed stay for South African citizens. Note that Iraq's original published eVisa transition list of 37 nationalities (mainly EU, UK, US, Canada, Australia, NZ, Japan, South Korea, Russia, China) did not name South Africa, and some guidance suggests certain nationalities outside that list may instead require an embassy/consulate visa. Because sources are not perfectly aligned, travelers should confirm eligibility directly on the official evisa.iq portal or with the Iraqi embassy serving South Africa before booking. The eVisa is for the federal Republic of Iraq; the Kurdistan Region (Erbil, Sulaymaniyah) operates a separate entry permit system. Iraq is not in the Schengen area, so the Schengen 90/180 rule and ETIAS do not apply. Travelers should ensure a passport valid at least six months, hold proof of onward travel and accommodation, and be aware that evidence of travel to Israel can lead to refused entry in federal Iraq.