ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The Ministry of Interior of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) has announced a series of temporary measures waiving financial penalties for foreigners whose visas or residency permits expired due to disruptions caused by the recent Iran war.
In a statement on Tuesday, the ministry said the decisions aim to “assist and facilitate foreigners who were unable to travel or renew their residency permits due to the war,” outlining exemptions for several categories of affected individuals.
According to the statement, foreigners whose residency permits expired while they were outside the Kurdistan Region after February 28 "can return to the Kurdistan Region using the same permit card until April 30, 2026, and renew their residency without penalty," adding that, after that date, "anyone returning will require a new visa,” the ministry said.
The measures come in response to disruptions caused by the war that began on February 28, when the US and Israel launched a large-scale military campaign against Iran.
The conflict, which lasted for nearly 40 days, caused major travel disruptions before a two-week ceasefire was announced last Wednesday, forcing travelers to rely on land routes and halting a key international transit corridor.