IRAQ MISSION IN AMMAN: NO INSTRUCTIONS FOR VISA

C O N F I D E N T I A L AMMAN 005088

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/21/2014
TAGS: PREL IZ JO
SUBJECT: IRAQ MISSION IN AMMAN: NO INSTRUCTIONS FOR VISA
REQUIREMENT AFTER JUNE 30

Classified By: Ambassador Edward Gnehm for reasons 1.5(b),(d).


1. (U) Recent international press articles reported that the
Iraq Ministry of Interior (MOI) will require visas for all
foreigners visiting Iraq after June 30. One article quoted
Hadi Muhanna, Iraq MOI travel department director, that
"without exception" all foreign visitors must apply for visas
at Iraqi embassies abroad. Once in Iraq, visitors will have
to report their presence to the MOI within a week. Also,
according to the press, land border posts and Baghdad
international airport will not issue temporary visas after
June 30.


2. (C) Iraq Charge in Amman, Ma'an Barakat, told PolOff on
June 21 that he was aware of the new regulation only through
the press. He has not received any instructions from the MOI
regarding a new visa requirement, but did not doubt the press
reports given poor communications with Iraq ministries other
than the MFA. According to Barakat, the Iraq Mission in
Amman, at present, does not have the ability to issue visas.
He also did not know what the new visa would look like nor
the fees, if any, to charge to visa applicants after June 30.
Barakat said that he hoped to receive instructions soon and
would contact post to inform us of the visa application
procedures and requirements once he knew them.


3. (U) Baghdad minimize considered.

Visit Embassy Amman's classified website at

http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/amman/

or access the site through the State Department's SIPRNET
home page.
GNEHM