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