KRG waives fines for foreigners affected by Iran war disruptions

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. However, the first flights landed in Iraq on Thursday after the country reopened its airspace.

The ministry also addressed foreigners currently inside the Region who have been unable to leave due to expired documents.

“Foreigners whose residency permits or passports have expired and were unable to travel can receive an exit stamp and travel without paying financial penalties until April 30, 2026,” the statement added.

In addition, individuals who can demonstrate that delays in passport processing were caused by the war will be exempt from fines.

Tourists are also included in the measures. “Tourists whose visas expired after February 28, 2026, can depart through airports and border crossings without penalty until April 30, 2026. Additionally, those who wish to convert their visas into residency permits will have their applications processed without penalty, according to the regulations,” the ministry said.

The Ministry of Interior emphasized that all exemptions are temporary and valid only until the end of April, urging affected individuals to complete their procedures within the specified period.