The Kurdistan Regional Government announces a temporary repatriation scheme using Turkish transit visas to help citizens stranded worldwide return home through land borders while Iraqi airspace remains closed.
Emergency Transit Solution Through Turkish Diplomatic Missions
The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) unveiled on Monday a comprehensive plan to bring home citizens stranded across the globe due to ongoing airport closures. The initiative targets individuals who have registered their situations through official hotlines or online forms, offering them a pathway back to the Kurdistan Region via Turkey.
Under the new arrangement, stranded citizens must first approach the nearest Turkish diplomatic mission—whether a consulate or embassy—in their current country of residence. These missions will issue three-day transit visas enabling entry into Turkey, from where travelers can continue their journey overland to the Kurdistan Region.
The government has established specific protocols for this emergency measure. Citizens must purchase tickets exclusively on Turkish airlines before approaching Turkish consulates for visa applications. This requirement serves as a prerequisite for accessing the facilitation program, ensuring proper documentation and travel arrangements are in place.
Strict Requirements and Time Constraints
The transit visa system operates under stringent conditions designed to ensure smooth processing and prevent misuse. The 72-hour validity period begins after the visa issuance date and must encompass the planned departure timeframe. This tight schedule requires careful coordination between ticket purchases, visa applications, and actual travel dates.
Eligibility criteria extend beyond basic documentation requirements. Applicants must maintain clean records in their current country of residence and cannot appear on any prohibited lists. The KRG has emphasized that individuals with legal violations or those blacklisted by Turkish authorities will not qualify for this emergency repatriation program.
For citizens holding Dominican or other foreign passports, additional documentation becomes mandatory. These individuals must present their Iraqi passports alongside their foreign travel documents when visiting Turkish diplomatic missions to demonstrate their eligibility for the special facilitation measures.
Comprehensive Support and Future Assurances
The Kurdistan Regional Government has prepared extensive support infrastructure to welcome returning citizens. Designated reception teams will operate at the Ibrahim Khalil border crossing, providing full facilitation services to ensure smooth entry into the Kurdistan Region. The Ministry of Interior’s operation room, Joint Crisis Coordination Center, and Department of Foreign Relations serve as contact points for citizens experiencing difficulties during the process.
Government officials have acknowledged that this Turkish visa solution may not address every stranded citizen’s situation. For individuals in locations where obtaining Turkish transit visas proves impossible or impractical, the KRG has committed to intensifying alternative efforts. The government pledges to continue working until every registered citizen successfully returns home.
The temporary nature of this program directly correlates with Iraqi airspace status. Once airports resume normal operations, the emergency repatriation scheme will conclude, returning travel arrangements to standard procedures. However, until that point, the KRG maintains its commitment to facilitating citizen returns through available diplomatic channels.
This initiative represents the government’s response to citizen welfare concerns arising from unexpected travel disruptions. By leveraging diplomatic relationships and creating structured pathways home, the KRG demonstrates its dedication to supporting citizens regardless of their global locations during this challenging period.
