Embassy of the United States Baghdad, Iraq

Welcome to the Nonimmigrant Visa Unit of the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad.

We provide visa services to Iraqis and citizens of other countries who reside in Iraq and wish to enter the United States temporarily for business, study, or pleasure.

Personal Interview: Visa applicants ages 14 through 79 must appear in person before a Consular Officer for an interview and to scan their fingerprints for biometric identification.

Applicants should request an interview at the Embassy or Consulate with jurisdiction over their area of permanent residence. For example, those applying in Baghdad should be Iraqi citizens or hold legal Iraqi residency and be able to demonstrate strong economic, familial and/or social ties to the country.

Machine Readable Visa (MRV) fees for nonimmigrant (i.e., visitor and student) visas are payable at any branch of the Bank of Baghdad.  If paid in cash at the Embassy, only U.S. dollars are accepted.

Processing Time for Applications

Please schedule your visa appointment as far in advance of your travel dates as possible. Administrative processing of visa applications can take 60 days or longer.

If you are a student and your I-20 or DS-2019 form shows a start date of less than 8 weeks from today, please contact us at BaghdadNIV@state.gov.  Include your SEVIS ID in the email and we will arrange an expedited appointment.

*** NEW STATUS CHECK TOOL AVAILABLE FOR NIV APPLICANTS ***

Applicants who currently have a pending Nonimmigrant Visa case can now check the status of their applications online.  For more information, please click here.

Qualifying for a Nonimmigrant Visa

NOTE: To qualify for a visa as a temporary visitor, applicants must demonstrate that they overcome a presumption of immigrant intent in accordance with Section 214(b) of the U.S. Immigration and Nationality Act.  In other words, applicants are required to demonstrate strong social, economic, and/or professional ties abroad that would compel them to return to their country of residence. For more information about a visa denial, click here.

Attempting to obtain a visa by the willful misrepresentation of a material fact, or fraud, may result in the permanent refusal of a visa or denial of entry into the United States.

Types of visas:

• Diplomatic and Official Visas (A and G Visas)
• Visitors for Tourism/Business/Medical  (B Visas)
• Student and Exchange Visitors (F, M, and J Visas)
• Other Types of Non-Immigrant Visas

Please see bottom of page for specific instructions for visas for medical purposes.

Nonimmigrant Visa Processing Fees

Getting Started

Step 1: Fill out the form online: To begin filling out the application form (DS-160), click here.  You may also access Instructions for completing the DS-160. Next, fill out the Supplemental Nonimmigrant Visa Application (DS-157).

Step 2: Pay the Visa application fee

• Take your passport or a copy of your passport to any Bank of Baghdad bank branch office and explain that you want to pay a U.S. visa fee. 
• It is permissible for another person to make the payment for you, but they must take your passport or a copy of your passport with them.
• Pay the $160 fee.  You will be issued a receipt. 
• Verify that your receipt for payment includes:
• (A) The visa applicant’s name as it appears in her or his passport
• (B) The visa applicant’s passport number
• (C) The words “US Embassy MRV Sweep”
• (D)  The payment must not be made more than 1 year before the visa interview

Step 3: Schedule an appointment:  To schedule your visa appointment online, you will need the barcode from your completed application.  To access our appointment schedule, click here.  When scheduling your appointment, please include your telephone number and email address so that we may contact you if necessary.

Step 4: Application requirements

Photograph: Take a digital photo meeting the requirements below and bring one (1) copy of it with you for your visa interview:

• 5cm x 5cm in size
• Taken within last six (6) months
• In color
• White background
• Displays full face (looking directly at the camera)
• Head coverings: acceptable for religious reasons, but may not cover any portion of the face including the forehead, jaw line, eyebrows, cheeks and ears.
• Military, airline or other personnel may not wear hats

Application: Prepare the following application in its entirety and bring it with you to your interview at the Embassy:

Passport: 1 copy of your passport photo page. Your name and date of birth must be written in English by the issuing country (even for minor children included in a parent’s passport). The passport must have a minimum validity of six (6) months.

Recommended documents: U.S. immigration law requires that nonimmigrant visa applicants present evidence of strong economic, familial and/or social ties to a residence outside of the United States to which they are compelled to return. Applications unable to demonstrate such ties will be refused.

For additional visa information, please visit the Department of State website.

After reviewing the frequently asked questions and customer service statement, you may contact us at BaghdadNIV@state.gov if you still have an inquiry regarding consular services.

Tourist Visa for a Medical Treatment (B2)

For applicants who wish to travel to the U.S. on a tourist visa for emergency medical treatment. In addition to the general requirements for a B visa, applicants must also provide: a letter from the medical care facility in the U.S. certifying that the patient has been accepted for treatment, including the estimated cost of the treatment and the length of time the patient will need to remain in the United States; proof from the applicant of the financing, including the cost of any living arrangements or follow-up care required after the initial treatment; the contact information for a sponsor in the United States, if that sponsor will be responsible for the applicant.