Iraq

Hoodlum offers expert film fixer services in Iraq, facilitating international productions of every scale with a full range of services, including location scouting, obtaining permits, full range of logistic support and connecting production teams with local talent and experienced crew.

Ultimate Filming Guide for Iraq

Capital

Baghdad

Main Cities

Basra, Mosul, Erbil, Najaf, Karbala

Local Languages

Arabic (official), Kurdish (official in Kurdistan region)

Currency

Iraqi Dinar (IQD)

Climate

Desert

General Visa Requirements:

Foreign film crews must obtain the appropriate visa before entering Iraq. Most productions require either a Visit Visa, Normal Visa, or Multi-Entry Visa, depending on project length and location. Work permits may be required for longer or commercial shoots. Hoodlum will advise on the correct visa type based on your project, crew size, and shoot scope.

Required Documents:

Valid passport with at least six months’ validity beyond entry
Completed visa application form in Arabic (Hoodlum assists with translation and completion)
Two recent passport-size photographs
Proof of accommodation in Iraq with full address
Purpose-of-visit letter describing the project
Travel itinerary (if available)
Letter of invitation (issued by Hoodlum as your local partner)
Proof of financial means when requested

Visa Application Process:

International crews must apply in advance via Iraq’s official e-visa system and then complete formal submission through the nearest Iraqi embassy/consulate. In limited cases, certain visas can be processed inside Iraq through a licensed tourism partner. Visa-on-arrival may occur only in exceptional circumstances at the discretion of immigration officers and is not guaranteed. Hoodlum manages the selection of visa type, supports Arabic documentation, and assists with all required submissions.

Processing Time:

Standard visas typically take 1–3 weeks to process, while multi-entry visas or politically sensitive cases may take longer. Urgent visas may occasionally be issued at border posts on a discretionary basis.

Cost:

Visa fees vary by visa category and are paid upon submission.

Accreditation Requirements:

Iraq does not operate a single, unified “film crew accreditation” system. Instead, international crews must secure a combination of visas, sponsorship documents, security clearances, and location-specific filming permits. Accreditation for filming is effectively granted through the approval of these combined documents rather than through a single national ID or badge.

Working with a licensed Iraqi fixer or production service company is essential. Local partners handle submissions to the various authorities—including cultural ministries, municipal offices, intelligence/security branches, and media departments—ensuring the project has full legal approval.

Required Documents:

Crew list with full details
Passport copies
Production company letter of intent
Filming purpose and synopsis
Shooting schedule and locations list
Equipment list (with serial numbers for major equipment)
Sponsorship letter from a local Iraqi production partner
Additional security documents for high-risk or controlled locations

Processing Time:

Approvals typically take 2–3 weeks, but sensitive or security-restricted areas can take longer.

Cost:

There is no single accreditation fee, but costs are associated with the visa, film permit, and fixer coordination.

Issuing Organization:

There is no single, centralized national film permit authority in Iraq. Instead, filming permissions are managed locally, and multiple approvals are required from various municipal, cultural, and security agencies depending on the filming location. International crews must first secure an appropriate visa through an Iraqi embassy or consulate. This visa requires a formal letter from the production company and sponsorship from a registered Iraqi partner. Once in-country entry is approved, crews must also obtain separate filming permits for each location, as well as additional authorization for equipment, vehicles, personnel, and any sensitive or restricted sites.

Obtaining a filming permit in Iraq is a formal, multi-step process. Each location—whether public, private, heritage, or security-sensitive—may require clearance from different authorities, and some areas cannot be filmed without direct approval from cultural or intelligence bodies. A reliable, licensed local fixer or production service company is essential for navigating this process.

Required Documents:

The following documents are typically required when applying for permits through local authorities, cultural agencies, and security institutions in Iraq:

Formal letter from a registered production company
Detailed project synopsis and script (if applicable)
Full shooting schedule and itinerary
Passport copies for all crew members
Complete crew list (names, roles, nationalities)
Equipment list (camera gear, lenses, audio, rigs, etc.)
Local sponsorship documentation from an Iraqi production partner
Additional applications for restricted or heritage locations
Additional approvals for any sensitive or high-security zones

Special locations requiring State Board of Antiquities and Heritage approval include:

Tower of Babel
Ancient City of Babylon
Great Ziggurat of Ur

Heritage filming must be requested far in advance.

Processing Time:

Standard filming locations: 3–10 working days Sensitive sites or public-facing locations: 10–20 working days Archaeological or heritage sites: Longer processing times depending on ministry review

Cost:

Costs are location-dependent and calculated once the schedule and requirements are reviewed.

Location Scouting / Location Permits Information:

The fixer negotiates the terms with the private owner, on presentation of the filming synopsis, and an agreement is reached.

Location Scouting / Permitting Cost & Processing Time

A cost is agreed on between the fixer and private owner, on presentation of the filming synopsis.

Drone Regulations:

Iraq maintains some of the strictest drone laws in the Middle East. Foreign drone flights, registrations, and licensing are not allowed for visiting crews. Under current national law, foreign productions cannot legally bring drones into Iraq, and unregistered UAVs are subject to immediate confiscation.

Drone operations in Iraq fall under the jurisdiction of the Iraq Civil Aviation Authority (ICAA), but exemptions for foreign productions are extremely rare. Any aerial filming must be carried out through a locally licensed drone operator with officially registered equipment.

Drone Importation Regulations:

Importing drones into Iraq is not permitted. Customs will confiscate unapproved UAVs upon arrival. Productions requiring aerial footage must use a local operator approved by the relevant Iraqi authorities.

Permit Issuance:

Not applicable for foreign crews bringing their own UAVs, as importation is not allowed.
Aerial filming must be completed using a locally approved drone team.