The Iraqi Ministry of Interior announced regulations for granting entry visas to Iraq for those wishing to hunt birds during the 2025-2026 season. The announcement specified the permitted number of hunters, the fees for each group, and detailed financial information regarding the amounts to be collected in US dollars.
In a statement issued Wednesday, October 29, 2025, the Ministry said, "It has been decided to grant multiple-entry visas to those wishing to hunt birds, in accordance with the regulations, instructions, and fees stipulated for the legal year. Applications can be submitted starting November 1, 2025, via the electronic link of the Directorate of Residency Affairs (ESERVICE.EVISA.IQ)."
The statement added, "The hunting season will begin on November 1, 2025, and will continue until January 1, 2026. Bird hunters and their companions will not be permitted entry after this date."
The Ministry of Interior clarified that "the minimum number of people in a group is (5) and the maximum is (15). Each group is permitted a number of falcons proportional to its size. For example, a group of five hunters is allowed seven falcons, and this number gradually increases to fourteen falcons for a group of fifteen hunters."
The Ministry explained in its statement that fees are collected in US dollars or their equivalent in Iraqi dinars, noting that the total amount includes the costs of services, food, and transportation for the accompanying personnel.
It further stated that "the cost of an entry visa for a group of five hunters is $125,000, rising to $145,000 for a group of six, $165,000 for a group of seven, and reaching $185,000 for a group of eight."
The ministry added that "a group of nine fishermen will pay $205,000, a group of ten $225,000, groups of eleven or twelve $245,000 and $265,000 respectively, while a group of thirteen $285,000, a group of fourteen $305,000, and a group of fifteen $325,000."
It emphasized that "entry visa applications are submitted exclusively through the Directorate of Private Security Companies at the Ministry of Interior, after submitting a security service contract specifying the purpose of entry, with full compliance with legal regulations and instructions."
The Ministry of Interior emphasized that the new regulations "require hunters to practice their profession only within specific areas, including the governorates of Najaf, Muthanna, Diwaniyah, Wasit, Maysan, Dhi Qar, and Basra, in addition to areas in Anbar, Nineveh, Kirkuk, and Salah al-Din." The Ministry stressed that "any hunting outside these areas is a violation punishable by law."
The Ministry concluded its statement by saying, "We urge all hunters to adhere to these regulations to ensure the hunting season is organized in a way that preserves wildlife and reflects a civilized image of Iraq to visitors."
The Iraqi Ministry of Interior had previously announced the arrest of five hunters, including four Kuwaitis, in the Muthanna desert region for violating regulations and instructions regarding the entry of foreign hunters into the country.
The Ministry of Interior stated in a press release on Wednesday, October 29, 2025, that "patrols from the Muthanna Customs Police Department, under the Border Guard Command, through intensive field monitoring, apprehended five hunters in the Adima area of the Muthanna desert. Four of them were Kuwaiti nationals in possession of tourist visas, and one Iraqi national was with them."
The statement indicated that the arrests were made "for violating the regulations and conditions governing the entry of foreign hunters and the practice of hunting within Iraqi territory."
It added that "security forces seized five falcons and two vehicles bearing Kuwaiti license plates from them," noting that "the necessary legal measures have been taken against them."
The Iraqi Ministry of Interior affirmed its "commitment to applying and enforcing the law on everyone," emphasizing that it "will not allow any violation of the regulations and instructions issued by the competent Iraqi authorities."
Iraq sets regulations for granting entry visas to Arab and foreign hunters for the year 2025-2026
