Visa for the United Kingdom from Iraq: price, documents and processing time 2026

Yes. Iraqi passport holders are a visa-required nationality for the UK, so a Standard Visitor visa must be obtained before travel, there is no visa on arrival. It normally allows stays of up to six months per visit for tourism, family visits or permitted business activities. The UK is separate from Schengen, so a Schengen visa does not cover a trip to Britain.

• Government fee135 GBP
• Application centre feeVariable, set by the operator
• Agency or online serviceOptional, added on top
• ExtrasVariable

Prepare a passport valid for your whole stay, evidence of funds to cover the trip, accommodation details, and proof of the purpose of your visit and your ties to Iraq (job, business, property or family). GOV.UK sets the visa fee, which is paid online during the application; do not rely on a fixed figure, check the current amount on the official page. Documents in Arabic should be accompanied by certified English translations.

Start the application online at gov.uk/standard-visitor, complete the form and pay, then book an appointment at the UK Visa Application Centre serving Iraq (for example in Baghdad or Erbil) to submit your fingerprints and photo. You upload supporting documents online or have them scanned at the centre. Apply from Iraq before you travel; you cannot switch to a visitor visa after arriving.

Then the application goes to the post accredited for Iraq, often in a neighbouring capital, or to a state acting on its behalf. Confirm which post is competent with the official source before travelling to a third country to apply, a rejected file at the wrong counter costs the trip and the fee.

The regime follows your nationality, not where you live. If you reside in Iraq but travel on another country's passport, the rule on this page is not yours. Filing usually still happens from your country of residence, at the post competent for it, but the requirement itself comes from your passport.

Standard Visitor visa decisions are commonly made within about three weeks of your biometrics appointment, but times vary, so apply well before your intended travel date. Give a clear, consistent account of your trip and provide strong evidence of your intention to leave the UK at the end of the visit. Keep your booking flexible until the visa is granted.

Common reasons for refusal include weak evidence of funds, an unclear travel purpose, and little proof of ties to Iraq that show you will return. Booking non-refundable flights before approval, submitting untranslated documents, or giving inconsistent information also cause problems, follow the GOV.UK guidance for every requirement.