# US Visa for Iraqis in the UAE: 2026 Options Explained Source: https://visadoctor.ae/iraqi-citizens-us-visa-from-dubai/ Last updated: 2026-09-30 Publisher: Visa Doctor FZC, licensed visa documentation agency in Dubai (SPC Free Zone licence 4417571.01) Iraq is not on the Presidential Proclamation 10998 list, so Iraqi nationals can still be issued visas. An Iraqi living in the UAE can apply at the US Embassy Abu Dhabi or the Consulate General Dubai as a UAE resident, and applying in Iraq is an alternative. Last checked 24 September 2026. ## Where an Iraqi in the UAE can apply now Both US missions use the same wording. Both pages tell nonimmigrant applicants to schedule in their country of residence or nationality. Option | Status on 24 September 2026 | What to do | US Embassy Abu Dhabi or Consulate General Dubai | B1/B2 and student visa appointments available for UAE residents | Book at the US Embassy Abu Dhabi or Consulate General Dubai. The official calendar wait is long, about 11.5 months in Dubai and 12.5 months in Abu Dhabi for B1/B2; Visa Doctor targets about 7 working days for an appointment, agreed in writing, with the service fee refunded if it is not secured. The interview waiver (dropbox) is not available to most applicants at present, so most need an interview | US Embassy Baghdad or Consulate General Erbil | Available to Iraqi nationals as an alternative | UAE residents do not need to travel to Iraq for an interview | Any other country | Not permitted as a rule | The State Department rule is residence or nationality, so a UAE resident books in Dubai or Abu Dhabi | Be careful with older advice, including some agency pages, that says Iraqis can book at any US embassy abroad. The State Department rule is residence or nationality, so an Iraqi living in the UAE books in Dubai or Abu Dhabi. ## Presidential Proclamation 10998: is Iraq on the list? No. Proclamation 10998, published in the Federal Register on 19 December 2025 (90 FR 59717) and in force since 1 January 2026, suspends or limits visa issuance for nationals of 39 countries. We checked the proclamation text and the State Department’s implementation notice on 24 September 2026, and Iraq is not named. Neighbouring Iran and Syria are under full suspension. Iraqi applicants face the normal eligibility rules. Separately, Iraq matters for ESTA. Visa Waiver nationals who are also Iraqi nationals, or who have been in Iraq on or after 1 March 2011, cannot use ESTA and must apply for a visa, with limited exceptions for official duty. That catches Iraqi families in Dubai who also hold European, British or Australian passports. ## What an Iraqi passport holder can receive Visa | Maximum validity | Entries | Reciprocity fee | B1/B2 visitor | 12 months | Multiple | None | C-1 transit | 12 months | Multiple | None | F-1 student | 12 months | Multiple | None | The 12-month maximum is shorter than for many nationalities, so frequent travellers reapply more often. Keep every approval, refusal letter and old passport, because each new application builds on the last. The $185 application fee applies. ## Step by step for an Iraqi UAE resident - Decide which visa you need (B1/B2 visitor, or F, M or J student) and complete the DS-160. - Book the interview at the US Embassy Abu Dhabi or the Consulate General Dubai, or let Visa Doctor secure an appointment for you, targeting about 7 working days. - Keep any existing appointment and check your account for earlier dates. - Prepare the file: DS-160, translations, employment and bank evidence. - **Do not buy non-refundable tickets** until the visa is in your passport, because administrative processing can add weeks or months. ## Administrative processing and 221(g) Some applicants are told after the interview that their case needs further administrative processing, usually with a 221(g) letter. The State Department says this is a refusal under section 221(g) that can be overcome: you have one year to provide the missing information before you must reapply and pay again. There is no fee to speed up administrative processing. Our [221(g) explainer](https://visadoctor.ae/us-221g-refusal-explained-dubai/) covers what to do while you wait. ## Documents that help an Iraqi file - Iraqi passport valid for at least six months beyond the stay, plus all previous passports. - DS-160 confirmation page and fee receipt, with names spelled exactly as in the passport. - UAE residence visa and Emirates ID, and how long you have lived in the UAE. - Employment letter with salary and approved leave, or trade licence and ownership documents. - About six months of UAE bank statements that match your income. - Family documents: spouse and children’s residence visas, school letters, tenancy contract. - Purpose documents: conference registration, medical appointment letter, or US host invitation. - English translations of any Arabic or Kurdish documents; see our [translation guide](https://visadoctor.ae/document-translation-visa-application-dubai/). ## Common refusal reasons - **214(b):** the officer is not persuaded you will return. A settled UAE job, residence and family are the core evidence. See our [214(b) guide](https://visadoctor.ae/us-visa-214b-refusal-explained-dubai/). - **221(g):** missing documents or administrative processing, as above. - **212(a)(6)(C)(i):** misrepresentation. Declare previous refusals and all travel, including travel to Iraq if you hold another nationality. ## How Visa Doctor helps We prepare B1/B2, F1 and F2 applications for Iraqi citizens resident in the UAE: the DS-160, the supporting file, translations and interview preparation, so your file is ready for the interview. We do not handle work, immigrant or special immigrant visas. We monitor appointment releases to secure the earliest date, and the consular officer decides every application. Our explainer on [whether you can apply for a US visa from the UAE](https://visadoctor.ae/can-i-apply-for-a-us-visa-from-the-uae/) tracks the current position. For the UK, see our [UK visa guide for Iraqi citizens](https://visadoctor.ae/iraqi-citizens-uk-visa-from-uae/); for Europe, our [Schengen guide for Iraqi citizens](https://visadoctor.ae/schengen-visa-iraqi-citizens-uae/). Call +971 58 509 5268 or message us on [WhatsApp](https://wa.me/971585170900). Our office is Office 311, Stadium Point, Dubai Sports City, open Monday to Friday, 09:00 to 20:00. ## Frequently asked questions ### Can Iraqis apply for a US visa in Baghdad or Erbil? Iraqi nationals can apply in their country of nationality, but a UAE resident does not need to travel: B1/B2 and student visa appointments are available in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. ### Can Iraqis living in Dubai apply in the UAE? Yes. Iraqis living in the UAE can apply at the US Embassy in Abu Dhabi or the Consulate General in Dubai as UAE residents. The interview waiver (dropbox) is not available to most applicants at present, so most need an interview. ### Are Iraqi citizens banned from US visas? No. Iraq is not listed in Presidential Proclamation 10998. Iraqi citizens can be issued visitor and student visas, subject to the usual eligibility rules, where an interview is available. ### How long is a US visa for Iraqis? Up to 12 months with multiple entries for B1/B2, C-1 and F-1, under the reciprocity schedule. ### I have a British passport and Iraqi nationality. Can I use ESTA? No. Visa Waiver nationals who are also Iraqi nationals must apply for a visa instead of ESTA. ### What does a 221(g) letter mean? Your case needs more information or administrative processing before a decision. You have one year to respond before a new application and fee are needed. ## Sources and official references All sources checked 24 September 2026. - US Mission Iraq: Visas - US Embassy and Consulate in the UAE: Visas - [US Department of State: Applying in your country of residence or nationality, with the designated post list](https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/News/visas-news/adjudicating-niv-applicants-in-their-country-of-residence.html) - [Federal Register: Proclamation 10998, 90 FR 59717](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/12/19/2025-23570/restricting-and-limiting-the-entry-of-foreign-nationals-to-protect-the-security-of-the-united-states) - [US Department of State: Suspension of visa issuance under Proclamation 10998](https://travel.state. html) - [US Department of State: Reciprocity schedule, Iraq](https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/Visa-Reciprocity-and-Civil-Documents-by-Country/Iraq.html) - [US Department of State: Visa Waiver Program eligibility](https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/tourism-visit/visa-waiver-program.html) - [US Department of State: Visa denials](https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-information-resources/visa-denials.html)