Investment Residency

Iraq's Investment Residency grants foreign investors the right to reside in Iraq under Investment Law No. 13 of 2006 (as amended by Law No. 2 of 2010). Any foreign national who obtains an investment license from the National Investment Commission (NIC) automatically receives residency rights, along with facilitated entry and exit. The program targets investors across sectors including housing, tourism, manufacturing, agriculture, infrastructure, and services — oil and gas extraction and banking/insurance are excluded.

The NIC operates a One Stop Shop (OSS) in Baghdad and through Regional/Governorate Investment Commission offices to process license applications, allocate land, and facilitate investor residency.

• Foreign national of any nationality
• Proposed investment project in an eligible sector (excludes oil and gas extraction, banking, and insurance)
• Bank financial competency certificate demonstrating ability to finance the project
• Economic feasibility study and technical implementation plan for the proposed project
• No fixed minimum investment amount — threshold varies by sector and is set by the Council of Ministers
• No specific educational or professional qualifications required
• Clean criminal record (standard Iraqi visa requirements apply)
• Valid passport with at least 6 months validity

• Completed NIC application form
• Bank financial competency certificate
• Documentation of previously completed projects (domestic and international)
• Economic feasibility study
• Technical implementation plan
• Project implementation timeline
• Valid passport and passport photographs
• Medical examination report (for residency permit application)

The law does not specify a minimum investment amount in federal legislation. The Kurdistan Region's investor pathway (administered separately by the Kurdistan Board of Investment) requires a minimum of USD 50,000 for a residential unit purchase. For federal Iraq projects, financial capacity is assessed on a case-by-case basis relative to the proposed project scope and sector.

Residency permits are issued for up to one year and are renewable annually as long as the investment license remains valid. There is no separate path from this program to permanent residency or citizenship. The investment license itself is the basis for residency; if the license lapses, residency rights lapse with it.

The investment law specifically grants residency to the investor and non-Iraqi workers employed in the investment project. There are no explicit provisions in the federal law for accompanying family members (spouse, children). Family members would need to follow standard Iraqi immigration procedures. Note: the Kurdistan Region's 2025 investor visa pathways explicitly extend eligibility to the investor's spouse, children under 18, and parents, but this is a separate regional scheme.

Investment projects are exempt from all taxes and fees for 10 years from the date commercial operations commence. This exemption extends to 15 years when Iraqi investors hold more than 50% ownership. Imported equipment and assets are exempt from taxes and customs duties during the construction phase. After the exemption period, the standard corporate income tax rate of 15% applies.

1. Submit to NIC: File the investment license application at the NIC's One Stop Shop in Baghdad or at a Regional/Governorate Investment Commission office. Include the financing plan, feasibility study, technical details, and project timeline.
2. Review process: The OSS reviews the application within 10 days and refers it to the relevant ministry for review within 15 days. The NIC must issue a decision within 45 days of the application filing date.
3. License issuance: Upon approval, the investor receives an investment license, which entitles them to residency rights under Article 12, Section 2 of the law.
4. Residency permit: The investor enters Iraq on a standard business or visit visa (USD 40 for a regular visa) and must register with local authorities within 10 days of arrival. Upon receiving the investment license, the investor applies for a residency permit through the Directorate of Residency.
5. Ongoing obligations: Notify the NIC upon operational launch of the project; maintain audited financial records; ensure at least 50% of the workforce is Iraqi nationals; use acquired property solely for the intended investment purpose.