An Iraqi foreign ministry delegation, headed by Undersecretary for the Ministry Omar al-Barzanji, met with Turkish Deputy FM Yasin Ekrem Serim at his office in Ankara on Tuesday.
“We have agreed with the Turkish side to waive visas between the two countries for those under the age of 15 and those over the age of 50,” Barzanji told Rudaw.
“Visas for other age groups will remain unchanged," he added.
Legally crossing into Turkey by land is only possible at Ibrahim Khalil in the Kurdistan Region, which can take more than half a day, as well as the Zet border crossing in Erbil province. Several international flights are available daily between Iraqi and Turkish cities with the exception of Sulaimani, which Turkey has imposed a ban on since April 2023.
Iraqi and Turkish citizens require a visa for entering each country; however currently, Turkish nationals can enter the Kurdistan Region without a visa.
Barzanji also said they have reached an agreement with the Turkish side to exchange prisoners which includes those who have committed minor crimes and will complete their sentences after their return from their home countries.
“The two sides emphasized the need for mutual cooperation to prevent illegal immigration, extradite and repatriate convicts, and transfer sentenced individuals to serve their sentences in their home countries. They also discussed consular affairs, security, combating terrorism, and judicial cooperation,” read a statement from the Iraqi embassy in Ankara.
