Turkey and Iraq Reach Visa Agreement Amid Ongoing Tensions
After years of intense diplomatic negotiations, Turkey and Iraq have reached an agreement that addresses longstanding conflicts regarding visa regulations. Officials are calling this development “limited visa liberalization.” In a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed in mid-August, Iraqi and Turkish officials agreed to allow visitors under the age of 15 and over 50 to obtain visas on arrival.
However, the agreement faced criticism soon after it was implemented. Critics in Turkey, including the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP), argue that the new visa system may increase tensions related to irregular migration. They also express concerns that the age restrictions will not adequately address the potential dangers of more open borders. Additionally, some fear that armed groups based in Iraq could exploit the agreement to launch attacks on Turkish territory.
Despite these criticisms, Turkey is unlikely to abandon the deal. The agreement is crucial for broader accords related to security, military cooperation, and counterterrorism. A key point for Ankara is Iraq’s apparent acceptance of Turkey’s ongoing military actions in northern Iraq against the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK).
Background on Visa Agreements
Turkey and Iraq first attempted to ease travel restrictions in 2009, with discussions about creating a visa-free zone similar to the Schengen Area, which would include Iraq, Turkey, Syria, and Iran. However, none of these proposals were implemented. In 2020, Iraq canceled a previous migration-related MoU due to Turkey’s failure to fulfill its terms. Until the recent agreement, the visa requirements between the two nations remained among the strictest in the region.
The move to relax border restrictions comes as part of a broader effort to facilitate regional travel for economic growth. Historically, Egyptians face strict checks before obtaining a visa at Turkish embassies. However, seeking to boost tourism revenues, Egypt began granting visas on arrival to Turks last year.
Turkey’s most restrictive visa rules apply to Syrian passport holders. In contrast, travelers from Iran and most Gulf Arab countries can enter Turkey without a visa. These differences stem from a mix of diplomatic, economic, and political factors.
Recently, Turkey has faced criticism for allegedly providing “preferential” treatment to refugees amid a deepening economic crisis. This narrative has been a central part of the CHP’s opposition rhetoric, which may have helped the party succeed in Turkey’s local elections in March.
Turkey has also experienced riots targeting its sizable Syrian refugee population of 3.5 million. Critics warn that the new visa policy for Iraqis could lead to similar unrest. Policymakers in Turkey will need to balance their desire to strengthen regional economic ties with addressing domestic concerns over migration.
Economic Motivations Behind the Visa Agreement
The new visa agreement aims to increase Turkey’s bilateral trade with Iraq from $20 billion to $24 billion by 2030. Officials are worried because trade numbers have declined since reaching a peak of $24 billion in 2022. Currently, Turkey enjoys a trade surplus of $5.6 billion with Iraq. Both countries recognize that achieving their economic goals depends on adopting a more open-door policy.
Despite previous visa restrictions, Turkish officials reported that approximately 470,000 Iraqi tourists visited Turkey in 2023. Critics have pointed out that high visa fees—sometimes reaching $150—hinder investment. The new visa regime seeks to address these issues, acknowledging that past restrictions have been counterproductive. Thousands of Turkish companies operate in critical sectors of Iraq’s infrastructure, including construction and financial services. However, Turkish businessmen have long complained about the difficulties in obtaining Iraqi visas, which impede their work.
Turkey also aims to attract more Iraqi investment into its struggling housing market. Over the past decade, Iraqis have become the top foreign buyers of property in Turkey, purchasing nearly 50,000 housing units since 2015. Health tourism is another booming sector, as Iraqis seek medical treatment abroad due to inadequate healthcare facilities in their home country.
A significant aspect of the visa agreement is its connection to the ‘Development Road’ project, designed to connect the Gulf to Europe through Iraq and Turkey. This multi-billion dollar initiative gained momentum during Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s visit to Baghdad in April, where several agreements were signed to support the project. The planned railway line will facilitate both commercial trade and tourism, making cross-border movement even easier.
While Iraqi and Turkish officials promote bilateral trade as a mutual economic development project, Turkey is likely to maintain a stronger negotiating position in future discussions.
Addressing Security Concerns
The timing of the new visa accord coincides with the 40th anniversary of the PKK’s armed struggle against Turkey. Observers suggest that the agreement may have been a concession from Baghdad in exchange for Ankara’s continued military campaign against the PKK bases in Iraq. Currently, around 10,000 Turkish military personnel are active in northern Iraq.
Political disagreements over Turkey’s military actions and Iraq’s willingness to harbor the PKK have hindered relations. In a recent development, Iraq’s National Security Council declared the PKK a “banned” organization on March 14, indicating Prime Minister Muhammad Shia’ Al-Sudani’s willingness to address the issue.
The visa agreement appears to formalize these implicit agreements. The MoU signed in August includes provisions that solidify Turkey’s presence at the Bashiqa military base in northern Iraq, where Turkish troops have been stationed since 2015. Located 15 kilometers north of Mosul, this base has expanded alongside the growth of its Turkish garrison and aims to block the PKK’s smuggling routes to Syria. The base has previously faced attacks from the PKK and groups aligned with Iran.
To resolve the base’s controversial status, the MoU officially transfers responsibility for the base to Iraqi forces. However, it also establishes a ‘Joint Training and Cooperation Center’ with Turkish troops and a ‘Security Coordination Center’ in Baghdad. This effectively formalizes Iraq’s prior tacit agreement to Turkey’s contentious ‘security zone’ in northern Iraq.
The success of the new visa agreement will largely depend on the progress of negotiations regarding the ‘Development Road’ and other major trade initiatives. As it stands, both Turkey and Iraq have much to gain and little to lose from this new visa partnership, despite the concerns raised by critics.
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