PASSPORT UPDATE

PASSPORT UPDATE 10 July 03 Currently, Iraq has no capacity to issue passports or other internationally recognized travel document. In order to assist Iraqi nationals to travel, the Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA) has taken several actions. On 27 June 2003 CPA Order 16 was signed by Amb. Bremer which, in part, cancelled the edit of former President Saddam Hussein that limited the period of validity of the “N” series passports. This action restored the statutory limitation of each passport, making them valid until the expiration date originally printed on the document. Also, under Order 16 any Iraqi passport that has expired within the last four years is deemed valid for the exclusive purpose of a one-time return trip to Iraq if travel is completed before 31 December 2003. Additionally, a CPA issued Interim Travel Document that can be used in lieu of a passport is under review, and procedures for issuing such a document are being developed. It is anticipated that an Interim Travel Document will be available by late July or early August, and further information concerning how a person may obtain one will be released as soon as it is available. Until then, Iraqi nationals are free to travel, and international travel is possible without a passport. To accomplish this, persons wishing to travel to another country should contact the nearest consular representative of the country they wish to visit to determine what requirements they must meet in order to enter that country. This applies to all persons whether they have a passport or not Back to Regulations