UNHCR's ELIGIBILITY GUIDELINES FOR ASSESSING THE ...

In order to access the three Northern Governorates from other parts of Iraq, all Iraqis,
including Kurds, must go through checkpoints at the unofficial borders (the so-called
“green line”) between Central Iraq and the KRG-administered area. Other areas along the
unofficial border have been heavily mined in the past decade and are regularly patrolled by
Kurdish Peshmerga. Such conditions make it nearly impossible for persons to cross into the
three Northern Governorates through the countryside without endangering themselves.
Therefore, entry through the few major roads and their checkpoints is, practically, the only
option available.
There are regular flights by Iraqi Airways between Baghdad and Sulaymaniyah and
Baghdad and Erbil. A one-way ticket costs US $95 (to Erbil) and US $60 (to
Sulaymaniyah), an amount that cannot be borne by many for economic reasons. In addition,
the Baghdad airport road is not considered safe. 829
ii. Entry Measures 830
The Kurdish parties have introduced strict security measures at their checkpoints and
persons not originating from the Region of Kurdistan, depending on their profile, may be
denied entry into the Region of Kurdistan. Despite the unification of the administrations in
the Region of Kurdistan, the three Governorates of Sulaymaniyah, Erbil and Dahuk
continue to apply their independent entry and residency measures.
Governorate of Sulaymaniyah
In the Governorate of Sulaymaniyah, admission into the Governorate is generally not
restricted and does not require a sponsor. 831 However, persons from arabized areas claimed
by the PUK, i.e. Kirkuk and Khanaqeen in the Governorate of Diyala, are generally denied
entry to the Governorate for political and demographic reasons, unless they only wish to
come for a visit. 832 In that case, they are allowed entry but are not able to bring their
belongings or a large amount of luggage with them.
Persons arriving in Sulaymaniyah by airplane do not face any entry restrictions.
829 See above “Travel by Air”.
830 This Chapter is largely based on information obtained from UNAMI, UNHCR staff (checked with local
authorities) and UNHCR’s implementing partners.
831 There are special procedures applicable to persons wishing to relocate to the District of Kalar. An IDP
first has to approach the security office in person and submit a petition requesting permission to relocate. The
applicant needs a Kurdish sponsor who resides in Kalar. The sponsorship letter needs to be ratified by the
Notary Public Office in Kalar. Only after these conditions have been met will the security officer provide the
permission to relocate and to bring family members and belongings. Any applicant without a sponsor from
Kalar will be denied permission to relocate. Once the IDP has moved to Kalar and rented a house, a letter
from the Mukhtar (neighbourhood representative) needs to be submitted to the security office to confirm the
IDPs’ address in Kalar.
832 While Kurds are not permitted entry in order to maintain a Kurdish presence in these formerly arabized
areas, Arabs, Turkmen, Yazidis and members of other religious or ethnic groups from disputed areas are
denied entry as the authorities do not want to be confronted with the accusation of changing the demographics
by relocating non-Kurds from these areas.
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