📱 Iraq & Kurdistan eSIM Coverage & Network Guide
Iraq offers improving 4G LTE coverage in major cities with excellent connectivity in Kurdistan Region. This visual guide shows network coverage from Baghdad to Erbil, holy cities to ancient sites.
Complete Iraq eSIM coverage guide: Network providers, regional coverage from cities to Kurdistan mountains
Asiacell ✓
eSIMfly Network • Nationwide 4G
Best coverage in Iraq (Opensignal, Jan 2026)
Korek ✓
eSIMfly Network • Kurdistan Leader
Strong in Erbil, Sulaymaniyah, Duhok
Zain Iraq
Local Operator (not needed)
Store visit + ID registration required
📌 Iraq eSIM Key Facts (Verified August 2026)
- • The eSIMfly Iraq eSIM is provisioned on two Iraqi networks: Asiacell (418-05) and Korek (418-40), both 4G LTE. Asiacell is the one to plan around — it covers the country nationwide, and Korek is under a regulator shutdown order dating from August 2026 (see the status note below).
- • One plan covers all of Iraq including the Kurdistan Region — Baghdad, Erbil, Sulaymaniyah, Duhok, Najaf, Karbala, and Basra — with no separate Kurdistan SIM needed.
- • No identity registration is required. Local Iraqi SIM cards require in-person registration with passport documentation; a travel eSIM activates before you land.
- • Iraq plans come in 1, 2, 3, 5, 10 and 20 GB, starting at $3.16 for 1GB/7 days — the live price of every size is in the pricing section below.
- • Iraq runs on 4G LTE — 5G is not commercially available. A state-backed operator, the National Mobile Company, was launched in August 2026 under a Vodafone brand licence, but it is still pre-commercial. In Opensignal's January 2026 Iraq report Asiacell won nearly every award, including Download Speed Experience (38.0 Mbps, vs 25.8 Mbps for Zain and 14.6 Mbps for Korek).
Quick Iraq Facts for Travelers
Capital
Baghdad (governorate 9.8M, 2024 census)
Population
46.1 million (2024 census; Kurdistan Region ~6.4M)
Currency
Iraqi Dinar (IQD)
Languages
Arabic, Kurdish
Time Zone
AST (UTC+3)
Network Tech
4G LTE in Cities
Why Travelers Choose eSIM Over Iraq SIM Cards
📋 The rule that catches visitors out
Every prepaid mobile line in Iraq — federal Iraq and the Kurdistan Region alike — has to be registered to a named person. In practice that means presenting your passport in person at an operator shop and, increasingly, giving biometric details. It is a legal requirement, not a shop policy, so there is no counter that will skip it.
What that means for you: a local SIM costs you a shop visit during business hours on your first day. An eSIM is installed from home over your own Wi-Fi and needs no registration at all.
What a local Iraqi SIM actually involves
🪪 Mandatory identity registration
Iraqi rules require passport registration, and biometric verification is now part of activation for prepaid lines. Foreign visitors are not exempt, and neither is the Kurdistan Region.
Source: Iraqi SIM registration requirements, including KRG operator documentation rules
🕐 It happens on arrival, not before
Asiacell, Korek and Zain all support eSIM on their own networks, but none of them sells one online to a visitor who is still abroad — activation happens in an Iraqi shop with Iraqi paperwork. There is no way to arrive already connected on a local line.
Verified September 2026 against the three operators' own retail channels
📶 One country, three national networks — not a Kurdistan exception
A common misconception is that you need a separate SIM for the Kurdistan Region. You do not: Asiacell, Zain and Korek are all licensed nationally. What genuinely differs is strength — Korek is strongest in Erbil, Sulaymaniyah and Duhok, Asiacell is strongest nationwide. A single-network SIM makes you choose; a dual-network eSIM does not.
Our Iraq plan carries both Asiacell and Korek, and Asiacell alone covers the whole country
eSIM Solution: What Actually Works
✅ Before You Leave Home
- • No registration needed - Zero paperwork or passport copies
- • Install while packing - Works immediately at airport
- • Clear English pricing - No language barrier confusion
- • Works Iraq & Kurdistan - One plan for entire country
- • Pay with card - No cash or dinar exchange needed
✅ Upon Arrival in Iraq
- • Connected in 60 seconds - Just turn on data roaming
- • Dual-network provisioning - Asiacell 4G nationwide, with Korek as a fallback
- • Navigate instantly - Google Maps from baggage claim
- • Security updates - Stay informed via WhatsApp
- • Business ready - Video calls work immediately
Pro Tip: Pilgrimage travelers benefit from instant connectivity for group coordination via WhatsApp. Business travelers need reliable data for meetings. eSIM eliminates airport registration delays!
Asiacell vs Zain vs Korek: Iraq's Networks Compared
Iraq has three main mobile operators, and coverage differs sharply between federal Iraq and the Kurdistan Region. Looking specifically for an Asiacell line? Our Asiacell eSIM guide covers shop activation, online orders, and the registration-free alternative. Here is how they compare based on Opensignal's January 2026 Iraq Mobile Network Experience report (measurement window 1 October to 29 December 2025) — and what it means for your eSIM choice.
| Asiacell | Zain Iraq | Korek | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Strongest region | Nationwide — best overall coverage in Iraq | Baghdad & southern Iraq | Kurdistan Region (Erbil, Sulaymaniyah, Duhok) |
| Avg. download speed (Opensignal, January 2026 report) | 38.0 Mbps | 25.8 Mbps | 14.6 Mbps nationally; strongest inside KRI cities |
| Headquarters | Sulaymaniyah (Ooredoo Group) | Baghdad (Zain Group, Kuwait) | Erbil |
| Local SIM for tourists | Store visit + ID registration | Store visit + ID registration | Store visit + ID registration |
| eSIM sold online to visitors | No | No (eSIM exists, but in-store with Iraqi registration) | No |
| On the eSIMfly Iraq eSIM | ✓ Included (418-05, 4G) | Not included | ✓ Included (418-40, 4G) |
⚠️ Korek regulatory status — updated September 2026
Iraq's Communications and Media Commission moved to shut down Korek and placed liens on its assets on 9 August 2026, after cancelling the settlement agreement on 2 June 2026 and ordered the seizure of its assets over disputed sums it has never fully itemised publicly - reported components are $375m from the 2007 licence auction and about 1.4 trillion dinars claimed in April 2026, all contested by Korek. Through late August and early September 2026 the CMC began closing Korek offices and service centres in several governorates and told subscribers to stop recharging their balances. Korek has challenged the action and the litigation is ongoing, so the outcome is not settled at the time of writing.
What this means for your eSIM. Our Iraq plan is provisioned on two networks — Asiacell (418-05) and Korek (418-40) — so the Korek leg is a redundancy, not the plan itself. Asiacell carries nationwide 4G coverage on its own, including Baghdad, Najaf, Karbala, Basra, and the Kurdistan Region. Plan around Asiacell, and treat any Korek attach as a bonus rather than something to count on until the dispute resolves.
Looking for "Korek eSIM" or "Asiacell eSIM"?
Neither Asiacell nor Korek sells eSIMs online to visitors — Iraqi regulations require in-person identity registration for local lines. A travel eSIM is the practical way to get data on the Asiacell and Korek networks: it activates before you land and needs no registration.
Searching for "Zain Iraq eSIM"?
Zain Iraq does offer eSIM for its prepaid lines, but only through Zain stores with Iraqi identity registration — it cannot be bought online from abroad. For visitors, a registration-free travel eSIM on Asiacell + Korek covers the same cities Zain does, including Baghdad. Full details in our Zain Iraq eSIM guide.
Want the full breakdown with Opensignal January 2026 speed data and a city-by-city verdict? Read the complete Asiacell vs Korek vs Zain comparison →
Comparing providers, not networks? Best eSIM for Iraq: real prices and networks compared →
Iraq eSIM Plans & Pricing
Choose Your Data Plan:
From Baghdad business to pilgrimage journeys, find the perfect plan for your Iraq adventure. All eSIMfly Iraq plans run on the Asiacell and Korek 4G networks — one eSIM, both networks.
💳 Paying from Iraq? Iraqi-issued cards are accepted and charged in Iraqi dinar, so there is no currency-conversion surprise on your statement. International Visa, Mastercard and Apple Pay / Google Pay work as usual from anywhere else.
💰 Loading Current Iraq eSIM Prices...
eSIM Setup for Iraq
Pro Tip: Install Before You Fly
Install your eSIM before leaving for Iraq. Skip registration paperwork and have data immediately upon landing - crucial for business meetings or pilgrimage coordination!
Simple 3-Step Installation
Purchase Your Plan
Choose data amount based on your trip duration. Receive QR code by email instantly. No registration or ID required.
Scan QR Code
Settings → Cellular/Mobile → Add eSIM → Scan QR code. Works on iPhone (XS+), Samsung, Google Pixel, and most modern phones. Install while on home WiFi.
Activate Upon Arrival
Turn on data roaming for eSIM line. Connects automatically to Asiacell or Korek 4G, whichever is stronger. Test at airport.
Compatibility Note: Works with iPhone XS or newer, Samsung Galaxy S20+, Google Pixel 3+, and most smartphones from 2020 onwards. Check your device settings for eSIM capability.
Common eSIM issues and quick fixes
"Stuck on Activating..." (iPhone Users)
A documented iPhone behaviour, widely reported on Apple's community forums. Not Iraq-specific.
Fix: Turn OFF any VPN before installing the eSIM. Toggle Airplane mode ON (wait 30 seconds) then OFF. Wait 2-3 minutes. If it is still stuck after 10 minutes, restart the phone.
"No Service" After Installation (Most Common Issue)
The most common eSIM activation problem anywhere in the world.
Fix: Go to Settings → Cellular → Your eSIM → Turn ON "Data Roaming" (Iraq requires this!). Wait 30-60 seconds. Your phone will connect to Asiacell or Korek automatically.
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra Users Report Issues
Reported on Samsung's community forums; a device-firmware issue, not a network one.
Fix: Samsung S25 series has documented eSIM bugs. Update to latest firmware. Clear cache: Settings → Apps → SIM Manager → Clear Cache. If persists, wait for Samsung patch.
Still Having Issues? Contact our 24/7 WhatsApp support. Most activation problems resolve within 5 minutes with our help!
Real Cost Comparison: What Travelers Actually Pay
Based on carriers' own published 2026 rates and on our live Iraq plan prices:
Verizon TravelPass
$84-168 ($12/day)
Iraq is listed at $12 per day on Verizon's published TravelPass country list — a week is $84, two weeks $168
Local SIM bought on arrival
Shop visit + ID registration
Passport and biometric registration are legally required, so this costs you time on your first day rather than money
eSIMfly eSIM
$3.16-$23.15
Installed before departure, no registration, connected on landing
Worked example: Verizon TravelPass at its published $12/day for 7 days is $84. The same week with eSIMfly costs $12.74 (5GB/30-day plan). That's over $70 saved. Plus avoid registration paperwork, airport delays, and language barriers.
How Much Data Do You Really Need?
💬 Pilgrimage (5-10GB per week)
Most pilgrims to Najaf & Karbala fall into this category
- • Google Maps navigation: ~150MB/day
- • WhatsApp group coordination: ~100MB/day
- • Live streaming prayers: ~300MB/session
- • Photo/video sharing: ~200MB/day
- Total: ~450-600MB/day = 5-7GB for week
📱 Business Travel (10-15GB per week)
Typical for Baghdad business trips with meetings
- • Zoom/Teams video calls: ~800MB/hour
- • Email & cloud documents: ~300MB/day
- • Mobile hotspot for laptop: ~500MB/day
- • Security apps & updates: ~200MB/day
- Total: ~1.5-2GB/day = 10-14GB for week
🎥 Content Creation (20GB+ per week)
For photography/videography in Kurdistan or heritage sites
- • Photo backups to cloud: ~1GB/day
- • Instagram/TikTok uploads: ~800MB/day
- • 4K video editing apps: ~500MB/day
- • Research & location scouting: ~300MB/day
- Total: ~2.5-3GB/day = 18-21GB for week
Recommendation by Trip Type:
- • Pilgrimage (5-7 days): 5GB/30-day plan
- • Business trip (3-5 days): 10GB/30-day plan
- • Kurdistan tour (7-10 days): 10GB/30-day plan
- • Extended stay/family visit: 20GB/30-day plan (the largest Iraq plan we sell) — live prices in the pricing section above
Troubleshooting Common Issues
❌ "No Service" After Installation (Most Common)
Real User Report:
An eSIM that installs cleanly but then shows "No Service" on landing is the single most common activation problem, anywhere in the world.
✅ The fix, in order:
- Go to Settings → Cellular/Mobile → Your eSIM
- Turn ON "Data Roaming" (Iraq requires this!)
- Wait 30-60 seconds for network connection
- Phone will auto-connect to Asiacell or Korek
Data roaming is what tells your phone it may use a foreign network. On a travel eSIM it must be ON — that is by design, and it is the first thing to check.
⚠️ "Stuck on Activating..." (iPhone Users)
An endless "Activating..." loop is a documented iPhone behaviour, reported on Apple's own community forums. It is not specific to Iraq, but a VPN left running during install makes it far more likely.
Solution:
- Turn OFF any VPN before installing eSIM
- Toggle Airplane mode ON (wait 30 sec) then OFF
- Wait 2-3 minutes for activation
- If still stuck after 10 min, restart phone
The airplane-mode toggle forces a fresh network attach and clears most of these loops.
Slow Speeds or Connection Drops
Common in remote areas and between cities
Solutions:
- Check remaining data allowance
- Manually select the other network (Asiacell ↔ Korek)
- Move to higher ground or near windows
- Remote areas have limited coverage - normal
What actually works in Iraq: turning on Data Roaming is the fix for almost every "No Service" report. A VPN left running during install causes activation loops. Manual network selection between Asiacell and Korek helps in border and mountain areas. The Kurdistan Region generally has better coverage than the rest of the country.
Network Coverage Across Iraq
Major Cities
Tourist/Holy Cities
Zain Iraq
- Strong urban coverage
- Best in Baghdad
- Good highway coverage
- 4G LTE in cities
Asiacell
- Nationwide network
- Strong holy cities
- Good rural reach
- Reliable service
Korek
- Kurdistan leader
- Excellent in Erbil
- Good mountain coverage
- Strong northern Iraq
2026 update: the Kurdistan Region has excellent 4G LTE coverage. Federal Iraq improving with strong coverage in Baghdad, Najaf, Karbala, Basra. Remote archaeological sites have limited coverage - download offline maps before visiting Babylon or Ur. The eSIMfly Iraq eSIM uses the Asiacell and Korek networks shown above — Zain coverage is listed for market comparison only.
Travel Recommendations for Iraq
📖 Data-use scenarios: how much different Iraq trips actually need
These six profiles are consumption estimates, not customer testimonials — they apply the typical data cost of each app (maps, messaging, video calls, photo and video uploads) to real routes through Iraq. Use them to pick a plan size. Live prices for every size are in the pricing section above.
Pilgrimage: Iraq data profile
Najaf & Karbala Pilgrimage
📍 Route:
Baghdad → Najaf → Karbala → Baghdad
📊 Day-by-Day Data Usage:
💡 Worth knowing:
- •Shrine areas have strong 4G, enough to live-stream prayers home
- •WhatsApp groups are how pilgrimage groups actually coordinate, and they cost almost no data
- •Prayer apps work offline, so downloading them is a cheap safety net
- •Hotel Wi-Fi near the shrines saturates in season; mobile data holds up better for video calls
Plan that fits:
Covered by the 10GB / 30-day Iraq plan
Versus US carrier roaming:
Verizon TravelPass would be $84 for the same 7 days at its published $12/day
Bottom line
For a group pilgrimage, being reachable is not a luxury — it is the logistics.
Business trip: Iraq data profile
Baghdad Business Trip
📍 Route:
Baghdad (Green Zone & Hotels)
📊 Day-by-Day Data Usage:
💡 Worth knowing:
- •Hotel Wi-Fi in Baghdad rarely survives a long video conference; tethering from the phone is steadier
- •Coverage in the Green Zone and the main hotel districts is reliable
- •Using the phone as a hotspot for a laptop adds roughly 500MB a day
- •Local security and traffic updates circulate on WhatsApp, so staying online matters
Plan that fits:
Covered by the 20GB / 30-day Iraq plan
Versus US carrier roaming:
Verizon TravelPass would be $60 for the same 5 days at its published $12/day
Bottom line
On a business trip the connection is not convenience — it is the meeting that does not drop.
Kurdistan road trip: Iraq data profile
Kurdistan Mountain & Citadel Tour
📍 Route:
Erbil → Sulaymaniyah → Dohuk → Amadiya
📊 Day-by-Day Data Usage:
💡 Worth knowing:
- •The Kurdistan Region has better coverage than most visitors expect, mountain roads included
- •Offline maps are still worth downloading: enclosed valleys have dead spots
- •Signal at the Erbil Citadel is strong enough to read up on site
- •Continuous navigation costs about 150MB a day on its own, which adds up fast on a long route
Plan that fits:
Covered by the 20GB / 30-day Iraq plan
Versus US carrier roaming:
Verizon TravelPass would be $120 for the same 10 days at its published $12/day
Bottom line
Ten days on northern roads without data is ten days of paper maps.
Heritage tour: Iraq data profile
Mesopotamia Heritage Tour
📍 Route:
Baghdad → Babylon → Ur → Basra → Kurdistan
📊 Day-by-Day Data Usage:
💡 Worth knowing:
- •Streaming documentaries or video guides at a site is the most underestimated cost of this trip
- •Remote ruins have limited coverage: download what you need before leaving the hotel
- •City coverage is easily good enough to work from a museum or hotel
- •Camera translation of Arabic plaques works well and costs very little data
Plan that fits:
Covered by the 20GB / 30-day Iraq plan
Versus US carrier roaming:
Verizon TravelPass would be $144 for the same 12 days at its published $12/day
Bottom line
With historical context in your pocket, a mound of brick stops being a mound of brick.
Family visit: Iraq data profile
Family Reunion & Tourism
📍 Route:
Baghdad → Karbala → Erbil → Sulaymaniyah
📊 Day-by-Day Data Usage:
💡 Worth knowing:
- •Video for children in the car is by far the biggest consumer: download episodes on hotel Wi-Fi
- •Coordinating twenty-odd relatives on WhatsApp costs almost nothing; video costs a great deal
- •Sharing the connection with relatives who have no data multiplies the host line's consumption
- •Over two weeks with several people, 20GB runs out: budget for a top-up
Plan that fits:
20GB / 30-day Iraq plan plus one top-up
Versus US carrier roaming:
Verizon TravelPass would be $168 per line for the same 14 days at its published $12/day
Bottom line
On a long family trip, the connection is what stops half the group getting lost.
Content creation: Iraq data profile
Photography & Content Creation
📍 Route:
Erbil → Sulaymaniyah → Amadiya → Rawanduz
📊 Day-by-Day Data Usage:
💡 Worth knowing:
- •At this rate the 20GB plan needs a top-up before the trip ends
- •Coverage in the northern mountains is good enough to post from, but not for large uploads
- •Leave automatic cloud backup on Wi-Fi only, or it will empty the plan unannounced
- •Uploading 4K video is what breaks any data budget: a single day can take 10GB
Plan that fits:
20GB / 30-day Iraq plan plus one top-up
Versus US carrier roaming:
Verizon TravelPass would be $108 for the same 9 days at its published $12/day
Bottom line
If publishing is the job, uploading from the location is not optional.
Quick Reference: How Much Data Do You Need?
Short Trip (3-7 days)
5-10GB
A week-long pilgrimage works out at roughly 6.8GB
Week-Long Trip (7-12 days)
10-20GB
A Kurdistan road trip runs about 15.7GB; a heritage tour about 19.2GB
Extended Stay (2+ weeks)
20-30GB+
A two-week family visit runs about 24.5GB; heavy content creation about 28.3GB
Region-by-Region Iraq Connectivity Guide
Based on Opensignal's January 2026 Iraq report and published infrastructure data: coverage quality varies noticeably between the Kurdistan Region and federal Iraq. Sourced measurements are cited below.
Baghdad & Central Iraq
Good 4G CoverageBaghdad has improving coverage from all three networks. Green Zone, hotels, and business areas well connected. Internet penetration reached 82.9% of Iraq's population by end of 2024 (up from 44.3% in 2019).
📊 What the numbers say
Internet use in Iraq reached 82.9% of the population by the end of 2024, up from 44.3% in 2019 — one of the fastest climbs in the region, and it shows in Baghdad's day-to-day coverage.
Coverage in commercial and government areas keeps improving
Coverage Highlights:
- • Baghdad Airport - Full coverage
- • Green Zone - Excellent signal
- • Karrada & Mansour - Good 4G
- • Hotels & business areas - Reliable
Real Usage:
- • Careem app for transportation
- • Google Translate for Arabic
- • Video calls from hotels
- • Security app notifications
⚠️ Important: Power outages can affect connectivity. Keep portable charger handy, especially during summer.
Kurdistan Region (Erbil, Sulaymaniyah, Dohuk)
Excellent CoverageKurdistan has invested heavily in telecommunications - far better infrastructure than federal Iraq. Erbil offers excellent 4G/LTE coverage throughout the city. Fiber optic initiative reached 400,000 households in 2024.
📊 Network infrastructure (Freedom House, Freedom on the Net — Iraq):
"4G service has been available throughout the Kurdistan region since 2015... internet infrastructure in the Kurdistan region is much more developed than in the rest of Iraq."
Iraq's first 4G network was launched in the north, by Fastlink, in 2013
Coverage:
- • Erbil city & Citadel - Excellent 4G LTE
- • Sulaymaniyah - Excellent coverage
- • Mountain roads - Surprisingly good
- • Fastlink, the region's own ISP, widely available
Real Usage:
- • Fast upload speeds for content
- • Mountain navigation reliable
- • Cafes & restaurants have WiFi
- • Better than Baghdad
Local tip: plenty of cafés and restaurants in Erbil and Sulaymaniyah offer Wi-Fi, though not all of it is broadband speed, and it drops with the power. Your own data is the more dependable option.
Holy Cities (Najaf & Karbala)
Excellent Shrine CoverageShrine areas have strong coverage designed for millions of pilgrims annually. Karbala attracts massive pilgrimages requiring robust connectivity. Hotels near shrines well connected for group coordination.
📊 Network performance (Opensignal Iraq reports, latest January 2026):
Asiacell has taken Opensignal's Iraq coverage awards, which measure how much of the places people actually go is served by a usable signal. That is the practical reason the holy cities and the roads between them are well covered.
Holy cities have priority infrastructure for pilgrimage support
Coverage:
- • Imam Ali Shrine (Najaf) - Excellent
- • Imam Hussein Shrine (Karbala) - Strong 4G
- • Hotel districts - Good coverage
- • Between cities - Variable
Pilgrimage Use:
- • WhatsApp group coordination
- • Live stream prayers to family
- • Photo & video sharing
- • Digital prayer apps work well
Southern Iraq (Basra & Port Areas)
Good City CoverageBasra, Iraq's only port city, has decent coverage for business travelers. Oil industry zones typically well connected. Important business hub in southern Shia region.
📊 Network speeds (Opensignal, January 2026 report):
Nationwide averages: Asiacell 38.0 Mbps, Zain 25.8 Mbps, Korek 14.6 Mbps. These are country-wide figures, not Basra measurements — Opensignal does not publish a city-level breakdown for Basra.
Enough headroom for video calls from the city on a normal day
Coverage:
- • Basra city center - Good 4G
- • Basra Airport - Full coverage
- • Port areas - Decent signal
- • Shatt al-Arab - Good coverage
Business Use:
- • Video calls work from the city centre
- • Hotels have WiFi backup
- • Airport lounges offer WiFi
- • Industrial areas may have gaps
📈 Coverage summary (verified September 2026):
- • Best Overall Network: Asiacell (winner of nearly every award in the January 2026 Opensignal Iraq report)
- • Fastest Downloads: Asiacell 38.0 Mbps, ahead of Zain 25.8 Mbps and Korek 14.6 Mbps (Opensignal, January 2026)
- • Best Coverage: Kurdistan Region (4G since 2015, 400K fiber homes)
- • Most Improved: Baghdad (82.9% internet penetration vs 44.3% in 2019)
- • Pilgrimage Hub: Najaf/Karbala (infrastructure for millions of visitors)
Sources: Opensignal Iraq Mobile Network Experience Report (January 2026); Freedom House, Freedom on the Net — Iraq; ITU internet-penetration figures; Iraq's 2024 national census.
🛂 The Iraq plan covers Iraq — and only Iraq
Our Iraq eSIM is a single-country plan: it works everywhere inside Iraq, Kurdistan Region included, and stops at the border. If your trip also takes in Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain or Oman, the Gulf regional plan covers all seven countries on one eSIM. Crossing into Turkey, Iran, Jordan or Syria needs a different plan.
📵 Nationwide shutdowns during school exams
Iraq has a long-running practice of cutting the internet nationwide for a few hours during national school-exam sessions, as an anti-cheating measure — most recently in June 2026. No eSIM, no local SIM and no hotel Wi-Fi works during those windows. If you are travelling in exam season, do not schedule anything that depends on being online early in the morning.
Frequently Asked Questions
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