Iraq increased efforts this year to manage foreign residency, highlighting Iraq’s residency enforcement as a key priority for national stability. The campaign shows the government’s focus on controlling migration and making sure people follow residency rules. Clearly, Iraq’s residency enforcement helps protect jobs for local citizens and keeps order in communities.
Since January 1, 2025, Iraq deported over 35,000 people who broke residency laws. The largest number, 20,033, came from Baghdad, while 15,620 came from other provinces. Officials also noted that monthly deportations rose from about 500 to more than 1,000 people.
The Interior Ministry directed this campaign to handle irregular migration and improve oversight of foreign workers. Authorities said these steps protect Iraq’s job market while helping legal residents fix their papers. The ministry also reopened an online system allowing some foreign nationals, including Syrians, Pakistanis, and Bangladeshis, to update their residency status before facing deportation.
Iraqi law says people who enter illegally or ignore deportation orders can face up to one year in prison or fines from 500,000 to 1,000,000 dinars. The campaign also targets visa overstays in all categories, making sure residents follow the rules nationwide.
Baghdad’s campaign is part of a national plan to regulate foreign workers. Officials say unlicensed foreign labor reduces jobs for young Iraqis. As a result, Iraq’s residency enforcement protects citizens’ work chances while keeping the system fair.
The campaign includes checking residency files, monitoring borders, and working with local authorities. At the same time, the government offers legal ways for foreign workers to fix their papers and stay in the country.
In conclusion, Iraq’s residency campaign shows a clear commitment to law enforcement, labor market fairness, and national safety. By combining enforcement with simple correction systems, the government balances fairness and law. The effort shows that Iraq’s residency enforcement plays a key role in protecting social and economic stability.
