Do I still need a blood test for a Kurdistan residency permit?
For a stay exceeding 15 days[1] in Kurdistan even nationals of some visa free countries need residency permission. The short-term requirements are mentioned by the Kurdistan Regional Government and include:
Evidence that the applicant has undertaken a blood test according to the procedures of the residence office. A form to obtain a blood test appointment can be collected from the residence office as part of the application process. The blood test result can usually be obtained within 2-3 days.
Given eg that Wikitravel has “… a compulsory blood test to check for Hep C and HIV (although this does not seem to be the case anymore).” which site best reflects or what is the current situation regarding the blood test requirements?
Evidence of the current ‘de facto’ situation conflicts with stated official guidance. I seek an answer that disambiguates the situation rather than merely repeats one or other of the conflicting versions. I have quoted what I believe is the Government’s official (public) stance and also Wikitravel which indicates what is published is not what actually happens. In this case I am much more interested in current practice than in theory. One instance (a friend who late in 2014 did not need a blood test for a visit of one month) is sufficient further to call in to question the reliability of the stated official stance but not enough to establish with any degree of certainty whether I would need a test or not. (My friend is of the same, British, nationality though happens to have been born in Kurdistan).
For that I would appreciate either more up-to-date (ie probably different) official information (obviously with the source disclosed) or details (with provenance) of current practice. A single example (as I have already) does not illustrate the general rule I seek.
However there is no urgency at present. The trip I was expecting seems to have been either called off or deferred. Given the situation with ISIL I am not surprised though the nearest I have heard by way of a reason is, strangely, “Because of the situation in Yemen”.
[1] According to gov.uk, now 30 days:
Entry requirements section - immigration officials at airports in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq routinely allow travellers to get a visa on arrival; these visas are only valid for 30 days
(Updated 26 July 2016 - ie today)
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How do I become a Kurdistan resident?
The requirements for obtaining residency are:How do I get a residence permit in Iraq?
Entry with a visa: If you have entered KRI regularly with a visa, you should visit the Erbil Residency Directorate to obtain a residency permit card within 30 days; otherwise you will be subjected to overstay fine payments. Residency permit cards are issued to all asylum-seekers, age 14 and older.Do I need a visa for Kurdistan?
Anyone who does not have the privilege of getting a visa-free entry or a visa on arrival will require an entry permit prior to arrival into the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.How can I check my Kurd visa online?
The visit visa is granted on the following conditions:Which Country Do You HATE The Most? | IRAQI KURDISTAN
Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Images: Edward Jenner, Karolina Grabowska, Karolina Grabowska, Karolina Grabowska