Iraq Imposes New Age Limit on Solo Pilgrims – 18 September 2025

Iraq Imposes New Age Limit on Solo Pilgrims to Holy Sites

Baghdad, 18 September 2025

Iraq’s government has announced a new age restriction for international pilgrims visiting the country’s revered religious sites. Under the rule, men under 50 years old will no longer be granted a pilgrimage visa if they are traveling alone. The policy takes effect immediately and applies to all foreign visitors seeking entry for religious travel.

Officials from the Ministry of Religious Affairs said the decision is aimed at improving crowd management, ensuring security, and easing pressure on infrastructure during peak pilgrimage seasons. They emphasized that the move is not intended to reduce access to sacred locations, but to safeguard visitors and help local authorities maintain order.

The regulation makes an exception for family groups:

Men under 50 may still enter if accompanied by immediate family members.

Women and minors are unaffected by the age cap when traveling with family.

Travel agencies have been instructed to update their application processes and advise clients accordingly. Pilgrims are now required to provide proof of age and family status when applying for visas, and applications that fail to meet the new criteria will be rejected.

The change carries significant implications for countries that send large numbers of visitors, including Pakistan, Iran, and Gulf nations. Pakistan’s Ministry of Religious Affairs has already notified prospective travelers to review the new requirements and plan group trips where necessary.

Supporters of the policy argue that Iraq experienced severe overcrowding and security challenges during last year’s peak pilgrimage periods, stretching public services such as housing, sanitation, and transportation to their limits. By limiting solo travel for younger men, officials believe they can better allocate resources and avoid similar crises.

Critics, however, contend that the rule infringes on religious freedom and unfairly restricts younger devotees who wish to undertake the journey independently. Human-rights advocates have called for a review, suggesting that better infrastructure and scheduling could achieve the same goals without limiting access.

Despite the debate, Iraqi authorities maintain that the measure is essential for protecting both pilgrims and the sanctity of holy sites. Travelers are advised to confirm the new guidelines before booking trips to Najaf, Karbala, or other major religious destinations to avoid complications at the border.