Iraq Sets New Rules for Travelers’ $2,000 Dollar Allowance
At a Glance
- The Central Bank of Iraq has announced a new mechanism governing travelers’ access to foreign currency.
- The announcement sets the allowance at $2,000 every two months, with a maximum of six allocations annually.
- The new mechanism is scheduled to take effect on Sunday, October 18, 2026.
- The bank says the measure aims to regulate access to foreign currency and ensure eligible travelers receive their allocations under existing rules.
The Central Bank of Iraq has announced a new mechanism for distributing the $2,000 foreign-currency allowance for travelers, with implementation scheduled to begin on October 18, under rules intended to regulate access to dollars and ensure allocations reach eligible applicants.
Key Statements and Focus Areas
Allowance and Frequency
According to the Central Bank’s announcement, travelers will be eligible for a $2,000 allocation every two months, up to six times per year.
Implementation Date
The new mechanism is scheduled to take effect on Sunday, October 18, 2026.
Stated Purpose
The bank says the measure is intended to organize access to foreign currency and ensure that eligible travelers receive their allocations in accordance with previously announced regulations.
The Central Bank of Iraq has announced a new mechanism for regulating the foreign-currency allowance available to travelers, setting out the frequency and annual limit for receiving the allocation.
Under the announcement, travelers may receive $2,000 every two months, with a maximum of six allocations per year. The mechanism is scheduled to come into effect on October 18, 2026.
The bank said the measure is intended to organize the distribution of foreign currency and ensure that allocations reach eligible travelers in line with existing regulations.
The announcement concerns access to the designated travel allowance. Travelers should consult the Central Bank or authorized banks and exchange companies for the applicable eligibility requirements and procedures.
FYI
The travel-dollar allowance is part of Iraq’s wider system for managing demand for foreign currency. In July 2026, the Central Bank announced a reduction in the allowance from $3,000 to $2,000 per month and encouraged travelers to use electronic payment cards for overseas expenses.
However, the frequency stated in the latest announcement should be confirmed before publication. Rudaw reported on September 22 that the Central Bank had restricted access to the official-rate allowance to twice a year, which differs from the six-times-per-year limit stated in the announcement provided for this report. The Central Bank’s latest applicable written instructions will be essential to establish the rule that takes effect on October 18.
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