Iraq's English-taught private universities include the American University of Iraq, Sulaimani (AUIS) in the Kurdistan Region, which opened in 2007. Its baseline undergraduate tuition is IQD 10,950,000 a year, and a built-in scholarship by secondary school score reduces this for international students to between IQD 4,500,000 for scores of 90% and above and IQD 9,500,000 for 59% and below, while Dentistry and Pharmacy cost the full IQD 10,950,000. Undergraduate applications for Spring 2027 close on 30 January 2027, and the semester starts on 7 February 2027. Full undergraduate entry needs TOEFL iBT 72, IELTS 6 or Duolingo 120, or an equivalent AUIS placement score, and lower results lead to English preparatory study. International school graduates must also have their certificate equalised by the education ministry. The AUIS Alumni Scholarship, open to students of all backgrounds with a score of 90% or more, covers half of first-year tuition.
In the Kurdistan Region, the Ministry of Interior issues and renews residency cards for foreign students aged 18 or over who study at educational institutions in the region. The card is valid for six months or one year and can be renewed. Applicants must be tested for communicable diseases, including HIV, hepatitis B and C, malaria and bilharzia, hold a passport valid for at least six months and have support from their educational institution; the documents are the study support letter, passport, residential support and a photograph. The service takes five to seven days. Under Directive No. 1 of 2021, foreigners who need a visa in advance pay IQD 1,000,000 to convert a visit visa into a residency card, while those who do not need an advance visa pay IQD 300,000; both also pay IQD 150,000 for issuing the card and a IQD 25,000 administration fee. Renewal costs IQD 150,000 plus IQD 25,000, and late renewal is penalised at IQD 20,000 per day.
For federal Iraq, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs states that its missions can issue entry visas to students studying in Iraq after they submit proof of admission and continued study at institutions under the education and higher education ministries. The official pages read do not publish work rules for students or post-study options.