Arab and Foreign Students Division
Remit, vision and goals of the Arab and Foreign Students Division, plus the guidance guide, entry visa regulations and scholarship services.
The division is concerned with the affairs of Arab and foreign students, providing them with academic and administrative support from admission through graduation and helping them integrate into the university environment, ensuring a distinguished educational experience in accordance with the applicable laws and regulations.
Vision and Mission
Vision
An attractive, supportive university environment for Arab and foreign students that strengthens cultural diversity and academic excellence.
Mission
Provide integrated services for Arab and foreign students, facilitate their academic and administrative procedures, and strengthen cultural and academic communication within the university.
Goals
- Organise and follow up the admission procedures for Arab and foreign students.
- Facilitate residency transactions and official documents in coordination with the competent authorities.
- Follow up the students academic standing throughout their studies.
- Support students integration into university activities.
- Strengthen international academic and cultural relations.
Guides and Documents
Entry visa regulations for international students, issued by the Iraqi Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Basic requirements for all applicants
- The student must enter Iraq through the approved official border crossings, whether by air, land or sea.
- The passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the date of entry.
- The student must complete the visa application form and submit it to the Iraqi consulate or embassy in their country.
- The visa is not issued before the approval of the ministry centre in Baghdad, after the application is reviewed in coordination with the Ministry of Interior / Residency Department.
How the visa is granted
- The student submits the visa application with the required documents to the Iraqi consulate.
- The consular officer reviews the application and sends it to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs centre in Iraq for security approval.
- After approval, the centre sends the decision to the Residency Department at the Ministry of Interior, then the final decision is returned to the consulate to issue the visa.
Special exemptions
According to the regulations, some cases are exempt from the visa fee or entry requirements:
- Foreign students enrolled in Iraqi universities and institutes under cultural exchange agreements may be exempt from the visa fee or entry requirements.
- Some nationalities or special categories may be subject to different provisions according to the applicable Iraqi visa policies.
Requirements after entry (residency)
- After entering, the student must obtain residency inside Iraq from the Residency Department within the specified period (usually 30–60 days).
- The visa alone is not sufficient for long-term residency; the student must follow up the residency procedure through the university or the competent official bodies.
Important tips
- A visa does not guarantee automatic entry — the final decision rests with the Iraqi border officer.
- The passport must contain at least one blank page for the entry stamp.
- Follow up residency affairs after arrival to avoid fines or legal problems.
Services
Scholarships and free education opportunities
Madenat Alelem University offers free study opportunities for those wishing to continue their education in Iraq, covering study and accommodation costs. Through these programmes the university aims to strengthen cultural diversity within the academic environment and to encourage international understanding and cooperation between peoples.
Care and support provided to incoming students
The university is keen to provide a safe and supportive environment for incoming students, offering them:
- Airport reception to ensure they arrive safely and easily.
- Comprehensive health support, including medical examinations and the health care they need throughout their studies.
- Full protection to ensure their safety inside and outside the campus.
The university commitment
The university seeks to enable international students to benefit from an integrated educational environment that supports their academic and personal development and contributes to building bridges of cultural and scientific cooperation between Iraq and the rest of the world.
Partial scholarships for international students
Madenat Alelem University offers partial scholarships to international students covering half of the study costs, with the aim of reducing their financial burden and helping them pursue higher education at a lower cost. These scholarships allow students to benefit from a distinguished academic environment, ensuring them a high-quality education at one of the leading universities in Iraq.
Support and care provided to incoming students
The university gives special attention to international students, providing them with:
- Airport reception as soon as they arrive in Iraq, to ensure their comfort and easy transfer to the university.
- Integrated health care, including medical examinations and health services throughout their studies.
- Comprehensive protection and security inside and outside the campus, to ensure a safe and stable study environment.
The university commitment
The university is keen to support and strengthen the experience of incoming students in every academic and social respect, helping to create an integrated, culturally diverse educational environment that promotes understanding and international cooperation among students of different nationalities.