Travel & Visa Information
We are excited to welcome you to Karbala, Iraq for IMI’s 12th International Conference. Below are essential travel guidelines, including visa assistance & flight details to help you plan your visit with confidence.
Visa Requirements & Assistance
Visa rules vary by country. For those not booking their E-Visas through IMI, please review the Iraqi E-Visa Portal for the appropriate process. Please note:
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E-visas are required for citizens of: USA, Canada, UK, EU countries, India, Pakistan, GCC countries, Australia, New Zealand.
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Visas on arrival are no longer available for most countries.
IMI will assist all registered participants by issuing official invitation letters if needed.
Required Documents for E-Visa:
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Valid passport (minimum 6 months validity from travel date)
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Passport scan + passport-size photo
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Completed IMI form (sent after registration)
Submit visa info no later than October 31, 2025
Dates
Conference PLUS IMI Ziyarat/Sightseeing Packages: Recommended Dates (11-Day or 10-Day Packages)
For those joining us for the full experience, we recommend arriving on Monday, December 22 and departing on Thursday, January 1 after the Day Trip to Babylon. Or depart December 31 if you would like to depart after our Samara, Balad & Kazmain Day Trip.
Conference-Only Travel
If you are attending the conference in Karbala only, the 5 Day Package arriving on Thursday, December 25 and departing on Monday, December 29 would ensure you depart after the conclusion of conference sessions in Karbala on Sunday evening.
What’s Included with IMI Ziyarat & Sightseeing Full Package (11-Day or 10-Day options)
Attendees who select one of our IMI Hotel & Ziyarat/Sightseeing Full 11 or 10 Day Packages + Conference Registration will receive a complete support experience, including:
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Conference Registration with full access
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E-Visas & visa facilitation (invitation letters & group processing support)
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Airport transfers to/from Najaf or Baghdad
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Hotel accommodations:
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3 nights in Najaf (Dec 22–24)
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6 nights in Karbala (Dec 25–30)
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Optional 7th night in Karbala if participating in the Babylon Add-On (Dec 31)
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Daily meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) at group-designated venues
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Transportation to all conference events, ziyarat, and sightseeing locations
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Local team support and guides
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For all available packages, please visit our Hotel & Ziyarat Pacakges page
Group Flight Windows for Airport Transfers
Important To ensure included airport pick-ups and drop-offs, please align your flights with the schedules below. Times shown are local Iraq time.
Arrival Options — Airport pick-ups will be coordinated around these flights.
December 22, 2025 (Arrival for 11-Day & 10-Day Packages)
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Turkish Airlines TK 842 — arrives Baghdad (BGW) at 10:40
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Qatar Airways QR 444 — arrives Baghdad (BGW) at 10:25
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SalamAir OV 335 — arrives Baghdad (BGW) at 11:40
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Royal Jordanian RJ 814 — arrives Baghdad (BGW) at 19:20
December 25, 2025 (Arrival for 8-Day & 7-Day Packages)
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Turkish Airlines TK 842 — arrives Baghdad (BGW) at 10:40
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Qatar Airways QR 444 — arrives Baghdad (BGW) at 10:25
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SalamAir OV 335 — arrives Baghdad (BGW) at 11:40
Departure Options — Airport drop-offs will be coordinated around these flights.
January 1, 2026 (Departure for 11-Day & 8-Day Packages)
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Turkish Airlines TK 303 — departs Baghdad (BGW) at 02:55
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Qatar Airways QR — departs Baghdad (BGW) at 04:20
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SalamAir OV 338 — departs Baghdad (BGW) at 17:15
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Royal Jordanian RJ 815 — departs Baghdad (BGW) at 20:20
December 31, 2025 (Departure for 10-Day & 7-Day Packages)
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Turkish Airlines TK 303 — departs Baghdad (BGW) at 02:55
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Qatar Airways QR — departs Baghdad (BGW) at 04:20
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SalamAir OV 338 — departs Baghdad (BGW) at 17:15
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Royal Jordanian RJ 815 — departs Baghdad (BGW) at 20:20
Note: If you are booking a flight that arrives or departs closer to the above flights, please email us at conferences@imamiamedics.com to check if you could qualify for group transfers. Otherwise, if you prefer to book independent flights, you must make independent transport/taxi arrangements (with additional costs) to meet us at the hotels based on check-in timings.
Required for Guaranteed Group Airport Pick-up or Drop-off Transport:
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Purchase of 11-Day, 10-Day, 8-Day or 7-Day IMI Hotel & Ziyarat Packages
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Booking one of the flights shared above
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Completed IMI travel form (sent after registration) and submission of your ticket copy
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Written notice to conferences@imamiamedics.com of any change to information submitted along with resubmission on the form with the new ticket copy
Submit ticket info no later than October 31, 2025
If You Choose Conference Registration Only
Delegates selecting only Conference Registration (without the ground package) will be responsible for:
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Booking and arranging their own flights
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Managing airport transfers to/from hotel
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Arranging their own lodging and meals
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Obtaining an Iraq visa independently (IMI can provide invitation letters)
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Local transportation to/from the conference venue and any self-planned excursions
Airport Options
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Najaf International Airport (NJF) – closest to Karbala
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Baghdad International Airport (BGW) – also available, slightly longer drive and security times but typically more cost effective tickets
If you have any questions about travel logistics or visa requirements, please review our FAQs or contact us at conferences@imamiamedics.com. Please note, due to the heavy volume of inquiries, it may take 2-3 business days to reply to your individual questions.
