Iraq and Kurdistan eSIM Guide: Arbaeen, Erbil and Exam Shutdowns

For Arbaeen in Karbala or a trip to Erbil and the Kurdistan Region, an Iraq data eSIM installed before you leave the UK is usually far cheaper than roaming, which can cost £6 per MB on some UK networks. Plan for crowded networks during Arbaeen and for short, nationwide internet shutdowns on exam mornings.

Last checked: 15 October 2026. The FCDO advises against all but essential travel to most of Iraq, including the Kurdistan Region and Karbala, and against all travel to some areas. Read the GOV.UK travel advice for Iraq before you book, and check that your insurance will cover you.

Travel advice and entry rules in 2026

As of its July 2026 update, the FCDO advises against all travel to parts of Anbar, Diyala, Kirkuk, Ninawa and Salah al-Din provinces, and to areas close to the Iranian, Saudi and Kuwaiti borders. It advises against all but essential travel to the rest of the country, including Baghdad, Najaf, Karbala and the Kurdistan Region, including Erbil. It also warns that Iranian strikes since 8 July 2026 have hit targets in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, and that flights and airspace can be disrupted at short notice.

Many travel insurance policies do not cover trips against FCDO advice, so look for a specialist policy if you decide to go. Entry rules for British passport holders, according to GOV.UK:

Your passport must be valid for at least six months after you arrive. If you plan to travel between Erbil and Karbala, you need the federal Iraqi visa, not just the Kurdistan one.

Iraqi mobile networks

Iraq has three main mobile networks:

• Asiacell. Wide coverage across federal Iraq and the Kurdistan Region.
• Zain Iraq. Strong in Baghdad and the south, including Najaf and Karbala.
• Korek Telecom. Based in Erbil and strongest in the Kurdistan Region.

4G is now available in the main cities of both federal Iraq and the Kurdistan Region. Speeds outside cities vary, and some rural roads still drop to 3G or lose signal.

Arbaeen in Karbala: what to expect from your phone

Arbaeen marks the 40th day after Ashura and brings one of the largest gatherings in the world to Karbala. In 2026 it fell on 4 or 5 August. In 2027 it is expected around 24 or 25 July, depending on the moon sighting.

Many pilgrims walk the roughly 80km from Najaf to Karbala over several days. Networks add temporary capacity, but with millions of people in a small area, data can slow to a crawl near the shrines of Imam Hussain and Abbas. Practical tips:

• Agree meeting points with your group in advance, and do not rely on calls in the busiest areas.
• Write down your mawkib or hotel location and your group leader's number on paper.
• Download offline maps of Najaf, Karbala and the walking route before you leave.
• Carry a power bank. A phone searching for signal in a crowd loses charge fast.
• Send photos and videos at quieter times, such as late at night or early morning, and not on exam mornings (see below).

Erbil and the Kurdistan Region

Erbil, Sulaymaniyah and Duhok have good 4G coverage in town, and the citadel and bazaar area of Erbil is well served. Coverage on mountain roads towards Rawanduz, Amedi and the Iranian and Turkish border areas is patchier. Remember that the FCDO advises against all travel within 5km of some borders, and that the Kurdistan Region has seen strikes in 2026.

Internet shutdowns during exams

Iraq regularly switches the internet off nationwide for short periods on national exam mornings to stop cheating. In 2026, Iraq's communications ministry announced on 19 May that it would suspend internet access during exams. Monitoring by the Internet Society recorded shutdowns on several mornings between May and August 2026, usually for 50 to 90 minutes from around 6am local time.

The Kurdistan Region runs its own exams and has also cut internet access during them in recent years, typically early in the morning. The exact days change each year with the exam timetable.

What this means for travellers:

• A travel eSIM connects through Iraqi networks, so expect it to stop working during a shutdown too.
• Shutdowns are short and usually early in the morning. Plan important calls and check-ins for later in the day.
• If you are travelling between May and August, ask your hotel or tour organiser about the exam calendar.
• Do not try to get round the shutdown. Just wait it out; service usually returns within an hour or two.

What UK networks charge in Iraq

Iraq is one of the most expensive places to use a UK phone. These are the prices we found on official pages and price guides:

At £6 per MB, loading a single map or sending a few photos could cost more than a whole eSIM plan. If you are on Three, turn data roaming off on your UK SIM before you land. Official pages: Three and EE.

SimplySIM plans for Iraq and Kurdistan

These plans cover the whole of Iraq, including the Kurdistan Region. Prices are in GBP as shown on 15 October 2026. Unlimited plans include 1GB a day at full speed, then continue at a reduced speed until the next day.

The unlimited plans can use all three networks, which helps during Arbaeen and in the Kurdistan Region, where Korek is strong. The 10GB plan is only a little more than the 5GB plan, so it is the better value of the two. If your route also takes in Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain or the UAE, the Gulf Region 3GB 30Days plan (£15.49) covers all six countries and uses Korek and Asiacell in Iraq. See every option on the Iraq eSIM page.

Setting up before you travel

1. Check your phone supports eSIM and is network-unlocked with our device compatibility checker.
2. Install the eSIM at home on Wi-Fi. Leave it off until you land in Baghdad, Najaf, Basra or Erbil.
3. On arrival, select the travel eSIM for mobile data and turn on data roaming for that line only.
4. Turn data roaming off on your UK SIM. Keep the UK line on for texts if you need bank codes.

Our guide to dual SIM settings before you fly explains each step.

What a travel eSIM does not do

A SimplySIM eSIM is data only. It does not give you an Iraqi phone number and it cannot get round exam shutdowns or any other local restriction. WhatsApp and similar apps work over the data connection, using your existing UK account.

FAQs

Does a travel eSIM work in both Baghdad and Erbil?

Yes. SimplySIM Iraq plans cover federal Iraq and the Kurdistan Region. The unlimited plans can use Zain, Korek and Asiacell.

Will my phone work during Arbaeen in Karbala?

Usually, but data can be very slow near the shrines because of the crowds. Agree meeting points with your group and download offline maps before you go.

Why does the internet stop working in Iraq in the morning?

Iraq and the Kurdistan Region cut internet access for short periods on national exam days, usually between May and August. Service returns after an hour or so.

Does a travel eSIM keep working during an exam shutdown?

Expect it not to. The eSIM uses Iraqi mobile networks, which are switched off for data during the shutdown.

Do I need a visa for Iraq?

Yes. British citizens need an Iraqi e-visa for federal Iraq, bought before travel. The Kurdistan Region has its own e-visa and visa on arrival, valid only in the Kurdistan Region.

Is roaming expensive in Iraq on UK networks?

Very. Three charges £6 per MB in Iraq, and EE's rest-of-world pass includes only 500MB a day. Turn off data roaming on your UK SIM before you land.