Visa Extension + Things to Do in Erbil

Hi there,

I arrived in Erbil on December 20th and will be here for three weeks until January 11th, working for a Kurdish news agency. I understand this question has been asked countless times but do I need to go to the Directorate of Residence to get an extension? Can I feign not noticing the visa stamp and exit the country without problems? If I should get a proper extension, where is the directorate of residence?! (their website just lists their address as, "kurdistan, erbil". not helpful...)

On a separate note - any fun things to do around here? :) I work 6 days a week and get home only after 5pm, and the most I've done has been walking along Iskan street (I live right by it). Anything else worth checking out?

Thanks in advance!

Bazaars in Erbil

Hello!

Two quick questions:

• Where is the main bazaar in Erbil? I know it is near the Citadel, but where exactly?

• Where is the "military bazaar" in Erbil? (the place to buy body armour, boots, etc)

safe travel for brits

would like to travel independently to Iraq next spring-all thoughts and ideas welcome.what is the feeling towards brits?

Diyarbakir to Erbil

Hi

Is there a direct bus from Doyarbakir to Erbil?
The Wikitravel website states that could be certain bus companies and they charge between 70-80TL for this journey. I tried to use the Best Van Turizm and Cizre Nuh Websites, but there is no option to choose this particular journey
But other wesbites state that you need to take a bus to the border and then uses taxis. But since I will be travelling around 22/December and with the cold weather - there may not be many people to share a taxi with. So i thought using a direct bus would be the best and cheapest option.

I would like to find out if there is such a direct bus, and if possible what is the cost and timings?

Thank you
Sunny

Edited by: sunny_mel2001

When will (southern) Iraq be safe again?

Hello everyone!

I hope you're all fine and enjoying your travels!

Having read a lot about the history and culture of Iraq and looking at pictures of the country, I can't help but being very fascinated by the idea of visiting it myself one day.
Baghdad, Najaf, Karbala and Basra seem to be mesmerizing places with loads of history and apart from that, from what I've heard, Iraqi people in general are supposed to belong to the friendliest anywhere.

I know, this topic involves a lot of guessing, but when do you think traveling independently through Iraq will become possible again?

By large, the situation seems to slowly become calmer with news of bombings and suicide attacks getting fewer and fewer. Furthermore, Baghdad and Basra have been added as destinations by several major airlines.

Do you expect traveling Iraq to become possible sometime throughout the coming ye... more »

reaching Amadiya from Dohuk

following the advise of someone in the forum of going to Amadiya from Dohuk I came to Dohuk yesterday night.
I would ask: how can I get to Amadiya to Dohuk?
and how much it will cost me?
how many hours is Amadiy from Dohuk ?

thanks!! :))

The Central Bank of Kurdistan in 60 Meter St in Erbil has ATMs??

I have a CUP (China Union Pay) ATM card(I have also visa but is a debit card with not so much money on it).
From here http://cn.unionpay.com/front.do (section find "ATM") I can see that there are few ATMs in Arbil that accept Union Pay card.
and these ATM in Erbil are:
5. Iraq CSC 60 street , Erbil (where in 60 street?? maybe Central Bank of Kurdistan??)
6. Iraq CSC 60 street (where in 60 street??)
7. Iraq CSC Erbil (where in Erbil???)
8. Iraq CSC Erbil, Ankawa – Hadyab area – Mar Gergis Street

So I have few questions
1.Do you know where these places above could be exactly ?
2.The Central Bank of Kurdistan in 60 Meter St in Erbil has ATMs for withdraw money ?
3.The ATM in Mar Gergis Street of which bank is ? Which bank is in Mar Gergis street in Ainkawa ?

thanks! :) more »