Syrian Kurdish administration to issue new travel documents

Qamishlo, Syrian Kurdistan (Kurdistan 24) – Officials in the Kurdish-led self-managed administration in northern Syria said on Thursday they had new procedures for people crossing to Iraqi Kurdistan.

The Directorate of Visas belonging to the Kurdish Administration [in northern Syria] announced they are working on new projects.

One project involves developing new forms for people wishing to travel to the Kurdistan Region and issuing special local "passports" for that purpose.

In an exclusive statement for Kurdistan24, Shero Mihemed, the Director of Visas in Rojava (Syrian Kurdistan) said they have assigned a specific day of the week for people of every city or town in the region to register their information and receive visa forms.

The new visa application forms and special travel documents will only be available to Syrian Kurds.

It is worth mentioning that visas to Iraqi Kurdistan for Syrian Kurds living in Rojava are not easily accessible to everyone.

“For people to cross from Rojava to the Kurdistan Region, certain conditions apply. Those who are harmed in an accident or the sick, or those who need surgery which is not available here will now get expedited travel documents,” Mihemed said.

The Directorate of Visas in Rojava started its work in 2015.

According to the Director, more than 100 people cross from Rojava to the Kurdistan Region every day, some for a visit and others for treatment.

Visas to cross to Iraqi Kurdistan are only given at the Peshkhabur border crossing (also known as Semalka).

The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) authorities at the border crossing are responsible for the processing of forms sent by the Rojava Visas Directorate.

On Jan. 16, 2013, the KRG inaugurated the Iraqi Kurdistan-Rojava border crossing (Peshkhabur) by establishing a pontoon bridge across the Tigris, about one kilometer downstream of the Iraqi-Syrian-Turkish trip point.

After the breakout of the Syrian Civil War in 2011, the Syrian-Turkish border remained closed. As a result, the crossing to Iraqi Kurdistan from northeastern Syria has been used to bring in produce and building materials.

Editing by G.H. Renaud

(Additional reporting by Lava Asaad from Qamishlo)