The U.S. State Department has instructed all non-emergency U.S. government employees to leave Iraq immediately, citing heightened security threats following regional hostilities. The directive, issued on 2 March 2026, reaffirms Iraq’s long-standing Level 4 “Do Not Travel” advisory but dramatically scales back embassy operations in Baghdad and consular services country-wide. According to the updated advisory, terrorist and militia groups continue to plot attacks against U.S. interests, and indirect-fire incidents against diplomatic facilities have increased. The drawdown means routine visa processing is suspended; only emergency U.S.-citizen services will be offered. Companies with expatriate staff or contractors in Iraq should review evacuation plans and ensure personnel are enrolled in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). From a mobility perspective, the ordered departure complicates rotational assignments in Iraq’s energy and construction sectors. Firms may need to reposition talent to neighboring hubs such as Dubai or Doha, then rely on short-duration in-country visits once security conditions permit. Insurance underwriters are already flagging higher premiums for travel to the region, and most U.S. carriers maintain overflight bans of Iraqi airspace, lengthening flight times. Legal counsel also warn that Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) processing for Iraqi employees of U.S. contractors could face new backlogs, as interview capacity shrinks. Employers should monitor embassy notices for emergent remote-interview options or third-country processing. While the advisory does not mandate a full evacuation of private U.S. citizens, the State Department’s language—“leave now if you are there”—is unusually blunt. Mobility managers should treat the guidance as de facto compulsory if duty-of-care standards are to be met.
