What’s Happening?
The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) has issued a special instruction giving all Syrians 60 working days (starting June 15, 2025) to fix their residency status in the Kurdistan Region without paying fines.
Why Is This Important?
This is a one-time opportunity to legalize your stay or return home safely without paying fines. Please do not wait. Act now to protect yourself and your family.
What Can You Do?
If you would like to regularize your stay in the Kurdistan Region, by acquiring a new residency or extend your expired residency permit, please visit the Residency Department in Erbil, Duhok, or Sulaymaniyah.
For those seeking to return to Syria and want to regularize their overstay fines, please visit the Residency Department in Erbil, Duhok, or Sulaymaniyah.
For more information about the instruction, please follow the links below:
➡️In Arabic
➡️In Kurdish
If you need assistance contact UNHCR’s legal partners for free advice and support:
| Governorate | Partner Organization | Phone |
| Duhok | Harikar NGO | 0750 853 2209 |
| Erbil | INTERSOS | 0751 031 3071 |
| Sulaymaniyah | INTERSOS | 8001022 |
Share this information with your family and friends.
All services provided by UNHCR and Partners are Free of Charge.
Questions and Answers:
Q: Who does this apply to?⬇️
A: All Syrians in the Kurdistan Region without a valid residency permit, or whose permit has expired, and those willing to return to Syria, regardless of their status with residency.
Q: What is the deadline?⬇️
A: You have 60 working days starting June 15, 2025.
Q: What happens if I want to stay?⬇️
A: Go to your local Residency Department and renew or apply for your residency. No fine if done within the 60-day window.
Q: What if I want to go back to Syria?⬇️
A: You can go to the Residency Department in Erbil, Duhok, or Sulaymaniyah and follow the instructions of the authorities. You will not pay fines if you have overstayed your residency or never acquired one prior.