find out about things there

10POSTS

14 years ago

Hi everyone,

My wife and I are making the first trip to Erbil next Thursday (based on my posting date), and we are new to this country. Would love to find out about things there, if you all could assist us.

1. Do you know where should I get the bus from Diyarbakir to Erbil?
2. Is there any visa fees for Malaysian and Thai? I know that Malaysian don't need visa to Iraq.
3. Is there any cheap guest house or a place to rent a room? We are on the tight budget.
4. How do we get a longer visa to stay in Erbil?
5. Is there any jobs opportunity for an accounting or IT jobs?

Thanks!

Regards,
Steve - Malaysia

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Zalikha New member

6POSTS

14 years ago

Hello Steve,

1- First of all when you arrive at Diyarbakir you will have a lot of taxies there so don't worry. If you arrive at Diyarbakir Airport you will see taxies and bus at the exit.
2-I don't think you have to pay fees, when i went there i didn't pay anything and i'm from france, i think it's like that for any country.
3- For the cheap guest house i can ask to people i know there but i'm not sure there is. you will find more Hotels.
4- I went to Duhok and i remember that from Diyarbakir to Duhok you pass Ibrahim khalil border and there you can get a longer visa directly.
5- And finally there is a lot of opportunies right now in IT .

I hope i helped you. Feel free to ask me more questions

macgver Member

10POSTS

14 years ago

Christine wrote:
Hi Steve,

Welcome to Expat.com!

I have introduced your message as a new topic on the Iraq forum for better visibility.

Best of luck,
Christine

Hi Christine,

Thanks for your help to start a new forum for me as it also can help others too.

Warmest regards,
Steve

macgver Member

10POSTS

14 years ago

Zalikha wrote:
Hello Steve,

1- First of all when you arrive at Diyarbakir you will have a lot of taxies there so don't worry. If you arrive at Diyarbakir Airport you will see taxies and bus at the exit.
2-I don't think you have to pay fees, when i went there i didn't pay anything and i'm from france, i think it's like that for any country.
3- For the cheap guest house i can ask to people i know there but i'm not sure there is. you will find more Hotels.
4- I went to Duhok and i remember that from Diyarbakir to Duhok you pass Ibrahim khalil border and there you can get a longer visa directly.
5- And finally there is a lot of opportunies right now in IT .

I hope i helped you. Feel free to ask me more questions

Hello Zalikha,

Thanks for your information and it does help us.

- Are you in Erbil now?
- How long visa (any fee) that you can apply in the border of Ibrahi Khalil border?
- How much is the fare from Diyarbakir to Erbil (by bus, taxi or both transportation)?

I did a search and discover the hotels in Erbil is not cheap.

Regards,
Steve

macgver Member

10POSTS

14 years ago

http://www.drerbil.com/en/index.php

When I did a search from the website, I found the Direcorate of Residence.

"The Foreigner guests who visit Kurdistan Region Iraq, via border check points or airports, they will be granted 10 residence days, In accordance with instructions of the directorate".

Before you travel out from your country, make sure you print out this site as many airlines don't know the visa stuffs as not many people travel to Iraqi Kurdistan.

MOVES Member

16POSTS

14 years ago

Hope following response helps

1. Do you know where should I get the bus from Diyarbakir to Erbil?
There is only bus to taxi pickup point taxi is about $25

2. Is there any visa fees for Malaysian and Thai? I know that Malaysian don't need visa to Iraq.
Check for visa upon arrival as Kurdistan (KRG) have its own rules which are not the same as Iraqi

3. Is there any cheap guest house or a place to rent a room? We are on the tight budget.
Plenty around Citadel in heart of Erbil

4. How do we get a longer visa to stay in Erbil?
You will be instructed in airport to apply for visa within 10 days of arrival - this done at Passport Office

5. Is there any jobs opportunity for an accounting or IT jobs?
Try oil & gas industry
Thanks!

Regards,
Neil To Steve from Malaysia

macgver Member

10POSTS

14 years ago

Thanks Neil for the information. Will try oil and gas industry.

Zalikha New member

6POSTS

14 years ago

Dear Steve,

I' m not in Erbil right now, i was there in 2006 but it seems that a lot of things have changed since then. Have you already found a job online or are you going to try to find one there? I m asking because there are website where you can find offers for jobs. If you want i can give you the link.

macgver Member

10POSTS

14 years ago

#10

There are three bus companies in the Bus Terminal (Otogar) Diyarbakir go to Erbil, Iraqi Kurdistan that cost TL 70 (try to ask for discount - indirim, you might get TL 50 per person). The travel time is around 12 - 13 hours and the bus schedule depart from Diyarbakir at 10am and another one is 5.30pm everyday.

While you are in Diyarbakir, you must be very careful with your stuffs while walking in the old street as many snatch thief around.

Yes, it will be helpful if you could give me the website link? (Zalikha)

macgver Member

10POSTS

14 years ago

#11

It is very hard to find information in the search engine or blog, took me one month to find it.

The information about Iraq Kurdistan Region.

To get into Iraqi Kurdistan, all nationalities (except US, EU, British, Canadian and NZ - recent Iran allow to enter) require to get an invitation letter from the local individual or company. There are some procedures need to follow and the local or company must referred to Ministry of Interior of Iraqi Kurdistan Government Region. It is not easy to get it as it take long days or weeks.

When you entering to the immigration of Kurdistan Region border by land or airport, you need to have the letter (most important is the letter being stamp and signed by the Ministry of Interior of Iraqi Kurdistan Government) with you.

Seeking Iraq Embassy or Kurdistan representatives will never able to help on the application.

For Iraq, there are two countries allow to enter. One is the American armies with the valid military ID and another one is Malaysian. But for Malaysian, you still need to get an invitation letter from individual or company to invite you and then you can process to the border or airport to get free 14 days visa.

Rafid80 Contributor

195POSTS

14 years ago

#12

Salamat datang !!
I've been in KL, its my second home...I have unforgotten memories there... happy to know malaysian people coming to my Country... I will pm you my cellphone number, in case if you need ANYTHING you can contact me, I have two Travel Agencies here... I ll do my best to help you.... blesses

Zalikha New member

6POSTS

14 years ago

#13

Dear Steve

Sorry for answering so late. Do you have a linkedin account ? It will be easier for us to communicate. Anyway I am pretty sure that you did research but still here are the links.

http://www.alliraqjobs.com/job-117862.html http://www.tiptopjob.com/search/jobs_by … 1426_erbil http://www.gulftalent.com/home/Medic-Oi … 87736.html http://www.gulftalent.com/home/Branch-M … 90228.html

Look at those one, i don't know maybe you have already apply to it.

I'm glad if that can help you if not i hope you will find.

See you,

macgver Member

10POSTS

14 years ago

#14

Rafid80 wrote:
Salamat datang !!
I've been in KL, its my second home...I have unforgotten memories there... happy to know malaysian people coming to my Country... I will pm you my cellphone number, in case if you need ANYTHING you can contact me, I have two Travel Agencies here... I ll do my best to help you.... blesses

Terima kasih! Apa khabar?
Yes, I love to come to your country and there are a lot of historical places to visit. Yes, I need the local people to help me, I already PM you. Be blessed!

macgver Member

10POSTS

14 years ago

#15

Thanks Zalikha! I will look around the site and see whether the companies in Erbil want me or not. Anyway, how are you there? I will send PM to you my contact.

See you then!

Zalikha wrote:
Dear Steve

Sorry for answering so late. Do you have a linkedin account ? It will be easier for us to communicate. Anyway I am pretty sure that you did research but still here are the links.

http://www.alliraqjobs.com/job-117862.html http://www.tiptopjob.com/search/jobs_by … 1426_erbil http://www.gulftalent.com/home/Medic-Oi … 87736.html http://www.gulftalent.com/home/Branch-M … 90228.html

Look at those one, i don't know maybe you have already apply to it.

I'm glad if that can help you if not i hope you will find.

See you,