Beginning today, Iraq government requires foreign journalists to get visas. They have to be obtained prior to arrival at Baghdad International Airport or the border.

From the release:

Baghdad, 15th March 2007
MEDIA ADVISORY
TO ALL INTERNATIONAL MEDIA ORGANISATIONS

PROCEDURE FOR OBTAINING VISAS FOR NON-RESIDENT FOREIGN JOURNALISTS

Following a number of recent incidents with foreign journalists at Baghdad International Airport, please note the following official procedure for obtaining entry visas for non-resident foreign journalists:

1. All journalists must have a valid entry visa before arriving in Iraq;

2. Journalists may apply for a visa at an Iraqi embassy by completing an application form and presenting a letter from their media organization;

3. Journalists already in Baghdad that are leaving and wish to return, may also apply for a visa from the Consular Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Baghdad by sending their application form and request from their media organization to the MFA Press Department.

4. Please specify, on application, which country the visa is to be collected in;

5. On approval of the application, and in compliance with any consular regulations, the visa can be collected at the pre-specified consulate.

Foreign journalists can not obtain a visa on arrival at Baghdad International Airport. Please note - the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is unable to assist journalists that arrive without a valid entry visa.

The application form for applying for a visa can be downloaded from www.iraqmofa.net