Iraq is a country of deep contrasts: ancient and young, wounded and resilient, complex yet full of possibility. For many in the diaspora, it is a place known through memory, family stories, displacement, and longing rather than lived experience. This guide offers an overview of Iraq today, its people, geography, political realities, security environment, and everyday life, to help readers understand the broader context in which a return might take place.

This overview does not idealize Iraq, nor does it reduce it to conflict alone. Instead, it aims to provide a grounded and honest picture of a country in transition, where challenges remain real, but change, resilience, and renewal are also underway.

This guide is written primarily for returnees and members of the Chaldean, Assyrian, Syriac diaspora of Iraq who are considering returning, reconnecting, or spending extended periods in the country. Many of the information and experiences described here may also be useful to other Iraqi returnees or long-term visitors, but the perspective and examples reflect the realities of a specific community.

It is important to note that this guide is not a legal or official document. Rather, it is intended as a practical map, one that helps you navigate systems, expectations, and daily life more confidently. Laws, procedures, and practices can vary depending on time, region, city, personal status, and individual circumstances, and they may change without notice. Readers are strongly encouraged to verify information through official sources or trusted local contacts before taking action.

Ultimately, this guide is meant to support informed decision-making, realistic expectations, and a smoother transition, whether your return is temporary, exploratory, or part of a longer journey home.