# Canada Issues Highest Warning for Iraq Travel: What Ottawa Residents Need to Know
**If you’re an Ottawa traveller considering a trip to Iraq—whether for business, family visits, or humanitarian work—this updated advisory demands your immediate attention.** The Government of Canada has reissued its strongest possible warning for Iraq, setting the risk level at **Level 4 — Avoid All Travel** as of March 27, 2026.
This isn’t a routine update. The advisory reflects escalating military operations and immediate threats that make travel to Iraq extremely dangerous for Canadians right now.
## Understanding the Current Situation
The advisory’s Level 4 designation means exactly what it says: do not travel to Iraq under any circumstances. Canadian officials have determined that the security environment has deteriorated to a point where even essential travel cannot be safely undertaken.
Current military activities throughout the region have created unpredictable dangers. Missiles, drones, and other projectiles are actively being used, with the potential to strike anywhere without warning. Iraqi airspace has been closed indefinitely, severely limiting exit options. Even the Kurdistan Region—historically considered more stable—is now under shelter-in-place recommendations.
For those currently in Iraq, authorities are advising people to remain indoors and avoid all military installations, critical infrastructure, and facilities associated with foreign governments. The situation is fluid enough that what seems safe one moment could become dangerous the next.
## Health Risks Compound Security Concerns
Beyond the immediate security threats, Iraq presents significant health challenges that Ottawa travellers must understand. The breakdown of infrastructure during conflicts often compromises water quality, sanitation systems, and access to medical care. Diseases like hepatitis A, typhoid, and cholera become more prevalent when clean water and proper hygiene become scarce.
Limited access to healthcare facilities during military operations means even routine medical emergencies can become life-threatening. Medications may be unavailable, and evacuation options are severely restricted with airspace closures.
## What You Should Do Now
**For Ottawa residents currently planning Iraq travel:** Cancel or postpone your trip. No business deal, family obligation, or humanitarian mission justifies the current risk level.
**If you’re already in Iraq:** Register immediately with the Registration of Canadians Abroad service. Keep travel documents current and accessible. Monitor multiple news sources and follow all instructions from local authorities.
**For future travel planning:** Even when conditions stabilize, proper preparation remains essential. A pre-travel health consultation helps you understand vaccination requirements (including hepatitis A and B, typhoid, and polio boosters), assemble appropriate medical supplies, and develop contingency plans for health emergencies abroad.
Travelling to Iraq? Before you go, speak with one of our ISTM-certified travel health physicians – virtually, 7 days a week. A pre-travel consultation covers vaccines, medications, and destination-specific health risks. Book your virtual consultation at Orleans Travel Clinic Pharmacy.