QUICK FACT
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PASSPORT VALIDITY: |
Must be valid for six months at time of entry |
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VACCINATIONS: |
Polio vaccination up to 1 year before travel is
recommended. See the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention |
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BLANK PASSPORT PAGES: |
One page required for entry stamp |
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TOURIST VISA REQUIRED: |
Yes |
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CURRENCY RESTRICTIONS FOR ENTRY: |
$20,000 |
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CURRENCY RESTRICTIONS FOR EXIT: |
$20,000 |
In order to visit Afghanistan, a visa is required for all individuals who are not Afghan citizens. Exceptions to this requirement include individuals who were born in Afghanistan, born to Afghan parents or with parents born in Afghanistan, and individuals who hold service or diplomatic passports from select countries. The Afghanistan tourist visa is valid for a period of 30 days and is single entry. The visa duration is not date-specific and begins on the day of entry, which can occur on any day within a 3-month period specified on the visa.
Visitors must possess a passport that is valid for a period of 6 months from the date of arrival, with the exception of citizens from Australia, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Pakistan, Poland, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan, United Kingdom, United States, and Uzbekistan. Additionally, all foreigners of Afghan origin are only required to possess a valid passport upon arrival.
Entry, Exit and Visa Requirements
Upon arrival in Afghanistan, foreign nationals are subjected to fingerprinting as part of the immigration process. In order to comply with local regulations, foreign passengers arriving at Kabul International Airport are required to register with a representative of the Ministry of Interior's Foreigners' Registration Office. In the event that the airport office is not operational, registration may be conducted at the Ministry of Interior's Kabul Statistics Office, situated at Kart-e-Parwan Square, adjacent to Nadirya High School. It is imperative that the registration card be surrendered by the foreign national upon their departure from Afghanistan.
Safety and Security
On August 31, the U.S. Embassy suspended its services in Afghanistan. The Afghanistan Travel Advisory has been issued to caution U.S. citizens against traveling to Afghanistan and to advise those already in the country to shelter in place. The security situation in Afghanistan is highly unstable, and the threat to U.S. citizens remains critical. No province in Afghanistan can be considered immune from violence, and the potential for hostile acts, whether targeted or random, against U.S. and other foreign nationals exists throughout the country at any time. U.S. citizens who choose to travel to Afghanistan are advised to maintain a low profile and exercise extreme discretion in disclosing their movement plans and personal information. Security alerts for Afghanistan can be accessed through official channels.
Terrorist groups and their affiliates are increasingly targeting U.S. citizens abroad. They are using less sophisticated methods of attack, such as knives, firearms, and vehicles, to more effectively target crowds. High-profile public events, hotels, clubs, restaurants, places of worship, schools, parks, shopping malls, markets, and public transportation systems are among the vulnerable targets. Decades of disorder and warfare have made Afghanistan a fertile ground for international terrorism. U.S. citizens and other foreign nationals are primary targets of terrorist organizations. Extremist groups across Afghanistan continue to employ various tactics to expand their territorial influence, disrupt governance, and create a public perception of instability. These tactics include suicide vests, vehicle-borne explosive devices, magnetic explosive devices, indirect fire, and direct fire. Military and security personnel, Afghan government buildings, foreign embassies, non-government organization offices, and soft targets are common attack targets. Kabul remains a high-profile location for large-scale insurgent attacks, as successful operations in the capital tend to generate media coverage. U.S. citizens in Afghanistan are advised to familiarize themselves with their residential compound or hotel’s emergency planning and rehearse the steps they would take if the venue were to come under attack.
Kidnapping/Hostage Taking: In Afghanistan, extremist groups and kidnapping syndicates are actively targeting foreign nationals, particularly U.S. citizens, who are associated with international and non-governmental organizations, including journalists, aid workers, teachers, and medical professionals. Criminal groups in Afghanistan are known to target individuals perceived to have financial resources for kidnapping and extortion. In some cases, kidnap-for-ransom syndicates may sell their captives to terrorist groups, resulting in prolonged captivity for the victims.
U.S. citizens are advised to avoid all rallies and demonstrations in Afghanistan, as even peaceful events can quickly escalate into violence. Public gatherings and demonstrations have also been targeted by terrorist attacks.
Afghan-Americans returning to Afghanistan to recover property may become embroiled in complex real estate disputes that involve threats of retaliatory action, including kidnapping and assassinations. Similarly, U.S. citizens involved in business or commercial disputes have been threatened with detention, arrest, and imprisonment, and had their property seized as collateral. In such situations, U.S. citizens should not assume that local law enforcement or the U.S. Embassy will be able to assist them in resolving disputes. It is recommended that U.S. citizens hire a private attorney early on in the dispute, especially one who can act on their behalf when they are outside Afghanistan.
Communication infrastructure in Afghanistan is limited, with large parts of the country being extremely isolated. Landline telephone communications remain limited, and cell phone service is unpredictable, particularly in areas outside major urban centers. Insurgents have been known to attack telecommunications infrastructure and coerce operators into turning off cell phone towers. U.S. citizens in Afghanistan are advised to carry backup communications such as satellite phones or handheld radios, along with a vehicle/personal tracking device.
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The issue of crime in Afghanistan is widely recognized as a critical threat environment. Criminal organizations, including those involved in the trafficking of weapons and narcotics, pose a significant threat to peace and stability throughout the country. While petty or street crime is primarily concentrated in urban areas, transient populations and internally displaced peoples may contribute to the overall level of crime and lawlessness.
The responsibility for investigating and prosecuting crime committed in Afghanistan falls on local authorities. However, travelers should not rely on significant assistance from such authorities in resolving legal disputes. This is particularly true for U.S.-based companies and their employees seeking local protection from extralegal efforts to resolve contract disputes. In such cases, property may be seized, and personnel may be detained as collateral pending the resolution of such disputes.
For additional details on help for U.S. victims of crime overseas, interested parties are encouraged to consult the Department of State's webpage.
As for tourism, no formal infrastructure is currently in place to support this industry. Tourists are therefore considered to be participating in activities at their own risk. Emergency response and appropriate medical treatment may not be readily available in-country. U.S. citizens are therefore advised to purchase medical evacuation insurance to ensure adequate protection in the event of an emergency.
Local Laws & Special Circumstances
Criminal Penalties: U.S. citizens residing in Afghanistan are subject to the laws of the host country. Possession of a U.S. passport does not provide immunity from arrest or prosecution, and may even attract heightened attention from law enforcement officials and prosecutors, some of whom may seek to exploit the individual's status as a U.S. citizen for financial or political gain. Violations of Afghan laws, even if committed unknowingly, may result in fines, arrest, imprisonment, or even capital punishment. It is worth noting that penalties for similar offenses in Afghanistan can be more severe than those in the United States.
Photography of military installations, equipment, or personnel may lead to arrest or detention. Possession of alcohol and driving under the influence are illegal, as is the possession, use, or trafficking of illegal drugs. Offenders of drug-related offenses often face lengthy prison sentences and hefty fines. Sexual relations between unmarried couples are generally prohibited in Afghanistan.
U.S. citizens should also be aware that they remain subject to U.S. federal laws while traveling or residing abroad. Engaging in sexual conduct with children or using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is a crime that can be prosecuted in the United States.
Religion and Islam: Islam serves as the foundation for Afghan customs, laws, and practices. Foreign visitors, both men and women, are expected to be mindful of Islamic culture and dress modestly, refraining from wearing revealing or provocative clothing such as sleeveless shirts and blouses, halter-tops, and shorts.
While the Afghan Constitution allows for the free exercise of religion, proselytizing may be viewed as contrary to Islam and detrimental to society. Acts of blasphemy or the production and distribution of material deemed critical of Islam may result in long-term imprisonment or the death penalty. Apostasy, or the renunciation of Islam or conversion to another religion, may carry a maximum penalty of death for Muslims. Allegations of conversion of Afghan citizens are taken particularly seriously, and false accusations of blasphemy or insulting Islam have led to fatal mob violence.
Financial Debts: In Afghanistan, disputes related to financial debts and contracts are typically treated as criminal matters, resulting in the detention and arrest of U.S. citizens. It is advisable for individuals to seek legal representation at the onset of such disputes.
Women Travelers: Afghanistan is a country with traditional gender roles and behaviors. To minimize attention, women should ensure that their clothing covers their full arms, collarbone, waistband, and ankles, particularly when traveling outside of Kabul. It is customary for women in Afghanistan to cover their hair in public, and female travelers are advised to carry scarves for this purpose. Women visiting Afghanistan should also be aware of the risk of sexual assault and review the Department of State's travel tips for women travelers.
LGBTI Rights: While homosexuality is not explicitly illegal under Afghan law, individuals may be prosecuted under laws prohibiting sodomy, and sexual relations between unmarried individuals are generally forbidden. LGBTI individuals face discrimination, violence, and persecution in Afghan society.
Forced Marriage: The Embassy has received reports of U.S. citizen women of Afghan heritage who have been coerced by their families to travel to Afghanistan, ostensibly to visit relatives, only to find themselves forced into marriage. Forced marriage is considered a violation of basic human rights by the U.S. government and, in the case of minors, a form of child abuse. Forced marriage is defined as a marriage in which one or both parties have not consented to the union or are incapable of providing meaningful consent. Victims of forced marriage are often subjected to non-consensual sex, physical and emotional abuse, and isolation. Those who refuse a forced marriage may be threatened with violence or disowned by their families, who may also confiscate their belongings, including passports.
Travelers Who Require Accessibility Assistance: Although Afghan law protects the rights of persons with disabilities, these provisions are not consistently implemented. Individuals with disabilities face limited access to transportation, public buildings, hotels, and communication accommodations. The lack of sidewalks and curb-cuts, as well as the absence of elevators in most buildings, further exacerbate the challenges faced by persons with disabilities.
Banking: Access to banking facilities in Afghanistan is limited and unreliable. The economy generally operates on a cash-only basis, though the use of credit cards is The prevalence of Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) is increasing in larger cities, although U.S. banks may refuse transactions from Afghanistan without prior notice. International wire transfer options are also limited. Afghan customs authorities enforce strict regulations on the import and export of certain goods, including alcoholic beverages, religious materials, antiquities, medication, precious stones and metals, and printed materials. U.S. citizens have faced fines and/or confiscation of antiquities upon exiting Afghanistan. It is important for U.S. citizens, including security contractors and military personnel, to review Afghan import/export restrictions on weapons, firearms, and ammunition, as well as the regulations of any country through which they may transit. Road conditions in Afghanistan are generally poor, with poorly maintained vehicles, non-enforcement of traffic laws, and chaotic vehicular traffic. Land mines and unexploded ordnance pose a danger to travelers, and robberies and kidnappings are prevalent outside of Kabul. As there is no direct commercial air service to the United States by carriers registered in Afghanistan, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration has not assessed the government of Afghanistan’s Civil Aviation Authority for compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization aviation safety standards. The FAA has issued a Notice to Airmen and a Special Federal Aviation Regulation due to risks to civil aviation operating within or in the vicinity of Afghanistan..
Afghanistan visa requirements
Afghanistan visa requirements are standard:
⦁ passport with 6 months validity after the expiry of the Afghan visa
⦁ passport photo
⦁ filled out Afghanistan visa application form
Application process
Certain embassies ask for a letter of invitation, while others don’t. Some embassies don’t issue tourist visas at all due to safety concerns. Who does and who does not changes often. Did the embassy not ask for a letter of invitation this week? Next week they might. There are no hard and fast rules as to the application process. Each ambassador decides for himself. And ambassadors, it turns out, are a fickle species.
Letter of invitation
If you need a letter of invitation, you can get one from a local in Afghanistan. Couchsurfing is full of helpful people. Tour operators do not want to give you a letter of invitation unless you go on a tour with them.
Foreigner Registration Card
Do you need to register when you arrive in Afghanistan? Yes and no. Officially yes, but enforcement is lax. Foreigners can get hassled though (and have to cough up a bribe) when they leave Afghanistan if they don’t have a foreigner registration card, or even on the street by police. So best to get one.
When you arrive, you are meant to register within 48h (preferably 12) and be given a foreigner registration card free of charge. Make sure you bring passport photos with you – take 2 to be sure. In Kabul airport, you get your registration card from a desk in the baggage area. If you arrive early or late or on the weekend, though, the desk will be closed. You can then opt to stop caring and say when you leave the country that the desk was closed when you arrived. Or, you can return to the airport later. Or, you can head to the police headquarters or the ministry of internal affairs.
Transit visa for Kabul airport
There is no transit area in Kabul airport. If you are transiting there, you will need to apply for a transit visa at the Afghan embassy.
Multiple-entry visa
There is no multiple-entry visa for Afghanistan. Questions and reports with regards to multiple entries to Afghanistan are welcome in the multiple-entry forum thread.
Afghanistan visa extension
A tourist visa to Afghanistan can be extended only once, for 1 month. The cost for overstaying your visa is now $10 per day overstaying during the first month (instead of $2 per day previously), and $15 per day for the second month (previously $5 per day). If the delay is more than two months, in addition to the fine, you will be deported.
“do NOT go to the border once your visa expired. Just get an extension if you want to stay more or get an exit visa to get out. Both ways are lengthy and obnoxious but the only way to make your stay LEGALLY.”
Extension Visa in Kabul
August 2015: It has become quite difficult to apply for a visa extension in Kabul due to security concerns. However, it’s still possible. First, go to the Ministry of Culture and Information, last floor, ask for a letter for extending your tourist visa, very friendly people. (Don’t go to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, it’s only for business visa) Then, go to the Afghan Tourism Organization (ATO), next to the National Gallery, a few hundred meters away, give them the letter, a color photocopy of your passport details and Afghan visa, one recent photo, and a reference letter from the guesthouse or hotel you’re staying in.They will give you an application form to fill in and ask you to come back the following day with your passport and $10 (I paid 650 Afghanis) in exchange for another letter (previously asked $20). You then need to go to the Passport and Visa Office (PVO), quite far away, better take a taxi, the following day with that letter in order to get your visa extension.
During my recent visit to the PVO, I was requested to provide a letter from a guesthouse or hotel, a color photocopy of my passport details and Afghan visa, a recent photograph, and a letter from the ATO. It is important to note that the PVO is closed on Thursdays and Fridays. These same documents had already been submitted to the ATO. The cost of extending my visa was $50.
It is worth mentioning that I had indicated that I was residing with an Afghan individual in his house through CS. Consequently, the PVO requested a reference letter signed by the individual, the police chief, and the owner of the house. Despite visiting the ATO three times, they were unable to process my request without the aforementioned letter, which led to frustration and annoyance.
To resolve this issue, I was advised to stay at a guesthouse, such as the Salsal Guesthouse, which is conveniently located and has friendly staff. The cost of staying at this guesthouse was 700 Afghanis per night (approximately $11.50). I was instructed to request a receipt and present it to the ATO, which should facilitate the visa extension process.
Exit visa in Herat
1. This type of visa can be obtained in Mazar-e Sharif, Kabul, and Herat.
2. Go to the ATO on Jada Walayat Rd.(The location is between Jada Shamali Rd. and Qumandani Amniya Rd. A little bit hard to find so try to ask people and show your passport.)
3. Pay $10 and get a letter. Then, go to the police station in front of the Blue Mosque on Qumandani Amniya Rd.
4. First,you need to get a stamp from one of the commanders. His office is in the building facing toward the extrance.Go to the second floor and ask staff where he is.
5. Second, take your letter to the building next to it with dark blue windows. Also go to the second floor to obtain application. In this step, you’ll have to hand in the color copies of passport and visa. Then they’ll tell you to take another copy and filled in application to passport and visa office.
6. PVO in Herat is still inside of the police station. Normally,there will be a long queue and lots of people but ignore that, try to find a soldier to help you get inside.
7. In the first room on the right hand side, the officer inside will give you a payment slip for the fines of expiry or the fee for the visa. Just go back to the corner of Qumandani Amniya Rd. and Jada Walayat Rd.,there’s the only Da Afghanistan Bank in Herat.
8. Bring another slip from bank back to the office and the officer would tell you to pick up next day.
*PS: It’s easy to be asked for bribe during the processes,just ignore them or if necessary, try to lower the price. I’m sure the letter from ATO is always $10, and extension visa is $50, and Exit visa for $15-20.(This time I got fines for Expiry included but it should be lower than this price.)
Visa Free Countries for Afghan Passport
Afghanistan visa free countries
Afghanistan passport visa free countries
As of September 2023, Afghan Citizens can travel visa free to 27 countries and territories:
1. 1. Bangladesh *
2. Burundi *
3. Cambodia *
4. Cape Verde Islands *
5. Comoro Islands *
6. Cook Islands
7. Dominica
8. Guinea-Bissau *
9. Haiti
10. Macao (SAR China) *
11. Madagascar *
12. Maldives *
13. Mauritania *
14. Micronesia
15. Mozambique *
16. Niue
17. Palau Islands *
18. Rwanda *
19. Samoa *
20. Senegal *
21. Seychelles *
22. Somalia *
23. St. Vincent and the Grenadines
24. Timor-Leste *
25. Togo *
26. Tuvalu *
27. Uganda *
*visa on arrival
**eTA
Updated in September, 2023
Afghanistan visa requirements
Afghanistan Business Visa requirements
A business visa is issued to visitors living in countries where there is a foreign mission. Such persons don’t have to wait until they get to Kabul to obtain arrival visas. This visa is strictly for commercial purposes and is supposed to be a short term visa. It remains unknown whether the holder can extend it by a few more weeks or months due to limited information.
Holders can use it to attend meetings, conferences, provide professional services in Afghanistan or visit for investments. However, the purpose of the trip must be clearly stated in their application.
Afghanistan Business Visa Validity
It is valid for 6 months and above.
Afghanistan Business Visa Processing Time
Timeframe not clear.
Port of Entry
Airports: Mazar I Sharif International Airport – Kabul International Airport – Herat International Airport.
Border Crossings: Afghanistan – Pakistan border, Afghanistan – Iran border, Afghanistan – Turkmenistan border, Afghanistan – Tajikistan border, Afghanistan – Uzbekistan border, Afghanistan – China border.
Afghanistan Government contractor visa application requirements
Visa application form. Fully completed, signed and notarized original application form.
Original passport. The passport must be valid at least 6 months after the intended date of departure from the territory of the destination country and has at least 2 blank visa pages.
Passport-type photograph. Include a passport style photo, with a white background, taken within the last 6 months. You may also choose to upload a photo to your order for us to print. There is a charge associated with this service.
Business Support Letter. A support letter from the sending company which introduces the applicant, states the nature of the trip, and specifies the type and desired validity of the visa.
Previous visas. If the applicant has previously obtained an Afghanistan visa that is not on the same passport they must provide a copy of the previous visas as well as the info page of the passport in which it was issued.
Afghanistan Official visa application requirements
Visa application form. Fully completed and signed application form.
Original passport. The passport must be valid at least 6 months after the intended date of departure from the territory of the destination country and has at least 2 blank visa pages.
Passport-type photograph. Include a passport style photo, with a white background, taken within the last 6 months. You may also choose to upload a photo to your order for us to print. There is a charge associated with this service.
Previous visas. If the applicant has previously obtained an Afghanistan visa that is not on the same passport they must provide a copy of the previous visas as well as the info page of the passport in which it was issued.
State Department Letter. A letter from the US Department of State addressed to the "Embassy of Afghanistan, Washington D.C. ", giving a detailed description of the purpose of travel, the names and addresses of any organizations to be visited, and the dates of the trip. The letter must contain the applicant's name and the passport number and should have a statement confirming that the US Embassy in Afghanistan will take full responsibility for the applicant.
Afghanistan Work visa application requirements
Visa application form. Fully completed, signed and notarized original application form.
Original passport. The passport must be valid at least 6 months after the intended date of departure from the territory of the destination country and has at least 2 blank visa pages.
Passport-type photograph. Include a passport style photo, with a white background, taken within the last 6 months. You may also choose to upload a photo to your order for us to print. There is a charge associated with this service.
Visa approval. For multiple entry requests, an approval from the Foreign Ministry in Kabul is required.
Business Support Letter. A hard copy of support letter from the sending company which introduces the applicant, states the nature of the trip, and specifies the type and desired validity of the visa. Business invitation. A business invitation letter from the sponsoring company in the destination country. The letter should be printed on company letterhead stationery, addressed to "The Embassy of Afghanistan, Visa Section", and signed by a senior manager. The business letter must adhere to the following guidelines:
Briefly introduce the applicant (please specify employment status/position held in the company by applicant).
State the nature of the business to be conducted (i.e. business meetings, contract negotiations, etc.) and the names and addresses of companies to be contacted in the destination country.
Specify the Type and desired Validity of the visa (i.e. a one year multiple entry business visa).
Previous visas. If the applicant has previously obtained an Afghanistan visa that is not on the same passport they must provide a copy of the previous visas as well as the info page of the passport in which it was issued.
