Afghanistan Visa Policy

The visa policy of Afghanistan remains sketchy due to the political power imbalances in the country. However, all visitors have always been required to apply for a visa unless the visitor is born by Afghan parents or persons born by foreign nationals in Afghanistan which automatically makes them Afghanis.

Apart from this category of visitors all others must obtain visas to enter Afghanistan for short or long trips

Visas Issued In The Year 2019

Afghanistan fell under the Taliban in 2021 and the structures of government set up by the previous government were not dissolved; the Taliban leaders allowed the administration to continue and recognized visas issued by the administration. While some missions have continued to issue visas others have stopped which has limited the visa access available to interested visitors.

However, the Taliban government spokesperson has reiterated the leadership’s position that tourists and humanitarian aid workers remain free to visit the country.

Visa Reforms

Before the Taliban takeover the government undertook a reform of visa processes and one of the results was the announcement of a visa on arrival. Arrival visas are given to eligible visitors arriving at the Hamid Karzai international airport for business, journalism, sports and crew members. Transit visitors are also issued temporary visas so they can board flights for a different country.

This arrangement still remains in place with the new government mandating the Ministry of Commerce and Industry to open an investment desk at the airport in Kabul to facilitate arrival visas for foreign investors. This is a viable visa application route for visitors who don’t have an Afghani foreign mission operating in their countries or regions.

Key Information About Afghanistan And Important Travel Information For Foreigners

Since before and after the Taliban control, the situation in Afghanistan has remained volatile. Afghanistan is one of the most unsafe countries in the world with several other armed Islamic groups controlling large territories in the country. Due to the dangerous situation many national governments discourage their citizens from traveling to Afghanistan for any reason.

While the border remains open, they may be closed at any time due to tensions and the risk of attacks by terrorists.

If you must visit Afghanistan against all odds, here are the tips to bear in mind.

Kabul Is Always Under Threat: The capital of Afghanistan is always under constant threat at all times with pockets of attacks disrupting different parts of the city at different times. The vicinity near the international airport witnesses frequent attacks so you should avoid those areas at all times.  Religious sites and festivals also attract such attacks so stay as far away from them as possible.

Kidnapping: Kidnappings are rife in Afghanistan with foreigners and dual citizens being targeted by these criminal groups. They also target NGO workers in and around Kabul. Avoid crowded places and try not to be noticed in public. Do not reveal information about yourself.

Extra Precautions: Take extra security precautions before and after your arrival. Make sure your hotel is located in a safe place with maximum security and your hotel room has secured doors.  Despite having a plan review it as often as possible to spot lapses for correction. Always consider the risks involved before leaving any place or embarking on any journey however short it may be. Note that any travel decision you take is at your own risk.

Book Your Flight Ticket In Advance: We advise you to book your flight ticket in advance for two reasons; you may be forced to leave the country at short notice due to the risk to life or any other emergency; you want to make sure you can make your move as quickly as possible.  Secondly, buying your ticket early saves you money as the ticket will be slightly cheaper.

Don’t Travel By Land: If you can avoid traveling by land please do so as the borders surrounding Afghanistan are hotbeds for crime gangs and terrorist cells. It is best to travel in and out of Afghanistan by air.

Take Medical Precautions: Afghanistan’s health sector is almost non existent but the new government is trying to build a new sector but this is still at its infancy. Bring medication if you have any pre existing condition and you may have to be vaccinated against some viruses.  Talk to your medical advisee about this.

Passport: Before you travel to Afghanistan make sure your passport meets the entry requirements in accordance with the dictates of the Taliban government. With a minimum passport validity of 6 months we advise you to travel with one with a longer validity to avoid the risk of holding an expired passport in a foreign country. Ina situation where you have to leave Afghanistan for a different country you will not be allowed entry if your passport is no longer valid

Application Fee: All visitors are required to pay an application fee for the visa unless otherwise stated. It remains unclear at this time how much the application fee will be due to the erratic nature of the government’s policies.

Proof of Funds: The rulers in Afghanistan currently do not have a minimum daily cash requirement for visitors but they are required to travel with sufficient cash. We recommend that you hold sufficient cash including emergency cash on the side in case you fall into hard times. The economic situation in the country is at an all time low with little to no manufacturing capacity. This means that almost all consumables are imported and sold in Afghanistan at great cost. Always have a budget for an item at three times the price it is sold in other countries.  Also note that the US dollar is the most acceptable currency in Afghanistan which you can easily convert to the local currency so it may want to hold cash in dollars.

No Transit Access: Afghanistan remains closed to transit visitors flying to other countries. If you are traveling to a country in the region you have to fly through a different country.

Respect The Custom: The Taliban is a jihadi government operating under some of the harshest Sharia laws in the world. For instance, flogging and dismemberment is a punishment for the slightest of crimes. Respect the local laws and avoid places of worship if you are not Muslim lest you make mistakes that draw the anger of the locals. It is illegal to disrespect the leaders, the Muslim fate or the holy prophet. Physical contact with women is also illegal and attracts severe sanctions. All are mandated to dress conservatively and not show skin in public. Dancing and singing in public is also frowned upon.

Avoid Areas of Current or Previous Conflicts: Avoid conflict areas to avoid getting caught in the crossfire. Previous conflict areas should also be avoided as they may be infested with land mines.

Lastly, before traveling to Afghanistan, read reports and talk to people who know the country well before making a final decision whether to go or not. If there is a major escalation in the country at a time you plan to visit, we advise you to stay away until the dust settles.

Afghanistan e-Visa Online – Get your Afghanistan e-Visa with VisaHQ

After a decade of war Afghanistan remains a volatile region on the planet but it is gradually opening up to the test of the world.  Are you interested in visiting Afghanistan? You will need to get all the information required for a safe trip to one of the world’s most hostile places.