Visa policy of Afghanistan

An Afghan visa issued in 2019

Citizens of all countries require a travel visa to visit Afghanistan. The only exemptions are travelers born in Afghanistan, including those born to at least one Afghan citizen parent or whose parent was born in Afghanistan.^[1][2][3]

Following the 2021 takeover of the country by the Taliban, diplomatic missions of Afghanistan set up by the former government, the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, were instructed by the Taliban to continue their work,^[4] and the Taliban government is accepting visas issued by these missions for entry into Afghanistan. Some missions have stopped issuing visas, while others have continued to issue them.^[5][6]

In June 2022, government spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid said: "Anyone can visit Afghanistan for the purpose of humanitarian activities and tourism."^[7] Between March 2023 and March 2024, nearly 28,000 foreigners visited Afghanistan for work and tourism purposes.^[8][9][10]

As of July 2024, authorities in Afghanistan no longer accept visas issued in diplomatic missions of Afghanistan in the United Kingdom, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, France, Italy, Greece, Poland, Sweden, Norway, Canada and Australia.^[11][12]

Visa policy map

Visa policy of Afghanistan

  Afghanistan

  Visa-free for holders of diplomatic or service passports

  Visa-free for holders of diplomatic passports

  Visa required in advance

Proposed reform

In February 2015, Afghanistan announced visa-on-arrival facility at Kabul International Airport for business visitors, journalists, athletes, airline staff and passengers in transit from countries that do not have a diplomatic mission of Afghanistan.^[13][14] In September 2017, some elements of the proposed reform were adopted.^[15] On December 10, 2022, the Taliban Ministry of Industry and Commerce opened the "Afghanistan Investment Desk" at Kabul Airport which will facilitate visas on arrival for certain foreign investors.^[16]

Visa On Arrival

• United Nations Laissez-Passer and Interpol Travel Document — As of 2024, foreign citizens with an United Nations Passport or an Interpol Passport are issued a visa on arrival at only Kabul International Airport to enter, stay and travel across the territory of Afghanistan. Foreign citizens who are employees of the United Nations or its specialised agencies are also issued a visa on arrival during the period of work.

Non-ordinary passports

Afghanistan has bilateral visa exemption agreements for holders of diplomatic and service passports with different countries including:^{[17][18][19][20][21][22]}

30 days  China^D  Cuba^D O S  India^D  Indonesia^D O S  Iran^D  Tajikistan^D

_{D - Diplomatic passports
O - Official passports
S - Service passports}

In 2024 Turkey suspended the agreement signed in 2008.^[23]

Visitors

Country	2018	2017	2016	2015	2014
Uzbekistan	38,276[24]	32,130[25]	18,900[26]	15,888[27]	17,802[28]
Russia	1,450[29]	1,463[30]	1,357[31]
Other	No data

See also

• Tourism in Afghanistan
• Visa requirements for Afghan citizens

References

1. "Visa and passport". Timatic. International Air Transport Association through Emirates. Retrieved 1 April 2017.
2. "Afghanistan International Travel Information". travel.state.gov.
3. Marcus, Lilit (14 February 2023). "What it's like to travel around Afghanistan now". CNN. Retrieved 19 February 2023.
4. "Afghanistan envoys marooned abroad after Taliban's sudden return". Al Jazeera English. 16 September 2021. Retrieved 9 December 2021.
5. Stancati, Margherita (18 January 2022). "Taliban Intensify Efforts to Take Control of Afghanistan's Overseas Embassies". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 18 January 2022.
6. Qazi, Shereena (17 September 2021). "Afghan embassies running on empty after Taliban's return to power". TRT World. Retrieved 9 December 2021.
7. Stancati, Margherita (20 June 2022). "Taliban Release Five Britons, Resolving Dispute With U.K." The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 20 June 2022.
8. "Afghanistan sees 28,000 foreigners make inbound, outbound trips in 12 months". Xinhua News Agency. May 1, 2024. Retrieved 2024-05-05.
9. "Almost 28,000 foreigners visit Afghanistan in past year". Ariana News. May 3, 2024. Retrieved 2024-05-05.
10. "Nearly 28,000 foreigners visit Afghanistan last year: NSIA". Pajhwok Afghan News. 1 May 2024. Retrieved 2024-05-05.
11. Notice for all Afghan Nationals residing in European countries
12. The Taliban Stop Accepting Afghan Visas Issued in Germany & Several Other European Countries
13. Afghanistan to issue visas on arrival to cut red tape, boost business
14. Afghanistan to issue visas on arrival to cut red tape
15. Foreign investors to get visas on arrival at airport
16. Eqbal, Saqalain (11 December 2022). "Afghanistan Investment Desk Set Up at Kabul Airport to Facilitate Visa on Arrival". Khaama Press. Retrieved 15 December 2022.
17. [1]
18. [2]
19. LIST OF STATES WITH SHORT-TIME VISIT VISA FREE AGREEMENT FOR DIPLOMATIC & SERVICE PASSPORT HOLDERS
20. [3]
21. "List of agreements on mutual visa exemption between the People's Republic of China and foreign countries". Department of Consular Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China. 2023-12-25. Retrieved 2023-12-25.
22. Visa System with foreign countries
23. Türkiye suspends diplomatic visa deal with Afghanistan
24. "Распределение по странам числа граждан Республики Узбекистан, выехавших из Республики Узбекистан в 2018 году". stat.uz. Retrieved 13 March 2019.
25. "Распределение по странам числа граждан Республики Узбекистан, выехавших из Республики Узбекистан в 2017 году". stat.uz. Retrieved 13 March 2019.
26. "Распределение по странам числа граждан Республики Узбекистан, выехавших из Республики Узбекистан в 2016 году". stat.uz. Retrieved 13 March 2019.
27. "Распределение по странам числа граждан Республики Узбекистан, выехавших из Республики Узбекистан в 2015 году". stat.uz. Retrieved 13 March 2019.
28. "Распределение по странам числа граждан Республики Узбекистан, выехавших из Республики Узбекистан в 2014 году". stat.uz. Retrieved 13 March 2019.
29. "Выезд граждан РФ, 2018-17 гг" (PDF). atorus.ru. Retrieved 13 March 2019.
30. "Выезд граждан РФ, 2016-17 гг" (PDF). atorus.ru. Retrieved 13 March 2019.
31. "Выезд граждан РФ, 2016-17 гг" (PDF). atorus.ru. Retrieved 13 March 2019.

External links

• Official website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs