Afghanistan:Visa Requirements

AfghanistanLearn the visa requirements for this country. Last check:Last update:

Afghanistan Visa Requirements Map

Afghanistan: Visa Requirements

Visa requirements may change. Always verify the latest information through official government sources.

Visa-Free Entry Requirements

  • Visa exemption may apply to certain diplomatic or service passports according to Afghanistan's current reciprocity agreements. The traveler must carry a valid diplomatic or service passport accepted under the relevant exemption. The permitted duration of stay varies according to the passport type and applicable bilateral agreement.
  • Dual nationals who maintain connection with Afghan nationality and use a foreign passport may request entry permission by presenting a valid Afghan identity document or other official documents proving Afghan nationality. Persons who cannot prove Afghan identity must apply for a visa with their foreign passport.
  • For children of Afghan origin under 18 years of age carrying a foreign passport, a birth certificate and copies of the parents' Afghan passports or Afghan identity documents may be requested. A completed application form and a copy of the foreign passport must be submitted for the entry permission application.

E-Visa Application Requirements

  • Afghanistan's online e-visa system currently accepts applications for tourism, short visit, cultural trip, and family or friend visit purposes. The applicant must create an account on the E-Afghans portal, fill out the online form, upload the required documents, and complete the payments through the system.
  • A clear and complete scan of the biographical information page of the electronic or machine-readable passport must be uploaded. The passport must be valid for at least six months. Since the expression used in the official description regarding the starting point of validity is not clear, it is recommended that the applicant ensure that their passport is valid for at least six months from the planned date of entry.
  • The photograph must be in color, with a white background, and 35 x 45 millimeters in size. The file format, maximum file size, and date of taking of the photograph are not definitively specified in the central e-visa description.
  • A clear copy of the national identity card or the residence permit of the applicant in the country of residence must be submitted, where applicable. An invitation letter, travel itinerary, and proof of accommodation may be uploaded as supporting documents; however, these are not listed as mandatory documents for all applications in the central e-visa description.
  • If the applicant is under 18 years of age, clear copies of the parents' passports must be submitted. A general and detailed central checklist regarding birth certificate, parental consent, and custody documents has not been published.
  • The name, date of birth, passport number, and other personal information in the application form must be fully consistent with the uploaded documents. Blurry, cropped, illegible, expired, or contradictory documents may cause processing delays or rejection of the application.
  • The application is subject to a two-stage fee system. A service fee of 8 USD and a payment transaction fee of 0.25 USD are charged at the time of application. The total initial payment is 8.25 USD and is non-refundable. The payment link is provided via email or the application portal. Failure to pay the initial fee within 48 hours will result in automatic closure of the application.
  • After the application is approved, the remaining visa fee is paid. For general applications, the remaining fee is 120 USD and the payment transaction fee is 3.71 USD. The total payment in the second stage of a standard application is 123.71 USD. A different fee may apply for some applicants. Failure to pay the remaining fee within seven days after approval will result in closure of the application.
  • For the express processing option, an additional fee of 50 USD is charged. For general applications, the remaining visa fee, express fee, and payment transaction fee together make the second stage total 175.26 USD. Fees are non-refundable; only verified duplicate payments may be reviewed.
  • The standard processing time is between one and four weeks for complete applications. The express processing time can be up to one business day. Missing documents, security checks, additional verification, high volume, public holidays, or requests for additional documents may extend the processing time.
  • The e-visa is valid for 90 days from the date of issuance. It is single-entry and allows a stay of up to 30 days from the date of entry. The e-visa can only be used for entry via Kabul International Airport.
  • The approved e-visa must be downloaded from the application portal or from the email attachment. The electronic visa must be kept accessible during the journey and presented at entry control. An explicit central requirement for the document to be carried in printed form is not stated.
  • The number of blank pages required in the passport, bank statement, minimum financial sufficiency amount, travel health insurance, insurance coverage, biometric data, interview, and vaccination certificate conditions are not definitively specified on the central e-visa page. The competent authority may request additional documents, explanations, verification, or security review.

Visa on Arrival Requirements

  • Visa on arrival is listed among Afghanistan's official visa types. However, no up-to-date and comprehensive central official checklist has been published regarding who can apply, whether prior approval is required, required documents, fee, processing time, validity, duration of stay, and border crossing points that can be used.
  • Before starting travel relying on visa on arrival, written approval must be obtained from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Afghanistan or from the Afghan diplomatic mission being applied to. Documents or numerical conditions not definitively specified in the central official source cannot be considered mandatory requirements.

Consular Visa Application Requirements

  • The consular visa application must be initiated through Afghanistan's online consular system. The application form must be completed, submitted, printed, and presented together with other documents to the embassy or consulate where the application is made. Some missions require the form to be filled out on a computer and signed by the applicant.
  • The applicant must submit their original passport and a copy of the passport. The passport must be valid for at least six months and contain blank pages for the visa process. The required number of blank pages is not definitively specified in the central official source.
  • Generally, two identical, recently taken, color passport photographs with a white background are requested. The photographs must be taken straight on, showing the face and both ears, and must be affixed in the appropriate sections of the application form. The online uploading requirements of missions vary. Some official missions use 35 x 45 millimeter size and JPG or PNG format, while others only request passport-type photographs. Therefore, the technical requirements of the mission where the application will be made should be taken as basis.
  • A copy of the national identity card and proof of legal residence in the country of application may be requested. This condition varies according to the embassy or consulate where the application is made. Some missions only accept applications from persons legally residing in their jurisdiction.
  • For tourist applications, a letter explaining the purpose of travel, hotel reservation, flight ticket or reservation, and invitation or reference information from a person in Afghanistan may be requested. The invitation or reference document may include the full name, contact information, address of the inviting person, and a copy of the Afghan identity card or passport.
  • For family or friend visit applications, the full name, address, contact information of the person to be visited, and a copy of the Afghan identity document or passport may be requested. For institutional visits, an official invitation letter from the relevant institution in Afghanistan may be requested.
  • For business and commercial purpose applications, a document confirming the purpose of travel from the current or future employer or relevant organization must be submitted. An authorization or reference number issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Afghanistan may be requested. Documents such as company registration certificate, trade license, import-export document, company letter, commercial invitation in Afghanistan, and company address may be requested according to the mission and visa type.
  • For entry visas for work purposes, approval or reference letter from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Afghanistan and employer documents may be requested. Journalists may need to submit the letter they received from their press organization, copies of passport and press card. The organization letter must state the purpose of the news activity, arrival and departure dates, duration of stay, places to be visited, address in Afghanistan, and persons to be met.
  • A bank statement may be requested in certain visa types or at certain missions. The number of months the statement should cover and the minimum amount required in the account are not definitively specified in the central official source.
  • Tourist and standard short-stay consular visas are mostly issued valid for three months, single-entry, and allowing a stay of up to 30 days. At some missions, the duration of stay for a visit visa may vary between one and three months. Business visas may be issued multiple-entry for 90 days, six months, one year, or up to three years at some missions. The exact validity, duration of stay, and number of entries are determined according to the visa type and the mission where the application is made.
  • For a standard tourist visa, a fee of 80 USD has been published at some official missions, and for a work or entry visa, 100 USD. Business visa fees vary according to validity period. An additional fee may apply for expedited processing. Since the fee and payment method vary according to the mission being applied to, there is no single fee or payment method centrally applicable to all applications.
  • At some missions, the standard processing time is three to five business days, and urgent processing concluded on the same day is offered subject to an additional fee. These times are specific to the mission and do not constitute a central processing time for all applications.
  • Travel health insurance, minimum insurance coverage, specific bank balance, fingerprint, biometric data, vaccination certificate, notarization, apostille, and document translation conditions are not stated as common conditions applicable to all applicants in central consular sources.
  • The mission may require the applicant to appear in person, book an appointment, submit additional documents, attend an interview, or obtain prior approval from relevant authorities in Afghanistan. The document list varies according to the country of residence, purpose of travel, visa type, and the diplomatic mission being applied to.

Transit Visa Requirements

  • Transit visa is listed among Afghanistan's official visa types. However, no up-to-date and comprehensive central official document list has been published regarding transit duration, exit from the airport transit area, required tickets, entry permission to the next country, fee, processing time, visa validity, and permitted border crossing points.
  • Transit passengers must confirm the personal document list and whether a visa is required in advance from the Afghan embassy or consulate they will apply to before travel. Transit conditions not definitively specified in the central official source should not be considered mandatory for all passengers.
Population
45,047,069(2026 est.)
Official language
Pashto, Dari; regional official languages: Uzbek, Turkmen, Balochi, Pashai, Nuristani, Pamiri and other third languages where majority
Government type
Theocratic emirate
Continent
Asia
Capital
Kabul
Currency
Afghan Afghani
Area
652,230 km²
Phone code
+93

Afghanistan: Key Destinations

Kabul serves as the capital and primary international gateway to Afghanistan, with Kabul International Airport handling most arrivals. Principal cities such as Herat, Kandahar, Mazar-i-Sharif, and Jalalabad are connected by road and domestic flights.

Afghanistan offers a rich cultural heritage, including the ancient citadel of Herat and the Buddhist remnants at Bamyan. The rugged Hindu Kush mountains provide dramatic landscapes, while local bazaars and traditional crafts reflect the country's diverse ethnic traditions.

Travelers typically begin their journey in Kabul and then move to other regions via domestic flights or road routes. Key connections include the Kabul-Herat highway and the Salang Pass linking the capital to the north, allowing for multi-city itineraries.