Leslie Massey
Using a US number in Afghanistan is possible, but it is not recommended. The US Department of State has issued a Level 4: Do Not Travel advisory for Afghanistan, warning of the risk of terrorism, kidnapping, and crime. The US Embassy in Kabul has suspended operations, and the US government is unable to provide emergency consular services to US citizens in the country. US citizens in Afghanistan are urged to depart immediately if possible and are advised not to travel to the country for any reason.
If you need to make calls to Afghanistan from the US, there are services that offer cheap international calling rates, such as mytello, which offers rates as low as 18.2 cents per minute for calls to landlines and mobile phones in Afghanistan. To call Afghanistan from the US, you need to dial 011, the US exit code, followed by Afghanistan's country code, 93, and then the local phone number.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Can I use a US number in Afghanistan? | No |
| US exit code | 011 |
| Afghanistan country code | 93 |
| US Embassy in Kabul | Suspended operations on 31 August 2021 |
| US Department of State Travel Advisory for Afghanistan | Level 4: Do Not Travel |
| Reasons | Terrorism, risk of wrongful detention, kidnapping and crime |
| US ability to provide emergency consular services to US citizens in Afghanistan | None |
| US citizen assistance | Contact any US embassy or consulate outside of Afghanistan |
What You'll Learn
Dialling a US number from Afghanistan
To dial a US number from Afghanistan, you must first dial the US country code, which is 011. After dialling the country code, you need to dial the US number you wish to reach, including the area code. For example, if you are trying to reach the number (555) 555-5555 in an area with the code 212, you would dial 011-212-555-5555.
It is important to note that the US State Department has issued a Level 4 Travel Advisory for Afghanistan, recommending that US citizens do not travel to the country due to the high risk of terrorism, kidnapping, and crime. The US Embassy in Kabul has suspended operations, and the US government's ability to provide emergency consular services to US citizens in Afghanistan is extremely limited. US citizens in Afghanistan are urged to depart immediately via commercial means if possible.
If you are a US citizen seeking US government assistance to depart Afghanistan, you should email your biographic details, contact information, and US passport number to [email protected].
Additionally, when calling a US number from Afghanistan, be aware of the time zone difference to ensure you are calling at an appropriate hour.
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US travel advisory for Afghanistan
The US Department of State's Travel Advisory for Afghanistan is Level 4: Do Not Travel. The US Embassy in Kabul has suspended operations, and the US government is unable to provide any emergency consular services to US citizens in Afghanistan. The advisory warns of terrorism, the risk of wrongful detention, kidnapping, and crime.
US citizens are urged not to travel to Afghanistan for any reason. The advisory states that multiple terrorist groups are active in the country, and US citizens are targets of kidnapping and wrongful detention. The Taliban has harassed and detained aid and humanitarian workers, and foreigners may be viewed with suspicion. The risk of detention is high, and the Taliban does not regularly permit welfare checks on detained US citizens.
US citizens in Afghanistan are urged to depart immediately via commercial means if possible. Those seeking US government assistance to depart should email their biographic details, contact information, and US passport number to [email protected].
The advisory provides a list of precautions for those who choose to disregard the advisory and travel to Afghanistan:
- Follow the Department of State on Facebook and Twitter
- Visit the website for Travel to High-Risk Areas
- Review personal security plans
- Be aware of surroundings and local security developments
- Notify a trusted person of travel and movement plans
- Make contingency plans to leave when it is safe to do so, without relying on US government assistance
- Draft a will and designate appropriate insurance beneficiaries and/or power of attorney
- Discuss a plan with loved ones regarding care/custody of children, pets, property, belongings, etc.
- Leave DNA samples with a medical provider in case they are needed by your family
- Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive security updates
- Read the Country Security Report for Afghanistan
- Visit the CDC page for the latest Travel Health Information related to your travel
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US consular services in Afghanistan
The US Embassy in Kabul suspended operations on 31 August 2021, and the US government withdrew its personnel from the city. The US Department of State Travel Advisory for Afghanistan is Level 4: Do Not Travel, due to terrorism, risk of wrongful detention, kidnapping, civil unrest, and crime.
US citizens in Afghanistan who require routine consular services can contact any US embassy or consulate outside of Afghanistan for assistance. However, the US government can only provide extremely limited assistance inside Afghanistan and cannot offer many of the consular services that are available outside of the country.
US citizens in Afghanistan who need help departing the country should email their complete biographic details, contact information, and US passport number to [email protected]. They are also urged to depart immediately via commercial means if possible.
US citizens can also contact the Afghan Embassy and Consulates in Canada, as there is no Afghan embassy or consulate in the United States.
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Virtual phone numbers for calling Afghanistan
When calling Afghanistan from the US, you will need to dial the US exit code, the Afghanistan country code, the area code, and the phone number. The US exit code is 011, and the Afghanistan country code is +93. The Afghanistan area codes vary depending on the region, but they are two digits long. For example, the area code for Kabul is 020, and the area code for Kandahar is 030.
To call a landline in Afghanistan from the US, you would dial:
011 (US exit code) + 93 (Afghanistan country code) + 020 (Kabul area code) + XXXXXX (local phone number).
To call a mobile phone in Afghanistan from the US, you would dial:
011 (US exit code) + 93 (Afghanistan country code) + XX XXXX (mobile provider code and phone number).
Some of the mobile phone codes for Afghanistan are:
- Etisalat Afghanistan
- Afghan Telecom (CMDA)
- Areeba Mobile
- At Mobile
- Awcc Mobile
Alternatively, you can use a VoIP service such as Telerivet to connect to a third-party VoIP provider or device to send and receive voice calls in Afghanistan. Telerivet can also be used to make outgoing voice calls using Twilio with a verified caller ID in Afghanistan, although incoming calls cannot be received via this method.
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US immigrant visa application process
I was unable to find information on whether you can use a US number in Afghanistan. However, I can provide an overview of the US immigrant visa application process.
Step 1: Submit a Petition
US citizens and lawful permanent resident petitioners residing in the US must file Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). This can be done either electronically or through the traditional paper process via mail. US employers must file Form I-140, Petition for Alien Worker.
Step 2: NVC Processing
Once your immigrant petition is approved by the USCIS, your case proceeds to the National Visa Center (NVC). The NVC will notify you and the petitioner when the visa petition is received and again when an immigrant visa number is available. They will also notify you when you must submit immigrant visa processing fees and supporting documentation.
Step 3: Affidavit of Support
Step 4: Financial Documents
Step 5: Online Application
Step 6: Civil Documents
Step 7: Scan Documents
Step 8: Submit Documents
Step 9: Interview Preparation
Step 10: Applicant Interview
On the scheduled date and time of your interview, go to the US Embassy or Consulate with your printed visa application confirmation page. A consular officer will interview you and determine whether you are eligible to receive an immigrant visa. Ink-free, digital fingerprint scans will be taken as part of the interview process.
Step 11: After the Interview
If you are granted an immigrant visa, the consular officer will give you a "Visa Packet." Do not open this packet. You will need to pay a USCIS Immigrant Fee online, and then give your Visa Packet to the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer at the port of entry when you arrive in the US. The CBP officer will inspect you and determine whether to admit you into the US as a lawful permanent resident.
Step 12: Receive Your Green Card
If you have paid the USCIS Immigrant Fee, you will receive your Green Card in the mail after you arrive in the US. If you do not receive your Green Card within 90 days of your arrival, contact the USCIS Contact Center.
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Frequently asked questions
To call a US number from Afghanistan, first dial 011, the US exit code. Next, dial the US number, including the area code.
Yes, there are apps such as mytello that allow you to call US numbers from Afghanistan at low rates. You can also use Skype, Google Voice, or similar services to get a US number and use it to make and receive calls from Afghanistan.
It depends on your cell phone plan and service provider. Some plans may include international roaming, which would allow you to use your US number in Afghanistan. However, roaming charges can be expensive. It is best to check with your service provider before traveling to Afghanistan.
Yes, you should be able to receive text messages on your US number while in Afghanistan. However, standard international text messaging rates may apply.
Some apps, such as mytello, offer a limited number of free minutes to call US numbers from Afghanistan. Additionally, you can use free online calling services like Google Voice or Skype to make and receive calls using a US number while in Afghanistan.
