Escape From Afghanistan: Navigating Air Travel In A Time Of Crisis

Afghanistan is a war-torn country that has been taken over by the Taliban. The security situation is highly volatile, and the U.S. and Canadian governments advise their citizens to avoid all travel to Afghanistan. The U.K. government also advises against all travel to Afghanistan, warning that its ability to support British nationals in the country is extremely limited. The U.S. Embassy in Kabul has suspended its operations, and the U.S. government is unable to provide emergency consular services to U.S. citizens in Afghanistan.

Despite the warnings, it is still possible to fly to Afghanistan. Kam Air and Fly Dubai are two airlines that offer flights to Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan. However, there are no direct flights from the U.S. to Afghanistan, and travellers can expect at least one layover. The price of a one-way flight from the U.S. to Afghanistan starts at $568.

Getting a visa for Afghanistan

Afghanistan has always been open for tourism, and visas have always been issued at the respective embassies. However, since the Taliban took over in 2021, only a handful of embassies and consulates can issue you with a valid visa.

The easiest embassies to obtain an Afghan visa are:

• Dubai (United Arab Emirates)
• Islamabad (Pakistan)

Reports suggest that the following embassies are also issuing tourist visas:

• Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates)
• Bishkek (Kyrgyzstan)
• Doha (Qatar)
• Some embassies in Europe

The easiest way to get your visa is in your home country, but if there is no active embassy in the country you reside, Dubai and Islamabad are the most convenient places as there are daily flight connections with Kabul.

Visa on Arrival (VOA)

There is a way to get a VOA for Afghanistan by crossing from Tajikistan at the Shir Khan border, which is close to the Afghan city of Kunduz. The visa on arrival costs $150 USD and the paperwork takes a few hours.

Travel Requirements for the Afghanistan Visa

The requirements for the Afghanistan visa are:

• 1 Pakistan visa copy (if applying in Islamabad)
• $80-130 USD, depending on urgency. Americans can pay up to $210 USD
• Letter of Invitation (LOI) + Company license of your sponsor (optional)

Where to Get Your Visa

Islamabad

No appointment is needed. A visa costs $80 USD, but you can pay an additional $50 USD to get your visa in under 24 hours. If you apply in the morning, you can get it the same day in the afternoon. No LOI is needed.

Madrid

No appointment is needed. Pay €200 and get your visa in 1 hour. The non-urgent service takes 1 week and costs €120. You may mail them your documents. No LOI is needed.

Dubai

No appointment is needed. Pay $130 USD and get your visa in 3 hours. Sometimes they ask for the LOI.

The visa is single-entry and valid for 30 days within a 90-day period.

Who Can Get an Afghan Visa?

All nationalities are eligible to apply for an Afghan visa at any of the previously mentioned embassies.

Upon applying for your Afghan visa, they might ask who will be your sponsor in Afghanistan, but you can say that you don't need one and that you are travelling alone, and it should be fine. This rule applies in Islamabad and sometimes in Dubai.

What to Do if There is No Embassy in Your Country

If there is no embassy in your country, you can try applying in one of the embassies that issue visas to non-residents. Alternatively, you can apply in Dubai or Islamabad as there are daily flights to Kabul from these locations.

Flying to Afghanistan from the US

If you choose to disregard the Travel Advisory and fly to Afghanistan, you should be aware that there are no direct flights from the US to Afghanistan. Flights from the US to Afghanistan usually include one, two, or even three layovers and can last anywhere from 19 hours to 31 hours. The average flight time is around 17 hours.

The price of a one-way flight from the US to Afghanistan can vary depending on the departure city, airline, and other factors. Generally, prices range from $567 to $1400, with the cheapest ticket found in the last 72 hours being $567.

Major airports in Afghanistan include:

• Kabul International Airport (KBL) in Kabul
• Ahmad Shah Baba International Airport (KDH) in Kandahar
• Mawlānā Jalāl ad-Din Muhammad Balkhī International Airport (MZR) in Mazar-i-Sharif
• Khwaja Abdullah Ansari International Airport (HEA) in Herat

Getting to Kabul from the airport

• The road to Kabul Airport can be extremely dangerous, with reports of heavy gunfire, violence, and large crowds. It is important to stay alert and be aware of your surroundings at all times.
• Taliban fighters have been known to control access to the airport, blocking entrances and beating back crowds. They have also been reported to patrol Airport Road, the main route into the airport.
• American and other foreign officials have stated that they cannot guarantee safe passage to the airport for their citizens.
• It is recommended to travel to the airport only if you have received instructions to do so and have the necessary documentation.
• There are various transport options available at the airport, including urban transport buses (lines 39, 100, and 178), airport shuttles, taxis, and car rental services.
• When travelling from the airport to Kabul, it is important to keep a low profile and be cautious at all times. Try to blend in with the local culture and dress conservatively.
• Women, in particular, should be aware of the strict rules enforced by the Taliban, such as the requirement to be accompanied by a male guardian (mahram) when travelling or visiting public places.
• Keep yourself informed about the latest developments and security situations in Kabul and Afghanistan as a whole.
• Always carry the necessary documentation, including your passport, visa (if required), and other relevant papers.
• Be prepared for unexpected delays, cancellations, or changes in your travel plans due to the volatile security situation.
• Enroll in a travel advisory program, such as the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), to receive security updates and ensure that you can be located in an emergency.
• Consider purchasing comprehensive travel insurance that covers medical evacuation and other emergency services.

Overall, getting to Kabul from the airport requires careful planning, an understanding of the local situation, and adherence to safety precautions. It is essential to stay informed, be vigilant, and follow the instructions of local authorities and security personnel.

The current security situation in Afghanistan

The security situation in Afghanistan is extremely dangerous and volatile, with the Taliban controlling the country and several other armed Islamist groups active. The Taliban have cracked down on human rights, particularly for women and girls, and the economy is in decline. There is a very high threat of terrorism and kidnapping throughout the country, including in the capital, Kabul. Foreigners and individuals associated with Western countries are targets for kidnappings and violence by terrorist groups.

The Taliban have been fighting two insurgencies, one led by the Islamic State's local branch and the second comprising the National Resistance Front (NRF) and other groups aligned with the former government. The Taliban are also struggling to adapt to their new role of policing cities and parts of the north where they are unpopular.

The Taliban have been accused of carrying out extrajudicial killings, including of former government officials and human rights defenders. They have also harassed and arbitrarily detained aid and humanitarian workers, as well as tourists, and journalists.

There is a heightened risk of attacks targeting human rights defenders, journalists and media workers, and judges and prosecutors. No location in Afghanistan can be considered safe or exempt from the threat of attack.

Millions of landmines pose a severe threat throughout the countryside. No area is safe.

The Taliban have issued a series of decrees to regulate acceptable behaviors according to their strict interpretation of Islam. They have restricted most human rights for women and girls, refusing to let girls go to school past sixth grade. Women are prohibited from accessing higher education and working outside the home.

Overall, the security situation in Afghanistan remains extremely dangerous and volatile.

The risk of kidnapping in Afghanistan

Afghanistan is currently under the control of the Taliban, and the security situation is highly volatile and dangerous. The country is deemed unsafe for travel by many governments, including the UK, US, and Canada, who advise their citizens to avoid all travel to the country.

There is a very high threat of kidnapping in Afghanistan, and British, US, and Canadian nationals are viewed as legitimate targets. Over 100 westerners have been kidnapped in Afghanistan since 2001, and some foreign nationals remain in captivity. The Taliban are suspicious of foreign nationals, and it is likely that their work and movements will be closely monitored. The risk of detention is especially high if individuals have worked in the military or have connections to previously detained nationals.

The motivation for kidnapping in Afghanistan is often ransom or ideological reasons. Kidnapping for ransom is a key source of income for some criminal gangs, and terrorists may seek to use hostages to swap for prisoners or to negotiate a withdrawal of security forces.

If kidnapped, the reason for your presence is unlikely to secure your release. The British and US governments have a long-standing policy of not making substantive concessions to hostage-takers. Paying ransoms can encourage more kidnappings and fund terrorist attacks.

If you are kidnapped, the Australian government recommends not acting defiantly towards your captors.

Frequently asked questions