Escaping Afghanistan: Navigating A Nation's Complex Exit Strategies

Afghanistan is a landlocked country in South Asia, bordered by Pakistan, Iran, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and China. The country is mostly mountainous, with the Hindu Kush mountain range in the centre-east, and the Wakhan Corridor in the north-east providing the narrowest passage to China. The country's climate is arid to semi-arid, with hot summers and cold winters.

The country has been the site of armed conflict for over 40 years, with the most recent conflict beginning in 2001 with the US invasion. The US-led coalition removed the Taliban government from power, but the country has since been embroiled in an insurgency, with the Taliban and other groups fighting against the US-backed Afghan government. The security situation is highly volatile, with frequent terrorist attacks and ongoing armed conflict. Foreigners and individuals associated with Western countries are at high risk of kidnapping and violence by terrorist groups. The country's infrastructure is poor, with basic services such as electricity and telephones being minimal even in urban areas. Food and water shortages are common, and the economy operates on a cash-only basis.

The US government has issued a Level 4 travel advisory for Afghanistan, warning US citizens not to travel to the country due to terrorism, kidnapping, and crime. The UK and Canadian governments have issued similar warnings, advising their citizens to avoid all travel to Afghanistan.

The US government is not able to provide any emergency consular services to US citizens in Afghanistan

The U.S. Embassy in Kabul suspended operations on August 31, 2021. The U.S. government has withdrawn its personnel from Kabul and is not able to provide any emergency consular services to U.S. citizens in Afghanistan. However, U.S. citizens in Afghanistan in need of routine consular services can contact any U.S. embassy or consulate outside of Afghanistan for assistance.

U.S. citizens in Afghanistan who are seeking U.S. government assistance to depart should email their complete biographic details and contact information (email and phone number) as well as their U.S. passport number to [email protected].

The Taliban do not regularly permit the US to conduct welfare checks on US citizens in detention

The Taliban do not regularly permit the United States to conduct welfare checks on US citizens in detention. Detention can be lengthy, and while in detention, US citizens have limited or no access to medical attention and may be subject to physical abuse. The US government is not able to provide any emergency consular services to US citizens in Afghanistan.

The US Embassy in Kabul has suspended operations

The US Embassy in Kabul suspended operations on August 31, 2021, and the US government withdrew its personnel from the country. The US citizens in Afghanistan seeking assistance can contact the Consular Affairs Afghanistan Call Center or send an email to [email protected]. The Embassy will continue to provide information via the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), the Embassy web page, Travel.State.Gov, and Facebook and Twitter. Consular services remain available outside Afghanistan.

The US government advises against all travel to Afghanistan

The US Embassy in Kabul has suspended operations, and the US government is not able to provide any emergency consular services to US citizens in Afghanistan.

The security situation in Afghanistan is highly volatile and dangerous

The Taliban has been known to carry out extrajudicial killings, including of former government officials and human rights defenders. They have also set strict codes of dress for men and women and enforce them strictly. Women, including foreign nationals, must fully cover themselves in public. Women are also prohibited from travelling more than 75km without being accompanied by their husband, father, or brother.

The risk of kidnapping in Afghanistan is very high, especially for foreign nationals. Criminals have kidnapped and sometimes killed Westerners, including tourists, journalists, teachers, doctors, and non-government organization workers. Journalists may be lured with offers of interviews when the real purpose is to kidnap them.

The Taliban has also been known to detain foreign nationals, including humanitarian workers and journalists, on suspicion of spying. Reasons for detention may be unclear, and the Taliban does not regularly permit welfare checks on detained U.S. citizens. Detention can be lengthy, and detainees have limited or no access to medical attention and may be subject to physical abuse.

The situation at Afghanistan's border crossings remains volatile. A number of borders remain closed and can close without notice. There have been clashes between Afghan and neighbouring forces at some border crossings.

Frequently asked questions