Green Card Holders And The Afghan Visa: Understanding The Requirements

As of July 6, 2023, the U.S. Department of State advises U.S. citizens not to travel to Afghanistan due to terrorism, the risk of wrongful detention, kidnapping, and crime. The U.S. Embassy in Kabul has suspended operations, and the U.S. government is unable to provide emergency consular services to U.S. citizens in Afghanistan. U.S. citizens in Afghanistan are urged to depart immediately via commercial means if possible.

U.S. citizens and green card holders must have a valid passport and Afghan visa to enter and exit Afghanistan. If a traveller arrives in Kabul without a valid visa, their passport will be confiscated, and they will need to pay a $100 fine. To obtain an entry visa, the traveller or their employer should write a letter explaining their situation and why they arrived in Afghanistan without a visa. This letter must then be taken to the Consular Section at the Afghan Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA). The MFA will then draft a letter to the Foreign Relations Department of the Ministry of Interior (MOI), who will in turn draft a letter to the General Police Office, located inside the MOI. The General Police Office will then provide the traveller with a letter addressed to the Border Police Office at Kabul International Airport. This process may take two weeks or more to complete. The traveller must then bring this letter to the Border Police Office at the airport, along with two photos. They will be asked to fill out forms and pay the $100 fine, after which they will be issued an entry visa valid for 15 days.

If a traveller wishes to stay longer than 15 days, they must apply for a multiple-entry or tourist visa at the General Passport Office, Foreigners' Visa Section. A multiple-entry visa is most commonly issued to foreigners who come to Afghanistan to work with organisations or corporations registered with the Afghan government or with ISAF. A tourist visa is issued to foreigners who are coming to Afghanistan for personal reasons or tourism.

Entry requirements for US citizens

The US Embassy in Kabul has suspended operations, and the US government is unable to provide emergency consular services to US citizens in Afghanistan. The US Department of State advises US citizens not to travel to Afghanistan for any reason. The security situation is extremely unstable, and the threat to US citizens remains critical.

If you are a US citizen in Afghanistan, you should depart immediately via commercial means if possible. If you are seeking US government assistance to depart, email your complete biographic details and contact information, as well as your US passport number, to [email protected].

If you choose to disregard the travel advisory and travel to Afghanistan, you should:

• Follow the Department of State on Facebook and Twitter
• Visit the Department of State's website for travel to high-risk areas
• Review your personal security plans
• Be aware of your surroundings and local security developments at all times
• Notify a trusted person of your 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, non-liquid assets, funeral wishes, etc.
• Leave DNA samples with your medical provider in case your family needs to access them
• Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive security updates and be located in an emergency
• Read the Country Security Report for Afghanistan
• Visit the CDC page for the latest travel health information

Please note that if you are a dual US/Afghan citizen, you are not required to have an entry visa. If you are a US citizen of Afghan parentage but not born in Afghanistan, an entry permit is required.

Visa options for US citizens

The US Department of State currently advises US citizens not to travel to Afghanistan for any reason. The country is deemed a Level 4: Do Not Travel area, due to the high risk of terrorism, wrongful detention, 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 Afghanistan.

However, if you choose to disregard this advisory and travel to Afghanistan, there are several visa options available for US citizens. Please note that the US Embassy Consular Section does not assist US citizens in acquiring Afghan visas, and the following information is provided as a courtesy and may be subject to change.

Diplomatic Visa

Issued only by the Afghan Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), this visa is typically valid for one year but sometimes only for six months or less. Applicants must hold a diplomatic passport.

Official Visa

Issued only by the Afghan MFA, this visa is valid for six months but may be issued for the duration of the stay if expected to be less than one year. Applicants must hold an official passport.

Multiple Entry Visa

This visa is most commonly issued to foreigners who travel to Afghanistan to work with organizations or corporations registered with the Afghan government or with ISAF. A six-month multiple-entry visa allows them to work. Applications can be made at an Afghan Embassy or Consulate overseas, and the visa must be received before travel.

Tourist Visa

Issued to foreigners who travel to Afghanistan for personal reasons or tourism. If applying overseas, foreigners must provide a statement describing the purpose of their travel. If applying after being issued an entry visa upon arrival in Afghanistan, a letter from the Ministry of Tourism or the Ministry of Information and Culture is required. Tourist visas are usually single-entry, valid for three months, with a one-month authorized stay, and cannot be renewed while in Afghanistan.

Entry Permit

US citizens born in Afghanistan (i.e., dual citizens) who do not have an Afghan passport should not apply for a visa in their US passport. Instead, they should submit an application for an entry permit on the website of the Afghan Embassy in Washington.

Registration requirements for foreigners

Foreigners arriving in Afghanistan are fingerprinted during the immigration process. Foreign passengers arriving at Kabul International Airport are expected to register with a representative of the Ministry of Interior's Foreigners' Registration Office. If the airport office is closed, registration may take place at the Ministry of Interior's Kabul Statistics Office, located at Kart-e-Parwan Square in front of Nadirya High School. The registration card must be surrendered upon the foreign national's departure from Afghanistan.

Vehicle Registration

The vast majority of vehicles in Afghanistan are registered through the Traffic Department offices in Kabul, though there are offices located in other cities. However, vehicles registered in other locations often have to be cleared by the Kabul office, which means it's an easier process if done directly through the main office. The following are the primary documents required for vehicle registration:

• Valid CNIC (Computerized National Identity Card)
• Vehicle registration application
• Valid driver's license
• Payment of taxes and duties

Other Registration Requirements

• Foreigners must obtain a visa before travelling to Afghanistan. This can be a diplomatic visa, an official visa, a multiple-entry visa, or a tourist visa.
• U.S. citizens born in Afghanistan (i.e. dual citizens) who do not have an Afghan passport should apply for an entry permit, not a visa, in their U.S. passport.
• If a traveler arrives in Kabul without a valid visa, their passport will be confiscated, and they will need to pay a $100 fine. They will also need to write a letter explaining their situation and why they arrived in Afghanistan without a visa. They will need to take this letter to the Consular Section at the Afghan Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA).

Visa fees and fines

Visa Fees

The visa fees for Afghanistan vary depending on the type of visa and the duration of stay. Here are some examples of visa fees for different countries:

• United States: The tourist visa fee for US citizens is $209 for a single-entry visa with a maximum validity of 90 days.
• United Kingdom: The Afghan Embassy in London charges £200 for a single-entry/tourist visa with a 30-day stay, plus a £140 fast-track fee. Multiple-entry visas with a longer duration of stay and for specific purposes, such as business or work, are more expensive.
• Other Countries: Visa fees for Afghanistan vary by country and visa type. It is recommended to check with the nearest Afghan embassy or consulate for the most up-to-date and accurate information on visa fees.

Fines for Overstaying or Expired Visas

Overstaying a visa or letting it expire can result in fines and other consequences. Here are some important points to note:

• Visa Expiration Fine: If a visa expires, the bearer must pay a fine of $2 per day for the first month and $5 per day for the second month, up to a maximum fine of $210. After two months, the bearer of an expired visa must pay the applicable fine and is subject to deportation.
• Exit Visa Fee: For those who entered Afghanistan without a visa or let their visa expire, an exit visa is required to leave the country. The fee depends on how long the visa has been expired ($2 per day for the first month, $5 per day for the second month).
• Confiscation of Passport: Travelers arriving in Afghanistan without a valid visa may have their passports confiscated and be subjected to heavy fines.

US Embassy services

The US Embassy in Afghanistan has suspended its operations and relocated to Doha, Qatar. The US government is not able to provide any emergency consular services to US citizens in Afghanistan. However, US citizens in Afghanistan who need routine consular services can contact any US embassy or consulate outside of Afghanistan for assistance.

The US Embassy in Afghanistan previously offered a range of services to US citizens, including emergency assistance and information on Afghan visas. It also provided support to US citizens, Lawful Permanent Residents (LPRs), and Immigrant Visa Applicants, including Special Immigrant Visa applicants and their families, who were seeking to relocate from Afghanistan.

The US Embassy in Afghanistan also provided security alerts and travel advisories for US citizens travelling to or located in Afghanistan. It is important to note that the US Department of State has issued a Level 4: Do Not Travel advisory for Afghanistan due to terrorism, the risk of wrongful detention, kidnapping, and crime.

Frequently asked questions