The Long Road Home: Navigating The Journey From Afghanistan

The length of time it takes to get home from Afghanistan depends on several factors, including the mode of transportation, the specific destination, and the current security situation in the country.

Currently, the U.S. Department of State has issued a Level 4 travel advisory for Afghanistan, warning U.S. citizens not to travel to the country due to the high risk of terrorism, wrongful detention, kidnapping, and crime. The U.S. Embassy in Kabul has suspended its operations, and the ability to provide emergency consular services to U.S. citizens in Afghanistan is extremely limited.

For those who are still in Afghanistan and seeking to return to the U.S., the recommended course of action is to depart immediately via commercial means if possible. Those seeking U.S. government assistance in leaving Afghanistan should contact the appropriate authorities.

Historically, Afghanistan has been a country fraught with political instability and foreign intervention. The recent withdrawal of U.S. troops and the subsequent takeover by the Taliban have further complicated the situation, leading to concerns about the safety and security of those remaining in the country. Therefore, it is essential to monitor the latest travel advisories and security updates when considering travel to or from Afghanistan.

The US Embassy in Kabul has suspended operations, so US citizens are urged to depart immediately via commercial means

The US Embassy in Kabul has suspended operations, and the US government is unable to provide emergency consular services to US citizens in Afghanistan. US citizens in Afghanistan are urged to depart immediately via commercial means if possible.

If you are a US citizen in Afghanistan and are seeking US government assistance to depart, you should email your complete biographic details and contact information (including your email address, phone number, and US passport number) to [email protected].

If you are a US citizen in Afghanistan and are not seeking US government assistance to depart, you should still be aware that travel to all areas of Afghanistan is unsafe. The Department of State Travel Advisory for Afghanistan is Level 4: Do Not Travel, due to terrorism, risk of wrongful detention, kidnapping, civil unrest, crime, and kidnapping.

If you are a US citizen or lawful permanent resident (LPR) in the US and want to help your family in Afghanistan, you should not travel to Afghanistan to accompany them. Instead, you can send your family's documents, along with a Privacy Release Form, to your local senator's office. You can also contact the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees' Protection Helpline or their legal partner, Society for Human Rights and Prisoners' Aid (SHARP).

If you are a US citizen or LPR in the US and your family member in Afghanistan has an approved immigrant visa petition and notification from the National Visa Center (NVC) that their case is documentarily complete and ready for an interview, the Office of the Coordinator for Afghan Relocation Efforts (CARE) will contact your family with departure options.

If you are a US citizen or LPR in the US and your family member in Afghanistan does not have an approved immigrant visa petition, you can help them apply for a Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) or a refugee visa.

The US government is unable to provide emergency consular services to US citizens in Afghanistan

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. The Department of State has issued guidance advising U.S. citizens to avoid travelling to the Kabul airport due to potential security threats. U.S. citizens seeking assistance to depart Afghanistan should complete a Repatriation Assistance Request or, in an emergency, call 1-888-407-4747 (U.S. and Canada) or +1-202-501-4444 (overseas).

U.S. citizens in Afghanistan in need of routine consular services can contact any U.S. embassy or consulate outside of Afghanistan for assistance, although the ability to assist U.S. citizens in Afghanistan is extremely limited. U.S. citizens who are in Afghanistan are urged to depart immediately via commercial means if possible. Those seeking U.S. government assistance to depart should email complete biographic details and contact information, as well as their U.S. passport number, to [email protected].

The U.S. government is committed to helping U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents (LPRs) in Afghanistan, as well as Afghans who are at risk due to their affiliation with the U.S. The Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) program and priority referrals to the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) are two key mechanisms to support Afghans who are at risk.

US citizens in Afghanistan can contact any US embassy or consulate outside of Afghanistan for assistance

The U.S. Embassy in Kabul suspended operations in 2021 and is currently unable to provide emergency consular services to U.S. citizens in Afghanistan. U.S. citizens in Afghanistan who require routine consular services can contact any U.S. embassy or consulate outside of Afghanistan for assistance.

U.S. citizens in Afghanistan are urged to depart immediately via commercial means if possible. Those seeking U.S. government assistance to depart should email complete biographic details and contact information (including a phone number and email address), as well as their U.S. passport number, to [email protected].

If you choose to disregard the Travel Advisory and travel to Afghanistan, the U.S. Department of State recommends that you:

• Follow the Department of State on Facebook and Twitter
• Visit the 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 U.S. 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 it is necessary for your family to access them
• Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive security updates and ensure you can be located in an emergency
• Read the Country Security Report For Afghanistan
• Visit the CDC page for the latest Travel Health Information related to your travel

The US Department of State will continue to provide information via the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)

The Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) is a free service provided by the U.S. Department of State that allows U.S. citizens travelling or living abroad to receive the latest security updates from the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. It is recommended that U.S. citizens register with STEP for each of their out-of-country travels, anywhere in the world.

STEP can be helpful in staying informed by the U.S. embassy before, during, and after travel. It can also be useful in the event of a coup, armed conflict, natural disaster, or a pandemic, as it can connect you with evacuation efforts or provide important safety information.

• You are travelling to a region that is politically unstable or prone to violence.
• You are travelling for a major event, conference, or summit that may become a target of attacks or protests.
• You are a minority travelling to an area where you might be targeted as an outsider.
• You are taking an extended trip (weeks or months) where you may have limited internet access.
• You would like an additional safety resource during your trip, no matter where you are travelling to.

The registration process is easy and only takes a few minutes. First, create an account at the website and fill in your personal information (date of birth, passport number, etc.), contact information (yes, they even take WhatsApp and WeChat as means to notify you in an emergency), and emergency contacts at home.

The next step is to log in and register each specific trip or residence abroad. You will need to repeat this process for each new trip if you want to receive STEP alerts.

By enrolling in STEP, you will:

• Receive the latest safety and security information for your destination country, so you can make informed decisions about your travel plans.
• Be able to be contacted by the U.S. embassy in an emergency, whether natural disaster, civil unrest, or family emergency.
• Help your family and friends get in touch with you in an emergency.

US citizens who are seeking US government assistance to depart should email their complete biographic details and contact information to [email protected]

If you are a US citizen in Afghanistan and are seeking US government assistance to depart, you should email your complete biographic details and contact information (email and phone number), as well as your US passport number, to [email protected].

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. US citizens in Afghanistan in need of routine consular services can contact any US embassy or consulate outside of Afghanistan for assistance.

If you are a US citizen in Afghanistan, you should depart immediately via commercial means if possible. 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 website for Travel to High-Risk Areas, review your personal security plans, be aware of your surroundings and local security developments at all times, and notify a trusted person of your travel and movement plans.

Frequently asked questions