Safety notice. The US Department of State rates Afghanistan at Level 4, Do Not Travel, and says not to travel for any reason. The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office advises against all travel, even with an organised tour group. Both warn of terrorism, kidnapping, wrongful detention and almost no consular help. The warnings cover the whole country, including Kabul, Bamiyan, Herat, Mazar-i-Sharif and Kandahar. This Afghanistan travel guide is for information only.
Almost every foreign visitor needs a visa to enter Afghanistan, and it must be arranged before departure. In March 2026 the authorities opened an online tourist e-Visa portal, which replaced much of the older embassy-and-invitation-letter route. Rules are new and change quickly, so confirm every detail with the official sources below.
Last checked: November 2026
Do I need a visa for Afghanistan?
Almost every foreign visitor needs a visa to enter Afghanistan, and there is no tourist visa on arrival. Since March 2026 eligible travellers can apply for a single-entry tourist e-Visa on the E-Afghans portal. As reported, it allows up to 30 days from entry and must be used within 90 days of issue.
The US Department of State confirms that an Afghan visa is required to enter and exit and must be obtained before travel. It also notes that US citizens of Afghan parentage who were not born in Afghanistan need a visa unless they travel on an Afghan passport. Details on the US travel advisory page are updated by the State Department.
Which route fits which passport holder?
- Most nationalities: apply for the tourist e-Visa on the E-Afghans portal, if your nationality is accepted there.
- Nationalities the portal does not accept: contact an Afghan diplomatic or consular mission, or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, about an embassy visa. Processing then depends on the mission.
- Foreign-passport holders of Afghan origin: a separate entry-permit route exists, so check the portal rather than assuming the tourist rules apply.
Eligibility lists change, and some nationalities have reported being refused access to the online form. Check the portal before paying for flights.
How do I apply for the Afghanistan e-Visa?
- Register or log in on the E-Afghans portal and choose the tourist visa type.
- Complete the form with passport details and an address in Afghanistan, usually the hotel name in Kabul.
- Upload a passport copy and a passport-style photo.
- Pay the fees online at the stages the portal sets.
- Receive the e-Visa by email as a PDF, and print it to carry with your passport.
Applicants often report that the process works best when finished in one session. Names, passport numbers and dates must match the passport exactly, because errors can mean a rejected application.
Where can I enter on the e-Visa?
Entry on the tourist e-Visa is currently restricted to Kabul International Airport. It is not accepted at land border crossings, and travellers cannot assume it works at other Afghan airports. Exit is reportedly allowed from other points. Because Pakistan’s main crossing at Torkham has been closed to normal trade and travel since October 2025, according to Dawn in July 2026, overland plans from Pakistan are unreliable in any case. For arrival airports and airlines, see the flights to Afghanistan guide.
What documents and passport rules apply?
- A passport that meets the portal’s validity rule; airlines often ask for at least six months.
- A digital passport copy and photo for the form.
- A named place to stay, such as a hotel, for the address field.
- An onward or return ticket, which airlines and border officers commonly ask to see.
- Travel insurance that covers Afghanistan; the UK FCDO warns that insurance may not apply where governments advise against all travel.
How much does it cost and how long does it take?
Fees and processing times are set by the Afghan authorities and have been reported differently by different sources, so GlobeNavo does not quote them. The portal shows the amounts and the processing options at the time you apply. Allow extra time before your flight and keep payment receipts.
What happens at the border?
Immigration officers at Kabul check the passport, the printed e-Visa and the planned accommodation. Travel outside Kabul usually involves advance notice or permits arranged by a registered local operator, and provincial rules differ and change. Photography at some sites needs permission. The getting around Afghanistan guide explains how journeys between cities are arranged.
Overstay and extension basics
The tourist e-Visa allows up to 30 days from the date of entry. Any extension has to be requested from the Afghan authorities before the visa expires, and the portal does not promise one. Overstaying is risky: the US State Department assesses a risk of wrongful detention of foreigners, and consular help is not available inside the country.
Safety notes tied to entry
- There is no US or UK embassy in Afghanistan, so governments cannot give routine or emergency help in person.
- The UK FCDO says it is illegal under Taliban rules for women to travel more than 72 km without a husband, father or brother as a mahram.
- The US State Department warns that proselytising by non-Muslims is punishable by deportation, imprisonment or death.
Common mistakes
- Booking a flight to Herat or Mazar-i-Sharif while holding an e-Visa limited to Kabul.
- Applying too close to departure.
- Letting the 90-day window lapse after approval.
- Arriving without a printed copy.
- Treating forum posts as official; always cross-check the portal.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get an Afghanistan visa on arrival?
No tourist visa on arrival is described in official guidance. The US State Department tells travellers to obtain a visa before travel. Apply through the E-Afghans portal or an Afghan mission, and carry the approved document when you fly.
How long is the Afghanistan tourist e-Visa valid?
As reported by the portal and travel-industry sources, the e-Visa is single entry, allows up to 30 days after arrival and expires 90 days after issue. Confirm the current terms on the official portal before relying on these figures.
Can I enter Afghanistan by land with the e-Visa?
Not at present. The tourist e-Visa is described as valid for entry only at Kabul International Airport. Land crossings, including the one at Torkham with Pakistan, have faced closures, so check both the visa terms and current border status.
Is it safe to apply for an Afghanistan visa?
Applying carries no extra risk, but travelling does. The US rates Afghanistan Level 4, the UK advises against all travel, and neither government can assist in person. Read both advisories before paying any fee.