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Thinking about traveling to Afghanistan? With the ever-changing political landscape, there are a few things you need to be aware of when it comes to visas and travel permits. On this page, you’ll find updated information on obtaining a visa, what’s currently happening and how to get yourself sorted before you go.
Since the Taliban took control, there are now two different Afghan governments with embassies abroad. Some are still run by the old government (the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan), while others are now under the new Taliban-led government (the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan). Important: Visas from embassies under the old government are no longer valid for entering Afghanistan.
Embassies that are not recognized anymore:
The Taliban’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has declared that visas and other consular services (e.g., passport issuance and visa stickers) issued by embassies in the following locations are not recognized. So, if you got your visa from these places, it’s not going to be accepted:
– Europe: London, Brussels (Belgium), Berlin and Bonn (Germany), Switzerland, Austria, France, Italy, Greece, Poland, Sweden, Norway;
– North America: Canada;
– Oceania: Australia.
Valid consulates
The following locations are under the new government’s control and can issue visas you can use:
– Middle East and Asia: Doha (Qatar), Islamabad and Peshawar (Pakistan), Tehran and Mashhad (Iran);
– Asia-Pacific: Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), Beijing (China);
– Gulf: Dubai (United Arab Emirates).
These consulates can issue visas that will be accepted upon entry into Afghanistan. For example, a tourist visa obtained in Islamabad is valid and typically costs around $130 USD, significantly lower than previous rates under the old government, such as $350 USD in London. Note that a few embassies only accept applications from residents of the country where they are based, so make sure to check this ahead of applying.
Travel permits
Aside from the visa, you’ll need special travel permits to visit different provinces in Afghanistan. The permits are mandatory and are checked at various checkpoints. You can’t just go with a visa, you still have to go through some local bureaucracy to get these, but they’re essential for moving around the country. For example a Letter of Invitation, that we can provide for you.
Is it safe to travel in Afghanistan?
Travel to Afghanistan is of course different from most other trips. The areas in Afghanistan that we visit are places where we feel comfortable and where we and our local guides feel are safe to bring people. If the situation changes, we will ofcourse respond immediately. We therefore ask for a certain flexibility from our travellers. We aim to give everyone the best possible tour experience, however the local guide always has the last word regarding changes in the tour schedule.
What measures do we take on our travels?
– We wear local clothing so that we don’t stand out among the Afghans. It is also out of respect for the local culture.
– We do not discuss the itinerary or the name of the hotel with anyone. Although it will of course only be out of curiosity that someone asks, we do not share this information with others, purely as a precaution.
– If we have a long day ahead, we must start on time. If we have a car breakdown, we don’t want to get stranded after dark.
– Always listen to and watch your local guide. The guide has a lot of experience in Afghanistan and knows when something is not right (or starts to change). He sees and hears much more than we do and everyone should always listen to him.
– We advise everyone to register with your local embassy. If you have problems on the spot, it is much easier to get in touch with the embassy on site.
What are the local customs in Afghanistan?
Since Afghanistan is a strict Islamic country, we must respect different local rules and customs towards the local people. A few rules to keep in mind:
– Always wear local clothes when we go outside.
– Always take off your shoes when entering a mosque or house. Never show your shoe sole when you sit down.
– Don’t walk in front of someone who is praying.
– It is forbidden to bring alcohol to Afghanistan
– Homosexuality is illegal in Afghanistan; therefore, we advise avoiding any such expression in public that can cause trouble
Traveling to Afghanistan involves careful planning. Important for now is to get your visa from a valid embassy, secure all the necessary permits and stay updated on the local situation.
Do you want to discover Afghanistan? Take a look at our private tours or group tours to Afghanistan. Do you need more information? Feel free to reach out to us.