Passport and Visas: U.S. Citizens must have a valid passport and Afghan visa to enter and exit Afghanistan. Travelers arriving without a valid visa are subjected to deportation or confiscation of their passport and heavy fines. Visit the website of the Embassy of Afghanistan for the most current visa information.
Do I need a visa to enter Afghanistan?
Entry, Exit and Visa Requirements. Passport and Visas: U.S. Citizens must have a valid passport and Afghan visa to enter and exit Afghanistan. Travelers arriving without a valid visa are subjected to deportation or confiscation of their passport and heavy fines.
Can a US citizen be born in Afghanistan and dual citizenship?
Dual Nationals/Afghan Heritage: U.S. citizens born in Afghanistan of Afghan parents are considered to be Afghan nationals and are not required to have an entry visa. For U.S. citizens of Afghan parentage, but not born in Afghanistan, an entry permit is required.
How to transfer an immigrant visa from Afghanistan to the US?
If you would like to transfer your immigrant visa case to a U.S. embassy or consulate outside of Afghanistan that processes immigrant visas, please submit your request to the National Visa Center at [email protected] , including your name, date of birth, and case number. May my family accompany me or follow to join me in the United States?
Do you need a medical examination for a visa to Afghanistan?
All immigrant visa applicants require a medical examination prior to the issuance of a visa. Applicants applying for an immigrant visa at the U.S. Embassy in Kabul (including SIV applicants) must wait to obtain their medical examinations until instructed to do so by the U.S. Embassy’s Consular Section.
How much is visa from USA to Afghanistan?
Tourist Visa Fees to Afghanistan:Processing Time:Standard Visa to Afghanistan 14 business dayValidity:3 monthsConsular Fee:$160.00Service fee:$99.00Total cost:$259.002 more rows
How long does it take to get an Afghanistan visa?
Please note that it may take two weeks or more to complete this process. You bring this letter to the Border Police Office at the airport along with two photos. They will ask you to fill out forms and pay the $100 fine, and then issue an entry visa valid for 15 days.
How do I get a tourist visa for Afghanistan?
Check the Validity of Your Passport. ... Complete the Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application, Form DS-160. ... Collect any Supporting Documentation. ... Schedule an Interview Appointment. ... Submit Your Passport and Visa Application Forms. ... Pay the MRV Fee. ... Interview for your visa with the Consular Officer. ... Pay the Visa Issuance Fee.More items...
How much is Afghanistan tourist visa?
Afghanistan Tourist visa fees for citizens of United States of AmericaType of visaEmbassy feeService feeSingle entry (30 days stay)$200.00$139.00Single entry (30 days stay)$160.00$209.00Single entry (30 days stay)$160.00$209.00Single entry$160.00$209.008 more rows
Can a US citizen visit Afghanistan?
Afghanistan - Level 4: Do Not Travel. Do not travel to Afghanistan due to civil unrest, armed conflict, crime, terrorism, and kidnapping.
Is it hard to get a visa to Afghanistan?
As visa applications go, applying for the Afghanistan visa is quite straightforward. The requirements to change however depending which embassy you visit. Certain embassies ask for a letter of invitation, while others don't. Some embassies don't issue tourist visas at all due to safety concerns.
Can you travel to Afghanistan right now?
You should not travel to Afghanistan. The security situation in Afghanistan remains extremely volatile. There is an ongoing and high threat of terrorist attacks through Afghanistan, including around the airport. Travel throughout Afghanistan is extremely dangerous, and border crossings may not be open.
Is Afghanistan open for tourists?
Entry and exit requirements. The Government of Afghanistan collapsed in August 2021. All travel to and out of the country is severely restricted. Borders are closed or may close suddenly.
What countries can Americans not travel to?
North Korea. Chonji lake or 'Heaven lake' is located in the crater of Mount Paektu, which is considered the spiritual birthplace of the Korean nation. Coastal plains crumple into rocky peaks in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, the only country on earth the American government forbids US citizens from visiting ...
Do credit cards work in Afghanistan?
On 2 November 2021, there was an announcement banning the use of foreign currency in Afghanistan. This stated that payments need to be settled in the Afghan currency (the Afghani – AFN). There are frequent shortages of local currency. Credit cards are not widely accepted for payment.
Does Afghanistan allow dual nationality?
Article 7 of the Afghanistan Citizenship Law states that “A person who is an Afghanistan Emirates citizen pursuant to the law, cannot be in the status of dual citizenship”. Therefore, in theory, the law does not allow dual citizenship.
Do I need a transit visa for Kabul?
Transit visa: An Afghanistan transit visa is required for passengers travelling to a third country via Afghanistan.
How long does administrative processing take?
DOS has stated that their goal is to complete administrative processing within a 60-day period. In recent experience, however, some administrative processing cases may take months. The period of time taken will vary based on individual circumstances.
Which countries Afghanistan can go without visa?
It is considered the lowest ranking passport in the world. Afghani passport holders have visa-free access to only 24 destinations including Bangladesh, Dominica, Madagascar and Seychelles. There are 205 destinations for which an Afghani passport holder requires to obtain a visa prior to traveling.
Do British citizens need visa for Afghanistan?
As per laws in Afghanistan, all foreign nationals including citizens of the United Kingdom require a visa to enter the country, and the only exemptions are travelers born in Afghanistan, and foreign nationals born to Afghan parents.
Is it legal to visit Afghanistan?
Passport and Visas: U.S. Citizens must have a valid passport and Afghan visa to enter and exit Afghanistan.
What are the penalties for being a US citizen in Afghanistan?
A U.S. passport will not help you avoid arrest or prosecution and may result in heightened attention by police and prosecutors, some of whom may seek to exploit your status as a U.S. citizen for financial or political gain. Persons violating Afghan laws, even unknowingly, may be fined, arrested, imprisoned, or possibly executed. Penalties in Afghanistan can be more severe than for similar offenses in the United States.
Why is Afghanistan unsafe to travel?
Travel to all areas of Afghanistan is unsafe because of critical levels of kidnappings, hostage taking, suicide bombings, widespread military combat operations, landmines, and terrorist and insurgent attacks, including attacks using vehicle-borne, magnetic, or other improvised explosive devices (IEDs), suicide vests, and grenades.
What are the basic medical services in Afghanistan?
Basic medical care is available in major Afghan cities but is limited in rural areas. Facilities vary in quality and range of services, and are generally below U.S. standards. Doctors and hospitals often require cash prepayment for services. Ambulances are few, lack medical equipment, and are not necessarily staffed by medical personnel. Western-style private clinics can be found in Kabul offering a variety of basic emergency and routine preventative-type care, but their hours are limited and such facilities may not be suitable for complex trauma cases or severe medical emergencies. Individuals without licenses or medical degrees operate private clinics, and there is no public agency that monitors their operations. A list of Medical Clinics in Afghanistan is available on the U.S. Embassy’s website.
What are the issues with Afghan Americans?
citizens involved in business or commercial disputes have been threatened with detention, arrest, and imprisonment, and had their property seized to use as collateral . U.S. citizens have reported being physically attacked and family members have also been harmed as the result of such disputes. U.S. citizens who find themselves in such situations should not assume that either local law enforcement or the U.S. Embassy will be able to assist them in resolving such disputes. Hiring a private attorney, early on the dispute, especially one who can act on behalf of the U.S. citizen when he/she is outside Afghanistan, is recommended.
What are the road conditions in Afghanistan?
Traffic Safety and Road Conditions: Road conditions in Afghanistan are generally poor. Many urban streets in Afghanistan have large potholes and are not well lit, and rural roads are frequently not paved. There have also been reports of cave-ins and erosion on the Ring Road (the Kabul-Kandahar-Herat-Mazar highway). Vehicles are often poorly maintained and overloaded. Traffic laws are often not enforced, and roadside assistance is non-existent. Vehicular traffic is chaotic and drivers must contend with numerous pedestrians, bicyclists, and animals. With congested roads, non-standard traffic patterns, and abundant pedestrian traffic, vehicle accidents are a serious concern and can escalate into violent confrontations when involving foreigners. All drivers are urged to drive defensively, drive only in the daylight, and pay close attention to their surroundings. Owners of vehicles with tinted windows can be arrested. Please see the Department of State’s additional information on Road Safety.
What is the equivalent of 911 in Afghanistan?
Transient populations and internally displaced peoples may contribute to crime and lawlessness. Victims of Crime : The local equivalent to the U.S. “911” emergency line is “119” in Afghanistan.
Does Medicare cover Afghanistan?
Insurance: Make sure your health insurance plan will cover you outside of the United States, and specifically covers care when you are in Afghanistan, as many insurance companies consider the country to be an active warzone and specifically exclude coverage for individuals residing or traveling here. Please also note that U.S. Medicare does not pay overseas. U.S. citizens are strongly recommended to obtain supplemental medical evacuation insurance as medical transport out of Afghanistan can be prohibitively expensive. When selecting medical evacuation provider, be sure to confirm that the company offers such services in Afghanistan and obtain a list of clinics and hospitals that may be used as a medical evacuation point. Please note that the U.S. Embassy cannot pay your medical bills.
How long is a passport valid in Afghanistan?
Make sure your current US passport is valid for at least six months after your planned date of exit from Afghanistan. It is also advisable that travelers to hostile countries have a second, limited validity US passport. Please visit this page for further information about the process of obtaining a second passport.
What Types of Materials Support My Afghanistan Visa Application?
In order to obtain a visa for travel to Afghanistan, you will need to submit:
Do I Need a Visa for Afghanistan?
However, if you are traveling to Afghanistan on business or in support of a US government contract, a business visa will be required. Passport Health Passports and Visas can help you obtain the visa you need for business travel to Afghanistan.
How many additional visas are there for the Afghan SIV program?
This law, signed on February 15, 2019, amends the Afghan SIV program by adding 4,000 additional visas, conditioned on the development and implementation of a prioritization process for Afghan special immigrant visas and the submission of three reports to the appropriate congressional committees. 5.
How long does it take to get a visa if an alien fails to apply?
Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) section 203 (g) provides that the Secretary of State shall terminate the registration (petition) of any alien who fails to apply for an immigrant visa within one year of notice of visa availability .
What happens if a visa is approved?
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will continue to process each petition, even after the numerical limit of visas has been reached. When your petition has been approved, it will be sent to the National Visa Center (NVC). If visas are available, NVC will contact you to schedule the visa interview. If visas are no longer available, NVC will hold the petition.
What is the waiver for SIV in Afghanistan?
117-31, enacted July 30, 2021, gave the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Homeland Security the authority to issue a joint blanket waiver of the requirement that SIV applicants undergo a medical exam before being issued an immigrant visa or admitted to the United States. Such waiver is applicable to Afghan SIV applicants in Afghanistan who have met all requirements for SIV issuance except the medical exam if and when the U.S. Chief of Mission at Embassy Kabul determines that Afghan SIV applicants are no longer able to obtain the medical exam without undue hardship or risk to personal safety. The Chief of Mission made this determination on August 13, 2021. The medical waiver is applicable to Afghan SIV applicants who meet the requirements outlined above. Applicants granted a medical waiver are required to complete a medical exam in the United States not later than 30 days after admission into the United States.
What is the National Defense Authorization Act?
This law, signed on December 12, 2017, authorizes the issuance of 3,500 additional visas to Afghan principal applicants with no end date by which they must be issued.
When will the Afghan SIV program be extended?
This law, signed on December 20, 2019, amends the Afghan SIV program by adding 4,000 additional visas and extending the program through December 31, 2021. Congress also amended the requirements for the type of employment that would qualify a principal alien under this program.
Can Afghans get resettlement assistance?
Yes. Afghan SIV recipients are eligible for the same resettlement assistance, entitlement programs, and other benefits as refugees admitted under the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP). Resettlement assistance is available under section 602 (b) of Division F, Title VI, of the Omnibus Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2009, Public Law 111-8 to Afghans who are admitted to the United States on Special Immigrant Visas, for a period not to exceed eight months. For more information about the relevant U.S. law, see References - U.S. Laws, number 7.
Where is the visa on arrival facility in Afghanistan?
In February 2015, Afghanistan announced visa-on-arrival facility at Hamid Karzai International Airport for business visitors, journalists, athletes, airline staff and passengers in transit from countries that do not have a diplomatic mission of Afghanistan.
What countries are exempt from visas?
Visa exemption applies to holders of diplomatic or service passports of China, India (diplomatic only), Indonesia, Iran, Tajikistan and Turkey for visits up to 30 days.
How long is a visa not required for?
Visa not required for 15 days for traveling as part of a tourist group (2 or more people)
Which countries require a passport?
Other countries, such as Japan, Ireland and the United Kingdom, require a passport valid throughout the period of the intended stay.
How many pages are needed for a passport?
Many countries require a minimum number of blank pages to be available in the passport being presented, typically one or two pages . Endorsement pages, which often appear after the visa pages, are not counted as being available.
Which countries are not allowed to enter Schengen?
Luxembourg – Admission to Schengen Area refused from noon 17 March until April 30, except residents, family members of EU citizens, medical personnel, and people responsible for transport of goods. Macau – Admission refused. Malaysia – Admission refused for nonresidents. Quarantine required for residents.
Do all foreigners have to be fingerprinted?
Several countries mandate that all travellers, or all foreign travellers, be fingerprinted on arrival and will refuse admission to or even arrest travellers who refuse to comply. In some countries, such as the United States, this may apply even to transit passengers who merely wish to quickly change planes rather than go landside.
Do you need a photo to enter a country?
Many countries also require a photo be taken of people entering the country. The United States, which does not fully implement exit control formalities at its land frontiers (although long mandated by domestic legislation), intends to implement facial recognition for passengers departing from international airports to identify people who overstay their visa.
How to notify the consulate of a visa application?
Anyone accompanying a visa applicant to the embassy must notify the Consular Section in advance by emailing the person’s full name, date of birth, and relationship to the applicant through our online inquiry form. Please include the date and time of your interview in your email. All persons entering the embassy must show photo identification such as an original national ID (Tazkira or Passport).
What is the medical exam for immigrants?
The medical examination will include a medical history review, physical examination, and chest X-ray and blood tests (for applicants 15 years of age or older). The United States also requires tuberculosis (TB) testing for all applicants two years of age and older. Please be prepared to discuss your medical history, medications you are taking, and current treatments you are undergoing. More information on general medical requirements for U.S. immigrants is available here.
Can a consular officer make a decision on a visa application?
A consular officer can make a decision on a visa application only after reviewing the formal application and interviewing the applicant. There is no guarantee that you will receive a visa. Do not sell your house, car, or property, resign from your job, or make non-refundable flight or other travel arrangements until you have received your immigrant visa.
How many countries can US citizens visit without a visa in 2021?
Here is the list of 142 countries that US citizens can visit without a visa in 2021:
How many countries can US citizens travel to?
US citizens are continuously looking for new places to travel and the US passport is quite powerful. In May 2018, US citizens could travel to 186 visa free countries. This means that there are very few visa requirements for US citizens.
Which country requires a 45 day passport?
Bermuda is the country which requires a 45 day validity once you enter, while Eritrea, Hong Kong, Macau, New Zealand, and South Africa require a 1 month passport validity once you arrive. Other countries do not have any limitations on the validity.
Which countries require passports to be valid for at least 4 months?
Countries that require your passport to be valid for at least 4 more months after you arrive are Micronesia and Zambia. Countries that require your passport to be valid for at least 3 months are:
Which country does not accept US citizens?
Besides the countries and territories which ask for US citizens to have visas, there is one country which does not accept visitors. This country is North Korea which is currently not available to visit for US citizens or other countries.
Do you need a visa to travel to another country?
In addition, there are also some countries for which you will get a visa once you arrive there. Their policies require that as soon as you are in customs and border of these foreign countries, the authorities will stamp a visa on your passport. The validity of the visa will depend on how long you are planning to stay and the individual rules and regulations of the country you are visiting.
