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Afghanistan Visa for United States Citizens 2026

Visa Required

U.S. citizens need a sticker visa before travel to Afghanistan — apply through an Afghan diplomatic mission or the evisa.mfa.gov.af portal; fee roughly $160-250, processing 10-20 business days, and current advisories discourage travel.

Guide last updated October 1, 2026. Always verify with official sources before travel.

What you need

  • Passport valid for at least 6 months beyond intended stay, with at least 2 blank visa pages
  • Completed Afghan visa application form (from the embassy or evisa.mfa.gov.af)
  • Two recent passport-size photos (2x2 inches, white background)
  • Proof of accommodation (hotel booking or sponsor invitation letter)
  • Return or onward flight ticket
  • Letter explaining purpose of travel, especially for business or work visas
  • Biometrics: fingerprints sometimes collected at the embassy or on arrival; varies by mission
  • Travel health insurance: strongly recommended, not formally mandated
  • The U.S. State Department maintains a Level 4 Do Not Travel advisory for Afghanistan

Visa types

  • Tourist visa: single entry, valid 3 months from issue, stay up to 30 days, fee about $160
  • Business visa: single or multiple entry, valid up to 6 months, stay up to 30 days per entry, fee about $200-250, requires an invitation letter from an Afghan company or organization
  • Journalist/media visa: single entry, requires accreditation letter, fee varies, extra vetting
  • Diplomatic/official visa: for government travelers only, issued with an official note verbale

How to apply

  • Submit the application through the nearest Afghan diplomatic mission; the U.S. Embassy in Kabul is closed and Afghan consular services abroad are limited since 2021
  • Some missions direct applicants to pre-register at evisa.mfa.gov.af before in-person submission
  • Documents required at submission: passport, photo, application form, invitation letter (business) or itinerary (tourist)
  • Fee is paid at the mission, by cash or bank transfer depending on location
  • Standard processing: 10-20 business days; expedited options are rarely available
  • Tourist visas usually need no interview; business visas may require a brief one

Fees & processing time

  • Tourist visa fee: approximately $160 (varies by issuing mission)
  • Business visa fee: approximately $200-250
  • No separate VFS/BLS service fee — visas are issued directly by Afghan missions
  • Total estimated cost: $160-260 depending on visa type
  • Standard processing: 10-20 business days
  • Expedited processing is generally unavailable; a few missions offer faster turnaround for an extra $50-80 if staffing allows

Tips for United States travelers

  • Apply 4-6 weeks ahead given limited consular capacity
  • Common rejection reasons: incomplete invitation letters, weak onward-travel proof, unclear purpose of visit
  • Register with STEP (Smart Traveler Enrollment Program) and review the State Department advisory before booking
  • Visa extensions inside Afghanistan are handled by the Ministry of Interior's passport department in Kabul; bring extra photos and the original visa page
  • Carry printed copies of all documents — reliable internet for digital verification is not guaranteed

Official links & resources

Always confirm requirements with government or embassy sources before applying.

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This guide is for information only. Visa policies change without notice. Travel Visa Stack is not an immigration authority. Always verify with official government or embassy sources before making travel plans.