The e-visa
Apply on eafghans.com/e-visa, the portal run for the Afghan consulate in Dubai.
- Single entry, for a stay of up to 30 days, to be used within 90 days of issue.
- Valid only for arrival at Kabul airport, not at land borders or other airports.
- Fees, paid in two parts (a first $8.25, the rest on approval): standard, 1 to 4 weeks, $123.71, or $206.19 for US citizens; express, within one working day, $175.26, or $257.73 for US citizens.
- You need a passport valid for at least six months, a photo, and your national ID or residence permit. An invitation letter and itinerary are listed as optional, but tour operators report being asked for a sponsor and an address in Afghanistan, so have both ready.
Which nationalities may apply has not been published. Travellers have reported approval in three to four days.
A visa from an embassy
Afghan missions under the Kabul authorities issue visas in person. In 2026 travellers reported about $130 in Dubai ($210 for US citizens), often the same day, and about $130 in Islamabad, though crossing from Pakistan is not possible while the border is closed. Ask the mission before you go, and only use missions that answer to Kabul: visas from missions still run by the former government's diplomats are not honoured.
Visa on arrival
Only at Shir Khan Bandar, the land border with Tajikistan, for a reported $80 to $100. There is no visa on arrival at any airport.
Afghans with a foreign passport
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, people of Afghan origin with a foreign passport can enter without a visa if their passport gives Afghanistan as their place of birth, or if they hold a tazkira, an Afghan passport or an identity certificate from an Afghan mission. Anyone who formally gave up Afghan citizenship is treated as a foreigner.
The foreign husband or wife of an Afghan can get an entry visa for $100, valid for three months, for a stay of one month.
Afghanistan does not recognise dual nationality. Inside the country you are treated as an Afghan, and your other country may be unable to help you.
Permits once you arrive
- In Kabul, go to the Ministry of Information and Culture for a letter listing the provinces you will visit. Travellers describe two signatures at the ministry and a stop at the tourism directorate, about two hours in all. Closed on Fridays and holidays.
- In each province, register at the Information and Culture office when you arrive. Herat, Kandahar, Bamyan and Mazar-i-Sharif have dedicated offices. Expect a fee of up to 1,000 afghanis a province; in 2025 some provinces charged nothing.
- Panjshir needs local permission as well as the Kabul letter, and Wakhan needs further permits in Ishkashim.
Keep paper copies of your passport, visa and every permit: checkpoints ask for them.
Do you need a guide?
Reports disagree. Some travellers moved independently in 2026; others were told a guide is required. In practice a woman cannot travel without one, and a good local guide makes the permits, the checkpoints and the language far easier for anyone.