Visas
To obtain a visa for yourself or your child, please compile the below documentation and mail your completed application to the Consulate in Washington D.C. or apply online.
- Passport
- Provide your signed passport, including a copy of the personal information page. Your passport must be valid for at least six months and must contain two blank visa pages.
- Application Form
- Provide a typed, completed Visa Application Form
- Your application must include answers for all fields;
- Display your name exactly as it is shown in your passport;
- Attach a photo on the second page of the application form and place your signature in the empty box beside your photo. The signature must match the signature in your passport.
- Be printed on single-sided sheets of paper, double-sided will not be acceptable; and
- Notarize your application if you do not submit your application in-person. The notary stamp and clarification can be placed on the second page of the form or on a separate paper.
- Provide a typed, completed Visa Application Form
- Photographs
- You must provide two passport-size photographs (2×2”), Attach one to the second page of the application form. Your photograph must meet the following criteria:
- Be taken within the last three months and printed on high quality;
- Be taken in a white background;
- Be in full frontal view with your face centered in the middle, displaying a neutral expression; and
- Wear no glasses;
- You must provide two passport-size photographs (2×2”), Attach one to the second page of the application form. Your photograph must meet the following criteria:
- Identification Card
- Provide a copy of your ID card. This can be in the form of your driver’s license or other valid ID, so long as it clearly displays your address. U.S. residents may provide a copy of their Green Card, valid alien registration card, or valid U.S. resident visa.
- Business Cover Letter/Intent Letter
- You are required to provide a Business Cover Letter from your organization based in the U.S. or in Afghanistan. All letters from the U.S. based companies must:
- Be written on company or agency letterhead;
- Include the full mailing address and contact information;
- Include a statement of the sponsor’s full responsibility for the traveler;
- Display a stamp from the company or the government agency; and
- Be original and signed;
- Letter of Invitation from Afghanistan
- You must provide an invitation letter from the company or government agency that is inviting you to Afghanistan, including a letter from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. List your MoFA application number within the invitation letter. This letter must:
- Be written on company or agency letterhead;
- Include the full local address and phone number of the organization or person to be visited;
- Include a statement of the sponsor’s full responsibility for the traveler;
- Display a stamp from the company or the government agency; and
- Be signed;
- Letter of Authorization (LOA)
- Employees of DoD or NATO contractor agencies operating in Afghanistan are required to provide the Letter of Authorization to receive a one-year multiple work entry visa. If you have any questions about LOA, please contact your employer. You do not need to provide LOA for a single-entry one-month work visa. Expired LOA’s will not be accepted.
- Afghanistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) Letter
- Media personnel/journalists and applicants invited by the government or private sector agencies are required to provide an introduction letter stating the purpose, duration, and places they intend to visit in Afghanistan. To obtain a MoFA letter, you must contact the Press Office of the Directorate of Media Relations, located at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, at Char-rah e Malik Asghar, Shah Mahmood Ghazi Wat, Kabul, Afghanistan.
- If a media branch office is located in Afghanistan, media journalists must contact the Ministry of Foreign Affairs via the branch office to provide a letter of reference from MoFA. If a media does not have a branch office in Afghanistan, we will process the application through the consulate in Washington D.C; please be aware that this will take a longer processing time.
- Afghanistan Origin Only
- If you are an Afghanistan origin and your birthplace is listed as Afghanistan on your U.S. Passport, you are not required to obtain a visa or entry permit for personal visits. If you are traveling for a business contract and work purposes, you are required to obtain a visa. Please follow the instructions for U.S. nationals.
- Indian or Pakistani Origin
- If you are a person of Indian or Pakistani origin and/or formerly held an Indian and/or Pakistani passport, you can receive a short time single entry visa without a fee. Please note that this is an exception only for tourist or visit visas.
- Applicants Under the Age of 18
- If traveling with a child or children under the age of 18, you must provide the following additional documents:
- A photocopy of the minor’s birth certificate, showing both parents’ full names, date of birth, and nationality.
- Photocopies of both parent’s driver’s licenses and a copy of the information pages of their passports;
- All minors aged ten and above must sign their name in the signature box on the first page. For all other minor applicants, both parents must sign their names on the second page and have their signatures duly authorized with a notary stamp and seal on the second page.
- Expedited Visa Applications
- If you have an urgent visa application, the consulate can help you save valuable time and avoid delays. A visa officer will review your documents to certify your application is accurate, complete, and ready for processing. We will contact you personally to quickly handle any mistakes in your application. Expedited visas will be processed within three business days after we receive your application. The expedited fee will be half of your visa fee.
- Pre-Paid and Pre-Address Return Envelope
- Please provide a prepaid return-envelope in order to send back your passport along with the visa to your address. Please note that your passport will be shipped back to the address indicated on your return envelope that you provided.
- Fees: Please note, the visa application fee will change depending on the type of visa you apply for.
- The Embassy only accepts payment in the form of money orders. Please make sure to combine money orders payable to the Embassy of Afghanistan in Washington D.C.
- U.S. Passport holders: $160.00
- All U.S. government and NATO contractors obtaining a visa for the first time will be required to pay an additional $200.00 for a one year multiple entry visa (total $360.00)
- Other countries’ passport holders: $100.00 For Working Entry Visa
- Other countries’ passport holders: $80.00 For Tourist and Visit Visa
- India and Pakistan passport holders: free of charge
- Diplomats, Officials and UN Passport holders; free of charge
Information for U.S. Passport Holders:
Effective January 1, 2015, holders of U.S. passports applying for a visa to Afghanistan will be eligible for multiple-entry visas depending on the purpose and significance of the trip with a standard fee of $160.00 based on reciprocity and subject to change.
Note: Duration of visa (one month, up to 12 months) and the number of entries is based on reciprocity and the sole discretion of the Afghan embassy/consulate. It should be understood that a visa is not considered to be a right, and if individuals are not found eligible or do not have adequate supporting documents, issuance of visas will be denied or suspended without provision of any further clarification.
Types of Visas
Applicants | All US diplomats, technical staff |
Validity | Three months – Two years – Multiple entry |
Duration of Stay | 90 Days – 730 Days |
Passport Type | Diplomatic |
Fees | Waived |
Particulars | Extendable |
Additional Required Documents | Intent letter by authorized signer |
Applicants | All US officials and civil servants, technical employees |
Validity | Three months – One years – Multiple entry |
Duration of Stay | 90 Days – 365 Days |
Passport Type | Official/Service |
Fees | Waived |
Particulars | Extendable |
Additional Required Documents | Business Cover Letter/Intent Letter by authorized signer, MoFA letter if applicable |
Type 1: Work Entry Visa (WV)
Applicants | All Working employees |
Validity | Three Months |
Duration of Stay | 30 Day – Single entry |
Passport Type | Regular |
Fees | US Passport: $160/ other passports: $100 |
Particulars | Extendable |
Additional Documents | Intent Letter, and invitation letter or MoFA letter-if applicable |
Type 2: Work Entry (CTR) Visa
Applicants | All NATO and US-Army contractors & sub-contractors |
Validity | Three months – One year – Multiple entry |
Duration of Stay | 30 Days – 365 Days |
Passport Type | Regular |
Fees | $160 (Additional $200 for first multiple CTR visa) |
Particulars | Extendable |
Additional Required Documents | Intent letter, prove of contract, e.g. Letter of Authorization (LOA) |
Applicants | All applicant |
Validity | Three Months – Single entry |
Duration of Stay | 30 Day – 90 Days |
Passport Type | Regular |
Fees | US Passport: $160/ other passports: $80, Indian and Pakistani passports: Waived |
Particulars | Not Extendable |
Additional Required Documents | Intent Letter, and invitation letter or MoFA letter |
Applicants | All applicant visiting families/friends |
Validity | Three Months – Single entry |
Duration of Stay | 30 Day – 90 Days |
Passport Type | Regular |
Fees | US Passport: $160/ other passports: $80, Indian and Pakistani passports: Waived |
Particulars | Not Extendable |
Additional Required Documents | Intent Letter, and invitation letter or |
Applicants | All student and professors |
Validity | Three Months – Single entry |
Duration of Stay | 30 Day – 90 Days |
Passport Type | Regular |
Fees | US Passport: $160/ other passports: $100 |
Particulars | Extendable |
Additional Required Documents | Intent Letter, and invitation letter or MoFA letter |
UAV is issued within Afghanistan International Airports and must accompany the request of the UN Offices and International Organizations along with a written approval by MoFA. Per the request of Visa Applicant, UAV could be changed to one of the visas set forth in articles 9, 10, 11, 16, and 17.
CV is issued to the crews of foreign airlines (pilot, engineer, flight attendants and air technicians) who enter the territory of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. The validity of CV is for six (6) months with the number of the entry in exchange for US $600 or equivalent in local currency. CV shall be extended by MoI for a period of one (1) month to one (1) year based on the request of the relevant airline to the Independent Directorate of Civil Aviation and an official letter from MoFA.
TSV is issued to those foreign nationals who pass through Afghanistan with a valid visa or travel document. The validity of TSV for air passengers is for one (1) month and three (3) days of stay and six (6) days for those who travel by land. TSV is issued based on mutual agreement and reciprocity with the right to enter once (1) or twice (2). The visa fee for Single Entry is $80 USD and for Double Entry is $150 USD.
RV is issued to the foreign nationals who enter the territory of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan with a visa set forth in articles 9, 10, 11, 14 and 16 of this Law, and continues to reside in Afghanistan. RV is issued by MoI for one (1) year with the right to enter Afghanistan three (3) times.
EXV is issued in the following cases to the foreign nationals who want to exit from Afghanistan:
- If his/her visa has not been extended or exit has occurred after the expiration of the visa period;
- If he/she is banned from traveling by court order, and after lifting the travel ban, he/she will be issued EXV;
- If he/she entered Afghanistan territory and was sentenced to prison, whereupon serving his/her prison time he/she will be issued EXV; and
EXV is valid for six (6) days with a written letter from MoFA through MoI
Applicants | All Media/Press and individual journalists |
Validity | Three Months |
Duration of Stay | 30 Day – Single entry |
Passport Type | Regular |
Fees | US Passport: $160/ other passports: $100 |
Particulars | Extendable |
Additional Required Documents | Business Cover Letter/Intent Letter, and invitation letter or MoFA letter |
Notices:
- Applicants for an Afghan visa, regardless of the type of visa, are required to obey the laws of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan.
- Currently, the standard visa processing time is 5-7 business days but this may vary on an individual basis. (Recently the Embassy has launched the Expedite Service with extra fees. Please contact the Embassy of Afghanistan to check your eligibility and fees.)
- Foreign nationals who have entered Afghanistan on an Entry Visa or a Work Visa are eligible to work. This category of individuals must obtain a work permit from relevant agencies after entry to Afghanistan. Issuance of a visa to those foreign students who intend to travel to Afghanistan is based on agreements and on a reciprocal basis, after the authorization of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Afghanistan.
- All foreign nationals can obtain an Afghan visa, except in the following cases:
- When the individual is banned from entering Afghanistan by the Afghan authorities;
- When the individual has not completed the previous ban period;
- When the individual has been expelled from Afghanistan for an unknown period of time;
- When the individual is suspected to disrupt security, disrupt general order, is suspected of moral corruption, or lacks respect for the rules of Islam;
- In specific situations when the authorities at the consular and political missions of Afghanistan abroad, based on sound reasons, deem it unfavorable to issue a visa to a certain individual;
- When there is a risk of spread of a contagious disease;
- When a high-ranking authority has decided to deny the visa.
- All foreign nationals can obtain an Afghan visa, except in the following cases:
Address
2233 Wisconsin Ave, NW
Suite #216
Washington, DC 20007
Phone
Phone: (202)-483-6410 ext. 1003
Appointments
Due to COVID-19, the Consulate will no longer be accepting in person appointments