Afghanistan Entry Policy
At present, Afghanistan is run by Taliban, a hardline Islamist group. Taliban took over the country in 2021 almost 20 years later a US-led military coalition ousted it.
Currently only four countries - Pakistan, Turkmenistan, Russia and China have Taliban-appointed ambassadors.
Even these countries have not formally recognized the Taliban or started a full-fledged diplomatic relationship with the regime.
The US has placed Afghanistan in the Do Not Travel list in the highest level 4 category. Similarly, the governments of Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom and the European Union have issued an advisory against traveling to the country.
Traveling to Afghanistan for tourism or business is impossible at present and the country's visa policy is yet to be made public.
The former government of Afghanistan required travelers from all foreign nations to get a visa. There was no visa-free entry to the country.
Details
Current Visa Policy in Afghanistan
Afghanistan's visa policy is in a transitional stage after the Taliban's military takeover of the country. There is no clarity in the visa policy of the country at present. No sovereign nation has formally recognized the newly-formed Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan as of now. Before the Taliban regime, visitors from all foreign nations needed a visa to travel to the country.
The Current Government of Afghanistan
There is no internationally-recognized government in Afghanistan. Currently Taliban, a hardline Islamist group, runs the country. The group has accorded a new name - The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan - to the country. However, it is yet to get recognition from any UN member states.
Entering Afghanistan
Most countries have placed Afghanistan under the Do Not Travel list. Afghanistan's airports are closed for commercial flights. There are no scheduled flights. A few countries operate special flights, but they are mostly for relief work. Land crossings are extremely dangerous and illegal.
Afghanistan Humanitarian Work
Traveling to Afghanistan is too dangerous, even for humanitarian work. The major aid work that is currently underway in the country is through the World Health Organization (WHO) and World Food Program. However, it is not clear if foreigners attached to WHO and other such groups can visit or work in the country. Most western aid work remains suspended in Afghanistan as of now.
USCIS parole to Citizens of Afghanistan
Citizens of Afghanistan who are deemed eligible for a temporary parole on humanitarian basis can get this permit to stay in the US. They have to apply through a US embassy. However, the US embassy in Afghanistan is closed and those citizens who can manage to go to a US embassy outside Afghanistan can apply for it there. This permits them to stay legally in the US temporarily. They are not eligible for applying for a green card or temporary residency.
The Taliban and Tourism
Taliban is an Islamic extremist group that runs Afghanistan. In an official statement issued by the Taliban in June 2022: it extended a warm welcome to tourists from across the world. However, most sovereign countries in the world do not have diplomatic ties with the Taliban and have placed the country in the DO NOT TRAVEL list.
The Previous Visa Program
Previously, all international travelers who wish to visit Afghanistan were required to get a visa to enter or exit the country. They had to visit an Afghanistan embassy or consulate to apply for the visa as there was no online visa application facility.
Only the citizens of Afghanistan or people of Afghan origin (whose parents or grandparents were citizens of the country) are exempt from this rule. People of Afghanistan origin were considered as Afghan nationals and they did not need an entry visa to cross borders.
International travelers arriving in the country without a valid travel document (like a visa) were subjected to deportation or had to pay heavy fines. Foreigners were required to register at the foreigners' registration office under the ministry of interiors. They would be issued a registration card that should be surrendered before exiting the country.
Afghanistan Visa for Pakistani Citizens
Citizens of Pakistan needed a visa to visit their neighboring country. They were issued a short-term tourist visa that was valid for up to 90 days.
The maximum period of stay was 30 days. Pakistan citizens could apply for a single and multiple entry visa.
There were individual and group visas. The visa could be extended only once with the approval from the ministry of interiors. Pakistanis who were visiting Afghanistan on a tourist visa were not allowed to engage in paid employment.
Afghanistan Visa for Iranian Citizens
Iranian citizens were required to get a tourist visa to visit Afghanistan. They needed to be present at their nearest Afghan mission to apply for the visa validity of which was 90 days. They could stay in the country for a maximum of 30 days with this visa. The visa was exclusively issued for tourism and Iranian citizens can get this visa for sightseeing and other tourism related activities.
Afghanistan Visa for Turkmenistan Citizens
All foreign travelers including the citizens of Turkmenistan needed a tourist visa to visit the Asian country known for its rich heritage. The visa was issued for 90 days and Turkmenistan citizens could stay a maximum of 30 days in the country. They were not allowed to work.
Afghanistan Visa for Tajikistan and Uzbekistan Citizens
Citizens of Tajikistan and Uzbekistan too needed a visa to enter and exit the country. The short-term visas were granted only for sightseeing and other tourism related activities.
Afghanistan Visa for Indian Citizen Citizens
India is one of the few foreign countries that has a functional diplomatic mission in Afghanistan after the Taliban takeover of the country. The Indian mission has started humanitarian works especially in fighting COVID 19 in the country. Indian citizens are currently warned against traveling to Afghanistan. Previous Afghan government required Indians to get a tourist visa to visit the country for tourism purposes.