GoAfghanistan Visa Requirements

Visa Entry

1. Visa Notice

China and Afghanistan signed an agreement on visa exemption for diplomatic passport holders on October 28, 2014, which officially came into effect in July 2015. According to the agreement, Chinese citizens holding diplomatic passports can stay in Afghanistan for 30 days without a visa.

The Afghan Embassy in China usually issues a visa for one entry with a validity period of 30 days. The applicant is required to provide documents such as passport, citizen's ID card, visa application form, invitation letter from the Afghan side, etc. Please consult the Afghan Embassy in China at 010-65321582 (Chinese) or 010-65322269 (fax) for specific requirements for processing various types of visas.

2. Entry and Exit Notice

Applicants must hold a valid passport and visa to enter the country through the open port of Afghanistan. The passport must be valid for at least six months and must be inspected by immigration and customs before entering the country. Chinese personnel who come to or reside in Afghanistan temporarily should pay attention to the validity period of their visas and handle relevant procedures in a timely manner to avoid obstacles when leaving the country. If you need to extend your stay after entering the country, you can apply for a visa extension at the passport and visa office of the Ministry of Interior Affairs.  

At present, the interim government of Afghanistan does not recognize visas issued by some of its embassies and consulates abroad. If you apply for a visa to Afghanistan in a third country, please investigate the situation through multiple channels to avoid obstacles when entering the country.

Address of Passport and Visa Office of the Ministry of Internal Affairs: Karte-3-street #6 kabul, Consultation hotline: 0202500400

Working hours: Saturday to Wednesday 08:00-12:00 13:00-16:00 (Thursday 8:00-12:00)

Special Reminder:

(1) Afghanistan requires passports to be valid for at least 6 months, otherwise entry will be denied. Before going abroad, you should carefully check the validity period of your passport to avoid unnecessary losses.

(2) Having a visa does not guarantee smooth entry.

3. Overdue Residence

Within one month of illegal residence, a daily fine of $10 will be imposed from the date of overdue. For illegal residence exceeding one month but not exceeding three months, a daily fine of $15 will be imposed from the date of overdue; Illegal residence for more than three months will result in a daily fine of $20 from the date of expiration, and entry into Afghanistan will be prohibited for six months.

Special Reminder:

(1) The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Argentina stipulates that foreigners should fill in the "Entry Application Form" when entering the country, and issue the "Foreign Citizen Registration Form" after passing the border inspection (the above two forms should be attached with photos). Please save the registry properly. When leaving the country, the "registration form" must be submitted for border inspection along with the passport. Individuals without the "registration form" may face obstacles when leaving the country.

(2) Foreigners must obtain employment permits to work in Afghanistan.

Customs epidemic prevention and control

Afghan customs regulations stipulate that foreign currency not exceeding $20000 can be carried in and out of Afghanistan; There are no restrictions on legal exchange and remittance; It is not allowed to carry raw stones such as lapis lazuli and jade out of the country; It is strictly prohibited to bring alcoholic beverages and animal food such as pork into the country. Those who violate the above regulations will be subject to relevant legal penalties. There is no clear regulation on the reasonable quantity and variety of personal use items that individuals carry with them. When entering the country, it is recommended to proactively request and fill out the entry card.

Residency and Naturalization

If staying in Afghanistan for a long time, one must apply for a residence permit visa for six months to one year within 30 days of entry. If you want to naturalize, you must provide a criminal record issued by your country of origin and other countries of residence.

The risk level for Afghanistan is orange (high risk).           

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reminds Chinese citizens not to travel to Afghanistan in the near future. Local personnel and institutions are closely monitoring the situation, maintaining high vigilance, strengthening security precautions and emergency preparations, and ensuring personal and property safety. In case of emergency, please report to the police in a timely manner and contact the Chinese embassy or consulate in the local area.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and overseas embassies and consulates will continue to closely monitor changes in the overseas security situation, dynamically adjust relevant risk assessments, and release and update corresponding security reminders in real time on platforms such as the China Consular Service Network. Please continue to pay attention.

public security

The security situation in Afghanistan is complex and severe, with various security incidents occurring from time to time. Chinese citizens coming to Afghanistan should be vigilant, take strict precautions, and encourage the registration of personal information through the "Chinese Consul" app or reporting to the Chinese Embassy in Afghanistan.

1. Pay close attention to the security situation and safety tips in the area of stay.

2. Don't believe false advertising and blindly come to A for commercial activities.

3. Do not carry large amounts of cash and valuables when going out.

4. Avoid exchanging currency with locals in downtown areas.

5. Avoid traveling alone. When going out, it is best to travel with a local translator or tour guide.

6. Avoid going out during rush hour on weekdays. The morning rush hour is from 07:30 to 09:30, and the evening rush hour is from 16:00 to 18:00.

7. Don't wear fancy clothes, try to dress up as usual when going out. In summer, shorts should not be worn for travel, and long-distance travel should be prioritized by plane.

8. Do not take photos of foreign embassies, government agencies, military and police personnel, and vehicles. If you need to take photos, you must obtain consent to avoid trouble.

9. Do not watch in densely populated areas, pass quickly. Going to military and political departments or other foreign institutions should adhere to the principle of quick departure, quick return, and quick departure.

10. Respect local religions and customs, and avoid discussing religious issues with locals.

For more details, please visit the China Consular Services website (website: http://cs.mfa.gov.cn ）At the same time, please leave your personal information on the "Voluntary Registration Form for Chinese Citizens Going Abroad and Overseas" on this webpage so that we can contact you in case of emergency.

special noteChinese funded enterprises undertaking engineering projects in Afghanistan must strictly follow the "Management Measures for Bidding (Negotiation) of Foreign Contracted Engineering Projects" and relevant regulations to obtain approval from the embassy's commercial office. Individuals and groups who come to Afghanistan temporarily, please proactively report to the embassy in Afghanistan.

natural disaster

The main natural disasters in Afghanistan are droughts, sandstorms, and earthquakes, with frequent earthquakes. There is less rainfall from April to November throughout the year, with more rain and snow in winter and more sandstorms in spring and autumn.

FDA

As a result of years of war, the sanitation conditions in Afghan cities are relatively poor, and many common infectious diseases such as gastrointestinal diseases, lung diseases, tuberculosis, hepatitis, etc. are prone to occur. It is recommended to eat as little raw and cold food as possible, and drink boiled or bottled water as much as possible. Before coming to A, you can prepare an appropriate amount of antidiarrheal medicine, cold medicine, anti-inflammatory medicine, and cooling oil.

Emergency assistance

MATAB Healthcare Hospital: 0799100111

German Medical Diagnosis Center Hospital: 0706060141

Jumhoriate Hospital: 0202201373

Ata Turk Hospital: 0202500312

Wazir Akbar Khan Hospital: 0202301360

Rabei Balkhi Hospital: 0202104508

In case of suspicious or emergency situations, you can call the local emergency hotline: 0093-100 (Kabul Police Station), 0093-119 (Interior Ministry)

Consular protection assistance hotline of the Chinese Embassy in Afghanistan:+ 93700483276.

The Global Consular Protection and Services Emergency Call Center of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs can be reached at 0086-10-12308 or 0086-10-65612308. At the same time, you can follow the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' 12308 WeChat version and mini program for real-time consultation.

air traffic

The capital Kabul International Airport is the main airport for entry and exit of Afghanistan, with direct access to the United Arab Emirates, India, Pakistan, Türkiye, Iran, Tajikistan and other countries. From China to Kabul, Afghanistan, you can take Air China, China Southern via New Delhi or Dubai, Pakistan Airlines via Islamabad, or take Türkiye Airlines via Istanbul to Kabul.

Afghanistan International Airlines mainly includes:

Ariana Airlines：+93790071333

Kam Air：+93799974422

There are ticket offices located at Kabul International Airport and major travel agencies within the city. The main modes of transportation to and from the airport are taxis or self owned vehicles.

land transport

The total length of roads in Afghanistan is about 44000 kilometers, connecting the capital Kabul and other cities, including the ring road of Kabul city. The vehicle is driving on the right side. The railway network only has railway lines connecting Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, and Iran in the northern and western border areas.

water communication

Afghanistan is a landlocked country with no access to the sea.

Urban transportation

There are a small number of private buses in the capital city of Kabul; It is more convenient to travel by taxi.

major city

Kabul, the capital city of Afghanistan, is the largest city with an altitude of 1800 meters. It is surrounded by mountains and has distinct seasons. The average annual temperature is 13 degrees Celsius, and the population is about 5.38 million (2022). Another city with a larger population is Herat, with a population of 600000; Kandaha City, with a population of 500000; Mazar-i-Sharif city, with a population of 500000; Jalalabad City has a population of 400000.

Commodity prices

Daily necessities and food are mainly imported. The local market has clothing, small food, household appliances, daily necessities, etc. from China. Prices are expensive, especially for grains, vegetables, fruits, and other food items.

Currency: Afghan ni, official exchange rate 1 US dollar=75 Ani (as of October 2023).

Insurance Medical

There is a serious shortage of medical and health facilities. According to the World Health Organization, there are a total of 134 comprehensive hospitals in Afghanistan, including 26 in Kabul. In addition, some private hospitals or clinics invested by foreigners and Aben countrymen have higher fees and better medical equipment.

Customs taboos

99% of the residents are Muslims and believe in Islam. All Islamic taboos apply to Afghanistan. In terms of clothing, men do not wear shorts, and women do not wear tight or revealing clothing and must wear a headscarf. Generally, a handshake is performed when meeting, and a hug and face to face ceremony is performed between friends. Travelers should respect local customs and living habits.

Thursdays and Fridays are public holidays, but most shops are open on Fridays.

The main festivals include:

Afghan New Year: March 21st;

Afghanistan Independence Day: August 19th;

Eid al Fitr: The date varies from year to year (according to the Islamic calendar);

Eid al Adha: The date is not fixed every year (varies according to the Islamic calendar).

Communications Power

The voltage in Afghanistan is 220 volts, 50 hertz, mixed with AC British three pin and European Continental round plugs. The mobile phone penetration rate in Afghanistan is relatively high, and the tariffs are relatively cheap. Most Chinese standard mobile phones can be used in Afghanistan, and many big cities have already opened 3G function.

Afghanistan International Area Code: 0093, Capital Kabul Area Code: 020.

The dialing method is 0093+phone number.

The landline call method is 009320+landline number (Kabul).

Internet operators can provide wireless access cards. The network speed is not stable and the price is cheaper than that in China.

contact information

Some government department websites:

Afghan Ministry of Interior: http://moi.gov.af/en

Afghan Ministry of Foreign Affairs: http://mfa.gov.af/en

Afghan Ministry of Commerce and Industry: http://moci.gov.af/en