Afghanistan has launched an online visa system for foreign tourists, allowing travellers to apply for entry without visiting an embassy for the first time in the country’s history.
The new evisa is processed through the E-Afghans portal at eafghans.com and requires applicants to submit a passport copy, a passport photograph and a brief travel itinerary. The application fee is $8, with a visa fee of approximately $120, bringing the total cost to around $128. Processing takes between one and three weeks, though an express same-day option is available at additional cost.
Once approved, the visa is issued electronically and can be downloaded and printed before departure. It allows a stay of up to 30 days and must be used within 90 days of issue. Entry is currently confirmed only at Kabul International Airport.
The system appears to be operated by the Afghan Consulate in Dubai, which was previously the most widely used location for foreigners to obtain Afghan visas in person.
Until the evisa was introduced, travellers were required to apply in person at an Afghan embassy or consulate, often in a third country such as Dubai, Islamabad or Tehran, and typically needed an invitation letter from a local partner. The new system removes those steps entirely.
Early reports from travellers suggest the evisa is functioning, with several applicants noting they received approval without submitting a letter of invitation, indicating the document may no longer be mandatory.
Afghanistan received close to 28,000 foreign visitors for work and tourism purposes between March 2023 and March 2024, citing government figures. The country has no formal tourism infrastructure, and most foreign visitors travel with organised tour operators familiar with local logistics.
The Taliban government has consistently maintained that tourists and humanitarian workers are welcome to visit. Western governments, including the UK and the US, continue to advise against all but essential travel to Afghanistan.