Is Afghanistan on your travel radar? Then let answer your questions and give you all the info you need about how to get a visa for Afghanistan quickly in neighbouring countries. Sometimes in less than 1 hour!
⭐ Do I need a visa for Afghanistan?
⭐ Where can I get the Afghanistan visa quickly?
⭐ What are the Afghanistan tourist visa requirements?
⭐ What is the Afghanistan tourist visa application process?
⭐ What is the Afghanistan tourist visa fee?
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In this comprehensive guide on how to get a visa for Afghanistan, we’ll outline the application procedure at five locations, including a border.
The good news is that It’s possible to get the visa on the same day at almost all of these locations. In at least one location, (but possibly two), you can get your visa in less than an hour!
We’ll go through exactly how to get a visa for Afghanistan in these locations, as well as some possible issues or quirks you may encounter at some locations.
But first..
Do I need a visa for Afghanistan?
Obviously, one of your first questions might be, do I need a visa for Afghanistan? The simple answer is probably yes. Most nationalities require a visa to enter Afghanistan. The best way to find out if you do, is to check the official sources for your passport.
Your next question might be about how to get a visa for Afghanistan. Well, there are several options?
You could apply for the Afghanistan eVisa, but with that you must enter Kabul by air, so we won’t talk about that option. Instead, we’ll cover how to get a visa for Afghanistan in neighbouring countries.
In Which Nearby Countries Can I Apply for An Afghanistan Visa?
We all know the convenience of getting visas enroute simply can’t be overstated. So we’ll look at how to get a visa for Afghanistan at the border near Tajikistan as well as consulates in Uzbekistan, Iran and Pakistan.
Northern borders: Shir Khan near Tajikistan or Termez in Uzbekistan
Northwest border: Mashhad in Iran
Southern border: Quetta in Pakistan
Southeast border: Peshawar in Pakistan.
Here’s a quick breakdown to help you choose your application point.
The border at Shir Khan is the cheapest. At the consulate in Termez, you may pay extra for a same day visa. The consulates in Quetta and Mashhad may ask for an express fee. The consulate in Peshawar is the quickest.
Now let’s have a look at each one in detail.
Entering From Tajikistan in the North – How to Get a Visa for Afghanistan at Shir Khan
When coming from Tajikistan, you can pass through the southern Tajik border at Panji Poyon the get a visa on arrival (VOA) at the Shir Khan Bandar border in Afghanistan. It’s the only Afghanistan border where it’s possible to get a VOA.
Here are the important things to know about how to get a visa for Afghanistan at Shir Khan Bandar –
📋 What are the Afghanistan tourist visa requirements at Shir Khan Bandar?
Filled out application form, (provided at border or available online), 1 passport size photo, your passport and the visa fee.
📋 What is the Afghanistan tourist visa application process at Shir Khan?
Present your filled out application form with your passport photo, hand in your passport. You may have to pay the visa fee at another location. When that’s done, wait at the border to receive your visa.
📋 What is the Afghanistan tourist visa fee Shir Khan?
US$80 or equivalent in local currency at a possibly bad exchange rate.
📋 What are the visa processing hours at Shir Khan?
This border is open from 9am until 2pm but it’s probably best to get there in the morning.
📋 Where can I find the Shir Khan Bandar Border?
GPS: 37.789862, 68.604401
While it’s true that the Afghanistan visa at Shir Khan costs a little less than at other places in the region, reports indicate that it can take at least a few hours.
Shir Khan Bandar is in the Kunduz province and is less than an hour away from Kunduz city. It will allow you easy access to the nearby northern provinces of Takhar, Balkh, Samangan and Baghlan.
Entering From the North – How to Get a Visa for Afghanistan in Termez Uzbekistan
In south Uzbekistan, you can get the visa for Afghan at the consulate in Termez. This consulate works on reduced hours for the processing of visas.
Historically, you’d get the visa within an hour in Termez, if you applied in the morning. These days it seems afternoon pick up is the norm if you apply in the morning. You may or may not be charged an ‘express fee’.
Things to know about how to get a visa for Afghanistan at the Afghan Consulate in Termez –
📋 What are the Afghanistan tourist visa requirements in Termez?
Filled out application form. (provided at consulate or available online), 2 passport size photos, your passport and the visa fee.
📋 What is the Afghanistan tourist visa application process in Termez?
Present your filled out application form with your passport photo, hand in your passport and pay the visa fee. You will be advised to come back to pick up the visa before 4pm.
📋 What is the Afghanistan tourist visa fee in Termez?
US$100 or equivalent in local currency at a possibly bad exchange rate. Sometimes there may be a US$50 express fee for same day service.
📋 What are the visa application hours in Termez?
09:00 to 12:00 Monday to Friday for same day service. Consulate hours are 09:00-16:00 Monday to Friday.
📋 Where can I find the Afghan Consulate in Termez?
GPS: 37.2482, 67.322723
Crossing the border near Termez will see you enter the town of Hairitan in the Balkh province of Afghanistan. From there it’s only about an hour to Mazar-i-Sherif. Balkh is the province next to Kunduz.
Yes, the Hairitan and Shir Khan crossings are relatively close to each other, meaning that Hairitan, like Shir Khan, is close to Baghlan and Samangan. it’s also near the Jowzjan and Sar-i-Pul provinces.
Entering From the Northwest – How to Get a Visa for Afghanistan in Mashhad Iran
The consulate in Mashhad is notorious for being hectic. Many reports say it’s busy and confusing. On top of that, it has the longest processing time of any of the Afghan consulates mentioned here.
If you don’t pay the express fee at Mashhad, you may wait 5 days for the visa. Also, 1 day processing in Mashhad means pick up the next day.
Things to know about how to get a visa for Afghanistan at the Afghan Consulate in Mashhad –
📋 What are the Afghanistan tourist visa requirements in Mashhad?
Filled out application form, (provided at consulate or available online), 2 passport size photos, your passport and the visa fee.
📋 What is the Afghanistan tourist visa application process in Mashhad?
Present your filled out application form with your passport photos, hand in your passport then wait 5 days. 1 day processing is possible for a US$50 express fee.
📋 What is the Afghanistan tourist visa fee in Mashhad?
US$100 or equivalent in local currency as a possibly bad exchange rate.
📋 What are the visa application hours in Mashhad?
Applications will only be accepted between 08:30 and 14:00 Monday to Thursday, or 08:30 to 12:00 on Friday
📋 Where can I the Afghan Consulate in Mashhad?
GPS: 36.284744, 59.599442.
Mashhad is only a few hours drive from the Islam Qala border. It’s the best place to cross if you want to head to Herat in the northwest of Afghanistan. Allow 6 hours, including border formalities to get from Mashhad to Herat.
Entering From the South – How to Get a Visa for Afghanistan in Quetta Pakistan
To be honest, this isn’t the best option for getting the visa, or crossing into Afghanistan. I’ll tell you how to get a visa for Afghanistan in Quetta anyway, just in case you like extra challenges.
Quetta is in the Balochistan province of Pakistan. A province that’s almost impossible to enter as a visitor without permits and a guide. If you’re travelling independently, you probably don’t want to deal with that kind of hassle.
Putting that aside, here are the important things to know about how to get a visa for Afghanistan at the Afghan Consulate in Quetta –
📋 What are the Afghanistan tourist visa requirements in Quetta?
Filled out application form, (available at consulate or online), 1-2 passport size photos, your passport and the visa fee.
📋 What is the Afghanistan tourist visa application process in Quetta?
Present your filled out application form with your passport photos, hand in your passport and pay the visa fee. You might have to come back and get your visa in the afternoon, or you may get it almost straight away.
📋 What is the Afghanistan tourist visa fee in Quetta?
USS$100 or equivalent in local currency as a possibly bad exchange rate. A US$50 express fee may or may not be charged.
📋 What are the visa processing hours in Quetta?
Monday to Friday 09:30-12:00, 13:00-16:30.
📋 Where can I find the Afghan Consulate in Quetta?
GPS: 30.193430, 67.006265
The closest border crossing point to Quetta is Chaman. From there you’ll cross into Spin Boldak in the Kandahar province. From there it’s just over an hour to the city of Kandahar.
Entering From the Southeast – How to Get a Visa for Afghanistan in 1 Hour in Peshawar
In Peshawar, they do things a little differently, so in this section, we’ll go through how to get a visa for Afghanistan in Peshawar, step by step. But first, let’s have a look at the basics –
📋 What are the Afghanistan tourist visa requirements in Peshawar?
Filled out application form, (download yourself, or visit the Online Visa Application Centre), 1 passport size photo, your passport and the visa fee.
📋 What is the Afghanistan tourist visa application process in Peshawar?
Check below for the outline of multi-step procedure.
📋 What is the Afghanistan tourist visa fee in Peshawar?
US$100 or equivalent in local currency at a possibly bad exchange rate.
📋 What are the visa processing hours in Peshawar?
09:00 – 16:00 Monday to Friday
📋 Where can I find the Afghan Consulate in Peshawar?
GPS: 34.005206, 71.547576
This is a good place to get the visa if you want to head into the Nangarhar province and onto Kabul, through the Pakistan Afghanistan Border Crossing at Torkham. It could also be good for going through the Ghulam Khan crossing if you’re looking at visiting Gardez or Ghazni,
Just note that the location of both of these borders in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province means that police escorts are very likely.
What is the Afghanistan Tourist Visa Application Process in Peshawar?
Of all the consulates and borders mentioned in this article, the process for how to get a visa for Afghanistan in Peshawar is the one with the most steps.. This is for a few reasons.
Firstly, Peshawar is the capital of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, which the Pakistan government has decided is ‘dangerous’ for visitors. It doesn’t seem dangerous, but, you know, if the government says it is.. it is.
On top of that, Peshawar has its own special application procedure which could involve visiting two different places. Even with that, it’s not overly difficult and still takes less than an hour.
How to Get a Visa for Afghanistan in Peshawar Step One – Visit the Online Visa Application Office
First, visit the Afghan Online Visa Application Office at Shinwari Gate. There you will pay 500 PKR for an application form that the staff will fill out for you. A passport size photo is also needed. If you don’t have one, you can get some printed from your phone, or get some taken, near the office for 100 PKR.
Unfortunately, there will may be a chaotic crowd waiting outside the centre. If you are female, join the much shorter female line. Maybe if you’re lucky the woman in front of you might shove your passport in an officer’s face to get you to the front of the queue.
In the centre, a man behind a computer will fill out the visa application form with your passport details on his computer. He’ll then print it out and collecte the 500 PKR fee.
For me, this took less than 15 minutes and I used their WiFi while waiting!
Handy tip: bypass step one altogether by filling out the application form on the Afghan Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) website.
Just upload your photo, choose your pick up location on the form, then print it out. It works for all locations mentioned in this article, as well as locations in other in other countries.
How to Get a Visa for Afghanistan Step Two – Getting to the Afghanistan Consulate
From the application centre, you can get a tuk tuk. The tuk tuk drivers may ask you if you’re going to the Afghan Consulate. Make sure you set the price before you get in. It should be 100 PKR.
The tuk tuk will take you within walking distance of the security booth at the front of the army cantonment where the Afghan Consulate is. You must go to that booth and tell them your purpose for entering the area.
They will ask you to leave your mobile phone and give you a card to identify it later. From there, a man that works at the Afghan consulate walked me the 500 metres to the consulate.
I’m not sure, if I was lucky or if it’s standard operating procedure. But the consulate is on the same road as the booth, so it’s not hard to find.
You’ll pass another booth on the way where the officers will want to see your passport and Pakistan visa.
How to Get a Visa for Afghanistan Step Three – Entering the Afghan Consulate in Peshawar
Once at the consulate, one of the friendly men out the front may warmly greet you and ask to see your passport. Then you have to enter the consulate using the correct door. As a female, I had to enter the women’s section.
Inside the consulate, a friendly woman who spoke English ushered me into a room and looked at my passport. She asked registered my details, in pen, in a big book.
After that, she informed me that I had to wear a chadoori, (kind of burqa with a group of small holes to look through). With that on, I had to walk across a courtyard to a white door.
The limited field of vision gave me vertigo and made it difficult to walk the short distance across the yard. It wasn’t a pleasant experience, but I made it to the door.
How to Get the Afghanistan Visa in Peshawar Step Four – The Visa Room
After knocking on the door, a man emerged from the door and asked for my passport, application form and US$100. As I didn’t have USD, he took 30,000 PKR. That’s a terrible exchange rate. It should’ve been around 28,000PKR.
It may be better to bring US dollars!
Side note: my passport only had four months validity on it when I applied and it didn’t cause any issues.
The man re-emerged from around 5 minutes later with my passport and a fresh new Afghanistan visa.
**The whole process, including visiting the two sites and transport between them took under 1 hour!**
So here’s a quick recap of how to get a visa for Afghanistan, with answers to your questions:
⭐ How do I get the Afghanistan visa?
You can get the Afghanistan visa within a day from a border checpoint and some nearby countries. Processes and pricing can vary by location.
⭐ Where can I get the Afghanistan visa quickly?
From the Shir Khan Bandar border near Tajikistan, or an Afghanistan consulates in a nearby country, like Uzbekistan, Iran and Pakistan.
⭐ How long does it take to get the Afghanistan visa?
In Peshawar, Pakistan, you can get the Afghanistan visa in less than an hour! In other nearby countries, you can get it the same day or the next day.
⭐ How much does the Afghanistan visa cost?
Depending on the location, it can be anywhere from US$80 to US$150 including an express fee.
⭐ What is the procedure for getting the Afghanistan visa?
For most locations, the process for how to get a visa for Afghanistan is simple. Submit your docs and photos, then wait. In Peshawar, report to security before entering the Afghan Consulate to submit the form, pay the fee and get the visa. If you don’t have a filled in application form, you must go to the Afghan Online Visa Application centre at Shinwari Gate first.
Now that you know how to get a visa for Afghanistan quickly in nearby countries, you can start planning your trip!