Afghanistan, Kabul and the New E-Visa Portal Change Tourist Entry Rules

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Afghanistan, Kabul, and the recently launched E-Afghans visa site have made the process of applying for a tourist visa for those who qualify from outside the country easier, as a 30-day single-entry e-visa can now be applied for through one online platform. This process makes it possible for eligible applicants to apply and pay using an online method and does not necessitate the use of traditional embassy applications only. However, it is worth noting that currently, the e-visa permits entry via Kabul airport only.

Afghanistan Puts Tourist Visas Online

The new digital system places the visa application process on the E-Afghans Visa Portal, giving eligible foreign travellers an online route to apply for an Afghan tourist visa.

The portal currently issues only a single-entry tourist e-visa, allowing a stay of up to 30 days from the date of entry. The visa itself expires 90 days after issuance, meaning travellers must enter Afghanistan within that period.

That creates a considerably clearer sequence for trip planning: apply online, wait for approval, receive the electronic document and then travel through the permitted entry point.

The portal also allows applicants to download the approved e-visa and receive it by email.

Kabul Is the Key Entry Point

Here comes the detail that could easily get missed.

The current e-visa is specifically restricted to entry through Kabul International Airport. Travellers planning to arrive through a land border or another Afghan airport cannot simply assume the same electronic document will work.

The E-Afghans portal states that the tourist e-visa is currently valid only for entry through Kabul International Airport.

That makes Kabul the essential first stop for travellers using the new digital system.

Visitors planning routes involving Mazar-i-Sharif, Herat, Kandahar or land crossings should therefore establish the appropriate visa procedure before departure rather than booking around the e-visa and discovering that the entry point does not qualify.

The 30-Day Tourist Visa Comes With a 90-Day Window

The e-visa offers a 30-day stay, but the validity period works differently.

According to the portal, the document expires 90 days from its date of issue. Travellers therefore have a window in which to enter Afghanistan, after which the 30-day permitted stay begins from the date of entry.

The distinction matters when arranging flights.

Applicants should avoid treating the 90-day validity as permission to remain in Afghanistan for three months. It is the period during which the traveller must use the visa for entry, while the authorised tourist stay is up to 30 days.

What Documents Do Tourists Need?

The online process requires a clear copy of an electronic passport biodata page and a colour photograph with a white background.

The passport must have at least six months of validity from the date specified by the portal. Applicants may also need national identification or residence documentation where applicable. An itinerary and accommodation proof can be submitted as supporting documents.

The application process is therefore digital, but travellers still need to prepare standard supporting documentation before starting.

Incomplete or unclear applications can be delayed or rejected, according to the portal.

The Cost Is Higher Than the Headline Fee

The fee structure has two stages.

The initial online payment for standard processing is US$8.25, consisting of an US$8 application fee and US$0.25 payment-processing charge.

After approval, applicants from countries other than the United States pay a US$123.71 standard remainder fee, consisting of a US$120 tourist e-visa fee and US$3.71 processing charge. That brings the standard total to approximately US$131.96, rather than US$128.

The portal lists a separate fee structure for US applicants and additional charges for express processing.

Travellers should therefore check the fee displayed for their nationality when submitting an application.

Processing Can Take Up to Four Weeks

The portal currently lists standard processing at one to four weeks, provided applications contain complete and correct documentation and do not require further review.

An express or VIP option is also listed, with processing stated as potentially taking up to one business day. Additional fees apply.

This means travellers should not automatically rely on a one-to-three-week average when planning international flights. The published standard timeframe extends to four weeks.

The initial fee must be paid within 48 hours of submission, while the remainder fee must be paid within seven days after approval, according to the portal.

Kabul Opens the Door to Wider Tourism Routes

Once inside Afghanistan, Kabul can serve as the starting point for organised journeys to major tourism destinations.

Current specialist itineraries include Bamyan, home to the Bamyan Valley and Band-e-Amir National Park; Herat, known for its historic architecture and Silk Road heritage; and Kandahar, one of Afghanistan’s most historically significant cities.

The e-visa therefore simplifies one part of the journey, but provincial travel requirements and local permissions remain separate considerations.

Travel Information

Kabul International Airport is currently the only entry point specified for the tourist e-visa.

Afghanistan uses the Afghani (AFN).

Travellers should carry a printed copy of the approved e-visa as well as the electronic version and confirm provincial travel requirements before leaving Kabul.

The UK’s FCDO advises against all travel to Afghanistan, citing the volatile security situation, while the US State Department maintains a Level 4: Do Not Travel advisory because of terrorism, kidnapping, wrongful detention, crime, unrest and limited health facilities.

Key Stats

• 30 days: Maximum tourist stay under the current e-visa.
• 90 days: E-visa validity from the date of issue.
• US$8.25: Initial standard online payment.
• US$123.71: Standard remainder fee for most nationalities.
• US$131.96: Approximate standard total for most eligible applicants.
• 1–4 weeks: Published standard processing period.
• 1: Current permitted e-visa entry point, Kabul International Airport.

FAQ

1. Can tourists enter Afghanistan with the e-visa through any airport?
No. The current tourist e-visa is valid for entry only through Kabul International Airport.

2. How long is the Afghanistan e-visa valid?
It expires 90 days after issuance, while the permitted tourist stay is up to 30 days from entry.

3. How long does processing take?
Standard processing is listed as one to four weeks. An express option is also available for an additional fee.

Timeline and Events

The E-Afghans portal represents a shift towards centralised digital visa processing for eligible foreign visitors. The current system is limited to tourist e-visas, while other visa categories continue to require contact with an Afghan embassy or consulate.

The system also remains geographically limited, with Kabul International Airport serving as the designated e-visa entry point.

Important Dates

2026: Afghanistan introduced the centralised E-Afghans online tourist e-visa platform.

2026: The current system began offering a 30-day single-entry tourist e-visa with 90-day validity from issuance.

2026: Standard processing is published at one to four weeks, with an express processing option also available.

Conclusion

The recently developed website E-Afghans will make it possible to apply for the country’s tourist visa by qualified tourists. Presently, the tourist electronic visa permits only a single entry to the country and is valid for up to 30 days starting from the arrival day at Kabul International Airport. The application fee and processing time can vary based on different factors. However, those who enter Afghanistan using its land borders or other airports should avail themselves of another service.