Update
January 10, 2024

Information for U.S. Citizens in the Middle East

U.S. Visas

English

U.S. Visa: Reciprocity and Civil Documents by Country

Afghanistan

Afghanistan
Islamic Republic of Afghanistan

Reciprocity Schedule

Select a visa category below to find the visa issuance fee, number of entries, and validity period for visas issued to applicants from this country*/area of authority.

Explanation of Terms

Visa Classification: The type of nonimmigrant visa you are applying for.

Fee: The reciprocity fee, also known as the visa issuance fee, you must pay. This fee is in addition to the nonimmigrant visa application fee (MRV fee).

Number of Entries: The number of times you may seek entry into the United States with that visa. "M" means multiple times. If there is a number, such as "One", you may apply for entry one time with that visa.

Validity Period: This generally means the visa is valid, or can be used, from the date it is issued until the date it expires, for travel with that visa. If your Validity Period is 60 months, your visa will be valid for 60 months from the date it is issued.

Visa Classifications

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V
Visa
Classification
Fee Number
of Entries
Validity
Period
A-1 None Multiple 24 Months
A-2 None Multiple 24 Months
A-3 1 None Multiple 3 Months
B-1 None Multiple 12 Months
B-2 None Multiple 12 Months
B-1/B-2 None Multiple 12 Months
C-1 None One 3 Months
C-1/D N/A N/A N/A
C-2 None One 3 Months
C-3 None One 3 Months
C-W-1 11 None One 3 Months
C-W-2 11 None One 3 Months
D None Single 3 Months
E-1 2 No Treaty N/A N/A
E-2 2 No Treaty N/A N/A
E-2C 12 None One 3 Months
F-1 None Multiple 12 Months
F-2 None Multiple 12 Months
G-1 None Multiple 24 Months
G-2 None Multiple 24 Months
G-3 None Multiple 24 Months
G-4 None Multiple 24 Months
G-5 1 None Multiple 12 Months
H-1B None One 3 Months 3
H-1C None One 3 Months 3
H-2A None N/A N/A3
H-2B None N/A N/A3
H-2R None N/A 3 Months3
H-3 None One 3 Months 3
H-4 None One 3 Months 3
I None One 3 Months
J-1 4 None Multiple 12 Months
J-2 4 None Multiple 12 Months
K-1 None One 6 Months
K-2 None One 6 Months
K-3 None One 6 Months
K-4 None One 6 Months
L-1 None One 3 Months
L-2 None One 3 Months
M-1 None Multiple 12 Months
M-2 None Multiple 12 Months
N-8 None Multiple 12 Months
N-9 None Multiple 12 Months
NATO 1-7 N/A N/A N/A
O-1 None One 3 Months 3
O-2 None One 3 Months 3
O-3 None One 3 Months 3
P-1 None One 3 Months 3
P-2 None One 3 Months 3
P-3 None One 3 Months 3
P-4 None One 3 Months 3
Q-1 6 None One 3 Months 3
R-1 None One 3 Months
R-2 None One 3 Months
S-5 7 None One 1 Month
S-6 7 None One 1 Month
S-7 7 None One 1 Month
T-1 9 N/A N/A N/A
T-2 None One 6 Months
T-3 None One 6 Months
T-4 None One 6 Months
T-5 None One 6 Months
T-6 None One 6 Months
T-D 5 N/A N/A N/A
U-1 None Multiple 48 Months
U-2 None Multiple 48 Months
U-3 None Multiple 48 Months
U-4 None Multiple 48 Months
U-5 None Multiple 48 Months
V-1 None One 3 Months
V-2 None One 3 Months 8
V-3 None One 3 Months 8
N/A 3
N/A 3

Country Specific Footnotes

Although care has been taken to ensure the accuracy, completeness and reliability of the information provided, please contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where you plan to apply if you believe this information is in error or if you have further questions.

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Visa Category Footnotes

  1. The validity of A-3, G-5, and NATO 7 visas may not exceed the validity of the visa issued to the person who is employing the applicant. The "employer" would have one of the following visa classifications:

    • A-1
    • A-2
    • G-1 through G-4
    • NATO 1 through NATO 6

  2. An E-1 and E-2 visa may be issued only to a principal alien who is a national of a country having a treaty, or its equivalent, with the United States. E-1 and E-2 visas may not be issued to a principal alien if he/she is a stateless resident or national of a country without a treaty.  *When the spouse and children of an E-1 or E-2 principal alien are accorded derivative E-1 or E-2 status and are themselves a national of a country that does not have a treaty with the United States – the reciprocity schedule, including any reciprocity fees, of the principal alien’s country of nationality should be used.  **Spouse and children of an E-1 or E-2 visa principal applicant, where the spouse and children are also nationals of a country that has a treaty with the United States – the reciprocity schedule, including any reciprocity fees, of the spouse and children’s country of nationality should be used.  

    *Example 1: John Doe is a national of Country A that has an E-1/E-2 treaty with the U.S. however his wife and child are nationals of Country B which has no treaty with the U.S. The wife and child would, therefore, be entitled to derivative status and receive the same reciprocity as John Doe, the principal visa holder.

    **Example 2:  Mike Doe is a national of Country Y that has an E-1/E-2 treaty with the U.S. however his wife and child are nationals of Country Z that also has a treaty with the U.S. The wife and child would, therefore, be entitled to derivative status and receive the reciprocity issued to nationals of Country Z.

  3. The validity of H-1 through H-3, O-1 and O-2, P-1 through P-3, and Q visas may not exceed the period of validity of the approved petition or the number of months shown, whichever is less.

    Under 8 CFR §214.2, H-2A and H-2B petitions may generally only be approved for nationals of countries that the Secretary of Homeland Security has designated as participating countries. The current list of eligible countries is available on USCIS's website for both H-2A and H-2B visas. Nationals of countries not on this list may be the beneficiary of an approved H-2A or H2-B petition in limited circumstances at the discretion of the Department of Homeland Security if specifically named on the petition.  

    Derivative H-4, L-2, O-3, and P-4 visas, issued to accompanying or following-to-join spouses and children, may not exceed the validity of the visa issued to the principal alien.

  4. There is no reciprocity fee for the issuance of a J visa if the alien is a United States Government grantee or a participant in an exchange program sponsored by the United States Government.

    Also, there is no reciprocity fee for visa issuance to an accompanying or following-to-join spouse or child (J-2) of an exchange visitor grantee or participant.

    In addition, an applicant is eligible for an exemption from the MRV fee if he or she is participating in a State Department, USAID, or other federally funded educational and cultural exchange program (program serial numbers G-1, G-2, G-3 and G-7).

    However, all other applicants with U.S. Government sponsorships, including other J-visa applicants, are subject to the MRV processing fee.

  5. Under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), Canadian and Mexican nationals coming to engage in certain types of professional employment in the United States may be admitted in a special nonimmigrant category known as the "trade NAFTA" or "TN" category. Their dependents (spouse and children) accompanying or following to join them may be admitted in the "trade dependent" or "TD" category whether or not they possess Canadian or Mexican nationality. Except as noted below, the number of entries, fees and validity for non-Canadian or non-Mexican family members of a TN status holder seeking TD visas should be based on the reciprocity schedule of the TN principal alien.

    Canadian Nationals

    Since Canadian nationals generally are exempt from visa requirement, a Canadian "TN' or "TD" alien does not require a visa to enter the United States. However, the non-Canadian national dependent of a Canadian "TN", unless otherwise exempt from the visa requirement, must obtain a "TD" visa before attempting to enter the United States. The standard reciprocity fee and validity period for all non-Canadian "TD"s is no fee, issued for multiple entries for a period of 36 months, or for the duration of the principal alien's visa and/or authorized period of stay, whichever is less. See 'NOTE' under Canadian reciprocity schedule regarding applicants of Iranian, Iraqi or Libyan nationality.

    Mexican Nationals

    Mexican nationals are not visa-exempt. Therefore, all Mexican "TN"s and both Mexican and non-Mexican national "TD"s accompanying or following to join them who are not otherwise exempt from the visa requirement (e.g., the Canadian spouse of a Mexican national "TN") must obtain nonimmigrant visas.

    Applicants of Iranian, Iraqi, Libyan, Somalian, Sudanese, Syrian or Yemeni nationality, who have a permanent resident or refugee status in Canada/Mexico, may not be accorded Canadian/Mexican reciprocity, even when applying in Canada/Mexico. The reciprocity fee and period for "TD" applicants from Libya is $10.00 for one entry over a period of 3 months. The Iranian and Iraqi "TD" is no fee with one entry over a period of 3 months.

  6. Q-2 (principal) and Q-3 (dependent) visa categories are in existence as a result of the 'Irish Peace Process Cultural and Training Program Act of 1998'. However, because the Department anticipates that virtually all applicants for this special program will be either Irish or U.K. nationals, the Q-2 and Q-3 categories have been placed only in the reciprocity schedules for those two countries. Q-2 and Q-3 visas are available only at the Embassy in Dublin and the Consulate General in Belfast.

  7. No S visa may be issued without first obtaining the Department's authorization.

  8. V-2 and V-3 status is limited to persons who have not yet attained their 21st birthday. Accordingly, the period of validity of a V-2 or V-3 visa must be limited to expire on or before the applicant's twenty-first birthday.

  9. Posts may not issue a T-1 visa. A T-1 applicant must be physically present in the United States, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands or a U.S. port of entry, where he/she will apply for an adjustment of status to that of a T-1. The following dependents of a T-1 visa holder, however, may be issued a T visa at a U.S. consular office abroad:

    • T-2 (spouse)
    • T-3 (child)
    • T-4 (parent)
  10. The validity of NATO-5 visas may not exceed the period of validity of the employment contract or 12 months, whichever is less.

  11. The validity of CW-1 and CW-2 visas shall not exceed the maximum initial period of admission allowed by DHS (12 months) or the duration of the transition period ending December 31, 2014, whichever is shortest.

  12. The validity of E-2C visas shall not exceed the maximum initial period of admission allowed by DHS (24 months) or the duration of the transition period ending December 31, 2014, whichever is shortest.

 

 

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General Documents

Alert: Protracted wartime conditions and the intermittent absence of an established central authority have made document availability and reliability uncertain in Afghanistan.  Procedures for obtaining government documents change with great frequency.

In the absence of civil documents, officers may need to rely on interviews and other credible evidence, such as family affidavits and secondary documents when verifying relationships.

Birth, Death, Burial Certificates

Birth Certificates

Available:

        Not required for IV purposes, see Comments below

Fees: Varies

Document Name: Varies. Acceptable names include:

  • Kart Tawalod (Da Zokry Sanad)
  • Birth Certificate
  • Birth Registration Card

Issuing Authority: Varies.  Acceptable authorities include:

  • Clinics and hospitals
  • National Statistic Information Authority (NSIA)
  • Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: Varies considerably depending on which authority is issuing the birth certificate. May be:

  • Yellow Card
  • The NSIA yellow document is issued in Afghanistan and is a yellow one-page document listing Tazkera) Information, as well as “Birth Registration Card” information, and including the photo of the child.  The Birth Registration portion includes the child’s biographical information.  The document will have several seals and signatures.
  • The birth certificates issued by the Embassy of Afghanistan to children born outside of Afghanistan may be a white one-page document listing the child’s birth information, including: child’s names, mother’s names, father’s names, place of birth, date of birth, ID number, and gender.  The document will have the seal and Embassy local address at the top and the signature and seal of the consular officer at the bottom.

Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Varies considerably depending on which authority is issuing the document.  May be:

  • Administrative staff
  • Head of Population Registration Services
  • Director of NSIA
  • Embassy Consular Section

Registration Criteria: Issued for children who were delivered at a registered clinic or hospital.

Procedure for Obtaining:  Parents must present their Tazkeras to the appropriate staff at the clinic or hospital where the child was born.

Certified Copies Available: Certified copies are available.

Alternate Documents: After issuance at the hospital, Kart Tawalods may be registered with the Ministry of Interior’s Population Registration Department and a record is also kept by the Ministry of Public Health.  The kart tawalod is not the primary means of establishing identity or citizenship in Afghanistan – rather it is considered as supplemental evidence of birth.  The Tazkera is the principal document used in official settings for proof of identity, citizenship, and also used as a quasi-birth record.  All Afghan applicants applying for U.S. immigrant, special immigrant, or other such visas must present a Tazkera, regardless of whether they also choose to submit a kart tawalod. 

For children born outside of Afghanistan, a “birth declaration” provided by the local hospital and issued by the local Department of Health can be presented at the nearest Embassy of Afghanistan branch office, which will then issue an Afghan birth certificate.

Corrected birth certificates will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis but are usually not accepted.

Exceptions: None

Comments:  All Afghan citizens should be able to present a Tazkera as proof of their identity and their birth place.  Kart tawalod may be considered as supplementary documentation but should not be utilized as primary evidence of date and/or place of birth or identity.  Please refer to the National ID section for information on Tazkeras.

That Kart Tawalod is one of the few Afghan civil documents that lists the mother of a child.  Although not a required document, the Kart Tawalod may assist in establishing the relationship between a child/applicant and their mother.

 

Death Certificates

Available

Fees: There are no fees.

Document Name:  Sanad Wafat (Da Marani Sanad), Death Letter (English)

Issuing Authority: Afghanistan Central Civil Registration Authorities (ACCRA) and Population Registration Department (PRD) of the Ministry of Interior.  Also issued by hospitals, the Ministry of Public Health, and Afghan Courts

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: Varies considerably depending on which authority is issuing the death certificate

Issuing Authority Personnel Title:  Varies.  Acceptable authorities include:

  • Afghanistan Central Civil Registration Authorities (ACCRA) - for death certificates issued prior to 2019
  • Population Registration Department (PRD) of the Ministry of Interior
  • Hospitals
  • Ministry of Public Health
  • Afghan Courts
  • National Statistic and Information Authority (NSIA) - for death certificates issued after 2018

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format:  Varies considerably depending on which authority is issuing the death certificate.

Issuing Authority Personnel Title:  Varies considerably depending on which authority is issuing the document.

Registration Criteria:  Death certificates are only issued to Afghan citizens

Procedure for Obtaining: A family member of the deceased may file a request for a death certificate with NSIA.  The requester will be issued a form that must be signed by his/her Area Representative (Wakil Guzar) and two witnesses to verify that the death occurred.  If a person dies in a hospital, a letter from the hospital can be attached as additional evidence of the death.  Once the form has been signed by all parties, the requester submits it back to NSIA and a death certificate is issued.

If the death occurs in a rural area, the requester must file an application with the District Governor’s office.  The village representative or Malik (influential elder) from the requestor’s village and two witnesses will be asked to confirm the death.  Based on this confirmation, the District Governor’s office will attest that the death occurred and issue a document which can be presented to NSIA to obtain the official death certificate.

Certified Copies Available: Certified copies are available.

Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents.

Exceptions: None

Comments: Timely registration of deaths is not common in Afghanistan.  Typically, a death certificate is only requested and obtained as part of an official requirement such as resolution of an inheritance, request for governmental compensation, or when applying for a foreign visa.

The Afghan death certificate of a husband/father is vital for confirming the relationship of a wife/mother to the father of the children. When no other civil document is available to prove a mother/wife’s relationship to her children, her name on the Afghan death certificate [DJA1] helps a woman verify their relationship.

Marriage, Divorce Certificates

Marriage Certificates

Available

Fees: Varies

Document Name:  Nekah Khat or Sharaei Waseqa Khat; Marriage Certificate (English)

Issuing Authority: Varies. Acceptable authorities include:

  • Primary Court, Conduct Court, Family Court.
  • Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan  

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: Varies considerably depending on which authority is issuing the marriage certificate.  May be:

  • The Nekah Khat is a green booklet with photos of the bride, groom, and two witnesses. 
  • The Sharaei Waseqa Khat is a white one-page document with photos of the bride, groom, and five witnesses.

Replacement marriage certificates issued by the Embassy of Afghanistan are a white one-page document with photos of the bride, groom, and two witnesses.

Issuing Authority Personnel Title:  Varies considerably depending on which authority is issuing the document.  May be:

  • Court Administrator
  • Embassy Consular Section

Registration Criteria: Tazkeras and passport-sized photos of the bride, groom, and each witness

Procedure for Obtaining: Either the groom, the bride and groom together, or a relative submits an application to the Conduct Court, along with the Tazkeras and photos of the bride and groom.  The court’s Administrative Office will issue a form which is then taken to the couple’s Area Representative (Wakil Gozar) to certify that the marriage occurred.  The groom, bride, and witnesses will then be interviewed by a judge.  (If either the husband or wife is unable to appear in-person, he/she may be represented by an authorized lawyer.)   If the judge authorizes the issuance of the Nekah Khat booklet, it must then be taken to the Supreme Court for certification.

Applicants outside of Afghanistan may request a replacement marriage certificate at the nearest Embassy of Afghanistan, if originals are unavailable.

Certified Copies Available: Certified copies are available.

Alternate Documents:  To obtain a Sharaei Waseqa Khat, an application must be submitted to the Primary Court or Conduct Court.  The requestor must present original Tazkeras of the bride and groom along with passport-sized photos of each.  Additionally, five witnesses will need to appear before the judge to swear that the wedding took place.  The judge will then prepare the Sharaie Waseqa Khat, which includes the date of marriage, signatures and thumb prints of the bride, groom, and witnesses, and photos of all parties.  The Primary Court or Conduct Court will register the Shariae Waseqa Khat, after which it must then be taken to the Supreme Court for certification.

Exceptions: None

Comments:  Marriages are often only recorded when evidence is required for an official purpose such as immigration.  Outside of major cities, a married woman might not be permitted to register her own marriage, and may also have scant knowledge of the individuals who served as witnesses for the court process.  

The Afghan marriage certificate is often the only official record or proof of a woman's relationship as a wife/mother to the children's father. Therefore, the marriage certificate may be the only civil document to help establish a female applicant's familial relationships.

 

Divorce Certificates

Available

Fees: There are no fees.

Document Name:  Talaq Khat

Issuing Authority: Supreme Court

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: Booklet or two-sided document

Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Administrative staff

Registration Criteria: Divorce in Afghanistan is a complicated process, as is the issuance process for a divorce certificate.  Individuals seeking divorce certificates are recommended to consult a legal expert for the process that best fits their particular circumstances.

Procedure for Obtaining: As mentioned previously, individuals seeking a divorce certificate in Afghanistan are recommended to consult with a legal advisor.  The following is just one mechanism for obtaining a divorce certificate:

  • If a man in Afghanistan wants to obtain a Talaq Khat, he can submit an application to the Family Court, along with his marriage certificate, his and his wife’s tazkeras (national identity document), and their photos.  The Family Court will issue a form, which is then taken to the requestor’s police district office and Regional Representative for certification.  Once the form is submitted back to the Family Court, the husband and wife will be scheduled for an interview by a judge.  The judge may order a pause in the proceedings to encourage the couple to make one last attempt at reconciliation or may proceed with issuing a divorce order.  Administrative personnel will then prepare the Talaq Khat.  The husband, wife, and two witnesses must then return to court to sign the Talaq Khat, which is then passed to the Supreme Court for final signature.

Certified Copies Available: Certified copies are available.

Alternate Documents: Hand-written divorce letters are sometimes executed by a husband or wife, but such documents are not legally recognized.

Exceptions: None

Comments: Divorce is still rare in Afghanistan. 

Adoption Certificates

Adoption Certificates

Unavailable: Adoption is illegal under Islamic law.

 

Guardianship Certificates

Available

Fees: There are no fees.

Document Name: Sanad e Sarparasti/Sarparasti Khat

Issuing Authority: Family Court

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: An A4 sized, two-sided document, usually printed in two colors

Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Administrative staff

Registration Criteria: The child’s current guardian and the guardian-to-be must appear in-person with witnesses and present their tazkeras (national identity documents) and passport-sized photos, along with confirmation from the Area Representative (Wakil Gozar).  If the guardian or guardian-to-be is from a rural area, confirmation from the village Malik (respected elder) is also required.

Procedure for Obtaining: Guardianship applications are filed with the Family Court.  The prospective guardian(s) will complete a form attesting that they are in compliance with Afghan guardianship criteria.  The form must then be certified by the prospective guardian’s District Police Office and Area Representative, after which it is returned to the Family Court.  A judge will review the guardianship package and, if approved, a guardianship order will be issued.  If the prospective guardians reside in Afghanistan, they are required to provide periodic updates on the child’s well-being to the court.  

Certified Copies Available: Certified copies are available.

Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents.

Exceptions: None

Comments: Formal guardianship through a court process is still a new phenomenon in Afghanistan.  It is not the equivalent of an adoption. If children become orphans in Afghanistan, it is common for them to move-in with family members.  These arrangements are generally informal and rarely documented through an official guardianship court process.

Identity Card

National ID Cards (Tazkera)

Available

Fees: Varies

Document Name: Tazkera

Issuing Authority: Varies. Acceptable authorities include:

  • Afghanistan Central Civil Registration Authorities (ACCRA) - for Tazkeras issued prior to 2019
  • Population Registration Department (PRD) of Ministry of Interior (MOI)
  • National Statistics and Information Authority (NSIA) - for Tazkeras issued after 2018

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format:  Afghanistan has two kinds of Tazkeras. Both are available and legal in the country:

  • Old Tazkera: A4-sized Paper with border.  Adult Tazkeras always include a photo.  Available in all provinces and in districts.
  • Electronic Tazkera: Size of a business card with a chip on it.  

Issuing Authority Personnel Title: The issuing authority varies based on whether the process started at the district or provincial level, and whether the application is for a paper or an electronic Tazkera.

Registration Criteria: Applicant must submit the application form, his/her father’s Tazkera, and passport-sized photos.  If the father’s Tazkera is not available, a different relative on the father’s side (such as the father’s sibling or aunt/uncle) may be substituted. 

Procedure for Obtaining: The first step is to confirm the applicant’s identity.  In a city or larger town, this confirmation will be handled by an Area Representative (Wakil Gozar), while applicants from villages will use a Malik (respected elder).  After the applicant’s identity is recorded, the individual can apply for a Tazkera with the Ministry of Interior.  The Tazkera lists the holder’s name, date and place of birth, basic physical description, military service, religion, marital status, profession/employment and also includes a photo.  The document also lists the holder’s age as of the year the document was issued, but this is usually just an estimate as birth records are seldom available.  Applicants over age 7 must apply in-person and submit a thumb print. Parents may apply for a Tazkera on behalf of their children.  Applicants outside of Afghanistan should contact their nearest Afghan Embassy or Consulate on how to obtain a Tazkera.  The application for electronic Tazkeras is done online (https://nid.nsia.gov.af/individual-form).  Following the online application, a confirmation with a tracking code and a printing date is provided to the applicant, and all applicants must follow a biometric process.

Certified Copies Available: The paper-based Tazkera is printed by the Ministry of Finance with a tracking number, and then it is distributed in all provinces.  Certified copies are available.

Alternate Documents: Legacy paper Tazkera, instead of a modern ID card with a chip, are acceptable.

Some alternate legacy Tazkeras issued by PRD can be booklet size.

Exceptions: None

Comments:  It is required for all Afghan citizens who are applying for immigrant, special immigrant, or other such visas to submit a Tazkera, as proof of identity and birth. Some Afghan citizens may also possess birth certificates issued by clinics or hospitals in Afghanistan, but these documents are not accepted for U.S. visa processing. All Tazkeras must be accompanied by a certified English translation.

Police, Court, Prison Records

Police Records

Partially available for very limited periods.  Not required for the U.S. visa process due to their unreliability. 

Fees: There are no fees.

Document Name: Adam Masooliat

Issuing Authority: Ministry of Interior

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: A4 paper

Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Criminal Investigation Division personnel

Registration Criteria: There is no registration criteria.

Procedure for Obtaining: Afghan citizens must submit their tazkera (national identity document), photos, and an official letter to the Ministry of Interior, Criminal Investigation Division. Foreigners must submit a letter from their country-of-nationality showing that the certificate is required along with proof of identity and photos to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Certified Copies Available: Certified copies are available.

Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents.

Comments: These documents are considered to be completely unreliable and, as such, applicants for U.S. visas are not required to submit police clearances from Afghanistan.

 

Court/Prison Records

Available  

Fees: There are no fees.

Document Name: Criminal Record

Issuing Authority: Ministry of Interior

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: A4 Paper

Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Criminal Investigation Division personnel

Registration Criteria: Any individual who has resided in Afghanistan may apply for a criminal record.

Procedure for Obtaining: Afghan citizens should submit their national ID (tazkera), photos, and an official letter to the Ministry of Interior, Criminal Investigation Division. Foreigners who wish to apply for a criminal record must submit a letter from their country-of-nationality to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs requesting the issuance of a criminal record along with their ID and photos.

Certified Copies Available: Certified copies are available.

Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents.

Exceptions: None

Comments: Criminal records are generally not issued directly to an applicant.  Rather, they are usually sent directly to the Embassy or requesting entity. The applicants are generally supplied with a reference number for the document, which can be shared with requesting authorities.

Military Records

Unavailable

Passports & Other Travel Documents

Types Available: 

  1. Tourist Passport: Distributed by the Ministry of Interior via the Directorate of Passports
  2. Diplomatic Passport: Given to diplomats and senior members of the government and issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
  3. Official/Service passport: Given to non-senior members of the government
  4. Special Passport: Given to non-senior members of the government at or below management level
  5. Travel Document

Fees: Varies based on type and validity of passport. Based on new policy all recent passports are being issued for 10 years.

  • 5 years:  5200 AFs
  • 10 years: 10.400 AF

Issuing Government Authority: Ministry of Interior and Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: Regular Passport (cyan blue-green cover); Diplomatic Passport (black cover (as of late 2017), previously cover was navy blue in color); Official/Service Passport (red cover); Special Passport (navy blue cover, issuance started in late 2017); and Travel Document (baby blue cover)

Passports newly issued by some consulates overseas may not include a chip, as they are locally produced.

Passport extensions are currently available in some countries outside of Afghanistan. Passport extensions issued by the Embassy of Afghanistan will consist of a sticker that includes the passport holder’s biographical information and will be resemble a visa pasted on one of the existing passport blank pages.

Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Passport Department staff

Registration Criteria: Afghan citizen 

Procedure for Obtaining: Applicants residing in Kabul generally apply at the Ministry of Interior Passport Department.  Applicants in other parts of the country apply at their Provincial Passport Office, which will forward the application to the Kabul Passport Department for issuance. Applicants applying for a regular passport must submit an application along with a copy of their original attested Tazkera and passport-sized photos.  A bio data form will be completed, and then the applicants are scheduled for biometric appointments.  Each applicant is given an invoice (Tarofa) which must be paid at a bank, with the payment confirmation returned to the Passport Department.  Once proof of payment is received, the applicant will be notified when to pick up the passport.  Applicants applying outside of Kabul will retrieve their passports from the Provincial Passport Office.  Applicants outside of Afghanistan should contact their nearest Afghan Embassy or Consulate. Applicants outside of Afghanistan may apply for a two-year extension to validity of existing passports at the nearest Embassy of Afghanistan, if they are unable to apply for a new passport.

Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents.

Exceptions: None

Comments:  Previously issued handwritten passports are no longer valid for air travel by the Afghan government and the International Civil Aviation Organization; all such travelers are required to possess machine-readable passport.  Biographic information in machine-readable passports frequently does not match biographic information contained in older handwritten passports.  

In 2017, Afghanistan started producing navy blue Special Passports, available to retired government officials and sportsmen.  The light blue colored Travel Document, containing only four pages for visas and stamps, is used to document Afghan citizens who are being repatriated back to Afghanistan.  Applicants without passports can get issued visas on DS-232s.

Other Records

Not applicable.

 

Visa Issuing Posts

Post Title: Embassy of the United States in Kabul, Afghanistan - Services currently suspended

Address: Great Massoud Road, Kabul, Afghanistan

Phone Number: +93-70010-8000

Visa Services:   Doha, Qatar (Embassy)

Address:  Al-Luqta District, 22nd February Street, P.O. Box 2399, Doha.

Phone Number:  Tel: (974) 488-4101, Fax (974) 488-4176

Comments / Additional Information:  

Visa Services

The U.S. Embassy in Kabul suspended operations on August 31, 2021.  While the U.S. government has withdrawn its personnel from Kabul, we will continue to assist U.S. citizens and their families in Afghanistan from Doha, Qatar.  We will also continue our efforts to help Lawful Permanent Residents, immigrant visa applicants, and the many Afghans who have stood with us over the years, who are seeking to leave Afghanistan, including applicants for Special Immigrant Visas.

Consular services, including visa services, remain available outside Afghanistan.  If you would like to transfer your immigrant visa or special immigrant visa case to any U.S. embassy or consulate outside of Afghanistan, please submit your request here: https://nvc.state.gov/inquiry.

Additional Information for Reciprocity

Although care has been taken to ensure the accuracy, completeness and reliability of the information provided, please contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where you plan to apply if you believe this information is in error or if you have further questions.