Afghanistan

Key Points

• The security situation is extremely unstable. U.S. citizens face critical threats.
• There is violence across Afghanistan. Hostile acts against U.S. and other foreign nationals can occur at any time. These can either be targeted or random.
  
• U.S. citizens traveling to Afghanistan should maintain a low profile. Share movement plans and personal information, with family members and other trusted contacts.

Emergency Numbers

Local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting crimes and providing emergency services.

For emergency services in Afghanistan:

• Dial 119 or 100 for police
• Dial 102 for medical assistance
• Dial 112 for the fire department

Terrorism

Terrorists and their supporters might target U.S. citizens abroad.

Terrorists may target:

• Large public events (sporting contests, political rallies, demonstrations, holiday events, celebratory gatherings, etc.)
• Hotels, clubs, and restaurants
• Places of worship
• Schools
• Parks
• Shopping malls and markets
• Public transportation (subways, buses, trains)
• Commercial flights

Afghanistan’s history of conflict has made it a hub for international terrorism

• U.S. citizens and other foreign nationals are primary targets for terrorist groups.
  
• Violent extremist groups in Afghanistan use various tactics. These include suicide bombings, vehicle bombs, and magnetic explosives. They also use indirect fire like rockets and mortars, as well as direct fire such as shootings and rocket-propelled grenades.
• Common targets include local security forces, government buildings, foreign embassies, non-government organization (NGO) offices, hotels, markets, schools, hospitals, and public gatherings.
• Kabul remains a high-profile location for large-scale terror attacks due to its media visibility.
  
• Familiarize yourself with the emergency plans at your residence or hotel. Practice steps to take in case of an attack.

Monitoring and surveillance

• The Taliban’s so-called General Directorate of Intelligence and the so-called Ministry for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice and Complaints (PVPV) monitor public behavior. They use armed personnel to enforce compliance with their rules. They have also deployed CCTV cameras in many areas of Kabul city for surveillance purposes.
• Afghan-U.S. dual nationals and U.S. citizens associated with NGOs and faith-based organizations face increased surveillance risks.
• The Taliban may use human intelligence networks and other methods to track travelers and gather information on them.

Kidnapping and hostage taking

• Violent extremist groups and kidnapping syndicates in Afghanistan actively target U.S. citizens. This includes journalists, aid workers, teachers, medical professionals, and people linked to NGOs.
• Criminal groups in Afghanistan will target anyone perceived to have money for kidnapping or extortion. Kidnap-for-ransom syndicates may also sell their captives to terrorist groups. Victims may spend years in captivity.

Wrongful detention

• U.S. citizens face a high risk of wrongful detention. They have been detained for lengthy periods in Afghanistan under unclear or unjust circumstances.
• U.S. citizens have been denied fair treatment and face severe conditions in detention.  Even if a case is determined to be wrongful, there is no guarantee of release.

Property and business disputes

• Afghan-Americans returning to Afghanistan to recover property often become involved in complicated real estate disputes. Some have involved threats of kidnapping and assassination.
• U.S. citizens involved in business or commercial disputes may face threats of detention, imprisonment, or property seizure. U.S. citizens have reported being physically attacked. Family members have also been harmed during such disputes.
• Local law enforcement and the U.S. government will not be able to help in resolving disputes. We recommend hiring a private attorney who can act on behalf of the U.S. citizen in their absence early on.

Demonstrations and riots

• Demonstrations and rallies can be unpredictable. Avoid areas around protests, rallies, and other demonstrations.
• Past demonstrations and rallies have turned violent.
• Public gatherings and demonstrations are also frequent targets of terrorist attacks.

Crime

Afghanistan is considered a critical environment for crime. 

• Criminal organizations, including weapons and narcotics traffickers, undermine peace and stability throughout the country.
• Common petty or street crime exists, primarily in cities.
• Transient populations and internally displaced people may contribute to crime and lawlessness.
• There is no safe part of Afghanistan when it comes to crime.

Scams

Follow the Department of State guidelines to protect yourself from scams.

If you are a victim of a scam, learn how the FBI can help.  

Internet romance scams are common in Afghanistan. Be careful of anyone asking for money, especially those who start a "romantic" relationship online or claim local authorities want money. Scams often begin through online posts, emails, or letters. Scammers pretend to be U.S. citizens in need of help.

Common scams include:

• People claiming to be U.S. military personnel
• People claiming to be detained or hospitalized abroad
• Romance and online dating

Victims of crime

Local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting crime. You may report crimes to the local police by dialing 119 and 100.

Review our information for Victims of Crime. 

There is no U.S. embassy or consulate in Afghanistan.  

Victims of crime are encouraged to contact the Afghanistan Affairs Unit located at the U.S. Embassy in Doha.

Sexual assault and domestic violence

There is no U.S. embassy or consulate in Afghanistan.

U.S. citizen victims of sexual assault or domestic violence are encouraged to contact the Afghanistan Affairs Unit located at the U.S. Embassy in Doha.

Technology use abroad

Mobile devices are vulnerable to compromise, theft, and damage anywhere in the world.

Follow these safe practices:

• Update all software (operating system and apps) before leaving the United States.
• Use reputable, U.S.-based VPN or VoIP applications. 
• Do not connect to public Wi-Fi networks.
• Research the safety of routes recommended by GPS. The fastest route is not always the safest.
• Be cautious using dating apps abroad, as scammers often target U.S. citizens.

Communications

• Large parts of Afghanistan are extremely isolated. They have limited landline service and unreliable cell phone coverage outside of urban areas.
• Always carry backup communication tools such as satellite phones or handheld radios, along with a vehicle or personal tracking device.

Tourism safety

No formal tourism industry infrastructure is in place:

• Tourists participate in activities at their own risk.
• Emergency response and medical treatment are not available.
• U.S. citizens are encouraged to purchase medical evacuation insurance.
• Review our information on Travel Insurance.

Criminal penalties

• U.S. citizens must follow local laws.
• If you break local laws, even by mistake, you could be deported, arrested, or imprisoned.
• Travelers who accidentally break local laws have been detained. Sometimes, this can be for a long time. They may also face criminal charges and even be convicted of a crime.
• You may be prosecuted in the United States for crimes committed abroad regardless of the local law. Review the information provided by the U.S. Department of Justice about crimes against minors abroad.
• Before you start a business or a profession in Afghanistan, seek information from the local authorities about what permits or licenses are required.

Afghan laws

U.S. citizens in Afghanistan must follow Afghan laws.

• A U.S. passport will not help you avoid detention or prosecution. It may result in heightened attention by police and prosecutors. They may seek to exploit your status as a U.S. citizen for financial or political gain.
• People violating Afghan laws, even by mistake, may face fines, detention, imprisonment, or possibly execution.
• Penalties in Afghanistan can be more severe than for similar offenses in the United States. U.S. citizens may face the death penalty for crimes that would not be punishable by death in the United States.
• Photography of buildings or installations housing ministries, public sector institutions, and security forces, including equipment or troops, is prohibited and can lead to detention.
• Alcohol possession is prohibited and treated as a narcotics offense. Penalties for possessing, using, or trafficking in alcohol or illegal drugs are severe, with long jail sentences and heavy fines.
• Sexual relations between unmarried couples, or unreported knowledge of such relations, can result in long prison sentences or public flogging

Dual nationality

Taliban may not recognize your U.S. citizenship if you are a dual Afghan-U.S. citizen or have a claim to Afghan citizenship.

• Review our page on Dual Nationality

Arrest notification

• If you are arrested or detained, ask officials to notify the Afghanistan Affairs Unit located at the U.S. Embassy in Doha.
• The U.S. government may not be notified if you are detained.

Detention Conditions

• The Taliban do not permit the United States to conduct welfare checks on U.S. citizens in detention, including by phone.
• Detention can be lengthy. While in detention, U.S. citizens have limited or no access to medical attention and may be subject to physical abuse.

Counterfeit and pirated goods

Counterfeit and pirated goods are common in many destinations.

• They may be illegal according to local laws. 
• Counterfeit and pirated goods may pose significant risks to consumer health and safety. 
• You may be subject to fines or have to surrender counterfeit and pirated goods to authorities if you bring them back to the United States. 

Learn more about U.S. restrictions on counterfeit and pirated goods:

• U.S. Customs and Border Protection
• U.S. Department of Justice  

Faith-based travelers

Do not travel to Afghanistan for non-Muslim faith-based travel. Doing so can be punishable by death.

Faith-based travel includes pilgrimages, service projects, and mission work. Prepare for your travel using these resources: 

• Faith-Based Travel
• Volunteering Abroad
• International Religious Freedom Reports

Religion and Islam

• Islam and tribal law and customs influence Afghan society, especially in rural areas. Pashtunwali, a longstanding code of social and personal conduct, is predominant in Pashtun areas.
• Foreign visitors are expected to respect Afghanistan’s Islamic and local cultures, by dressing modestly.

Proselytizing

Proselytizing by non-Muslims can result in severe punishments including incarceration and the death penalty.

• Blasphemy or producing or distributing material perceived as critical of Islam can result in severe punishments, which can include life imprisonment or the death penalty.
• Apostasy can lead to the death penalty for Muslims who reject Islam or convert to another religion.
• Allegations of conversion of Afghan citizens are taken very seriously. Accusations of blasphemy or insulting Islam, even when unproven, have led to deadly mob violence.

Forced marriage

U.S. citizen women of Afghan heritage have been tricked into traveling to Afghanistan and then forced into marriage. Families often persuade these women to go to Afghanistan under the pretext of visiting relatives. 

• The U.S. government considers forced marriage to be a human rights abuse and, in the case of minors, a form of child abuse.
• Forced marriage happens when one or both people do not agree to the marriage or cannot give real consent. It is different from arranged marriage.
• Victims of forced marriage face non-consensual sex, physical abuse, emotional abuse, and isolation.
• People who reject a forced marriage may face violence or disownment from their families. They might also have their belongings, like passports, taken away.
• Review our information on Marriage.

Women travelers

• Women must make sure their shirts cover their full arms, collarbone, and waistband.  Their pants or skirts must cover their ankles, especially when traveling outside Kabul.
• Women should carry a scarf to cover their hair in public.
• Women are expected to be escorted by a male relative. They can be detained for traveling alone. 
• Sexual assault is a risk.
• Review our information on Women Travelers.

Gay and Lesbian travelers

The Taliban considers same-sex sexual activity a criminal offense. They routinely enforce this through violence, intimidation, harassment, and targeted killings.

• Conviction for same-sex sexual conduct is punishable by death, flogging, or imprisonment.
• Taliban members have publicly stated that their interpretation of sharia includes the death penalty for homosexuality.
• Review our information on Gay and Lesbian Travelers.

Travelers with accessibility needs

• The law in Afghanistan prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities but the provisions are not implemented in practice. 
• Persons with disabilities face limited access to transportation, public buildings, and hotels, and few communication accommodations. 
  
• Review our information on Accessibility Needs.

Students

Do not travel to Afghanistan for the purpose of studying abroad.

• Review our information on Studying Abroad.

Human Rights

• Review the Department of State’s Human Rights Report for your destination prior to traveling.

Medical payments and insurance

Make sure you know whether your health insurance plan covers any medical expenses coverage abroad.  Most U.S. plans do not.

• The U.S. government does not pay medical bills.
• U.S. Medicare and Medicaid do not cover expenses or bills abroad.
• Most hospitals and doctors abroad do not accept U.S. health insurance.
• Make sure you know if your health insurance plan provides coverage abroad or reimbursement of payments. The CDC provides more information on types of insurance.
• We strongly recommend supplemental insurance to cover medical evacuation.

Healthcare facilities

Basic medical care is available in Kabul and other major Afghan cities but is limited in rural areas.

• Facilities vary in quality and range of services. They are generally below U.S. standards.
• Doctors and hospitals often require cash prepayment for services.
• Western-style private clinics can be found in Kabul offering a variety of basic emergency and routine care. Their hours are limited. They are often not suitable for complex trauma cases or severe medical emergencies.
• People without licenses or medical degrees sometimes operate private clinics.

Prescription medications

Always carry your prescription medication in original packaging, along with your doctor’s prescription.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have rules for bringing medication back into the United States.  If you buy medications abroad, the medications must meet CBP’s and the FDA’s requirements to bring them back legally.

• The medications must also be for personal use and approved for use in the United States.
• Travel with enough supplies of prescription and commonly used over-the-counter medications.
• Many U.S.-brand medications are not available in Afghanistan. Many pharmaceuticals found in Afghanistan are counterfeits, and the quality of locally produced medications is uneven.

For more information:

• U.S. Customs and Border Protection
• Food and Drug Administration

Water quality & food safety

• Make water safe by filtering, boiling, disinfecting, or distilling.
• In many areas tap water is not safe to drink.
• Bottled water and beverages are generally safe. Use major brands and ensure the seal is intact.
• Eating uncooked vegetables and fruits can make you sick.
• Impure water can cause diseases like typhoid, cholera, hepatitis, and dysentery.

Weather conditions

Afghanistan has a varied climate. In the mountains, winters are harsh. In the deserts, summers are hot and dry. The country is vulnerable to natural disasters, including earthquakes, floods, droughts, and landslides. 

• Earthquakes – Afghanistan is in a seismically active region, with frequent and devastating earthquakes. Earthquakes can occur at any time of the year. High-risk areas are the Hindu Kush mountains and places near tectonic fault lines.
• Flooding – Floods are common during the rainy season from February to May.

Living abroad resources

If you live outside the United States for a long time, you or your family may experience various life events, wish to exercise U.S. citizenship rights, or need to meet U.S. legal obligations while abroad.

• Learn how to prepare for voting in U.S. elections, the birth of a child, or getting married.
• Ensure you have a plan for healthcare and medical insurance abroad.
• Even abroad, you still have certain obligations such as paying your U.S. taxes or registering for military selective service.
• Review information on federal benefits, such as Social Security and Veterans Affairs benefits.