
Instruction FOR INDIAN VISA APPLICANTS
Except holders of diplomatic passport who based on mutual agreement and reciprocity are exempt from visa, other Indian citizens are required to obtain a visa prior to entering the territory of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. However, business people and investors can also obtain business visa on arrival at Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul. Please note that this service is not available at other international airports in Afghanistan.
Based on the purpose of your visit to Afghanistan you may apply for a Working Entry Visa, Business Visa, Tourist Visa, Visit Visa, Official Visa, Diplomatic Visa, Student/Research Visa, Transit Visa or Crew Visa. Before applying for a visa please check which visa type you are eligible to apply for. Please be aware that Indian citizens are granted gratis visa, means they are not charged for any type of visa.
Applicants under sixteen who are travelling without his/her parents but with a relative or friend should have a consent letter from his/her parent, stating that he/she can travel with that particular person.
Visa application is normally processed within 3 to 7 working days. However, some application may take longer. The information provided in the form should be accurate, inaccurate information may delay your application procedure or may result in rejection of your application.
If you need to stay longer than your visa is valid, please make sure to apply for extension of your visa at least 7 days before it expires. In the event that you fail to get your visa extended you are required to get an exit visa from the Ministry of the Interior Affairs after payment of fine for the number of days you overstayed.
It is critically important to know that Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan has not authorized any travel agent to apply for a visa on behalf of an applicant. Please be aware of the visa fraud. There might be agents or visa consultants who may try to dupe you into paying them for obtaining a visa for you. You may end up having a fake visa in your passport without knowing it. There are cases that people who have been desperate for employment have fallen into the trap of such agents.
We encourage the applicants to read all the visa information written hereunder, in case you couldn’t find the information you are looking for, you can reach the visa help line at +91-11-26871326 between 9:30-13:00 and 14: 16:30 Monday to Friday.
Basic Requirements for all visa types:
- Original passport valid at least for six months
- Application form (duly filled & signed by the applicant)
- Color Photo of the applicant matching the following criteria
- 4x5 cm in size with white background
- Taken within the last 6 months to reflect the applicant’s current appearance
- Contain face, neck, and shoulders of the applicant.
- Copy of the passport data page
- Applicant must submit his/her application in person to the Consular Section of the embassy.

Tourist Visa (TV)
TV is issued to foreign nationals who are interested to visit Afghanistan individually or with a group for visiting natural beauties, tourist, and historic places. Tourist visa is issued with a validity of ninety (90) and a period of 30 days stay. TV can be extended only once by the Ministry of Interior Affairs with the approval of the Afghan Tourism Department.
Please be aware that employment is not permitted under a tourist visa.
Required Documents | 1- Bank statement 2- Return air ticket |
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Fee | Gratis |
Application Processing Time: | 7 working days but if the applicant wants her/his application to be processed within 24 hours, he/she is required to pay USD 38 in cash in U.S. dollar only |
Working Entry Visa (WEV)
WEV is issued to employees, doctors, teachers, trainers, experts, engineers, pilots, staff of ground transportation and foreign technical workers who enter the territory of Afghanistan for the purpose of working at diplomatic and consular representations, UN Offices, international organizations; government and non-governmental organizations.
Required Documents | 1- Reference number issued by Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Afghanistan 2- Employment letter or Contract/appointment letter 3- Educational documents attested by the Ministry of External Affairs, Govt. of India/ a. in case degree is obtained from another country, it should be attested by the embassy of that country in New Delhi b. Medical Doctors should provide their Certificate of Registration with Indian Medical Council in addition to their degree attested by MEA. c. Those who have been employed as Security Guard by NATO or US contractors or foreign embassies in Kabul should submit a copy of their Army Discharge Certificate |
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Fee | Gratis |
Application Processing Time: | 7 working days but if the applicant wants her/his application to be processed within 24 hours, he/she is required to pay USD 38 in cash in U.S. dollar only |
Business Visa:
BV is issued to the foreign nationals who enter the territory of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan for the purpose of business, investment, marketing, commercial transactions, guardianship, liquidation, handling of corporate affairs, and commercial property; selling and buying property; participation in exhibitions; commercial events and other similar issues.
Required Documents | 1- Introduction/ recommendation letter from: A. one of the Chambers of Commerce and Industries; B. Ministry of Commerce and Industry of India; C. Export Promotion Council of India; Or Reference number from Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Afghanistan. 2. Registration certificate of the company from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry of India 3. Income tax documents of the last three years 4. Letter from the company addressed to the embassy, introducing the businessman for visa issuance. 5. Invitation letter from the local partner or prospect local partner company in Afghanistan. 6. Copy of the license (JAWAZ) of the local partner or prospect local partner company in Afghanistan. |
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Fee | Gratis |
Application Processing Time: | 7 working days but if the applicant wants her/his application to be processed within 24 hours, he/she is required to pay USD 38 in cash in U.S. dollar only |
Note: Businessmen/ businesswomen and investor can also obtain visa on arrival at Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul. For information about visa on arrival please click here |
Visit Visa (VV):
Diplomatic visa is issued to the holders of diplomatic passport. It should be noted that based on MoU signed between governments of Afghanistan and India effective from 20 June 2016, Indian diplomatic passport holders are exempt from visa for travelling to Afghanistan.
Required Documents | 1- Reference Number from Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Govt. of Afghanistan 2- Letter from the employer/organization of the applicant |
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Fee | Gratis |
Application Processing Time: | 7 working days but if the applicant wants her/his application to be processed within 24 hours, he/she is required to pay USD 38 in cash in U.S. dollar only |
Diplomatic Visa (DV)
Diplomatic visa is issued to the holders of diplomatic passport. It should be noted that based on MoU signed between governments of Afghanistan and India effective from 20 June 2016, Indian diplomatic passport holders are exempt from visa for travelling to Afghanistan.
Official Visa (OV):
OV is granted to foreign nationals who hold Service and Special Passports or UN Laissez-Passer. It can also be issued to those who enter the territory of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan for official assignments in the diplomatic and consular missions of foreign countries, institutions, agencies or international organizations.
Required Documents | 1- Reference Number from Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Afghanistan
2- Letter from the employer/organization of the applicant |
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Fee | Gratis |
Application Processing Time: | Three working days |
Entry Visa for the Indian spouse of an Afghan national
An Indian who is married to an Afghan national can apply for entry visa. It is issued with a validity of 90 days and a period of 30 days stay. It can be extended by Ministry of Interior Affairs for a period of up to one year with multiple entries.
Required Documents | 1- Marriage Certificate attested by Ministry of External Affairs, Govt. of India/ Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Afghanistan
2- Passport copy of the spouse |
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Fee | Gratis |
Application Processing Time: | 7 working days but if the applicant wants her/his application to be processed within 24 hours, he/she is required to pay USD 38 in cash in U.S. dollar only |
Student Visa (STV)
STV is issued to a foreigner who intends to study or conduct research within governmental or private educational/academic institutions. If a student has a government scholarship, the STV fee will be charged based on reciprocity.
Required Documents | 1- Reference number issued by Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Govt. of Afghanistan
2- Admission/bonafide or introduction letter from the university or institution he/she admitted to 2- Other supporting documents if any |
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Fee | Gratis |
Application Processing Time: | Three working days |
Transit Visa:
TSV is issued to foreigners who intend to travel to another country via Afghanistan. The validity of TSV for the air passengers is for one (1) month with three (3) days stay period and six (6) days stay period for those who travel by land. TSV is issued based on mutual agreement and reciprocity with the right to enter once (1) or twice (2).
Required Documents | 1- Copy of the valid visa of the destination country
2- Air Ticket |
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Fee | Gratis |
Application Processing Time: | 7 working days but if applicant wants her application to be processed within 24 hours he/she is required to pay USD 38 in cash in U.S. Dollar only |
Crew Visa (CV):
Crew Visa is issued to foreign crew members (pilot, engineer, flight attendants and air technicians) of an airline. The validity of CV is for six (6) months with multiple entries. CV shall be extended by MoI for a period of one (1) month to one (1) year based on the request of the employing airline to the Independent Directorate of Civil Aviation and an official letter from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Afghanistan.
Required Documents | 1- Reference Number issued by Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Afghanistan
2- Contract agreement/appointment letter with the airline 3- Copy of most relevant educational documents 4- Pilot certificate/license if the applicant is a pilot |
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Fee | Gratis |
Application Processing Time: | 7 working days but if applicant wants her application to be processed within 24 hours, he/she is required to pay USD 38 in cash in U.S. Dollar only |
IMPORTANT NOTES:
- Applicants are encouraged to apply directly to the Embassy, applications submitted to the Embassy by travel agencies will not be processed and will be returned to the applicant.
- If you have read the information given above and are ready to apply, please download a VISA FORM, if you are applying in with family, please book separate online appointments!
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