India Visa RequirementsFor Afghanistan passport holders
Afghan citizens require a visa to visit India, costing approximately $110. The situation for Afghan visa applications to India is complex: the Indian Embassy in Kabul remains partially operational but with very limited services. Many Afghans apply at the Indian Embassy in Islamabad or Indian consulates in Dubai or Tashkent.
Afghanistan passport holders require a visa to enter India.
Apply at the Indian Consulate in Dubai, the Indian High Commission in Islamabad (if legally present in Pakistan), or the Indian Embassy in Tashkent (Uzbekistan). Contact the specific mission to confirm they accept Afghan passport applications. Required documents: completed online application via the Indian visa portal (indianvisaonline.gov.in), valid Afghan passport (at least 6 months validity), two recent passport photos, proof of accommodation in India, confirmed return flight bookings, 3 months of bank statements, employment details, and any supporting documentation for ties to current country of residence. Processing times vary by mission but typically take 5 to 15 business days.
Entry Requirements
Passport Validity
6 months beyond date of entry
Blank Pages
2 blank pages required
Multiple Entry
Single entry only
Work Permitted
No - requires work visa
Current Travel Situation
Afghanistan to India: What You Need to Know
India and Afghanistan have historically strong ties, but relations have been strained since the Taliban takeover in August 2021. India suspended its embassy in Kabul and later reopened a limited technical mission, but full consular services including tourist visa issuance are not reliably available from Kabul. Afghan citizens seeking an Indian visa typically apply at the Indian High Commission in Islamabad (for those with Pakistani residency), the Indian Consulate in Dubai, or the Indian Embassy in Tashkent (for Afghans in Central Asia). Afghan nationals are not typically eligible for the Indian e-Visa, and must apply for a regular visa. The fee is approximately $110.
How to Get There
No direct flights connect Afghan airports to India. Route via Dubai (DXB) with flydubai or Ariana Afghan Airlines then Air India, IndiGo, or SpiceJet to Delhi (DEL), Mumbai (BOM), or other Indian cities. Via Islamabad (ISB) with Pakistan International Airlines to Lahore (LHE) then overland if border crossing is feasible, or via Gulf hubs. Air Arabia connects Dubai to Indian cities affordably. Total journey time from Kabul to Delhi is typically 4 to 8 hours including connections.
Money & Banking
India uses the Indian rupee (INR). Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted in major cities, hotels, and tourist areas. Digital payment (UPI via apps like PhonePe and Paytm) is now ubiquitous in India. ATMs are available throughout cities and towns. India is generally very affordable: budget accommodation from INR 500 to 1,500 ($6 to $18) per night, meals at dhabas (local roadside restaurants) from INR 50 to 150 ($0.60 to $1.80). Delhi and Mumbai are more expensive than smaller cities. India has a large Afghan diaspora community in Delhi and other major cities.
Practical Tips
Delhi's Red Fort (UNESCO), Qutb Minar (UNESCO), Humayun's Tomb (UNESCO), and Chandni Chowk market are major attractions. The Taj Mahal in Agra (UNESCO), built by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in 1632, is widely considered the world's greatest monument to love. Rajasthan's palace cities (Jaipur, Jodhpur, Udaipur, Jaisalmer) are extraordinary. Kerala's backwaters in South India offer houseboat cruises through tropical waterways. India has deep historical connections to Afghanistan through the Mughal Empire, which originated in Kabul. Dari (Afghan Persian) is mutually intelligible with Persian-influenced Urdu, which may help Afghan travelers communicate.