United States Visa RequirementsFor Afghanistan passport holders
Afghan citizens require a US non-immigrant visa (B1/B2 tourist visa) to visit the United States, costing $185 (MRV fee). Afghan nationals do not qualify for the Visa Waiver Program. The US Embassy in Kabul suspended visa interview operations in 2021, so Afghans must apply at a US Embassy in a third country such as Islamabad, Dubai, or Tashkent.
Afghanistan passport holders require a visa to enter United States.
Pay the $185 MRV fee at ceac.state.gov and complete the DS-160 online application form. Schedule a visa interview appointment at the nearest US Embassy accepting applications from Afghan passport holders (Islamabad, Dubai, Tashkent, or others). Bring to the interview: valid Afghan passport with at least 6 months validity, DS-160 confirmation, MRV fee receipt, visa photo, financial documents (bank statements, property deeds, employment letters), letter of invitation if visiting US contacts, detailed itinerary, and strong evidence of ties to your home or current country of residence. Interview wait times for Afghan passport holders can be very long at some posts. The B1/B2 visa, if approved, allows stays of up to 6 months per visit.
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 United States: What You Need to Know
The United States requires a non-immigrant visa (B1/B2) for Afghan passport holders. Afghan nationals are not eligible for the Visa Waiver Program (ESTA). The US Embassy in Kabul suspended visa interview operations in August 2021 and has not resumed full consular services. Afghan nationals seeking a US visa must apply at the US Embassy in Islamabad, Pakistan, the US Consulate General in Dubai, UAE, or another accessible US mission. The process is lengthy: applicants pay the $185 MRV fee, complete the DS-160 form online, schedule an interview appointment (waits can be 6 to 18 months at some posts), and attend a consular interview. Afghan applicants face rigorous security screening. A significant Afghan-American community exists in the United States, particularly in California, Texas, Virginia, and New York.
How to Get There
No direct flights connect Afghan airports to the United States. Route via Dubai (DXB) with Emirates direct to New York JFK, Washington Dulles, Los Angeles, or other US cities, or via Doha (DOH) with Qatar Airways to US destinations. Via Istanbul (IST) with Turkish Airlines then connecting to US cities. Routing via Kabul-Dubai then US is the most common path. Direct flights Dubai-US typically take 14 to 16 hours.
Money & Banking
The United States uses the US dollar (USD). Visa and Mastercard are universally accepted. The US is moderately to expensively priced depending on city: New York and San Francisco are among the world's most expensive cities, while mid-size cities offer better value. Budget accommodation from $60 to $80 per night in hostels, local fast food from $8 to $12. Tipping 15 to 20 percent is expected and considered mandatory in restaurants. ATMs are widely available. A large Afghan-American community operates grocery stores, restaurants, and cultural organisations in major US cities.
Practical Tips
The United States has extraordinary diversity: New York City offers the Statue of Liberty, Times Square, Central Park, and world-class museums. Washington DC has the National Mall with free Smithsonian museums, the Capitol, and the Lincoln Memorial. California has San Francisco (Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz), Los Angeles (Hollywood, beaches), and Yosemite National Park. The Grand Canyon in Arizona is one of the world's great natural wonders. The Afghan-American community is concentrated in cities including Fremont (CA), Sterling (VA), San Jose (CA), and New York City, where Afghan restaurants and cultural centres exist.