Afghanistan Travel Risk

Do not travel due to civil unrest, crime, terrorism, risk of wrongful detention, kidnapping, natural disasters, and limited health facilities.

Do not travel to Afghanistan for any reason

• We urge American citizens in Afghanistan to leave immediately. U.S. citizens seeking U.S. government help to leave the country should email their complete biographic details, contact information (email and phone number), and U.S. passport number to AfghanistanACS@state.gov.
• The U.S. Embassy in Kabul suspended operations in 2021. The U.S. government cannot provide routine or emergency consular services to U.S. citizens in Afghanistan.
• The Taliban actively surveil and monitor travelers. U.S.-Afghan dual nationals and U.S. citizens linked to NGOs face higher risks of surveillance. The Taliban’s so-called General Directorate of Intelligence (GDI) and the Ministry for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice and Complaints (PVPV) are responsible for enforcing directives and edicts issued by Taliban authorities.
• Multiple terrorist groups are active in Afghanistan. U.S. citizens are targets of kidnapping and hostage-taking, and may become targets for violence.

Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO).

FCDO advises against all travel to Afghanistan

You should not travel to Afghanistan. The security situation is volatile and tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan have previously resulted in violent clashes in border regions. Travel throughout Afghanistan is extremely dangerous and a number of border crossings are not currently open.

There is a heightened risk of British nationals being detained in Afghanistan. If you are a British national and you are detained in Afghanistan, you could face months or years of imprisonment. FCDO’s ability to help you is extremely limited and support in person is not possible in Afghanistan.

For more details about the risks in Afghanistan, see Safety and security.

Do not travel to Afghanistan

You should not travel to Afghanistan. The FCDO advises against all travel to Afghanistan, even if you are part of an organised tour group. There is a high risk of British nationals being detained or kidnapped, and terrorists often target places frequented by foreign nationals. The FCDO’s ability to provide assistance in Afghanistan is severely limited.

Afghanistan-Pakistan tensions

There are heighted tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan, including clashes in border areas. FCDO advises against all travel to Afghanistan. Sign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated.

Terrorism

There is a high threat of terrorist attack globally affecting UK interests and British nationals, including from groups and individuals who view the UK and British nationals as targets. Stay aware of your surroundings at all times.

UK Counter Terrorism Policing has information and advice on staying safe and what to do in the event of a terrorist attack. Find out how to reduce your risk from terrorism while abroad.

Terrorism in Afghanistan

Terrorists are very likely to try to carry out attacks in Afghanistan.

In May 2024, three Spanish tourists were killed in a shooting while on a guided tour in Bamiyan, Central Afghanistan.

Al-Qaida (AQ), a Daesh branch known as Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP) and other militant groups have an active presence in Afghanistan. These groups hold strong anti-western views, which could make any British interest or person a target. Daesh (ISKP) continues to be a serious threat and is fiercely hostile to the UK, other western countries and some religious minority communities. Daesh (ISKP) and other groups also target NGOs and humanitarian organisations.

If you choose to travel to or stay in Afghanistan against FCDO advice, be aware that terrorists have a strong desire to target public places frequented by foreign nationals. This could include restaurants and hotels used by foreigners, such as the Serena in Kabul.

An attack on Kabul International Airport in August 2021 killed at least 183 people. Further attacks against aviation and airports are very likely.

ISKP have claimed responsibility for attacks in many types of location, including:

• hospitals
• schools
• places of worship
• government, military and security establishments

Diplomatic premises may be attacked to undermine Taliban claims of security.

It is likely that terrorists will conduct attacks at busy times of day, potentially coinciding with local or religious events or celebrations. In the past this has included attacks against:

• schools
• marketplaces
• sites, communities and districts where the majority population is Shia Muslim

Attacks in Afghanistan include roadside and suicide bombs either on foot or by vehicle, indirect rocket and mortar fire, direct fire, including shootings and rocket propelled grenades.

If you are in Afghanistan, make sure your accommodation is secure and review your security measures regularly. Keep others, including family and friends, informed of your travel plans. Any regular patterns of travel and behaviour could make you the target of an attack.

Terrorist kidnap

There is a very high threat of being kidnapped in Afghanistan.

British nationals are seen as legitimate targets, including tourists, humanitarian aid workers, journalists and business travellers. If you are kidnapped, the reason for your presence is unlikely to protect you or secure your safe release.

The long-standing policy of the British government is not to make substantive concessions to hostage takers. The British government considers that paying ransoms and releasing prisoners builds the capability of terrorist groups and finances their activities. This can, in turn, increase the risk of further hostage-taking. The Terrorism Act (2000) makes payments to terrorists illegal.

Transport risks

Road travel

Road travel is highly dangerous. FCDO advises against all travel around Afghanistan.

The situation at Afghanistan’s border crossings remains volatile. A number of borders remain closed and if opened, can close at short notice. There have been clashes between Afghan and neighbouring forces at some border crossings.

Air travel

Kabul International Airport does not meet international aviation safety standards.

The UK Air Safety List (ASL) lists all known airlines in Afghanistan that do not meet international safety standards and are banned from operating commercial air services to and from the UK. Check the UK Air Safety List when considering which airlines to fly with. The list is maintained by the Department for Transport, based on advice from the UK Civil Aviation Authority.

Risk level

AFGHANISTAN - AVOID ALL TRAVEL

Avoid all travel to Afghanistan due to the volatile security situation, terrorist attacks, ongoing armed conflict, the risk of kidnapping, arbitrary arrest and detention, the high crime rate, and widespread violations of human rights by the de facto authorities.

The security situation remains highly volatile and dangerous. If you are in Afghanistan, exercise caution if you need to move to a more secure location and review your personal security plans. Keep in mind that you are responsible for your own safety and that of your family.

The Embassy of Canada in Afghanistan has suspended its operations. Our ability to provide consular assistance and other support in this country is extremely limited. We may not be notified even if you request assistance from us. If you require consular assistance, try to contact the Emergency Watch and Response Centre.

If you have successfully made your way out of the country and require consular assistance, contact the nearest Canadian government office.

We strongly recommend that you sign up with the Registration of Canadians Abroad service to receive important information.

Security situation

Foreigners and individuals associated to Western countries are targets for kidnappings and violence by terrorist groups. They are also at increased risk of being arbitrarily detained by the de facto authorities, especially if they had affiliations with the ousted government and/or contravene Islamic laws in effect since 2021.

The Afghan de facto authorities also frequently suspect foreign nationals, including dual nationals with Afghan nationality, of espionage. This is especially the case for those working or traveling in Afghanistan, such as humanitarian workers and journalists. They will likely monitor your movements and activities while you are in the country.

If you are targeted by the de facto authorities, they may take away your passport and/or arbitrarily detain you until they complete their investigations, which can last for months or longer. If you're found guilty of espionage or working to undermine Afghanistan’s national security, the punishment may be execution.

Canadians have previously been detained and were not allowed to contact Canadian consular officials, their family members, or a lawyer. If you are detained in Afghanistan, you could face months or years in prison without clarity about the charges against you.

Terrorist actors remain active in Afghanistan. Attacks could occur at any time, including in Kabul and other major cities.

The security situation is volatile and additional violent attacks could occur at any time across the country. Criminals are also taking advantage of the unstable security situation to commit violent attacks.

Violence against women is widespread in public and private spheres. Perpetrators are largely accorded impunity, and survivors have little to no recourse.

Travelling throughout the country is dangerous, including in Kabul. There are checkpoints on all roads and throughout cities. Women are not allowed to travel by themselves and often face difficulties at checkpoints. Some borders are closed or may close without notice. Border crossing is risky due to the presence of criminal groups and smugglers.

If you are in Afghanistan:

• exercise caution and be aware of your surroundings
• use your judgment to decide the best time and the safest means of exit if you need to move to a safer location
• monitor international media to stay informed about the latest developments and decrees

Since August 2021, the de facto authorities have issued a series of decrees to regulate acceptable behaviours according to their strict interpretation of Islam.

Freedoms, including of expression, movement and assembly, have been significantly reduced. All forms of dissent and criticism of the de facto authorities, including by journalists and activists from civil society, may result in arbitrary arrest and unlawful detention.

People who protest the restrictions imposed by the de facto authorities risk arrest, detention, physical violence and abuse, as well as being charged with ’moral corruption’. Security forces use violent methods to disperse protests, including water cannons, tear gas, and live bullets.

阿富汗现有红色（极高风险）地区1个，其他地区均为橙色（高风险）。具体如下：

一、红色地区：巴达赫尚省。外交部提醒中国公民近期暂勿前往阿富汗上述地区，已在当地的人员和机构尽快撤离或转移至安全地区。如遇紧急情况，请及时报警并与中国驻当地使领馆取得联系。

二、橙色地区：其他地区。外交部提醒中国公民近期谨慎前往阿富汗其他地区，已在当地的人员和机构密切关注局势发展，保持高度警惕，加强安全防范和应急准备，确保人身和财产安全。

外交部和驻外使领馆将继续密切关注海外安全形势变化，动态调整有关风险评估，并实时在中国领事服务网等平台发布、更新相应安全提醒，请持续关注。