Foreign travel advice

Afghanistan

! Warning FCDO advises against all travel to Afghanistan.

Summary

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) advises against all travel to Afghanistan.

You should not travel to Afghanistan.

TheTerrorists securityare situationvery inlikely Afghanistanto remainstry extremelyto volatile.carry Thereout is an ongoing and high threat of terrorist attacks throughin Afghanistan,Afghanistan. including around the airport. There is a heightened threat of terrorist attacks in or around religious sites and during religious festivals,events and celebrations, such as the month of Ramadan.Ramadan.  The security situation in Afghanistan is volatile. There is an ongoing and high threat of terrorist attacks throughout Afghanistan, including around airports.

See Terrorism.

Travel throughout Afghanistan is extremely dangerous,dangerous and border crossings may not be open. See ‘SafetySafety and security’security.

There is a significant risk of detention of British nationals. The British Government may not be notified about such detentions  and there are currentlyconsiderable challenges in securing consular contact or access. You  may not be able to contact your next of kin and detention may be lengthy without clarity being given to your charge. See Detention.

There are no British consular officials in Afghanistan and our ability to provide consular assistance is severely limited and cannot be delivered in person within Afghanistan. If you are a British national already resident in Afghanistan, you should carefully consider the risk to  your safety and security from staying there. The situation could change quickly and without warning. 

If you choose to travel to or stay in Afghanistan against against FCDO advice, advice, you should keep a low profile. Be vigilant, try to avoid all crowds and public events including religious events, and take appropriate security precautions.

There is a heightened risk of detention of British nationals. The British Government may not be notified about such detentions; communications with next of kin may not be guaranteed; and detention may be lengthy.

If you are a British national in Afghanistan and need to speak to a consular officer, you can:

British nationals may access consular services at our diplomatic missions in neighbouring countries.

The FCDO cannot offer advice on the safety of travelling to any departure point within Afghanistan.

If you are a British national in Afghanistan, and would like information about applying for UK visas for your family then visit www.gov.uk/apply-to-come-to-the-uk or call UK Visas and Immigration on +44 (0) 2475 389980.

If you are an Afghan national and are eligible or have been approved for assistance under the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP) or you are at serious risk and fall within a priority group please monitor our support page for further updates and information, or call +44 2475 389 980 (or 02475 389 980 in the UK).

If you would like information about applying for a British passport, or would like to check on your passport application, then visit www.gov.uk/overseas-passports or call the passport advice line on +44 (0) 300 222 00000000.

If you plan to pass through another country to return to the UK, check the travel advice for the country you’re transiting.

Because the FCDO adviseadvises against all travel to Afghanistan, your travel insurance may not apply there. Check with your insurance provider before travel.

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

Afghanistan is in a major earthquake zone and remains at risk from powerful earthquakes, aftershocks, landslides and flooding. See Natural disasters.