Summary

The Department of Foreign Affairs advises against all travel to Afghanistan.

The security situation in Afghanistan remains serious and the threat to Westerners from terrorist or criminal violence, including kidnappings, remains high.

If you consider your presence in Afghanistan is essential, you should have adequate and continuous professional close security arrangements and ensure they are regularly reviewed.

TRAVEL INSURANCE

The Department of Foreign Affairs strongly recommends that you obtain comprehensive travel insurance which will cover all overseas medical costs, including medical evacuation, before travelling to Afghanistan. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for the activities you want to undertake.

Travellers should note that the Irish Government does not provide funds for emergency medical repatriation or for repatriation of remains.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

For entry requirements for Afghanistan, please contact the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in London:

31 Prince's Gate
London
SW7 1QQ Tel:  +44 (020) 7589 8891  Fax: +44 (020) 7584 4801  Email: info@afghanembassy.co.uk Website: http://www.afghanembassy.co.uk/english.htm

It is advisable to take a number of photocopies of your passport with you. During your stay you should carry a photocopy of your passport at all times.

Safety and security

Ireland does not have an Embassy or Consulate in country. As such, it is not possible for us to provide detailed travel advice as we have no way of objectively verifying information and ensuring that it is accurate, appropriate and up-to-date. Likewise, the level of consular assistance and support we can provide to Irish citizens in times of emergency may be limited. Irish citizens may wish to bear this in mind before making plans to visit country.

Local laws and customs

Afghanistan is a Muslim country in which Islamic law, customs and dress are universally respected.  You should respect them fully. Homosexuality is illegal.  You may not seek to convert Muslims to other faiths.  The importation and use of narcotics, alcohol and pork products are forbidden.

Photography of government buildings, military installations and palaces is not allowed.  You should avoid photographing local people without their agreement.

ROAD SAFETY

Most road surfaces are in a very poor condition.  The overall standard of driving is poor and most local drivers are uninsured.  

Natural disasters and climate

Ireland does not have an Embassy or Consulate in country. As such, it is not possible for us to provide detailed travel advice as we have no way of objectively verifying information and ensuring that it is accurate, appropriate and up-to-date. Likewise, the level of consular assistance and support we can provide to Irish citizens in times of emergency may be limited. Irish citizens may wish to bear this in mind before making plans to visit this country.

Additional information

You are also advised to read our “Know before You Go”  section before travelling abroad. 

You may wish to review the travel advice for this country as presented by other Anglophone Foreign Ministries. Suggested links are provided below. Please be aware that The Department of Foreign Affairs of Ireland is not in any way responsible for the content contained therein and is not in a position to endorse or validate any of the information supplied by other Governments. These links are merely intended as helpful suggestions for further research in advance of your trip.  

UK: Foreign and Commonwealth Office (www.fco.gov.uk/travel)

Canada: Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (www.voyage.gc.ca)

New Zealand: Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (www.safetravel.govt.nz)

Australia: Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (www.smartraveller.gov.au)

USA: Department of State (www.travel.state.gov) 

In countries where Ireland does not have any formal representation, emergency consular assistance, advice and support may be sought through resident offices of other EU member states. If you are going to be in Afghanistan for an extended length of time, please register with one of EU Embassies in Kabul. 

EU: (http://ec.europa.eu/consularprotection/index.action)