The Afghanistan tourist e-Visa is the online visa most foreign visitors use to enter at Kabul. It is not a provincial travel permit, and it is not a letter of invitation. This blog walks the path in plain order: what the e-Visa covers, how to apply on the official portal, fees in two stages, documents and photo rules, and where a licensed Kabul operator still helps.
For the full fee tables, form fields, and live portal notes, use our hub: Afghanistan e-Visa 2026. Fees and rules change — confirm amounts on the official site before you pay.
What the Afghanistan e-Visa is
The online portal currently issues a single-entry Tourist e-Visa for stays up to 30 days, typically valid for entry within about 90 days from issue. Entry is typically through Kabul International Airport (KBL). Other visa types still go through an Afghan embassy or consulate. Rules can change; we confirm entry points when you book.
The e-Visa gets you into the country. It does not, on its own, clear provincial checkpoints for Bamyan, Herat, or the Wakhan. That second paper is the travel permit — see Afghanistan travel permits.
Do I need a letter of invitation?
An LOI from a licensed tour operator is strongly recommended. It gives authorities a verified sponsor and itinerary and reduces friction when the portal asks about a sponsor. It does not guarantee approval. Tour.af issues your LOI after you confirm a booking, usually within about 48 hours. More detail: Letter of Invitation Afghanistan.
Applications and payments stay on the official portal. We do not replace that portal.
How to apply for an Afghanistan tourist e-Visa
- Check eligibility and gather documents. Passport valid at least six months, white-background portrait photo, passport biodata scan, and preferably an LOI.
- Register on the official e-Visa portal (eafghans.com). After signup you often wait one or two days for an activation email before full login — check spam.
- Complete the form and uploads. Personal, contact, employment, visa, and passport details must match the passport. Upload photo and ID documents. Choose Standard or Express processing.
- Pay in two stages. After submit you get an email Pay Now link for the initial fee (about USD 8.25, within ~48 hours, non-refundable). After approval, pay the remainder within about 7 days. Then download the PDF and print it in colour for the airline and Kabul immigration.
Afghanistan e-Visa cost (planning figures)
Always confirm live amounts on the official portal.
- Initial service fee: about USD 8.25 (non-refundable; pay within ~48 hours).
- Remainder after approval (Standard, common): about USD 123.71 for most nationalities; about USD 206.19 for USA.
- Express remainder (common): about USD 175.26 for most nationalities; about USD 257.73 for USA.
Standard processing usually takes 1–4 weeks. Express is typically up to one business day when the file is complete and needs no further review. The portal accepts Visa, Mastercard, and American Express; charges may convert to AED.
Photo requirements
Recent colour passport-style photo on a plain white background (commonly 45×35 mm), full face, neutral expression, both eyes open, no glasses, hair not covering the face, taken within the last six months. Do not upload your passport scan into the photo verification tool — that step is for a portrait only.
After the e-Visa: permits and the trip
With the PDF printed, you still plan the ground trip. Private Kabul week from $1,599 stays in and around Kabul. Bamyan, Herat, and Wakhan need those provinces on the travel permit and enough days — see the 7-day itinerary and tour packages.
Afghanistan e-Visa FAQs
Where do I download the approved visa?
From your portal dashboard; a copy is emailed. Print colour for check-in and immigration.
Are fees refundable?
Initial fee is non-refundable. After issue, the remainder is generally not refundable under portal policy.
Can Tour.af apply for me?
No. You apply and pay on the official portal. We issue LOI after booking and guide documents and steps.
Is the e-Visa enough for Bamyan?
No. You still need the provincial travel permit for provinces you visit.
Bottom line
Apply on the official portal, print the PDF, and separate the e-Visa from permits. If you want LOI support with a real itinerary, send dates and group size. WhatsApp +93 70 521 4101. No deposit to start planning.