Genvisec advises against all or all but essential travel to different parts of the country according to provincial region:

 

Kabul

 

 All travel to the Surobi, Paghman, Musayhi, Khak-e Jabbar and Chahar Asyab Districts of Kabul province

 All but essential travel to the city of Kabul

 

Northern Afghanistan

 

 All travel to Balkh, Kunduz, Badakhshan and the Baghlan-e Jadid District of Baghlan

 All but essential travel to Takhar, Faryab, Jawzjan, Samangan, Sari Pul and the remainder of Baghlan

 

Eastern Afghanistan

 

 All travel to Ghazni, Kapisa, Khost, Kunar, Laghman, Logar, Nangarhar, Nuristan, Paktika, Wardak and Paktya

 All but essential travel to Bamiyan, Parwan and Panjshir

 

Southern Afghanistan

 

All travel to Helmand, Kandahar, Nimroz, Uruzgan and Zabul

 

Western Afghanistan

 

 All travel to Badghis and Farah, and the Shindand and Gozarah Districts of Herat province

 All but essential travel to Dai Kundi, Ghor and remaining districts in Herat. 

 

Recent months have seen the following attacks against foreign targets in Kabul:

 

17 May 2015 - a vehicle borne explosive device was used against an EU Police Mission vehicle near Kabul airport, killing at least 3 people

 

13 May 2015 – an attack on a hotel in central Kabul, killing at least 15 people

 

26 February 2015 - a Turkish embassy vehicle was attacked by a suicide vehicle borne explosive device, killing 1 person

 

29 January 2015 - a gunman opened fire against American contractors at the airport complex, killing 3 people

 

25 January 2015 - a vehicle borne explosive device detonated near the north entrance to Kabul airport

 

12 January 2014 - a British Embassy vehicle was attacked by a small explosive device in eastern Kabul

 

5 January 2015 - a USAID vehicle was targeted by a small explosive device near the airport

 

 

As insurgents attempt to destabilise the ongoing transition of security to Afghan National Security Forces it is likely that attacks across Afghanistan will continue. If you travel to Afghanistan you should have adequate and continuous professional close security arrangements and review them regularly.

 

In March 2012 an Afghan government-controlled security force, the Afghan Public Protection Force (APPF), took over provision of most commercial security services in Afghanistan from private security companies. Only embassies and other accredited diplomatic missions are now allowed to use private security companies.

 

Air travel

 

A list of incidents and accidents can be found on the website of the  Aviation Safety network.

 

Genvisec offer's advice on the safety of individual airlines provding a list of registered airlines that have been audited and found to meet a number of operational safety standards and recommended practices.

 

Take out comprehensive travel and medical insurance before you travel.

 

Health

 

Only very limited medical facilities are available in Afghanistan. Make sure you have all the prescription medication you need during your visit. Supplies are unlikely to be available locally.  Make sure you have adequate travel health insurance and accessible funds to cover the cost of any medical treatment abroad and repatriation.

 

Diarrhoeal diseases and other gastrointestinal infections are common causes of ill health, becoming worse in the hotter months.  

 

The dry dusty conditions in summer and winter can cause irritation to the eyes, throat, nose and skin.

 

Respiratory tuberculosis is common in the Afghan population. 

 

Malaria is present except in the high mountainous regions of the country and in winter. 

 

If you need emergency medical assistance during your trip, dial 112 or 020 112 from mobile (in Kabul only) and ask for an ambulance. You should contact your insurance/medical assistance company promptly if you are referred to a medical facility for treatment.

 

If you need to contact the emergency services in Afghanistan call 112 or 119. It is not guaranteed that the service will respond due to poor capacity.

 

Money

Carry sufficient cash in US Dollars for your visit. Credit cards are not accepted. Some ATMs in Kabul dispense dollars as well as the local currency, Afghanis. Banks are closed on Fridays, but there are ATMs in various locations in Wazir Akbar Khan and elsewhere. ATMs are located at military camps, but unless you have an International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) pass you will not be able to enter. Travellers’ cheques are not widely accepted and it can take a fortnight for them to clear.

 

Local laws and customs

 

Afghanistan is an Islamic country. You should respect local traditions, customs, laws and religions at all times. Be particularly careful during the holy month of Ramadan or if you intend to visit religious areas.

 

Homosexuality is illegal.

 

It is forbidden to seek to convert Muslims to other faiths.

 

You are not allowed to use, or bring into the country narcotics, alcohol and pork products.

 

Photographing government buildings, military installations and palaces is not allowed. Avoid photographing local people without their agreement.

 

Visas

 

Foreign nationals must get a visa before travelling to Afghanistan. You can’t get a visa on arrival. If you are intending to work in Afghanistan and do not hold a Diplomatic or Official passport you will need a work permit which in turn requires a medical certificate. 

 

Passport validity

 

Your passport should be valid for a minimum period of 6 months from the date of entry into Afghanistan.

 

Emergency Travel Documents

 

Emergency Travel Documents (ETDs) are not valid for entry into Afghanistan. However, ETDs are accepted for exit from Afghanistan.

 

Yellow fever

 

Yellow Fever vaccination is required for travellers arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission.

 

Travelling with children

 

If you are travelling alone with a child you may need to produce documentary evidence of parental responsibility