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U.S. State Department Maintains 'Do Not Travel' Advisory for Afghanistan

🇺🇸 United StatesTravel Advisories1 recorded versionLast change 15 Aug 2026
ConfidenceVery high · 100%

Current rules

The travel advisory level for Afghanistan is 'Level 4: Do Not Travel'. Reasons include civil unrest, crime, terrorism, risk of wrongful detention, kidnapping, natural disasters, and limited health facilities. U.S. citizens are urged to leave immediately, and the U.S. government cannot provide routine or emergency consular services. Specific risks include surveillance by the Taliban, targeting of U.S.-Afghan dual nationals and U.S. citizens linked to NGOs, high risk of wrongful detention for all American citizens (including tourists, U.S.-Afghan dual nationals, and Lawful Permanent Residents who supported the U.S.), severe detention conditions without welfare checks, and potential physical abuse. Multiple terrorist groups are active. Afghanistan is a seismically active region with frequent earthquakes. The FAA has issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) and a Special Federal Aviation Regulation (SFAR) due to risks to civil aviation.

Overview

The U.S. State Department has reiterated its 'Do Not Travel' advisory for Afghanistan. This advisory is due to persistent threats including civil unrest, terrorism, and a high risk of wrongful detention and kidnapping for U.S. citizens. The U.S. Embassy in Kabul remains suspended, limiting consular assistance for those in the country.

Who is affected by the latest change

  • U.S. citizens thinking about travelling to Afghanistan
  • U.S. citizens now in Afghanistan
  • U.S.-Afghan dual nationals
  • Lawful Permanent Residents who previously helped the United States in Afghanistan

What changed in the latest version

Before

The travel warning for Afghanistan before was also 'Level 4: Do Not Travel'. This update keeps that same level.

After

The travel warning level for Afghanistan is 'Level 4: Do Not Travel'. The reasons for this include civil unrest, crime, terrorism, the risk of being held illegally (wrongful detention), kidnapping, natural disasters, and limited health facilities. The U.S. government tells U.S. citizens to leave at once. It cannot provide regular or emergency consular services. Specific dangers include surveillance by the Taliban. People at risk include U.S.-Afghan dual nationals and U.S. citizens linked to non-governmental organisations (NGOs). There is a high risk of wrongful detention for all American citizens. This includes tourists, U.S.-Afghan dual nationals, and Lawful Permanent Residents who supported the U.S. Detention conditions are bad. No one checks on the well-being of those held. People might also face physical abuse. Many terrorist groups are active. Afghanistan often has earthquakes. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has given a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) and a Special Federal Aviation Regulation (SFAR). This is due to risks to civilian planes.

This warning is very important. It is the highest level of warning. It shows there is a critical danger to the life and safety of U.S. citizens. It tells people directly not to travel to Afghanistan. It also tells U.S. citizens who are there now to leave immediately. This affects their safety and freedom of movement. The U.S. government cannot provide consular services. This means U.S. citizens in Afghanistan have no official help. Any emergency or legal problem could be very bad. The warning specifically mentions wrongful detention. It targets different groups, such as U.S.-Afghan dual nationals and those who helped the U.S. This shows the serious personal risks. It affects decisions about travel, living there, and working in the country.

Explained simply

The U.S. government is saying 'absolutely do not go to Afghanistan' because it's super dangerous there. There's fighting, crime, and a risk you could be kidnapped or put in jail for no good reason. If you're already there, they want you to leave right away, and you can email them if you need help getting out. The U.S. embassy isn't open there, so it's hard for them to help you if something goes wrong.

Frequently asked

Version history

  1. v38Effective 20 Feb 2026EffectiveCritical impact
    U.S. State Department Maintains 'Do Not Travel' Advisory for Afghanistan

    The U.S. State Department keeps a 'Level 4: Do Not Travel' warning for Afghanistan. This is because there are serious risks, including civil unrest, crime, terrorism, wrongful detention, kidnapping, natural disasters, and poor health facilities. The U.S. government strongly tells U.S. citizens to leave right away. The U.S. government cannot help people with consular services. This is because its Embassy stopped working in 2021. The warning says that American citizens face a high risk of being watched and held by the Taliban's General Directorate of Intelligence (GDI) and Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice (PVPV). This includes people who are U.S.-Afghan dual nationals and those linked to non-governmental organisations (NGOs). People held by them face bad conditions and no one checks on their well-being. Also, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has given warnings about flight safety. This is because there are risks to civilian planes flying in or near Afghanistan.

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