"Even the Afghan Embassy in London introduced you to a world that was hilarious and strange. Control of the visa section rested with a tousle-haired Russian émigré giant, who had cut the lining of his jacket so that it hung, as a curtain, to hide the holes in the seat of his pants. At opening time he’d be stirring up clouds of dust with a broom, only to let it settle afresh on the collapsing furniture. Once, when I tipped him ten shillings, he hugged me, lifted me off the floor and bellowed: 'I hope you have a very ACCIDENT-FREE trip to Afghanistan!'"
- Bruce Chatwin, Lament for Afghanistan

Visas for travel to Afghanistan are more readily available now than in any time in recent years. A list of Afghan embassies most relevant to travellers is posted below. In most cases, successful visa applications only require the necessary form, a couple of photos and the visa fee - usually around US$50/50 Euros for a one-month, single-entry visa. Applying outside your home country will often require a letter of support - this is essential for those working in Afghanistan. Special requirements at embassies of countries neighbouring Afghanistan are dealt with in the relevant travel section. The embassies in the UK, USA and Australia all maintain useful websites (see below).

List of Afghan Missions Abroad:

Australia
Embassy of Afghanistan in Canberra
PO Box 155
Deakin West, Canberra ACT 2600
Tel: (+61-2) 62827311
Fax: (+61-2) 62827322

Canada
Embassy of Afghanistan in Ottawa
246 Queen Street, Suite 300
Ottawa, Ontario KIP 5E4
Tel: (+1 613) 563-4223/65
Fax: (+1 613) 563-4962
Email:

China
Embassy of Afghanistan in Beijing
8 Tung Chih Men Wia
Chao Yang District, Beijing
Tel.: (+86-10) 65320240
Fax: (+86-10) 65322269

France
Embassy of Afghanistan in Paris
32 Avenue Raphael 75016, Paris
Tel: (+33-1) 4568 2771
Fax: (+33-1) 4568 2772

Germany
Embassy of Afghanistan in Berlin
Wilhelmstrasse 65 D 10117, Berlin
Tel.: (+49-30) 2292612
Fax: (+49-30) 2291510

Consulate General of Afghanistan in Bonn
Liebfrauenweg 1A 53125 Bonn
Tel: (+49-228) 256797
Fax: (+49-228) 255310

India
Embassy of Afghanistan in New Delhi
Plat No. 5, Block 50F, Shantipath,
Chanakyapuri, New Delhi 110021
Tel.: (+91-11) 410 3331
Fax: (+ 91-11) 6875439

Iran
Embassy of Afghanistan in Tehran
Dr. Beheshti Avenue,
4th Street, Tehran
Tel (+98-21) 8737050
Fax (+98-21) 8735600
Consulate Section: 9821-8737531

Consulate of Afghanistan in Mashad
Imam Khomeini Avenue,
Doshahid Street Sevom Isfand Sq. Mashad
Tel +98-511- 8544829 and 8597552
Fax +98-511-8544404

Italy
Embassy of Afghanistan in Rome
Via Nomentana 120 00161 Rome
Tel.: (+39) 0686216111 or 068611009
Fax: (+39) 0686322939

Japan
Embassy of Afghanistan in Tokyo
Matsumoto International House (MIH)
37-8 Nishihara 3 Chome
Shibuya Ku Tokyo 151-0066
Tel: (+81-03) 5465 1219
Fax: (+81-03) 5465 1229

Netherlands
Consulate General of Afghanistan in Amsterdam
Wellemsparkweg 114 1070 HN, Amsterdam
Tel: (0031) 206721311
Fax: (0031) 206722672

Pakistan
Embassy of Afghanistan in Islamabad
House No. 8, Street 90,
G-6/3 Islamabad
Tel.: (+92-51) 2824505/6
Fax: (+92-51) 2824504
Consular Section: (+92-51) 2278213

Consulate General of Afghanistan in Karachi
33/2 Off. Khayaban-e-Shamsi 9th Street,
Phase V., D.H.S. Karachi 75500
Tel.: (+92-21) 5821264 or 582126
Fax: (+92-21) 5842263 or 5841257
Consul: Mr. Abdul Qahar ABED

Consulate of Afghanistan in Quetta
45 Price Road Quetta
Tel.: (+92-81) 843364
Fax: (+92-81) 9202549

Consulate of Afghanistan in Peshawar
The Mall, Saddar Bazaar, Peshawar
Tel.: (+92-91) 285962
Fax: (+92-91) 285961

Russia
Embassy of Afghanistan in Moscow
Sverchkov Per 3/2 Moscow
Tel: (+ 7-095) 9287581 or 9217094 or 9285044
Fax: (+7-095) 9240478 or 9219563

Tajikistan
Embassy of Afghanistan in Dushanbe
Ul. Pushkina, House 34, Dushanbe
Tel.: (+992-372) 216735
Fax: (+992-372) 510096

Turkey
Embassy of Afghanistan in Ankara
Cinnah Caddesi, No. 88 Cankaya, Ankara
Tel.: (+90-312) 4381121
Fax:(+90-312) 4426256

Turkmenistan
Embassy of Afghanistan in Ashgabat
14 Gerogli Street Ashgabat 744000
Tel.: (+993-12) 395821
Fax: (+993-12) 395820

United Kingdom
Embassy of Afghanistan in London
31 Prince's Gate, London SW7 1QU
Tel.: (+44-20) 75898891/2
Fax: (+44-20) 75813452

USA
Embassy of Afghanistan in Washington
2000 L Street NW Suite 200
Washington D.C. 20036
Tel: (+202) 4161620
Fax: (+202) 4161630

Consulate-General of Afghanistan in New York
360 Lexington Avenue,
11th Floor New York, NY 10017
Tel.: (+212) 972 2276 or 972 2277
Fax: (+212) 9729046

Uzbekistan
Embassy of Afghanistan in Tashkent
Ul. Gogol, House 73 Tashkent 700047
Tel.:(+998-71)2354112
Fax:(+998-71)2348458