Passport renewal in Afghanistan
Renewing an Afghan passport involves submitting an application to the Ministry of Interior's Passport Department. The process typically requires confirming current procedures with local authorities, as operational status can change depending on the region and political climate.
It is standard practice to begin the renewal process as early as possible, as processing times are subject to significant delays and unpredictable appointment availability. Many applicants seek to initiate the process several months before any intended travel or before the document expires to account for bureaucratic backlog.
Start 180 days ahead
Significant administrative backlogs mean that securing an appointment and completing biometric enrollment often takes several months.
The process
- 1Verify the current operational status of the nearest Passport Department office, as services may be suspended or limited based on the region.
- 2Obtain and complete the official application form through the designated portal or local office.
- 3Schedule an appointment for biometric data collection, which is a mandatory step for all applicants.
- 4Visit the designated office in person with all required documentation for verification and processing.
- 5Track the status of the application via the official system until the passport is ready for collection.
What to bring
- National ID card (Tazkira)
- Expired or current passport
- Recent passport-sized photographs
- Proof of identity as verified by local authorities
- Payment receipt for application fees
Who handles it
وزارت امور داخله / Ministry of Interior - Passport Department
Fees are set by the Ministry of Interior and must be confirmed directly at the Passport Department, as these amounts can change based on current government policy.
What commonly goes wrong
- Official procedures for obtaining passports in Afghanistan are highly variable and subject to frequent changes in policy and office availability.
- Applicants should be aware of potential delays caused by high demand and limited processing capacity.
- Ensure that all personal information on supporting documents exactly matches the information provided on the passport application to avoid rejection.
Sources
This guide is based on one official source.
- Ministry of Interior - Afghanistan moi.gov.af
Other documents in Afghanistan
Passport renewal in other countries
Often renewed together
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