Select a visa category below to find the visa issuance fee, number of entries, and validity period for visas issued to applicants from this country*/area of authority.
Visa Classification: The type of nonimmigrant visa you are applying for.
Fee: The reciprocity fee, also known as the visa issuance fee, you must pay. This fee is in addition to the nonimmigrant visa application fee (MRV fee).
Number of Entries: The number of times you may seek entry into the United States with that visa. "M" means multiple times. If there is a number, such as "One", you may apply for entry one time with that visa.
Validity Period: This generally means the visa is valid, or can be used, from the date it is issued until the date it expires, for travel with that visa. If your Validity Period is 60 months, your visa will be valid for 60 months from the date it is issued.
| Visa Classification |
Fee | Number of Entries |
Validity Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| A-1 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| A-2 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| A-3 1 | None | Multiple | 3 Months |
| B-1 | None | Multiple | 12 Months |
| B-2 | None | Multiple | 12 Months |
| B-1/B-2 | None | Multiple | 12 Months |
| C-1 | None | One | 3 Months |
| C-1/D | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| C-2 | None | One | 3 Months |
| C-3 | None | One | 3 Months |
| C-W-1 11 | None | One | 3 Months |
| C-W-2 11 | None | One | 3 Months |
| D | None | Single | 3 Months |
| E-1 2 | No Treaty | N/A | N/A |
| E-2 2 | No Treaty | N/A | N/A |
| E-2C 12 | None | One | 3 Months |
| F-1 | None | Multiple | 12 Months |
| F-2 | None | Multiple | 12 Months |
| G-1 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| G-2 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| G-3 | None | Multiple | 24 Months |
| G-4 | None | Multiple | 24 Months |
| G-5 1 | None | Multiple | 12 Months |
| H-1B | None | One | 3 Months 3 |
| H-1C | None | One | 3 Months 3 |
| H-2A | None | N/A | N/A3 |
| H-2B | None | N/A | N/A3 |
| H-2R | None | N/A | 3 Months3 |
| H-3 | None | One | 3 Months 3 |
| H-4 | None | One | 3 Months 3 |
| I | None | One | 3 Months |
| J-1 4 | None | Multiple | 12 Months |
| J-2 4 | None | Multiple | 12 Months |
| K-1 | None | One | 6 Months |
| K-2 | None | One | 6 Months |
| K-3 | None | One | 6 Months |
| K-4 | None | One | 6 Months |
| L-1 | None | One | 3 Months |
| L-2 | None | One | 3 Months |
| M-1 | None | Multiple | 12 Months |
| M-2 | None | Multiple | 12 Months |
| N-8 | None | Multiple | 12 Months |
| N-9 | None | Multiple | 12 Months |
| NATO 1-7 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| O-1 | None | One | 3 Months 3 |
| O-2 | None | One | 3 Months 3 |
| O-3 | None | One | 3 Months 3 |
| P-1 | None | One | 3 Months 3 |
| P-2 | None | One | 3 Months 3 |
| P-3 | None | One | 3 Months 3 |
| P-4 | None | One | 3 Months 3 |
| Q-1 6 | None | One | 3 Months 3 |
| R-1 | None | One | 3 Months |
| R-2 | None | One | 3 Months |
| S-5 7 | None | One | 1 Month |
| S-6 7 | None | One | 1 Month |
| S-7 7 | None | One | 1 Month |
| T-1 9 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| T-2 | None | One | 6 Months |
| T-3 | None | One | 6 Months |
| T-4 | None | One | 6 Months |
| T-5 | None | One | 6 Months |
| T-6 | None | One | 6 Months |
| T-D 5 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| U-1 | None | Multiple | 48 Months |
| U-2 | None | Multiple | 48 Months |
| U-3 | None | Multiple | 48 Months |
| U-4 | None | Multiple | 48 Months |
| U-5 | None | Multiple | 48 Months |
| V-1 | None | One | 3 Months |
| V-2 | None | One | 3 Months 8 |
| V-3 | None | One | 3 Months 8 |
| N/A 3 |
| N/A 3 |
Although care has been taken to ensure the accuracy, completeness and reliability of the information provided, please contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where you plan to apply if you believe this information is in error or if you have further questions.
Note: The U.S. government does not recognize the Taliban or any other entity as the Government of Afghanistan, so the Department of State is not issuing A-1. A-2, G-1, or G-2 visas at present.
The validity of A-3, G-5, and NATO 7 visas may not exceed the validity of the visa issued to the person who is employing the applicant. The "employer" would have one of the following visa classifications:
An E-1 and E-2 visa may be issued only to a principal alien who is a national of a country having a treaty, or its equivalent, with the United States. E-1 and E-2 visas may not be issued to a principal alien if he/she is a stateless resident or national of a country without a treaty. *When the spouse and children of an E-1 or E-2 principal alien are accorded derivative E-1 or E-2 status and are themselves a national of a country that does not have a treaty with the United States – the reciprocity schedule, including any reciprocity fees, of the principal alien’s country of nationality should be used. **Spouse and children of an E-1 or E-2 visa principal applicant, where the spouse and children are also nationals of a country that has a treaty with the United States – the reciprocity schedule, including any reciprocity fees, of the spouse and children’s country of nationality should be used.
*Example 1: John Doe is a national of Country A that has an E-1/E-2 treaty with the U.S. however his wife and child are nationals of Country B which has no treaty with the U.S. The wife and child would, therefore, be entitled to derivative status and receive the same reciprocity as John Doe, the principal visa holder.
**Example 2: Mike Doe is a national of Country Y that has an E-1/E-2 treaty with the U.S. however his wife and child are nationals of Country Z that also has a treaty with the U.S. The wife and child would, therefore, be entitled to derivative status and receive the reciprocity issued to nationals of Country Z.
The validity of H-1 through H-3, O-1 and O-2, P-1 through P-3, and Q visas may not exceed the period of validity of the approved petition or the number of months shown, whichever is less.
Under 8 CFR §214.2, H-2A and H-2B petitions may generally only be approved for nationals of countries that the Secretary of Homeland Security has designated as participating countries. The current list of eligible countries is available on USCIS's website for both H-2A and H-2B visas. Nationals of countries not on this list may be the beneficiary of an approved H-2A or H2-B petition in limited circumstances at the discretion of the Department of Homeland Security if specifically named on the petition.
Derivative H-4, L-2, O-3, and P-4 visas, issued to accompanying or following-to-join spouses and children, may not exceed the validity of the visa issued to the principal alien.
There is no reciprocity fee for the issuance of a J visa if the alien is a United States Government grantee or a participant in an exchange program sponsored by the United States Government.
Also, there is no reciprocity fee for visa issuance to an accompanying or following-to-join spouse or child (J-2) of an exchange visitor grantee or participant.
In addition, an applicant is eligible for an exemption from the MRV fee if he or she is participating in a State Department, USAID, or other federally funded educational and cultural exchange program (program serial numbers G-1, G-2, G-3 and G-7).
However, all other applicants with U.S. Government sponsorships, including other J-visa applicants, are subject to the MRV processing fee.
Under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), Canadian and Mexican nationals coming to engage in certain types of professional employment in the United States may be admitted in a special nonimmigrant category known as the "trade NAFTA" or "TN" category. Their dependents (spouse and children) accompanying or following to join them may be admitted in the "trade dependent" or "TD" category whether or not they possess Canadian or Mexican nationality. Except as noted below, the number of entries, fees and validity for non-Canadian or non-Mexican family members of a TN status holder seeking TD visas should be based on the reciprocity schedule of the TN principal alien.
Since Canadian nationals generally are exempt from visa requirement, a Canadian "TN' or "TD" alien does not require a visa to enter the United States. However, the non-Canadian national dependent of a Canadian "TN", unless otherwise exempt from the visa requirement, must obtain a "TD" visa before attempting to enter the United States. The standard reciprocity fee and validity period for all non-Canadian "TD"s is no fee, issued for multiple entries for a period of 36 months, or for the duration of the principal alien's visa and/or authorized period of stay, whichever is less. See 'NOTE' under Canadian reciprocity schedule regarding applicants of Iranian, Iraqi or Libyan nationality.
Mexican nationals are not visa-exempt. Therefore, all Mexican "TN"s and both Mexican and non-Mexican national "TD"s accompanying or following to join them who are not otherwise exempt from the visa requirement (e.g., the Canadian spouse of a Mexican national "TN") must obtain nonimmigrant visas.
Applicants of Iranian, Iraqi, Libyan, Somalian, Sudanese, Syrian or Yemeni nationality, who have a permanent resident or refugee status in Canada/Mexico, may not be accorded Canadian/Mexican reciprocity, even when applying in Canada/Mexico. The reciprocity fee and period for "TD" applicants from Libya is $10.00 for one entry over a period of 3 months. The Iranian and Iraqi "TD" is no fee with one entry over a period of 3 months.
Q-2 (principal) and Q-3 (dependent) visa categories are in existence as a result of the 'Irish Peace Process Cultural and Training Program Act of 1998'. However, because the Department anticipates that virtually all applicants for this special program will be either Irish or U.K. nationals, the Q-2 and Q-3 categories have been placed only in the reciprocity schedules for those two countries. Q-2 and Q-3 visas are available only at the Embassy in Dublin and the Consulate General in Belfast.
No S visa may be issued without first obtaining the Department's authorization.
V-2 and V-3 status is limited to persons who have not yet attained their 21st birthday. Accordingly, the period of validity of a V-2 or V-3 visa must be limited to expire on or before the applicant's twenty-first birthday.
Posts may not issue a T-1 visa. A T-1 applicant must be physically present in the United States, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands or a U.S. port of entry, where he/she will apply for an adjustment of status to that of a T-1. The following dependents of a T-1 visa holder, however, may be issued a T visa at a U.S. consular office abroad:
The validity of NATO-5 visas may not exceed the period of validity of the employment contract or 12 months, whichever is less.
The validity of CW-1 and CW-2 visas shall not exceed the maximum initial period of admission allowed by DHS (12 months) or the duration of the transition period ending December 31, 2014, whichever is shortest.
The validity of E-2C visas shall not exceed the maximum initial period of admission allowed by DHS (24 months) or the duration of the transition period ending December 31, 2014, whichever is shortest.
Available: Not required for the immigrant visa process; see “Alternate Documents” section below.
Fees: Fees vary.
Document Name: Kart-e-Tawalod (Dari) / Da Zegedo Sanad (Pashto)
Issuing Authority: Varies. Issuing authorities include:
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: Vary considerably depending on the issuing authority. Can include but is not limted to:
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Varies. Issuing authorities include:
Registration Criteria: Issued for children who were delivered at a registered clinic or hospital.
Procedure for Obtaining: Parents must present their Tazkeras to the appropriate staff at the clinic or hospital where the child was born.
Certified Copies: Certified copies are available.
Alternate Documents: After issuance at the hospital, Kart-e-Tawalod may be registered with the Ministry of Interior’s Population Registration Department and a record is also kept by the Ministry of Public Health. The Kart-e-Tawalod is not the primary means of establishing identity or citizenship in Afghanistan – rather it is considered as supplemental evidence of birth. The Tazkera is the principal document used in official settings for proof of identity, citizenship, it is also used as a quasi-birth record. All Afghan applicants applying for an immigrant visa must present a Tazkera, regardless of whether they also choose to submit a Kart-e-Tawalod.
For children born outside of Afghanistan, a “birth declaration” provided by the local hospital and issued by the local department of health can be presented at the nearest Afghan diplomatic mission, which will then issue an Afghan birth certificate.
Exceptions: Not required for the immigrant visa process.
Available
Fees: There are no fees.
Document Name: Sanad Wafat (Dari), Da Mrenei Sanad (Pashto)
Issuing Authority: Afghanistan Central Civil Registration Authorities (ACCRA) and the Population Registration Department (PRD) of the Ministry of Interior. Also issued by hospitals, the Ministry of Public Health, and Afghan Courts.
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: Vary considerably depending on the issuing authority.
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Varies. Titles include:
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: Vary considerably depending on the issuing authority.
Registration Criteria: Death certificates are only issued to Afghan citizens.
Procedure for Obtaining: A family member of the deceased may file a request for a death certificate from NSIA. The requester will be issued a form that must be signed by his/her Area Representative (Wakil Guzar) and two witnesses to verify that the death occurred. If a person dies in a hospital, a letter from the hospital can be attached as additional evidence of the death. Once the form has been signed by all parties, the requester submits it back to NSIA and a death certificate is issued.
If the death occurs in a rural area, the requester must file an application with the District Governor’s office. The village representative or Malik (respected elder) from the requestor’s village and two witnesses will be asked to confirm the death. Based on this confirmation, the District Governor’s office will attest that the death occurred and issue a document which can be presented to NSIA to obtain the official death certificate.
Certified Copies: Certified copies are available.
Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents.
Exceptions: There are no exceptions.
Available
Fees: Fees vary.
Document Name: Nekah Khat (Dari/Pashto) or Sharaie Waseqa Khat (Dari/Pashto)
Issuing Authority: Varies. Acceptable authorities include:
· Primary Court (Mahkamay Wasayeq), Conduct Court, Family Court
· Afghan diplomatic missions
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: Vary considerably depending on the issuing authority.
May be:
Replacement marriage certificates issued by an Afghan diplomatic mission are white, one-page documents with photos of the bride, groom, and two witnesses.
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Varies considerably depending on the issuing authority.
May be:
Registration Criteria: Tazkera and passport-sized photos of the bride, groom, and each witness.
Procedure for Obtaining: To obtain a Nekah Khat, the groom, the bride and groom together, or a relative must submit an application to the Conduct Court, along with the Tazkeras and photos of the couple. The court’s administrative office will issue a form that is then taken to the couple’s Area Representative (Wakil Guzar) to certify that the marriage occurred. The groom, bride, and witnesses will then be interviewed by a judge. (If either the husband or wife is unable to appear in person, he/she may be represented by an authorized lawyer.) If the judge authorizes the issuance of the Nekah Khat booklet, it must then be taken to the Supreme Court for certification.
To obtain a Sharaie Waseqa Khat, an application must be submitted to the Primary Court or Conduct Court. The requestor must present the Tazkeras and passport-sized photos of the couple. Additionally, five witnesses need to appear before the judge to swear that the wedding took place. The judge then prepares the Sharaie Waseqa Khat, which includes the date of marriage, signatures, and thumb prints of the bride, groom, and witnesses, and photos of all parties. The Primary Court or Conduct Court then registers the Sharaie Waseqa Khat, after which it must then be taken to the Supreme Court for certification.
Applicants outside of Afghanistan may request a replacement marriage certificate at the nearest Afghan diplomatic mission, if originals are unavailable.
Certified Copies: Certified copies are available.
Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents.
Exceptions: There are no exceptions.
Available
Fees: There are no fees.
Document Name: Talaq Khat
Issuing Authority: Supreme Court
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: Booklet or two-sided document.
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Supreme Court administrative staff
Registration Criteria: Finalizing a divorce and obtaining a divorce certificate are complicated processes; individuals often seek legal guidance on the requirements.
Procedure for Obtaining: As noted, finalizing a divorce is a complicated process. The following is one mechanism for obtaining a divorce certificate:
Certified Copies: Certified copies are available.
Alternate Documents: Hand-written divorce letters are sometimes executed by a husband or wife, but such documents are not legally recognized.
Exceptions: There are no exceptions.
Unavailable: Islamic family law as observed in Afghanistan does not allow for adoption as practiced in the United States. Prospective adoptive parents would first have to obtain legal guardianship or custody of the orphan for emigration and adoption in the United States.
Available
Fees: There are no fees.
Document Name: Sanad-e-Sarparasti (Dari), Sarparasti Khat (Pashto)
Issuing Authority: Family Court
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: An A4 sized, two-sided document, usually printed in two colors.
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Family Court administrative staff
Registration Criteria: The child’s current guardian and the guardian-to-be must appear in person with witnesses and present their Tazkeras (national identity documents) and passport-sized photos, along with confirmation from the Area Representative (Wakil Gozar). If the guardian or guardian-to-be is from a rural area, confirmation from the village Malik (respected elder) is also required.
Procedure for Obtaining: Guardianship applications are filed with the Family Court. The prospective guardian(s) must complete a form attesting that they are in compliance with Afghan guardianship criteria. The form must then be certified by the prospective guardian’s District Police Office and Area Representative (Wakil Guzar), after which it is returned to the Family Court. A judge will review the guardianship package and, if approved, a guardianship order will be issued. If the prospective guardians reside in Afghanistan, they must provide periodic updates on the child’s well-being to the court.
Certified Copies: Certified copies are available.
Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents.
Exceptions: There are no exceptions.
Available
Fees: Fees vary.
Document Name: Tazkera
Issuing Authority: Varies. Issuing authorities include:
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: Afghanistan has two kinds of Tazkeras. Both are available and legal in the country:
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: The issuing authority varies based on whether the process started at the district or provincial level, and whether the application is for a paper or an electronic Tazkera.
Registration Criteria: An applicant must submit the application form, his/her father’s Tazkera, and passport-sized photos. If the father’s Tazkera is not available, a different relative on the father’s side (such as the father’s sibling or aunt/uncle) may be substituted.
Procedure for Obtaining: The first step is to confirm the applicant’s identity. In a city or larger town, this confirmation will be handled by an Area Representative (Wakil Guzar), while applicants from villages will use a Malik (respected elder). After the applicant’s identity is recorded, the individual can apply for a Tazkera with the Ministry of Interior. The Tazkera lists the holder’s name, date and place of birth, basic physical description, military service, religion, marital status, and profession/employment and includes a photo. The document lists the bearer’s age as of the year the document was issued, but this is usually just an estimate as birth records are seldom available. Applicants over age 7 must apply in person and submit a thumb print. Parents may apply for a Tazkera on behalf of their children. Applicants outside of Afghanistan should contact their nearest Afghan diplomatic mission to obtain a Tazkera. The application for eTazkeras is completed online through the NSIA website. Following the online application, a confirmation notice with a tracking code and a printing date is provided to the applicant, and all applicants must follow a biometric enrollment except for children under seven years of age for whom a photo is not required.
Certified Copies: The paper Tazkera is printed with a tracking number, and then it is distributed in all provinces. Certified copies are available.
Alternate Documents: Legacy paper Tazkeras or new paper Tazkeras issued in rural areas may be accepted instead of an eTazkera.
The PRD issued some legacy paper Tazkeras in the size of a booklet.
Exceptions: There are no exceptions. The Afghan national ID card (Tazkera) and passport are used as the primary Afghan identity documents and are required for immigrant visa purposes.
Available: Partially available for very limited periods. Not required for the immigrant visa process.
Fees: There are no fees.
Document Name: Adam-e-Masooliyat
Issuing Authority: Ministry of Interior
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: A4 paper
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Criminal Investigation Division personnel
Registration Criteria: There are no registration criteria.
Procedure for Obtaining: Afghan citizens must submit their Tazkera (national identity document), photos, and an official letter to the Ministry of Interior, Criminal Investigation Division. Foreigners must submit a letter from their country of nationality showing that the certificate is required along with proof of identity and photos to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Certified Copies: Certified copies are available.
Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents, but a police certificate/record is not required for the immigrant visa process.
Available
Fees: There are no fees.
Document Name: Criminal Record
Issuing Authority: Ministry of Interior
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: A4 Paper
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Criminal Investigation Division personnel
Registration Criteria: Any individual who has resided in Afghanistan may apply for court or prison records.
Procedure for Obtaining: Afghan citizens should submit their national ID (Tazkera), photos, and an official letter to the Ministry of Interior, Criminal Investigation Division. Foreigners who wish to apply for a criminal record must submit a letter from their country of nationality to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, requesting the issuance of a criminal record along with their ID and photos.
Certified Copies: Certified copies are available.
Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents.
Exceptions: There are no exceptions.
Unavailable
Types Available: At present, the Ministry of Interior Passport Directorate only issues regular passports. Taliban-aligned Afghan diplomatic missions also issue travel documents to allow repatriating Afghans without valid passports to return to Afghanistan.
Fees: Vary based on passport validity. Beginning at age 16, Afghan citizens may apply for a 10-year passport for 10,400 afghanis. Five-year passports for younger applicants cost 5,200 afghanis.
Issuing Government Authority: Ministry of Interior (passports), Taliban-aligned Afghan diplomatic missions (travel document).
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: Regular passports have bluish-green covers; travel documents have light blue covers.
The Republic began issuing machine-readable passports in March 2013, and the Taliban continue to issue machine-readable passports. Despite the Taliban’s August 2021 takeover, Afghan passports continue to list the “Islamic Republic of Afghanistan” as the issuing authority. Passports issued by some Afghan diplomatic missions abroad may not include a chip, as they are locally produced.
Passport extensions are currently available in some countries outside of Afghanistan. Passport extensions issued by Afghan diplomatic missions consist of a sticker that includes the passport holder’s biographical information and resemble a visa pasted on one of the existing passport blank pages.
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Passport Department staff
Registration Criteria: You must be an Afghan citizen to obtain a passport or travel document.
Procedure for Obtaining: Applicants residing in Kabul generally apply at the Ministry of Interior Passport Department. Applicants in other parts of the country apply at their Provincial Passport Office, which will forward the application to the Kabul Passport Department for issuance. Applicants applying for a regular passport must submit an application along with a copy of their original, attested Tazkera and passport-sized photos. Applicants then complete a biodata form and later appear for biometric enrollment. Each applicant is given an invoice (Tarofa) which must be paid at a bank, with the payment confirmation returned to the Passport Department. Once proof of payment is received, the applicant will be notified when to pick up the passport. Applicants applying outside Kabul retrieve their passports from the Provincial Passport Office. Applicants outside of Afghanistan must contact the nearest Afghan diplomatic mission. Applicants outside of Afghanistan may apply for a two-year extension of passport validity at certain Afghan diplomatic missions if they are unable to apply for a new passport.
Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents.
Exceptions: There are no exceptions. The Afghan national ID card (Tazkera) and passport are used as the primary Afghan identity documents and are required for immigrant visa purposes.
Not applicable.
Post Title: U.S. Embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan.
Address: Great Massoud Road, Kabul, Afghanistan
Note: The U.S. Embassy in Kabul suspended operations on August 31, 2021.
The U.S. Embassy in Kabul suspended operations on August 31, 2021. Afghan Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) and immigrant visa applicants with the ability to self-relocate may pursue an interview at another U.S. embassy or consulate by emailing the National Visa Center (NVC) at NVCSIV@state.gov. The reassignment request should include 1) the principal applicant’s full name; 2) date of birth; 3) NVC case number; and 4) the preferred embassy or consulate for the interview.
Nonimmigrant visa applicants may apply at any U.S. embassy or consulate at which they can obtain an appointment.
Although care has been taken to ensure the accuracy, completeness and reliability of the information provided, please contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where you plan to apply if you believe this information is in error or if you have further questions.
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