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Travel.State.Gov > International Parental Child Abduction > Country Information > Afghanistan International Parental Child Abduction Information

International Parental Child Abduction

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Travel.State.Gov > International Parental Child Abduction > Country Information > Afghanistan International Parental Child Abduction Information

Afghanistan

Afghanistan
Do not travel to Afghanistan due to civil unrest, crime, terrorism, risk of wrongful detention, kidnapping, natural disasters, and limited health facilities.

There was no change to the advisory level.

Do not travel to Afghanistan due to civil unrest, crime, terrorism, risk of wrongful detention, kidnapping, natural disasters, and limited health facilities.

Do not travel to Afghanistan for any reason

  • We urge American citizens in Afghanistan to leave immediately. U.S. citizens seeking U.S. government help to leave the country should email their complete biographic details, contact information (email and phone number), and U.S. passport number to AfghanistanACS@state.gov.
  • The U.S. Embassy in Kabul suspended operations in 2021. The U.S. government cannot provide routine or emergency consular services to U.S. citizens in Afghanistan.
  • The Taliban actively surveil and monitor travelers. U.S.-Afghan dual nationals and U.S. citizens linked to NGOs face higher risks of surveillance.  The Taliban’s so-called General Directorate of Intelligence (GDI) and the Ministry for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice and Complaints (PVPV) are responsible for enforcing directives and edicts issued by Taliban authorities.
  • Multiple terrorist groups are active in Afghanistan. U.S. citizens are targets of kidnapping and hostage-taking, and may become targets for violence.

There is a high risk of wrongful detention of U.S. nationals in Afghanistan.

  • All American citizens, including tourists and U.S.-Afghan dual nationals, are targeted for detention. Lawful Permanent Residents who previously supported the United States in Afghanistan may also be targeted. For example, anyone who worked as an interpreter could be targeted. The Taliban have harassed and detained aid, faith-based organization, and humanitarian workers. Foreigners are often viewed with suspicion. Reasons for detention may be unclear or arbitrary.
  • Even if you are registered with the appropriate authorities to conduct business, the risk of detention is high.  
  • Detention conditions are severe. The Taliban do not permit the United States to conduct welfare checks on U.S. citizens in detention, including by phone.
  • Detention can be long. Even if a case is determined to be a wrongful detention, there is no guarantee of release. While in detention, American citizens have limited or no access to medical attention. They may face physical abuse.

Natural disaster

  • Afghanistan is a seismically active region, with frequent and devastating earthquakes. Earthquakes have caused mass casualties and critical damage to homes and infrastructure. In September 2025, a 6.0 magnitude earthquake struck the eastern region of Afghanistan, killing over 1,100 people.

Aviation Safety Oversight

  • The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has not assessed Afghanistan's Civil Aviation Authority for compliance with international standards for aviation safety oversight. FAA’s website includes more information on its assessment program.  

The FAA has issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) and a Special Federal Aviation Regulation (SFAR) due to risks to civil aviation operating within or in the vicinity of Afghanistan. For more information, U.S. citizens should consult the Federal Aviation Administration’s Prohibitions, Restrictions and Notices.

Read the country information page for additional information on travel to Afghanistan.

For U.S. citizens in Afghanistan despite this Travel Advisory:

  • Be aware of your surroundings and monitor local security developments at all times.
  • Keep a low profile.
  • Monitor local media for breaking news and be prepared to adjust your plans.
  • Keep travel documents up to date and easily accessible.
  • Share your travel and movement plans with a trusted person.
  • Make contingency plans to leave Afghanistan that do not rely on U.S. government assistance.
  • Draft a will and designate appropriate insurance beneficiaries or power of attorney.
  • Discuss a plan with loved ones regarding care/custody of children, pets, property, belongings, non-liquid assets (collections, artwork, etc.), funeral wishes, etc.
  • Leave DNA samples with your medical provider for family access if needed.
  • Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive security updates and ensure you can be located in an emergency.
  • Follow the Department of State on Facebook and Twitter/X.
  • Consider the risks involved in traveling while possessing dual U.S.-Afghan nationality.
  • Visit our website for Travel to High-Risk Areas.
  • Read the Country Security Report for Afghanistan.
  • Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the Traveler’s Checklist.
  • Visit the CDC page for the latest Travel Health Information related to your travel. 
... [READ MORE]

Hague Convention Participation

Party to the Hague Abduction Convention?
No
U.S. Treaty Partner under the Hague Abduction Convention?
No
Learn why the Hague Abduction Convention Matters.

What You Can Do

Learn how to respond to abductions FROM the US
Learn how to respond to abductions TO the US
ALL / ALL /

U.S. Embassy Kabul
U.S. Embassy Kabul suspended operations on August 31, 2021.
Email: AfghanistanACS@state.gov

For information concerning travel to Afghanistan, including information about the current security situation in Afghanistan, the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program, entry/exit requirements, safety and security, crime, medical facilities and health information, traffic safety, road conditions and aviation safety, please see our country-specific information for Afghanistan and the Afghanistan Travel Advisory.

The U.S. Department of State reports statistics and compliance information for individual countries in the Annual Report on International Child Abduction. The report is located here.

Afghanistan is not a signatory to the 1980 Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction (Hague Abduction Convention), nor are there any bilateral agreements in force between Afghanistan and the United States concerning international parental child abduction.

Legal systems and laws pertaining to custody, divorce, and parental abduction vary widely from country to country. Parents should consult with an attorney who specializes in family law in Afghanistan and who can provide accurate legal guidance that is specific to their circumstances. 

The Department of State's Bureau of Consular Affairs, Directorate for Overseas Citizens Services, Office of Children's Issues provides assistance in cases of international parental child abduction. For U.S. citizen parents whose children have been wrongfully removed to or retained in countries that are not U.S. partners under the Hague Abduction Convention, the Office of Children's Issues can provide information and resources about country-specific options generally for pursuing the return of or access to an abducted child. The Office of Children's Issues may also coordinate with appropriate foreign and U.S. government authorities about the welfare of abducted U.S. citizen children. Parents are strongly encouraged to contact the Department of State for assistance.

Contact information:

United States Department of State
Bureau of Consular Affairs
Office of Children's Issues
CA/OCS/CI
SA-17, 9th Floor
Washington, DC 20522-1709
Telephone: 1-888-407-4747
Outside the United States or Canada: 1-202-501-4444
Fax: 202-485-6221
Website
Email: SCAIPCA@state.gov

Parental child abduction may be a crime in Afghanistan depending on the circumstances of the child's removal. Parents are encouraged to consult with an Afghan attorney to determine if their particular case qualifies as a crime under Afghan law.

Parents may wish to consult with an attorney in the United States and in Afghanistan to learn more about how filing criminal charges may impact a custody case in the foreign court. Please see Possible Solutions - Pressing Criminal Charges for more information. 

Legal systems and laws pertaining to custody, divorce, and parental abduction vary widely from country to country. Parents are encouraged to consult with an attorney who specializes in family law in Afghanistan and who can provide accurate legal guidance that is specific to their circumstances.

The Office of Children's Issues may be able to provide limited assistance to parents seeking access to children in Afghanistan who have been wrongfully removed from or retained outside the United States.

Neither the Office of Children's Issues nor consular officials at U.S. Embassies or Consulates are authorized to provide legal advice.

It is unknown if any organizations offer mediation services.

Exercising Custody Rights

While travelling in a foreign country, you are subject to the laws of that country. It is important for parents to understand that, although a left-behind parent in the United States may have custody or visitation rights pursuant to a U.S. custody order, that order may not be valid and enforceable in the country in which the child is located.  For this reason, we strongly encourage you to speak to a local attorney if planning to remove a child from a foreign country without the consent of the other parent.  Attempts to remove your child to the United States may:

  • Endanger your child and others;
  • Prejudice any future judicial efforts; and
  • Could result in your arrest and imprisonment.

The U.S. government cannot interfere with another country’s court or law enforcement system.

To understand the legal effect of a U.S. order in a foreign country, a parent should consult with a local attorney in the country in which the child is located.  

For information about hiring an attorney abroad, see our section on Retaining a Foreign Attorney. 

Although we cannot recommend an attorney to you, most U.S. Embassies have lists of attorneys available online. Please visit the local U.S. Embassy or Consulate website for a full listing.

For more information on consular assistance for U.S. citizens arrested abroad, please see our website.

Country officers are available to speak with you Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.  For assistance with an abduction in progress or any emergency situation that occurs after normal business hours, on weekends, or federal holidays, please call toll free at 1-888-407-4747. See all contact information.

DISCLAIMER: The information in this flyer is provided for general information only, is not intended to be legal advice, and may change without notice. Questions involving interpretation of law should be addressed to an attorney licensed in the relevant jurisdiction. 

 

Last Updated: September 3, 2021

Assistance for U.S. Citizens

U.S. Embassy Kabul

OPERATIONS SUSPENDED - AUGUST 31, 2021

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Telephone
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Emergency
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Email
AfghanistanACS@state.gov
Website
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