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U.S. Citizens Services
Suspension of Operations
Emergency Assistance
Emergency Financial Assistance
Federal Programs
Local Resources
Child & Family Issues
Report a Birth
Passports

Suspension of Operations

The U.S. Embassy in Kabul suspended operations on August 31, 2021.  While the U.S. government has withdrawn its personnel from Kabul, U.S. citizens in Afghanistan in need of routine consular services can contact any U.S. embassy or consulate for assistance. To locate the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate please visit www.usembassy.gov. U.S. citizens who are in Afghanistan and are seeking U.S. government assistance to depart should either complete the Repatriation Form  or, if you are unable to access the form, please email your complete biographic details and contact information (email and phone number) as well as your US Passport number to AfghanistanACS@state.gov.   We will also continue our efforts to help Lawful Permanent Residents, as well as the many Afghans who have stood with us over the years, who are seeking to leave Afghanistan.

Our commitment to the people of Afghanistan is enduring. We will continue to press for an orderly transition of power to an inclusive government with broad support and that respects the rights of all of its citizens, including women and minorities. We will use every diplomatic, economic, political, and assistance tool at our disposal to uphold the basic rights of all Afghans; support continued humanitarian access to the country; and ensure the Taliban honors its commitments.

Arrest of a U.S. Citizen

The Department of State assists U.S. citizens imprisoned overseas and works to ensure their fair and humane treatment.

Local Attorneys

Death of a U.S. Citizen

The Department of State helps the family and friends of U.S. citizens who die abroad. We inform the U.S. citizen’s next-of-kin of the death and we provide information on arrangements for local burial or the return of remains to the United States and on disposition of estates and personal effects. We also issue a Consular Report of Death Abroad, an official record of death.

Assistance After Death of a U.S. Citizen

International Parental Child Abduction


Afghanistan and the United States are not treaty partners under the 1980 Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction (Hague Abduction Convention).

The State Department has no higher priority than to safeguard the welfare of U.S. citizens abroad, the most vulnerable of whom are children. We believe that courts in children’s habitual residences are best placed to make custody determinations and therefore it is our priority to return children who have been abducted to or wrongfully retained in countries outside their countries of habitual residence are returned to their home countries.

Help for Child Abduction Cases

Victims of Crime

The Department of State helps U.S. citizens who are victims of crime overseas. We connect crime victims with police and other services and provide information and resources to assist with physical, emotional, and/or financial injuries from crime.

Help for U.S. Citizen Victims of Crime

Passports

Are you a U.S. citizen who needs a passport?

Visit Our Passports Page for Details

Contacting Home

U.S. citizens in need of emergency financial assistance while abroad should first attempt to contact their family, friends, banking institution, or employer. Our American Citizen Services unit can assist in this effort, if necessary.

Help for Contacting Families

Wiring Money Directly

Use a commercial money transfer service, such as Western Union or MoneyGram., to wire money overseas. Money transfer cost comparison tools online can help you identify the best option. The person receiving the money will need to present proof of identity such as a passport.

Be wary of International Financial Scams.

Sending Money through the U.S. Department of State

When the commercial options listed above are not available or feasible, family or friends may send funds via the U.S. Department of State for delivery to a destitute U.S. citizen abroad at the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. The U.S. Department of State assesses a $30 fee to establish an account and transfer funds.

How the Department of State Can Help

Repatriation Loans

Destitute U.S. citizens may be eligible for a loan from the U.S. government to travel to the United States. Repatriation loans must eventually be paid back to the U.S. government. Your U.S. passports will be limited at the time the loan is issued and in most cases you will not be issued a new passport until the loan is paid in full. Contact us for more information.

Learn About Repatriation Loans

Get Alerts

Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)

Sign up to receive safety and security alerts and other local updates while abroad.

Sign up for STEP
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Benefits of STEP

Learn more about the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program.

Learn more about STEP
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Internal Revenue Service

If you are a U.S. citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident (green card holder), you are responsible for filing U.S. federal income tax returns while abroad. You will find useful information on the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) website, such as Frequently Asked Questions about taxes or how to apply for an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN).

Visit the IRS Website for Details

Selective Service

If you are a U.S. dual citizen or U.S. citizen living outside of the United States, you can register with the Selective Service System.

Register for the Selective Service

Social Security

If you live in Afghanistan and have questions about Social Security Administration (SSA) services, contact the SSA Federal Benefits Unit (FBU) in Rome, Italy.

Learn Social Security Services Abroad

Veterans Affairs

U.S. service members, veterans, and their beneficiaries can apply for benefits on the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) website. The Federal Benefits Unit (FBU) may also be able to help veterans and beneficiaries with questions about benefits and services.

Learn about Department of Veterans Affairs

Voting

Depending on where you are eligible to vote, you may get your ballot by email, fax, or internet download. To start, complete a Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) here. Print, sign, and return the FPCA to your local U.S. election office. Include your email address so election officials can reach you if there is a problem. If your state delivers ballots electronically by fax only, include your fax number. If you request electronic delivery and include your email address or fax number, you will receive your blank ballot 45 days before general and mid-term elections and generally 30 days before special, primary, and run-off elections for federal offices. We recommend completing a new FPCA each January, or when you move.

Federal Voting Assistance Program Info

Renounce Citizenship

If a U.S. citizen submits to a U.S. embassy or consulate abroad a properly completed request for a Certificate of Loss of Nationality of the United States (Certificate of Loss) under INA Section 349(a)(1)-(5), the Department of State, specifically, the Bureau of Consular Affairs, must determine whether to approve or deny the request after evaluating the facts and the law.

Read More About Renunciation of U.S. Citizenship

Transmitting Citizenship

Transmission of U.S. citizenship depends on:

  • At least one parent having the nationality of the United States at the time of the child’s birth;
  • The existence of a blood relationship between the child and U.S. citizen parent(s);
  • Documentary evidence demonstrating the U.S. citizen parent(s)’ presence in the United States prior to the child’s birth, as specified in the Transmission Requirements Table below.

    • Read More About Transmitting Citizenship

    Information on Afghan Visas for American Citizens


    Please note that the U.S. Embassy Consular Section does not assist U.S. citizens in acquiring Afghan visas. The information below is provided as a courtesy only, and it is subject to change without notice.

    If you are located in Afghanistan, please contact the Consular Section of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Kabul If you are located outside of Afghanistan, you should contact the nearest Afghan diplomatic mission. (Contractors working within Afghanistan are also advised to seek assistance from their company’s Human Resources office.) Please note that Afghan visas are not available upon arrival at Afghan airports or land borders; travelers should expect inconsistency in the Afghan entry/exit control process.

    Read More About Afghan Visas for American Citizens

    Internet Scam Warning

    U.S. Embassy Kabul frequently receives inquiries from people who have been victimized by Internet scammers. These scams are attempts by con artists to convince you to send them money by developing a friendship, romance or business partnership online, and then exploiting that relationship to ask for money.

    Read About Internet Scams

    Intercountry Adoption

    The United States is a party to the Hague Adoption Convention, an international treaty which seeks to ensure that intercountry adoptions are made in the best interests of the child and that safeguards are in place for their protection. All adoptions in another country must take place according to both U.S. and local laws for the adopted child to be eligible to immigrate to the United States. You should work with a U.S. adoption service provider specifically authorized to facilitate intercountry adoption. You can find more information about authorized adoption service providers and the intercountry adoption process at travel.state.gov and are invited to direct questions to Adoption@state.gov.

    Read More About Intercountry Adoption

    Births

    If you have a child outside the United States the child may have acquired U.S. citizenship at birth if the requirements under the Immigration and Nationality Act have been met as of the time of your child’s birth. To determine whether your child acquired U.S. citizenship at birth and to document that, you can apply for a Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA) for your child. You may also choose to just apply for a U.S. passport for your child, although one benefit of a CRBA is that, unlike the U.S. passport, it does not expire and may be used as proof of acquisition of U.S. citizenship at birth. A full validity, unexpired U.S. passport is also proof of U.S. citizenship.

    Read More About Birth Abroad

    Marriage

    U.S. embassy and consulate personnel cannot perform marriages. Depending on the local law, civil or religious officials generally perform marriages. If your marriage overseas was performed in accordance with local law, it is valid in the country where it took place. Whether your marriage is recognized elsewhere depends on the laws of that place.

    If you get married abroad and need to know if your marriage will be recognized in the United States and what documentation may be needed, contact the office of the Attorney General of your state of residence in the United States.

    Learn About Marriage in Afghanistan

    Eligibility for a CRBA

    When applying for a CRBA or a first passport for your child, your child’s claim to U.S. citizenship must be evaluated. Certain documents must be provided as proof of citizenship.

    Read More About Eligibility for a CRBA
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