Taliban Government Enforces New Visa Policies Amid Diplomatic Changes

The Taliban government in Afghanistan announced it will allow individuals with visas from the former government to stay temporarily but won't allow re-entry without documents from Taliban-approved diplomatic missions. This move, aiming to control Afghan representation abroad, leaves many facing travel challenges for documentation, particularly in the West.

The Taliban government in Afghanistan has declared that individuals holding visas issued by the previous Western-backed administration can temporarily remain in the country. However, these individuals will not be permitted to re-enter without documents sanctioned by Taliban-approved diplomatic missions.

The announcement, disseminated by the Taliban's Foreign Ministry on the social media platform X, clarifies their July 30 statement, which rejected documents from consulates and missions staffed by members of the former government.

This latest measure is part of the Taliban's broader strategy to assert control over Afghanistan's international representation since their return to power in 2021. The ruling has effectively blacklisted diplomatic missions in Canada, Australia, and several European nations, potentially requiring individuals to travel long distances for document processing.

(With inputs from agencies.)