India to Afghanistan visa requirements

Yes, an Indian ordinary passport holder needs a visa for Afghanistan. Because India is on Afghanistan's restricted-residence list, travelers residing in India CANNOT use the 2026 e-visa portal and must obtain a tourist visa in advance from the Afghan Embassy/Consulate in India. The visa is granted gratis (free of charge) to Indian nationals. As of 2026-06-01, Indian ordinary passport holders require a visa to enter Afghanistan for tourism; there is no visa-free, visa-on-arrival, or ETA channel. In March 2026 Afghanistan launched an online e-visa system (eafghans.com / E-Afghans portal) issuing a single-entry tourist visa (30-day stay, valid 90 days from issue, usable only via Kabul International Airport). However, the portal explicitly restricts applicants by residence: residents of India are NOT eligible for the e-visa regardless of citizenship. Indian citizens residing OUTSIDE India in a non-restricted country may be able to use the portal. For the standard case — an Indian national living in India — the only route is a traditional visa from the Afghan Embassy/Consulate in India, applied for before travel. Notably, Afghanistan grants visas gratis (free of charge) to Indian nationals, though service agents add their own fees. Afghanistan is not in the Schengen area, so the Schengen 90/180 rule and ETIAS do not apply. Given the active conflict/governance situation under the Taliban administration and India's own travel advisories, travelers should verify current conditions and embassy operating status directly before applying. Verdict: visa-required.