Before you go
- Get your visa first. The one exception is Shir Khan Bandar from Tajikistan, which issues a visa on arrival. The e-Visa only works for flying into Kabul.
- Carry an invitation letter and your permits. The officers at the border, and the checkpoints after it, expect them. A letter that names the crossing you'll use avoids questions.
- Cross early in the day. Most crossings close in the late afternoon. Lines and paperwork take longer than you expect.
- Message us the week you travel. Border status here changes faster than any website, ours included.
Crossing by crossing
| Crossing | Connects | Status for tourists | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Islam Qala – Dogharoun | Mashhad (Iran) – Herat | Open | The most used and easiest crossing. Usually open in the daytime only, so arrive early. |
| Milak – Zaranj | Zabol (Iran) – Nimruz | Open to foreigners | Remote. Far less used than Islam Qala. |
| Torkham (Khyber Pass) | Peshawar (Pakistan) – Jalalabad | Closed | Closed to foreign tourists because of Afghanistan–Pakistan tensions. When it reopens, allow 4–5 hours from the border to Kabul. |
| Spin Boldak – Chaman | Quetta (Pakistan) – Kandahar | Closed to tourists | Affected by the same tensions as Torkham. |
| Hairatan – Termez | Uzbekistan – Mazar-i-Sharif | Open for some nationalities | Get your visa in advance, for example at the Afghan consulate in Termez. |
| Shir Khan Bandar – Panji Poyon | Tajikistan – Kunduz | Open | The only crossing with a visa on arrival. |
| Ishkashim | Tajikistan – Wakhan | Closed | Once the gateway to the Wakhan. Use Shir Khan Bandar instead. |
| Torghundi / Aqina | Turkmenistan – Herat / Faryab | Possible with the right letter | Turkmen transit visas are hard to get. Plan months ahead. |
After the border
Every crossing puts you in a province with checkpoints on the road out. Have your passport, visa, invitation letter and provincial permits in one folder, with paper copies. If you book with us, a guide and driver meet you on the Afghan side and drive you to your first hotel. That's the single best way to avoid trouble at the first checkpoints.
Planning an overland trip that links Iran, Afghanistan and Central Asia? Tell us your route and dates. We'll confirm which crossings are working that week and write your letters for them. Invitation letters · e-Visa guide
Frequently asked questions
Can I enter Afghanistan by land on an e-Visa?
No. The e-Visa is currently accepted for entry at Kabul International Airport only. For a land crossing, get an embassy visa in advance, or use the visa on arrival at Shir Khan Bandar from Tajikistan.
Which Afghanistan border is easiest for tourists?
Islam Qala, between Mashhad in Iran and Herat, is the most used and most straightforward crossing.
Is the Torkham border open?
No. As of November 2026, Torkham is closed to foreign tourists because of tension between Afghanistan and Pakistan. Fly into Kabul instead: most visitors come via Dubai or Istanbul. We will update this page when it reopens.
Where can I get a visa on arrival for Afghanistan?
Only at the Shir Khan Bandar crossing from Tajikistan, near Kunduz. Everywhere else you need a visa before you arrive.
Is the Ishkashim crossing to the Wakhan open?
No, it is closed. Travellers heading to the Wakhan usually enter via Shir Khan Bandar or fly to Kabul.
Sources
- Caravanistan: Afghanistan border crossings
- Saiga Tours: Afghanistan land border crossings 2026
- Lets Go Afghanistan: e-Visa entry points
This guide is written and checked by the HAMIDI TMC travel team. Rules change often in Afghanistan: message us before you book anything that depends on them.