Travel Summary

• Protests have occurred throughout Afghanistan in response to the burning of Islamic religious material at Bagram air base by ISAF forces on 21 February 2012. The potential for further protests, as well as attacks against ISAF targets or other sites of Western interest, remains high.
  
  
• Afghanistan has a high threat of terrorism and specific methods of attack are evolving and increasing in sophistication. No part of Afghanistan should be considered immune from violence and the potential exists throughout the country for hostile acts. Please see the Safety and Security – Terrorism section below for details of recent significant attacks.
  
  
• The recent high-profile attacks within the Central Region highlights the dangers of becoming caught up in an insurgent attack within relatively secure areas of Afghanistan.  As insurgents attempt to destabilise the ongoing transition of security to Afghan National Security Forces it is likely that these attacks will continue, in particular an increase is expected in those targeting foreign and Afghan national interests.
  
  
• You should be vigilant and take extra care, particularly in and around landmarks and places where large public crowds can gather. Foreign embassies, government ministries, religious and military establishments, as well as hotels, shops and restaurants used by the international community have been attacked in the past and it is likely that there will be further such attacks.
  
  
• There is a heightened threat of roadside bombs and ambush outside Kabul City. You should maintain a heightened level of vigilance at all times, observing the strictest of security measures and avoid any unnecessary travel. Travellers should also consider making their own security arrangements for the duration of their time in Afghanistan.
  
  
• The kidnap threat throughout the country remains high, particularly against local nationals, but also against the international community.
  
  
• The British Embassy in Kabul is able to offer only limited consular assistance and does not issue visas. You should get comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. See General - Insurance.
  
  
• If you do travel to Afghanistan you should have adequate and continuous professional close security arrangements and ensure they are regularly reviewed.
  
  
• An Afghan government-controlled security force, the Afghan Public Protection Force (APPF), will take over provision of most commercial security services in Afghanistan from private security companies by 20 March 2012.  This follows President Karzai’s Presidential Decree 62, of August 2010, ordering the disbandment of private security companies in Afghanistan.  Only embassies and other accredited diplomatic missions will be permitted to continue using private security companies after March 2013.
  
  
• We advise the following restrictions to travel according to provincial region:
  
  
  Kabul:
  
  
• We advise against all travel to the Surobi, Paghman, Musayhi, Khak-e Jabbar and Chahar Asyab Districts of Kabul province.
  
  
• We advise against all but essential travel to Kabul.
  
  
  Northern Afghanistan:
  
  
• We advise against all travel to Balkh, Kunduz, Badakhshan and the Baghlan-e Jadid District of Baghlan.
  
  
• We advise against all but essential travel to Takhar, Faryab, Jawzjan, Samangan, Sari Pul and the remainder of Baghlan.
  
  
  Eastern Afghanistan:
  
  
• We advise against all travel to Ghazni, Kapisa, Khost, Kunar, Laghman, Logar, Nangarhar, Nuristan, Paktika, Wardak and Paktya.
  
  
• We advise against all but essential travel to Bamiyan, Parwan and Panjshir.
  
  
  Southern Afghanistan:
  
  
• We advise against all travel to Helmand, Kandahar, Nimroz, Uruzgan and Zabul.
  
  
  Western Afghanistan:
  
  
• We advise against all travel to Badghis and Farah, and the Shindand and Gozarah Districts of Herat province.
  
  
• We advise against all but essential travel to Dai Kundi, Ghor and remaining districts in Herat.