Nationality of Afghanistan: all obtaining pathways
Afghanistan requires five years of residence for ordinary naturalization. Nationality is transmitted by descent — ius sanguinis — and by birth in the territory — ius soli — although the current institutional situation heavily conditions the practical processing of these procedures.
1Naturalization by residence
Naturalization by residence
Requirements
- Citizenship Law of the Islamic Emirate: foreigners may be accepted as citizens WITHOUT distinction of ethnicity, language, sex or education (art. 14)
- Aged 18+ (art. 15(1))
- Application for citizenship (art. 15(2))
- Having lived “somewhat more than FIVE YEARS” in IEA territory (art. 15(3))
- No crimes committed during the stay (art. 15(4))
- All acquisition/loss of citizenship must be compatible with the tenets of ISLAM (art. 9(1))
- One spouse’s naturalisation does NOT affect the other’s or adult children’s (art. 16); under-18s of the naturalised parent acquire it (art. 17)
Documentation
- Foreign passport with a residence visa
- Language-knowledge certificate (Dari or Pashto)
- Criminal record certificate
- Character reference letters
- Declaration of renunciation of the previous citizenship
- Formal application
2By descent (ius sanguinis)
By descent (ius sanguinis)
Requirements
- The father is an Afghan citizen (preferential transmission through the paternal line)
- An Afghan mother can transmit citizenship if the father is stateless or unknown
- Consular registration if born abroad
Documentation
- Birth certificate
- Father's Tazkera (Afghan identity document)
- Consular birth registration
3By birth in the territory (ius soli)
By birth in the territory (ius soli)
Requirements
- Born in Afghan territory to parents whose nationality is unknown
- Born in Afghanistan and unable to acquire another citizenship
Documentation
- Birth certificate issued in Afghanistan
- Documentation showing that no other citizenship can be obtained
4Naturalisation by marriage (Citizenship Law, arts. 18-19)
Naturalisation by marriage (Citizenship Law, arts. 18-19)
Requirements
- A foreigner married to an Afghan citizen under ISLAMIC LAW (sharia), upon written application: citizenship approved WITHOUT the 5-year residence term of art. 15(3) (art. 18)
- A STATELESS person who marries an Afghan citizen “can be considered a citizen of the IEA” (art. 19)
- Under-18 children of the widowed foreign spouse who marries an Afghan and obtains citizenship may also be considered Afghans (art. 20)
- The grant remains subject to Islamic tenets and IEA authorities’ decision (Taliban Emirat de facto framework since 2021 — irregular processing)
Documentation
Frequently asked questions about the nationality of Afghanistan
How many years of residence does Afghanistan require to naturalize?
According to the main pathway of Afghanistan (Naturalization by residence), the term is More than 5 years’ residence in Afghanistan (art. 15(3)). The complete details of requirements and exceptions appear in the fact sheet.
Can the nationality of Afghanistan be obtained by marriage?
Yes, through the Naturalisation by marriage pathway (No residence term (waives art. 15(3))). The complete requirements appear in the fact sheet of that pathway.
What documentation does naturalization in Afghanistan require?
The Naturalization by residence pathway requires: Foreign passport with a residence visa; Language-knowledge certificate (Dari or Pashto); Criminal record certificate; Character reference letters; Declaration of renunciation of the previous citizenship; among 1 more documents.
What pathways exist to obtain the nationality of Afghanistan?
Afghanistan provides 4 pathways: Naturalization by residence, By descent, By birth in the territory, Naturalisation by marriage.
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