In Afghanistan, only one work visa is issued by the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection.

A work visa has a fixed cost determined by the Ministry of Finance and Labor and Social Affairs.

A one-time work permit is valid for one month and costs $100. A one-year visa extension costs US$50 per month, payable to the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MOIA) in local currency.

Employees who wish to extend their work visa must apply for an extension through the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

The employee must also have a letter of approval for the extension from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA).

What are the requirements for obtaining work visas for Afghanistan?

Anyone who wants to apply for a work visa must meet the following requirements:

• Employees must be over 18 years old
• Employees must not be eligible for a pension, i.e., under 65 years of age.
• Employees must have a health certificate from their country and the Ministry of Health.
• Workers must obtain a residence permit before applying for a work visa.
• Since the employment of international workers depends on need, they must work in their field of specialization.
• Each applicant must plan to work with an employer who has declared their need for a candidate. This employer may need to explain why an international worker is needed.
• Workers with a work visa must undergo internal supervision by their employer at least part of the time.

What is the process for applying for a work visa to Afghanistan?

1. First you need to get a work permit.

• Work permit applicants will need the following documents and resources:
• Completed application for a work visa
• The representative letter or invitation from the employer (with passport data, the reason for employment and length of stay)
• Letter from the General Directorate of Consular Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
• A recent passport-size photograph with a standard white background
• Payment of work permit in national currency

What types of work permits are available in Afghanistan?

• The blue work permit is granted to professionals and foreign expert citizens. The work permit is valid for five years.
• The yellow work permit applies to skilled and semi-skilled work. The work permit is valid for two years.
• The white work permit. This work permit is issued to experts and skilled workers who come to Afghanistan for a short period (less than three months).

2. Applicants must take this package of documents to the Ministry of Social Protection to apply for a work visa.

Note: International workers must obey local laws and respect national beliefs and traditions.

3. If the working conditions of an international worker change, his employer must notify the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the population about the change in specifications.

4. In cases where international and domestic workers have the same data, employers should prefer domestic candidates.

5. If a country imposes restrictions on Afghan nationals within its borders, the government reserves the right to impose restrictions on businesses owned by nationals of that country.

6. International workers have the same tax rates and holiday entitlements as local workers. All employees, including foreigners, take Fridays off.

Nightwork

Night work is popular in Afghanistan, and a night shift usually lasts an hour less than a day shift. Night work lasts for 11 hours, from 8 pm to 7 am. The Ministry of Emergency Situations of the MD should offer the enterprise to use night work and approve its schedule. Production workers should receive a 25 percent wage increase, while maintenance and administrative workers should receive a 15 percent wage increase. In the case of mixed working hours, employees must receive increased wages for the part of the shift that falls on the night. Shift work must take place according to a shift schedule. The same surcharge is charged for work in the night or mixed shifts.

Income taxation in Afghanistan

Both residents and non-residents of Afghanistan, as well as foreigners working in Afghanistan, are subject to tax on all income derived from Afghan sources. Even if foreigners are paid outside of Afghanistan, they are subject to this income tax.

The first 5,000 AFN of monthly income is tax-free. Any income above this but below AFN 12,500 per month is taxed at 2% and the next AFN 12,501-100,000 at 10%.

Any monthly income over AFN 100,000 is subject to a 20% income tax.

As for resident status regarding taxation, the state uses a number of different factors to determine this. First, for someone to be considered a resident, their residence in Afghanistan must be their main home at any time during the tax year. 

The individual must have been in Afghanistan for at least 183 days during the tax year (this does not have to be consecutive), or the individual must have worked for the Afghan government during the applicable tax year.