UNHCR is not able to help anyone to leave Afghanistan. We do not relocate or evacuate Afghan nationals to other countries, or support with the logistics or financial cost of travel. However, if you are thinking of leaving Afghanistan you can find information about relocation programmes on this page.
If you decide it is not safe for you to stay in Afghanistan, you should prioritize your safety when deciding where to go. Please seek information from UNHCR and other reliable sources to decide where you and your family can seek asylum safely.
Can UNHCR help me to leave Afghanistan?
UNHCR is not able to help anyone to leave Afghanistan. We do not relocate or evacuate Afghan nationals to other countries, or support with the logistics or financial cost of travel.
Some countries have schemes to help eligible Afghans to travel to their countries. You can find more information about different country programmes at the bottom of this page. UNHCR cannot refer you to these programmes or support with applications.
Can UNHCR help female students or women who have been barred from work to leave Afghanistan?
UNHCR is not able to relocate or evacuate any Afghan nationals to other countries.
Some countries offer opportunities for Afghans who meet specific eligibility criteria to travel to their countries. You can find more information about different country programmes below. UNHCR cannot refer you to these programmes or support with applications.
What should I do if I decide to leave Afghanistan?
If you decide it is not safe for you to stay in Afghanistan, you should prioritize your safety when looking at your options of where to go. It is recommended that you get information from UNHCR or other reliable sources to decide where you and your family can go and ask for asylum.
What should I do if I have already left Afghanistan?
If you have left Afghanistan, you can contact UNHCR or the government refugee agency of the country you are in for information on assistance, services and how to ask for asylum or protection. Different countries have different ways of responding to asylum-seekers.
For more information, you can visit the UNHCR help website in the country where you wish to seek asylum.
I have heard that some countries have special schemes to help Afghans who have worked for them to travel to their countries. Can UNHCR Afghanistan help me access these programs?
Some countries have recently announced opportunities for Afghan nationals who have worked or been affiliated with those countries to apply for permission to travel to those countries. These schemes are completely independent of UNHCR and we cannot refer people to the programs or support with applications.
You can find information about these country relocation programmes below. UNHCR will try to keep this list updated as we become aware of changes to country programmes. Please contact the programmes concerned for more information.
🇺🇸 United States of America
The United States recently announced opportunities for Afghan nationals who have worked or been affiliated with the US government, military, NGOs, or media. Please visit the following sites from the US State Department for details:
🇨🇦 Canada
The Canadian program is available for Afghan nationals whose “employment involved a significant and/or enduring relationship with the Government of Canada”, including interpreters for the Canadian military and local staff who work or worked for the Canadian Embassy. Please visit the following site for details:
Special Program for Afghans who Assisted Canada
🇬🇧 United Kingdom
For information on relocation programmes to the UK, please access the UNHCR UK Office HELP website:
🇫🇷 France
The Government of France has set up a system to identify Afghans who may be eligible to move to France. You can find more information on the Gisti site. This is not a government site but has information on contacting the relevant government authorities. Always be careful when looking for information of finding credible sources.
There have been warnings of fake email addresses being shared on social media claiming to be from the government of France. Be careful of addresses from gmail or hotmail these as they are NOT official government emails.
🇩🇰 Denmark
Denmark has established the following program for interpreters and other Afghans who were locally employed by or assisted Danish military forces or the Danish Government in Afghanistan. You can find information in the site below:
🇩🇪 Germany
For those who worked with the German government or military are prioritised, also valuable for those who have engaged in EU-funded human rights activities in Afghanistan.
https://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/en/visa-service/konsularisches/afg
For those seeking information regarding the German Government admission programme for people from Afghanistan announced in October 2022:
German Federal Admissions Program for Afghanistan: https://www.bundesaufnahmeprogrammafghanistan.de/bundesaufnahme-en
Joint Press Release: https://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/en/newsroom/news/federal-admission-programme-afghanistan/2558756
FAQ: https://www.bundesaufnahmeprogrammafghanistan.de/bundesaufnahme-en/bundesaufnahmeprogramm-faq
🇧🇪 Belgium
Afghan citizens or residents who worked with the Belgian military, embassy or related missions: formally, through contractors or as ‘fixers’ may be considered for humanitarian visas. https://pakistan.diplomatie.belgium.be/en
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