Check the official site before you travel. imptmanhattan.com is a hotel and travel site; it does not issue visas or ESTAs and this is not legal advice. Rules change: confirm on esta.cbp.dhs.gov and travel.state.gov.
| Status | Visitor visas suspended |
|---|---|
| Visa or authorization | Full suspension: all visa categories |
| Where to apply | Check the State Department notice first |
| Fees and processing | Set by the US government: check the official site |
| Arrival | Inspection by US Customs and Border Protection at the airport |
If you hold an Afghan passport, a new US visitor visa cannot currently be issued to you. Presidential Proclamation 10998 suspended B-1 and B-2 visa issuance for Afghan nationals from January 1, 2026, with narrow exceptions such as certain dual nationals traveling on another passport. Visas issued before that date were not revoked. An ESTA is not available to Afghan citizens. Check travel.state.gov before booking anything for Manhattan.
What the suspension means
A new visitor visa is the usual route into the United States for a traveler holding an Afghan passport, and that route is closed for now. Presidential Proclamation 10998, in force since January 1, 2026, suspends the issuance of new B-1 and B-2 visas to Afghan nationals. It applies at US embassies and consulates worldwide, so applying from a third country does not avoid it. Read the State Department's announcement for the exceptions.
A visa issued before the proclamation took effect was not revoked, so an existing valid visa can still be used to travel. Dual nationals who hold another country's passport may fall within an exception, and the announcement describes how that works. An ESTA is not an option: Afghan citizens are not part of the Visa Waiver Program. Confirm anything that changes on travel.state.gov before committing money.
Before you fly and on arrival
If you already hold a valid US visa, or you qualify under an exception, the practical side of the trip follows the normal pattern. Book flights and accommodation knowing that a final decision on admission rests with Customs and Border Protection at the port of entry. Carry the passport that matches the visa and printed evidence of your plans. Confirm current requirements on official sites.
Arrival at JFK, LaGuardia or Newark means a queue at passport control, a short interview and, in most cases, fingerprint and photo checks. Officers ask where you are staying, how long you plan to remain and how the trip is funded. Short, direct answers and documents that match your visa help. After clearance, collect bags, pass customs and follow signs to the rail link, the subway or the taxi rank.
Staying in Manhattan
Hotels in Manhattan ask for a passport at check-in and usually want a booking in the name on that passport. Keep a printed or saved confirmation with the address and phone number. A return or onward booking is worth carrying, because officers and hotel staff may ask about departure plans. Travel insurance documents are useful if plans change, and copies kept apart from the originals help.
Getting into the city from the airports is straightforward. Trains and buses link each airport with Manhattan, and the subway reaches the city from JFK. Allow more time than seems necessary on the first day, particularly with luggage and jet lag. Within Manhattan, walking and the subway cover most visitor needs, and the street grid makes addresses easy to follow. Check current service with the transit authority.
Longer stays, work or study
A visitor visa covers tourism, family visits and short business meetings. It does not permit employment, a full semester of study or a move to the United States. Afghan nationals who intend to work, study, join family or stay for a long period need a different category, each with its own requirements. The suspension described here concerns B-1 and B-2 visas, so check how it applies to the category that fits your purpose.
Student and exchange categories, temporary work categories and immigrant petitions run through separate processes, with their own forms, documents and interviews. Read the guidance for the specific category on travel.state.gov, then contact the US embassy or consulate that handles your place of residence. Ask how the proclamation applies to your situation. Waiting times and appointment availability change, so check the current position rather than relying on older accounts. This site does not issue visas.
Step by step
- Read the State Department's announcement of Presidential Proclamation 10998 on travel.state.gov before making any plans or payments.
- Check whether an exception applies to you, such as dual nationality or a visa issued before the proclamation.
- Contact the US embassy or consulate responsible for your place of residence and describe your situation.
- Confirm that an ESTA is not available to Afghan citizens and ignore anyone who says otherwise.
- Keep every booking refundable until the visa position is confirmed in writing.
- Check the official sites again shortly before departure, since the position can change.
Documents to carry
- Passport for the trip, plus any older passport holding a current US visa
- Printed hotel confirmation showing the Manhattan address and the dates of stay
- Return or onward ticket, and a short written outline of the itinerary
- Evidence of funds for the stay, such as recent bank statements
- Travel insurance policy with emergency contacts kept in the hand luggage
Afghan citizens: questions
Can Afghan citizens apply for a US visitor visa at the moment?
No new B-1 or B-2 visitor visas are being issued to Afghan nationals while Presidential Proclamation 10998 is in force. The suspension began on January 1, 2026 and applies worldwide. Limited exceptions exist, such as certain dual nationals traveling on another country's passport. Read the State Department's announcement on travel.state.gov before paying anything.
Does a US visa issued to an Afghan citizen before 2026 still work?
Visas issued before the proclamation took effect were not revoked, so an existing valid visa can generally still be used when traveling to the United States. The visa must match the passport presented, and admission is decided by Customs and Border Protection at the airport. Carry documents that support the purpose and length of the Manhattan trip.
Can Afghan citizens use an ESTA for a Manhattan trip instead of a visa?
No. The Visa Waiver Program and its ESTA system are open only to nationals of participating countries, and Afghanistan is not among them. Afghan citizens need a visa, and new visitor visas are currently suspended under the proclamation. Anyone who offers an ESTA to an Afghan passport holder is giving wrong advice. Verify the position at esta.cbp.dhs.gov and travel.state.gov.
What should Afghan citizens carry when arriving at a New York airport on an existing visa?
Carry the passport that matches the visa, plus any older passport that contains the visa itself. Add a hotel confirmation with a Manhattan address, a return or onward ticket and a short outline of the trip. Officers may ask about the purpose of the visit, the length of stay and how the trip is funded. Answer briefly and keep documents within reach.
Where can Afghan citizens check on longer US stays, work or study?
Guidance for work, study, family and immigrant categories is published on travel.state.gov, and the US embassy or consulate handling your place of residence can answer case-specific questions. The proclamation concerns new visitor visas, so confirm how it applies to the category you need. Waiting times change, so check the current position. This site gives travel guidance only and does not issue visas.
Where will you stay in Manhattan?
Midtown for a first visit, SoHo or the West Village for character, the Upper West Side for the park. Live prices for your dates open in the IMPT app.
Photo credits: Pexels.