The U.S. Embassy in Kabul suspended operations on August 31, 2021. While the U.S. government has withdrawn its personnel from Kabul, U.S. citizens in Afghanistan in need of routine consular services can contact any U.S. embassy or consulate for assistance. To locate the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate please visit www.usembassy.gov. U.S. citizens who are in Afghanistan and are seeking U.S. government assistance to depart should either complete the Repatriation Form or, if you are unable to access the form, please email your complete biographic details and contact information (email and phone number) as well as your US Passport number to AfghanistanACS@state.gov. We will also continue our efforts to help Lawful Permanent Residents, as well as the many Afghans who have stood with us over the years, who are seeking to leave Afghanistan.
Our commitment to the people of Afghanistan is enduring. We will continue to press for an orderly transition of power to an inclusive government with broad support and that respects the rights of all of its citizens, including women and minorities. We will use every diplomatic, economic, political, and assistance tool at our disposal to uphold the basic rights of all Afghans; support continued humanitarian access to the country; and ensure the Taliban honors its commitments.
History of the U.S. and Afghanistan
The United States recognized Afghanistan, then under the rule of King Amanullah, in 1921, and established diplomatic relations in 1935.
Following the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979, the United States supported both the Afghan resistance fighters and diplomatic efforts to achieve a Soviet withdrawl. As the Taliban rose to national authority in the post-Soviet power vacuum they provided sanctuary for Osama bin Laden. Following the Taliban’s repeated refusal to expel bin Laden and his associates and end its support for international terrorism, the United States and its coalition partners began a military campaign on October 7, 2001, that targeted terrorist facilities and Taliban military and political assets. Kabul fell on November 13, 2001.