Taliban Foreign Ministry Says Afghan Visa Applicants in Qatar Can Return Home at Their Discretion
The Taliban’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced that Afghans awaiting US visas in Qatar may return to Afghanistan “at their own discretion” and later decide about traveling to other countries. In a statement released by the ministry, it emphasized that the return of these individuals is voluntary and that no one will be forcibly transferred to another country.
The statement added that Afghanistan is the “common home of all Afghans” and that citizens have the right to return to their country with dignity. This comes as thousands of Afghans have been waiting outside the country, especially in Qatar, for their US and other countries’ visa applications to be processed following recent political developments.
The Taliban’s Foreign Ministry also said it is ready to cooperate with other countries within consular frameworks and regular mechanisms to ensure the rights of Afghans. However, some visa applicants have previously expressed concerns about their future, job security, and personal safety if they return to Afghanistan—issues that remain serious challenges in their decision-making process.
In recent years, Qatar has become a key hub for processing and transferring Afghan immigration files, with the fate of these individuals dependent on consular reviews and agreements between countries.
