The Taliban-run Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday announced that passport extension stickers issued before their recent decree, which nullifies the documents issued by 13 embassies operated by diplomats from the former government, will remain valid.
The ministry’s statement clarified, “All passport extension stickers issued in Europe, the United States, Canada, and Australia are void. However, those stickers issued before the decree and used for travel to Afghanistan or a third country, bearing entry and exit stamps dated before July 30, are acceptable.”
In response to the Taliban’s decision, the Afghan embassies in Belgium and the United Kingdom announced that they would continue their consular services as usual.
Previously, on July 31, the Taliban’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs declared that they do not recognize consular services provided by Afghan diplomatic missions in Western countries.
In further clarification issued on Monday, August 5, the Taliban stated, “All documents and certified papers issued by these embassies before or after the decree, and not registered with the central authorities, are not acceptable.”
