Afghanistan Peace Campaign
Afghan residents in Mazar-i-Sharif say intermediaries are demanding hundreds or thousands of dollars to arrange Iranian visas despite an announcement that visas for Afghan pilgrims travelling for Arbaeen would be issued free of charge under specified conditions, according to reports.
Residents in Mazar-i-Sharif reported that some intermediaries were offering to arrange Iranian Arbaeen visas for between $1,000 and $1,700. Some residents said they had been approached by intermediaries demanding large sums to secure visas, while an investigation found indications of an informal market for Iranian visas.
According to the report, some companies said intermediaries charged at least $500 per applicant to arrange an Iranian visa. The amount could rise depending on the applicant’s circumstances, the number of family members and the type of application, with some applicants allegedly asked to pay significantly higher amounts.
Several residents claimed that obtaining Iranian visas remained difficult despite the official policy. They said the gap between the announced free visa arrangements and their experience had created opportunities for intermediaries to exploit applicants.
Some residents also cited economic hardship, unemployment and limited job opportunities as reasons for seeking to travel to Iran, particularly to find work and support their families.
Iran’s Embassy in Kabul has previously announced that Arbaeen pilgrimage visas for Afghan nationals would be issued free of charge under specified conditions. Some residents, however, stated to the media that the announced policy did not always match their experience when they sought to obtain visas.
Relevant officials in Mazar-i-Sharif have not yet commented on the allegations.
Khaama Press could not independently verify the allegations, including the reported payments, the identities of the intermediaries or the claims made by others. The available information also does not establish any involvement by Iranian diplomatic or consular authorities in the alleged payments.
The reported allegations highlight concerns over the transparency and accessibility of the visa process for Afghan applicants. They also show how difficulties in obtaining travel documents can leave applicants vulnerable to intermediaries who promise to secure visas in exchange for large sums of money.