Message from U.S. Embassy Kabul - Consular Closure Notice (Christmas and New Year's Day)

December 24, 2011

The Consular Section will be closed on Sunday, December 25, 2011, inhonor of the Christmas holiday. Normal operations will resume on Monday, December 26, 2011. The Section will again close on Sunday, January 1, 2012, to observe New Year's Day. Normal operations will resume on Monday, January 2, 2012.

These days (December 25 and January 1) are the only days that Consular operations will be closed for the holiday season. The Section is otherwise open from Sunday to Thursday from 8am to 3pm for appointments. Please visit this website to schedule an appointment for American Citizens Services.

As a reminder, U.S. citizens should make every effort to avoid being predictable in their movements, including varying their routes and times in commutes or other routine travel. We urge U.S. citizens to remain vigilant and avoid areas where Westerners congregate. Do not discuss travel plans or other personal matters with strangers or in public places. Make sure trusted family or friends are aware of your itinerary and always travel with mobile phones or appropriate communication equipment.

The Embassy reminds U.S. citizens in Afghanistan of the current Travel
Warning, which warns against travel to Afghanistan. The security threat to all U.S. citizens in Afghanistan remains critical. If you plan to travel to Afghanistan despite the current Travel Warning, or already reside here, we urge you to register with the Embassy through the Department of State's Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), to receive the latest travel updates and information and to obtain updated information on travel and security issues.

U.S. citizens in Afghanistan should regularly monitor the Embassy's Security Announcements Internet web page, as well as the Department of State's Bureau of Consular Affairs website, where the Worldwide Caution, Country Specific Information and the Travel Warning for Afghanistan are found. In addition, the Embassy encourages U.S. citizens to review "A Safe Trip Abroad, " which includes valuable security information for those traveling or living in foreign countries. You can also follow the Bureau of Consular Affairs on Twitter and on Facebook. Up-to-date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada, or, for callers outside of the United States and Canada, on a regular toll-line at 1-202-501-444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).

The U.S. Embassy is located at Great Masood Road between Radio Afghanistan and the Ministry of Public Health in Kabul. To reach the American Citizens Services unit during business hours, please call 0700-108-499 or send us an e-mail You can also reach us through the Embassy's switchboard by calling 0700-108-001/002. For after-hours life-or-limb emergencies involvingU.S. citizens, please call the Consular Duty Officer at 0700-201-908.