The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) said that the Chinese embassy in Kabul will begin issuing visas to Afghans on May 3rd.

The deputy spokesman for the Foreign Ministry, Hafiz Zia Ahmad Takal, said applicants can fill out forms for visas via the website of the embassy.

“The embassy of China in Kabul will resume the process of visa issuance for Afghans,” he said.

Afghan traders meanwhile expressed concerns, saying that they have been facing severe challenges with obtaining Chinese visas.

“The process of visa distribution is problematic. They don’t issue the visas simply or if they issue it, they charge very high prices for them between $5,000 to $6,000,” said Jabar Sapai, trader.

“The problems of the Afghan traders have not been solved yet. This problem has slowed down the activities of the Afghan traders. The Afghan traders cannot easily receive visas,” said Ezatullah Niazai, trader.

Currently, the embassies of a few countries including Iran, Pakistan and the UAE are distributing visas in Afghanistan.

However, lack of recognition of the interim government is said to be a huge obstacle for the distribution of many country’s visas to Afghans.