The best eSIM for Afghanistan is a data plan you install before you leave, sized to the days you must be there. A SimOptions Afghanistan eSIM is 4G/LTE and data only, with no Afghan phone number, and it activates when you arrive. But first, the safety advice: the UK, Canadian and other governments advise against all travel to Afghanistan. This guide is for people who still have to go, for work, aid or family, and need to stay in touch.
Government advice: do not travel to Afghanistan
As of November 2026, the UK Foreign Office (FCDO) advises against all travel to Afghanistan, even with an organised tour group. It says the security situation is volatile and travel throughout the country is extremely dangerous. It warns of a high risk of British nationals being detained or kidnapped, and that terrorists often target places used by foreign nationals. There is no British Embassy in Afghanistan, and the FCDO cannot give in-person consular help there (FCDO: Afghanistan warnings and insurance).
The Government of Canada also tells its citizens to avoid all travel to Afghanistan. It cites the volatile security situation, terrorist attacks, the risk of kidnapping and arbitrary detention, and says its embassy in Afghanistan has suspended its operations (Government of Canada: Afghanistan travel advice).
The FCDO adds that your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against its advice. Its list of possible kidnap targets includes aid workers, journalists, business travellers and British nationals of Afghan origin visiting friends and relatives. Read your own government's advice in full before you decide, and again before you leave.
Which is the best eSIM for Afghanistan?
If you have to travel, these Afghanistan plans give you mobile data from the moment you arrive. They are 4G/LTE and data only. Pick the size from the days you stay.
Afghanistan 5GB (7 days) · 10GB (7 days) · 20GB (15 days) · data only · 4G/LTE · See all eSIMs for Afghanistan · All destinations
Mobile data in Afghanistan: what the FCDO says
Any eSIM, ours included, depends on the local networks staying up. The FCDO says the Taliban have blocked, significantly slowed or shut down landline, internet and mobile services without warning in the past, nationwide or in one area. This can affect calls, messaging and location services on your phone. Previous internet blackouts have also affected flights and access to cash (FCDO: Afghanistan safety and security).
The FCDO's advice is to:
- not rely on mobile data, non-Afghan mobile apps or international calls for your personal safety
- always keep another way to communicate and to find your way with you
- make sure friends and family know where you are
Canada says the same kind of disruption could seriously affect your ability to contact local emergency services or get consular help, and that it also affects airport and flight operations. So treat a travel eSIM as one way to stay in touch, not your only one. If you travel for an organisation, follow its security and communications plan.
Our eSIMs for Afghanistan: the details
Here is what the plan details on our Afghanistan eSIM page say:
- Sizes: 1 GB or 3 GB for 3 days, 5 GB or 10 GB for 7 days, and 20 GB for 15 days.
- Speed: 4G/LTE.
- Phone number: no. The plans are data only, with no calls or SMS.
- Activation: once installed, the eSIM activates automatically when you arrive in Afghanistan. Your days start then.
- Settings: data roaming must be on for the eSIM, with automatic network selection.
- Top-ups: available, so you can add data instead of buying a new eSIM.
- Expiry: if you don't use the eSIM within a year, it becomes invalid.
Every plan is prepaid with no contract. Because you install it at home, you don't need to find a shop or register a local line after you land.
How much data do you need in Afghanistan?
It depends on how long you stay and how you use your phone. As a rough guide:
- 1 to 3 days: Afghanistan 1GB or 3GB, both for 3 days. Enough for messages, email and checking flight updates.
- Up to a week: Afghanistan 5GB or 10GB, both for 7 days. Messages, email, maps and the odd video call with family or colleagues.
- Two weeks: Afghanistan 20GB, for 15 days. More room for video calls and sharing your connection.
- Longer stays: top up your eSIM when you run low.
Not sure how much you need? Pick the bigger size. Our guide to eSIM data plans shows how to estimate it, and how to reduce data usage abroad helps you stretch it.
Is there an eSIM for a short stay in Afghanistan?
Yes. If you only need a few days, for a family matter or a short work trip, the smallest plans last 3 days.
Can you make calls with a travel eSIM in Afghanistan?
Our Afghanistan plans are data only, so you don't get an Afghan number or call minutes. Messaging and calling apps work over data while the networks are up. Remember the FCDO's advice not to rely on mobile data, non-Afghan apps or international calls for your safety.
Your home SIM can stay on your phone next to the travel eSIM, so you keep getting texts and bank codes on your usual number, see how to set up a dual eSIM. More on how calls work with a data-only plan: phone calls with a data-only eSIM.
Need a local number? Apple lists Afghan Wireless as a carrier in Afghanistan that offers prepaid eSIM plans for international travellers who want a local line (Apple: carriers that offer eSIM on iPhone). Check its requirements with the carrier itself.
Using your phone in Afghanistan: rules to know
The FCDO says photographing some buildings is not allowed and may lead to detention, including government buildings, military installations, palaces and Taliban checkpoints. It also advises you not to photograph people without their agreement. Canada says it is illegal to photograph government buildings, military installations and personnel, and palaces. Keep this in mind before you take or share photos.
The FCDO also says the Taliban have a very low tolerance for activities seen as dissent, and that foreign nationals' work and movements are likely to be closely monitored. For what to do if something goes wrong, see our guide on how to handle emergency situations abroad.
British nationals in Afghanistan who need help from the UK government can call the FCDO on 020 7008 5000, 24 hours a day, according to its Afghanistan advice.
Travelling through Pakistan or Uzbekistan?
Afghanistan is not included in our regional Asia plans, so a separate eSIM for each country is the simplest choice. The FCDO says tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan have led to clashes in border regions and that a number of border crossings are not currently open, so check the latest advice for every country on your route. See our guides to the best eSIM for Pakistan and the best eSIM for Uzbekistan.
How do you get an eSIM for Afghanistan?
- Check your phone: it must support eSIM and be carrier unlocked. On iPhone, go to Settings > General > About and look for "No SIM restrictions" next to Carrier Lock (Apple: Unlock your iPhone). See how to check eSIM compatibility.
- Buy and install on Wi-Fi before you leave: you get a QR code by email (Apple: Set up eSIM on iPhone). Our install guide walks you through it on iPhone and Android. Don't count on finding good Wi-Fi after you arrive.
- When you arrive, use the travel eSIM for data: Apple notes that you might still pay roaming fees on your home line, so turn off data roaming on it (Apple: Use eSIM while traveling).
No signal after you arrive? It may be a network outage rather than your eSIM, but our guide on what to do when your eSIM is not activating covers the usual setup causes. Not sure what an eSIM is? See what is an eSIM.
FAQ
Is it safe to travel to Afghanistan?
The UK FCDO advises against all travel to Afghanistan, and Canada says to avoid all travel. Both cite terrorism, kidnapping and detention risks and very limited consular help. Check your own government's advice before you decide.
What is the best eSIM for Afghanistan?
For data only, an Afghanistan eSIM sized to your days is a simple choice: 3 GB for a few days, 5 GB or 10 GB for a week, 20 GB for two weeks. If you need a local number, Apple lists Afghan Wireless as offering prepaid eSIM plans for travellers.
Can I get an eSIM for Afghanistan before I travel?
Yes. Buy it online, install the QR code on Wi-Fi at home, and it activates when you arrive in Afghanistan.
Does a travel eSIM for Afghanistan include a phone number?
No. Our Afghanistan plans are data only, with no calls or SMS.
Will my eSIM work during an internet shutdown?
No eSIM can connect when the local mobile networks are down. The FCDO says services have been blocked, slowed or shut down without warning in the past, so keep another way to communicate with you.
Which speed does the Afghanistan eSIM have?
Our Afghanistan plans run at 4G/LTE speed.
Does my phone need to be unlocked?
Yes. A carrier-locked phone may not accept an eSIM from another provider. Ask your carrier to unlock it before you travel.
Is there an eSIM that covers Afghanistan and its neighbours?
Not from us at the moment. Our Asia plans do not include Afghanistan, so use an Afghanistan eSIM there and a separate plan for Pakistan or Uzbekistan.
