SOCIETY — April 19, 2026

National Statistics and Information Authority Extends Non-Presence Services for Expatriate Afghans by One Month

The National Statistics and Information Authority has announced that non-presence services for paper identity cards for expatriate Afghans will continue for one more month, after which official verification through Afghan embassies and consulates will be required.

The Ehtebar Desk — originates with Bakhtar News2 min read

National Statistics and Information Authority Extends Non-Presence Services for Expatriate Afghans by One Month
Image courtesy Bakhtar News

The National Statistics and Information Authority has informed all expatriate Afghans that the non-presence services for obtaining paper citizenship identity cards will remain available through their relatives in the country for an additional one month period. This extension allows current procedures to continue without immediate changes.

However, the authority has made it clear that following the conclusion of this one month, a new procedure will be implemented. Applicants will be required to first obtain official verification of their foreign documents from Afghan embassies and consulates located in their countries of residence. These diplomatic missions will then work directly with the National Statistics and Information Authority using official governmental channels.

Specific services that will require this step include applying for a new identity card, performing any verifications, updating photographs, and making corrections to personal information such as age, birth date or name.

To initiate the verification process, individuals must submit their passport, their identity card and their residence permit to the embassy or consulate for thorough checking of both the documents and the person's presence.

Once this is completed, the embassy or consulate prepares an official letter that includes a specific document registration number. This letter is then dispatched to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Officials at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will review and evaluate the provided materials before sending them on through family members or relatives back to the National Statistics and Information Authority for final processing.

Additionally, the same verification standards will be applied to any in-person applications that rely on foreign documents matching the original records once the extension period ends. The coordinated approach between the National Statistics and Information Authority and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is intended to ensure proper documentation and authenticity for all Afghan citizens regardless of their location.

Read the original reporting at Bakhtar News

Reliability assessment

Single official source (Bakhtar News, Afghan state media) publishing a direct notice from the National Statistics and Information Authority with concrete, checkable procedural details, timelines, and involved agencies. The fact that this policy announcement was made is reliably attributable to the government.

The source language reads straight.

Independent web corroboration

An independent web search turned up no separate corroborating reports. Treat the account as single-sourced until more outlets pick it up.

Across the newsrooms

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SocietyAfghan Diaspora, Paper Identity Cards, National Statistics and Information Authority, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Embassy Verification

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