Afghanistan, ranked as the world’s most dangerous country by the Global Peace Index, has launched its first electronic visa system — an important step toward simplifying entry for international tourists, Express reported.

Despite decades of conflict and near-total international isolation, the country continues to attract travelers. According to the Afghan government, around 9,000 foreign tourists visited Afghanistan in 2024, and more than 7,000 arrived in just the first six months of 2025. The total figure for 2025 is expected to surpass the previous year’s.

Previously, travelers had to submit documents in person at a limited number of operating embassies and consulates — mainly in Dubai and other Gulf countries — a process made extremely difficult by the ongoing conflict involving Israel, the U.S., and Iran. The new online portal aims to speed up visa issuance and improve access to the country for foreign visitors.

Afghanistan remains a highly unstable state: with a GPI score of 3.448, it ranks first among 163 nations in the annual index compiled by the Institute for Economics and Peace, which measures ongoing conflict, terrorism threats, political instability, violence, and militarization.

The country’s modern history has been shaped by war since the late 1970s: the 1978 revolution led to the Soviet invasion in 1979, which ended with troop withdrawal in 1989. Rival mujahideen factions then fought for power until the Taliban seized control in 1996. They were ousted by the U.S.-led intervention in 2001, but returned to power in 2021 after capturing Kabul and overthrowing the Western-backed government.