In September 2011, Afghanistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs began issuing two types of biometric passports (e-passports) for Afghan diplomats and public servants.

[4] Previously, passports had been hand written based on information found on paper Afghan ID cards, which are no longer accepted.

[1][14][27] In addition to being a travel document, the passport can also be used to purchase a SIM card, send or receive money through Western Union, open bank accounts, rent a house, or stay in hotels.

[35] Though it was reported in March 2022 that the Taliban had introduced a new design bearing the name "Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan",[36] Shirshah Quarishi, deputy director of the Passport Department, said in August 2022 that passports would not carry a new design, which was likely a practical decision taken to ensure they would be accepted for travel by other countries, all of which continue to recognize the previous regime.

[35] In 2015, Afghanistan's TOLOnews reported that a number of citizens of Iran and Pakistan have fraudulently obtained Afghan passports.

[40][35] It was reported recently "that a number of counterfeiters abroad had prepared passport booklets, smuggled them into the country and distributed them to the public.

"[41][42][43] It was also reported that some people pay hundreds of US dollars for fake emergency medical documents, which allows them to obtain Afghan passports expeditiously.