Afghanistan Country Conditions in 2026: What Immigration Solicitors Need to Know About the Latest COI

Afghanistan country conditions remain an important consideration in asylum and immigration cases involving Afghan nationals. Since the Taliban took control of Afghanistan in August 2021, significant changes have taken place in governance, security, the legal system, human rights and access to essential services.

For immigration solicitors, the relevant question is not simply whether conditions in Afghanistan are difficult. Country of origin information (COI) needs to be considered in relation to the specific issues and individual circumstances raised in a case.

This article examines key areas of Afghanistan country conditions in 2026, including the political environment, security, the legal system, conditions affecting particular groups, humanitarian circumstances and internal relocation.

Why current Afghanistan COI matters

The situation in Afghanistan has changed considerably since 2021. Information produced before the Taliban takeover may therefore describe circumstances that no longer reflect current conditions.

Earlier information can still be relevant in some cases. For example, an individual's previous employment, political activity, family circumstances or treatment before 2021 may form part of the evidence being considered.

For this reason, current country research should distinguish between historical information and evidence describing present conditions.

It is also important to consider the reference period covered by a source. A recently published report may contain information collected earlier, while an older source may still contain relevant information if the underlying circumstances remain applicable.

Governance under the Taliban

The Taliban remains the de facto authority exercising control across Afghanistan.

The governance environment is different from that of the former Afghan Republic. Recent country information examines the structure of the de facto administration, the role of Taliban officials and the implementation of rules and policies based on the authorities' interpretation of Islam.

For country research, there can be an important distinction between what authorities formally state and how policies are reported to operate in practice.

De facto administration

The structure of public administration has changed since 2021.

Country information may be relevant to questions concerning:

• the organisation of the de facto authorities
• the role of Taliban officials
• the operation of government departments
• the application of decrees and instructions
• the functioning of administrative institutions

A formal policy does not necessarily provide a complete picture of how it operates in practice. Where relevant, both official statements and reliable reporting about implementation should be considered.

Regional differences

Conditions can differ between provinces and locations within Afghanistan.

Security developments, local administration, access to services and social conditions are not necessarily uniform throughout the country.

This means that national-level COI may need to be considered alongside information about the particular location relevant to an individual case.

Security conditions in Afghanistan

Security remains an important part of Afghanistan country information.

Recent reporting covers developments involving the Taliban, Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP), other armed actors and wider concerns relating to public security.

The significance of a particular security development depends on factors such as its location, nature, frequency and relevance to the individual's circumstances.

Looking beyond general security descriptions

A broad description of Afghanistan as either "safe" or "unsafe" may not answer the specific country-information question arising in an asylum case.

Relevant questions may include:

• Where did the incident occur?
• Which actor was responsible?
• Who was affected?
• What type of incident took place?
• Is there evidence of a continuing pattern?
• Has the situation changed over time?
• Is the reported risk connected to the person's profile?

These considerations can be particularly relevant where a case involves a specific province, occupation, ethnic or religious identity, political activity or previous association.

ISKP and other armed groups

ISKP continues to feature in reporting concerning Afghanistan's security environment.

Country information also examines the response of the de facto authorities and the wider security situation.

Individual incidents need to be considered in context. Evidence of incidents in a particular location does not, on its own, establish the level or nature of risk faced by every person in that location.

Geographically specific and current evidence can therefore be important when examining security-related questions.

The legal and judicial environment

The legal and judicial environment in Afghanistan has changed substantially since the Taliban takeover.

Recent country information examines the operation of courts, the role of Taliban-appointed judicial personnel, the application of the Taliban's interpretation of sharia and the practical operation of justice mechanisms.

Rules and implementation

When examining the legal environment, it can be useful to distinguish between:

• formal rules and decrees
• statements issued by authorities
• reported enforcement practices
• the operation of judicial institutions
• the experiences reported by individuals interacting with authorities

This distinction may be relevant where an individual alleges previous problems with the authorities or where the availability of protection is an issue.

Access to protection

Country information can examine whether and how formal and informal mechanisms operate in practice, including the functioning of courts, security authorities and other relevant institutions.

Where protection is a material issue in a case, the relevant country evidence should be considered alongside the particular circumstances and applicable legal framework.

The assessment of whether effective protection is available is ultimately a matter for the relevant decision-maker.

Conditions affecting particular groups

General country information does not necessarily describe the circumstances of every person in Afghanistan.

Recent COI considers the position of particular groups and profiles, including women and girls, ethnic and religious minorities, former government personnel, journalists, activists and others whose circumstances may be relevant to their treatment by authorities or other actors.

Women and girls

Restrictions affecting women and girls remain an important area of Afghanistan country information.

Recent reporting covers restrictions affecting education, employment, movement and participation in public life. It also examines wider concerns relating to access to services and legal protection.

The relevance of these conditions depends on the circumstances of the individual and the issues raised in the case.

Hazara and other minorities

The circumstances of ethnic and religious minorities continue to feature in Afghanistan COI.

The Hazara community has received particular attention in reporting concerning discrimination, security incidents and attacks attributed to armed groups.

Country information should be considered carefully rather than assuming that all members of an ethnic or religious group experience the same conditions.

Factors such as location, religion, personal history and other aspects of an individual's profile may affect the relevance of particular evidence.

Former government personnel and security forces

Former Afghan government officials and members of the former security forces remain the subject of country reporting.

The Taliban announced a general amnesty following its takeover. At the same time, reports have continued to examine allegations of mistreatment and other incidents involving former government officials and former security personnel.

Different profiles may be subject to different considerations. Where previous government or security employment is relevant to a case, it may therefore be necessary to consider the individual's particular role, history and circumstances alongside current country evidence.

Journalists and activists

Recent country information also considers journalists, media workers, human rights defenders, activists and others whose activities or public profile may be relevant to their circumstances.

The position of an individual may depend on factors including:

• the nature of their activities
• their public visibility
• their location
• previous statements or conduct
• perceived political or social associations
• any previous interaction with the authorities

Profile-specific COI may therefore be more relevant than a general description of conditions across Afghanistan.

Humanitarian and economic conditions

Humanitarian and economic circumstances form another part of the wider Afghanistan COI picture.

Recent reporting identifies continuing pressures involving poverty, food insecurity, displacement, employment and access to healthcare and other essential services.

These conditions may be relevant where the circumstances of return or access to essential services form part of the issues being considered.

Healthcare and essential services

Access to healthcare can vary according to location, available resources and individual circumstances.

Where healthcare is relevant to a case, general information about the national healthcare system may not be sufficient.

Country research may instead need to consider:

• the nature of the medical condition
• treatment requirements
• availability of appropriate treatment
• geographical access to services
• the individual's particular circumstances

Economic circumstances

Afghanistan continues to face significant economic challenges.

Country information may cover employment, household income, poverty and access to financial resources.

Economic hardship should nevertheless be distinguished from the separate legal questions that may arise in an asylum or human rights case.

COI can provide evidence about conditions on the ground. The application of the relevant legal test remains a matter for the appropriate decision-maker.

Return and internal relocation

Return and internal relocation can raise detailed country-information questions.

The existence of another location within Afghanistan does not, by itself, provide a complete assessment of the circumstances a person may face there.

Relevant evidence may include:

• security conditions
• the presence and activities of relevant authorities
• accommodation
• family or social networks
• employment opportunities
• access to healthcare
• access to essential services
• documentation requirements
• profile-specific considerations

The relevance of these factors depends on the individual facts of the case and the applicable legal framework.

Internal relocation to Kabul

Kabul may arise in cases where internal relocation is being considered.

Current COI concerning Kabul can include information about security, governance, access to services and conditions affecting particular groups.

It should not be assumed that information about Kabul applies in exactly the same way to every person considering relocation there.

The February 2026 country policy and information note on fear of the Taliban states that decision-makers must consider claims individually. It also distinguishes between different forms of risk and circumstances when considering internal relocation.

Disclaimer: References to return or internal relocation in this article are descriptive only. They should not be understood as a conclusion that internal relocation is or is not appropriate in any particular case.

How immigration solicitors can assess Afghanistan COI

The usefulness of country information depends on more than its publication date.

Source quality, methodology, geographical relevance and the connection between the evidence and the individual profile are also important considerations.

Check the publication date and reference period

The publication date and the period covered by the underlying evidence should both be considered.

This distinction is particularly important when researching Afghanistan because political, security and humanitarian developments can change over time.

Consider the source and methodology

Different sources provide different types of country information.

Official sources, international organisations, research organisations and established non-governmental organisations may each provide evidence about different aspects of conditions in Afghanistan.

The purpose, methodology and limitations of a source should be considered when assessing its relevance.

Consider conflicting information

Reliable sources do not always describe conditions in identical terms.

Where material differences exist, those differences should be identified and considered rather than overlooked.

A balanced assessment can explain areas of agreement, disagreement and uncertainty where these affect the issue being examined.

Connect COI to the individual profile

General Afghanistan COI is only one part of an individual case.

Its relevance may depend on factors such as:

• previous employment
• ethnicity or religion
• gender
• political or social activities
• family connections
• location
• previous treatment by authorities or other actors
• public visibility
• circumstances on return

This is why profile-specific research can provide a different picture from a general country overview.

The role of Afghanistan expert evidence

In some cases, legal representatives may require an expert assessment addressing specific questions about Afghanistan.

An expert report can examine relevant country information, provide contextual analysis and address questions within the agreed scope of instruction.

An expert report should remain separate from legal advice. It should also avoid determining the legal test or making findings that are reserved for the tribunal or court.

Afghanistan Country Expert provides Afghanistan-focused country and expert evidence for immigration and asylum law firms.

For information about the types of issues that may be addressed and the report process, see the Afghanistan Country Expert FAQ.

Conclusion

Afghanistan country conditions in 2026 cover a wide range of issues, including governance, security, the legal system, treatment of particular groups, humanitarian conditions and access to services.

The relevance of this information depends on the individual circumstances of the person concerned, the location involved and the specific questions being considered.

For immigration solicitors, current and appropriately sourced COI can help provide context for those questions. It is important to distinguish factual country evidence from the legal assessment that ultimately remains for the relevant decision-maker.

Afghanistan conditions should therefore be reviewed using current sources and with attention to the specific profile and issues arising in each case.

Disclaimer: This article is provided for general information for legal professionals. It does not constitute legal advice, immigration advice, country guidance or an expert opinion on any individual case. Country conditions can change, and the relevance of particular evidence will depend on the facts and issues in each case.

Last reviewed: September 2026

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