DFAT maintains ‘Do Not Travel’ warning for Afghanistan amid escalating border conflict

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) re-validated its Afghanistan travel advisory overnight, listing the advice as ‘Still current at 20 July 2026’ and reiterating that Australians – including dual nationals – should not travel to the country under any circumstances. While the content of the advisory was last substantively updated on 29 June, the fresh datestamp extends its currency and serves as a reminder to corporates conducting regional security reviews. DFAT cites intensifying armed clashes along the Pakistan–Afghanistan border and a spate of urban bombings in Kabul, Kandahar and Jalalabad. Airports may close without warning and there is no Australian consular presence on the ground. The advisory explicitly warns adventure-tour operators marketing ‘war tourism’ packages that Australians have been killed or arbitrarily detained despite using professional guides. For Australian companies with operations in Central and South Asia, the renewed warning has insurance implications. Most corporate travel-insurance policies automatically exclude travel to destinations rated ‘Do Not Travel,’ meaning any executive who disregards the advice could be personally liable for evacuation costs. Mobility managers should audit traveller-tracking tools to ensure no employee – including regional contractors – is scheduled to transit Kabul under interline tickets. DFAT also urges citizens who insist on travelling to prepare a will and obtain independent security advice. Organisations should therefore review duty-of-care frameworks and strengthen remote-worker protocols, particularly for staff liaising with NGOs inside Afghanistan via neighbouring hubs such as Doha or Islamabad.