KABUL: Afghanistan’s Taliban administration has approved a plan to grant one- to ten-year residence permits to foreign investors, according to regional media reports citing officials familiar with the decision, as the authorities seek to attract overseas capital to revive the country’s economy.
The proposal was endorsed by the economic commission of the Taliban government, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs Abdul Ghani Baradar. The plan would allow foreign nationals who invest in Afghanistan to obtain renewable long-term residency, with the duration linked to the scale and nature of their investment.
Policy framework under preparation
Reports say the decision authorises the creation of a formal mechanism to issue residence permits valid for periods ranging from one to ten years. However, implementation details — including eligibility criteria, minimum investment thresholds, and application procedures — are still being finalised.
A dedicated committee has reportedly been tasked with drafting the regulatory framework, which will outline qualifying sectors, oversight measures, and the responsibilities of relevant government departments. No official timeline has been announced for when the policy will come into effect.
Economic rationale
The move comes as Afghanistan continues to face severe economic strain following decades of conflict, the withdrawal of international aid, frozen overseas assets, and limited access to the global financial system since the Taliban returned to power in August 2021.
By offering long-term residency, Taliban officials aim to encourage foreign investors to establish a sustained presence in the country, particularly in sectors such as mining, construction, agriculture, energy, and cross-border trade. Afghanistan holds significant natural resource potential, but foreign investment has remained limited due to legal uncertainty and diplomatic isolation.
Limited international confirmation
While the residency proposal has been reported by Afghan and regional media outlets, major international news agencies have not yet issued detailed coverage of the policy. The Taliban government is not formally recognised by most countries, and its economic decisions are often communicated through local or regional channels.
Ongoing challenges for investors
Analysts note that residency incentives alone may not be sufficient to attract large-scale foreign investment. International sanctions, banking restrictions, and the absence of internationally recognised legal safeguards continue to pose challenges for potential investors.
Security conditions have stabilised in parts of the country, according to Taliban officials, but concerns related to governance, regulatory consistency, and dispute resolution remain key considerations for foreign businesses.
For now, the approval of long-term residence permits signals an effort by Afghanistan’s authorities to present a more investor-friendly posture, though the impact will depend on how the policy is implemented and whether broader economic constraints can be addressed.
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