* For applicants who were born and/or lived outside Afghanistan for a very long period of time see separate conclusion below.

Although the situation related to settling in the cities of Kabul, Herat and Mazar-e Sharif entails certain hardships, IPA may be reasonable for single able-bodied men, taking into account their individual circumstances. The following can in particular be taken into account:

     ■ Age: the applicant is of a working age, which would assist in his access to basic subsistence, in particular with regard to the opportunity to engage in employment.

    ■ Gender: no additional vulnerabilities are attached to being male in Afghanistan.

    ■ Family status: the applicant does not have additional responsibilities other than ensuring his own subsistence and no additional vulnerabilities are attached to being a single man.

    ■ State of health: the applicant does not suffer from any serious health condition.

    ■ Professional, educational and economic background: The background of the applicant, including education, profession and available financial means could be taken into account, especially in case those would be relevant to the coping mechanisms the applicant would have for settling in the IPA area.

    ■ Local knowledge: Having lived in Afghanistan and/or being familiar with the societal norms is an important factor to take into account when assessing the reasonableness of IPA. Experience of having lived in an urban environment or, especially, in the respective city, could assist the applicant in settling there.

    ■ Support network: The existence of a support network could assist the applicant in accessing the means to ensure one’s subsistence.

* For applicants who were born and/or lived outside Afghanistan for a very long period of time see separate conclusion below.

Although the situation related to settling in the cities of Kabul, Herat and Mazar-e Sharif entails certain hardships, IPA may be reasonable for married couples of working age without children, taking into account their individual circumstances.

The assessment should take into account the elements mentioned above with regard to single men. However, the individual assessment should further examine whether in the situation of the couple sufficient basic subsistence can be ensured for both.

For single women, such as unmarried, separated/divorced women, widows, female heads of households, IPA should be assessed carefully with regard to the requirement of safety, including safety of travel, especially for those without a male support network in Afghanistan. Moreover, in Afghanistan, most women would not have independent access to means of ensuring their basic subsistence and basic services. Therefore, in general they need to be assisted by a male member of the core or extended family.

In general, IPA would not be reasonable for single women without support from a male member of their core or extended family in the respective part of Afghanistan.

Due to their young age, children need to depend on other providers for their basic subsistence. The best interests of the child shall be a primary consideration. The question of access to basic education should be assessed in relation to the general situation in the respective city, as well as the individual circumstances of the child.

In general, IPA would not be reasonable for children without a support network in the respective part of Afghanistan.

The situation of unaccompanied children should also be taken into account when assessing the safety criterion for a potential IPA, as they are particularly vulnerable, including to risks of child-specific forms of persecution or serious harm, such as child marriages and child labour.

In order to ensure their subsistence and access to basic services, it is relevant to assess the social and economic background of the family and the possibility to receive assistance by a support network. The best interests of the child shall be a primary consideration. The question of access to basic education should be assessed in relation to the general situation in the respective city, as well as the individual circumstances of the family.

In general, IPA would not be reasonable for children in a family, if the family lacks sufficient financial means or a support network in the respective part of Afghanistan.

The situation of children should also be taken into account when assessing the safety criterion for a potential IPA, as they are particularly vulnerable, including to risks of child-specific forms of persecution or serious harm, such as child marriages and child labour.

Depending on the health condition of the applicant, the limited accessibility of healthcare in the three cities may place him or her at an enhanced risk. Additionally, severe illnesses and disabilities would hinder the applicant’s ability to ensure his or her basic subsistence, in particular through means of employment.

In general, IPA would not be reasonable for applicants with severe illnesses or disabilities. Individual circumstances, such as sufficient financial means and/or a support network could, however, be taken into account.

Although there is no specific threshold for a person to be considered of elderly age, the assessment should take into account the applicant’s age in terms of access to means of basic subsistence, in particular through employment. Additionally, the state of health of an elderly applicant may cause difficulties, including in access to employment.

In general, IPA would not be reasonable for elderly people if they lack sufficient financial means or a support network in the respective part of Afghanistan.

Afghan nationals who resided outside of the country over a prolonged period of time may lack essential local knowledge necessary for accessing basic subsistence means and basic services. An existing support network could also provide the applicant with such local knowledge. The background of the applicant, including their educational and professional experience and connections, as well as previous experience of living on their own outside Afghanistan, could be relevant considerations.

For applicants who were born and/or lived outside Afghanistan for a very long period of time, IPA may not be reasonable if they do not have a support network which would assist them in accessing means of basic subsistence.