The Turkmenistan visa policy is fairly strict. Everyone has to get a visa and an invitation letter before they travel, except certain holders of diplomatic or service passports. This process can take months, and the tour bookings can often be expensive.

You can find the Turkmen visa policy and application process detailed below.

Who Needs a Turkmenistan Visa?

Everyone needs a Turkmen Visa to visit Turkmenistan, except:

• Holders of diplomatic or service passports issued by:
  • Armenia
  • Azerbaijan
  • Belarus
  • Bulgaria
  • China
  • Czech Republic
  • Georgia
  • Hungary
  • Iran
  • Japan
  • Kazakhstan
  • Kyrgyzstan
  • Moldova
  • Mongolia
  • Romania
  • Russia
  • Slovakia
  • South Korea
  • Tajikistan
  • Turkey
  • Ukraine
  • United Arab Emirates
• Holders of diplomatic passports issued by:
  • Estonia
  • India
  • Pakistan
  • Uzbekistan

Types of Turkmenistan Visas

The main types of Turkmenistan visas are:

• Turkmenistan Tourist Visa. To visit Turkmenistan as a tourist, you must book a tour with an authorized travel agent.
• Turkmenistan Transit Visa. When you have to pass through Turkmenistan on your way to a third country of destination. This is the only type of visa you can apply for without a sponsor.
• Turkmenistan Business Visa. For short-term business trips.
• Turkmenistan Work Visa. For foreign nationals who have been employed in a Turkmen company. The company acts as a sponsor.
• Turkmenistan Private/Personal Visa. For foreign nationals visiting a Turkmen national or resident.
• Turkmenistan Family Visa. For the family members of foreign nationals who are residing in Turkmenistan on a work visa.
• Turkmenistan Student Visa. For foreign nationals who will study in Turkmenistan.

Turkmenistan Visa Requirements

The required documents for a Turkmenistan visa include:

• Turkmenistan Visa Application Form (3 copies). You can download the application form on the Turkmen Migration website.
• Your travel programme
• Copy of your passport and ID
• Cover letter, describing the reason for your trip
• A recent passport-size picture
• Letter of permission for you to travel, obtained by your sponsor
• Requirements for Turkmenistan Business visa:
  • Letter of request from the inviting company or government agency/ministry
  • Documents proving the inviting company’s main operation
• Requirements for Turkmenistan Work Visa:
  • Letter of request from the sponsoring company or government agency/ministry
  • Documents proving the inviting company’s main operation
  • Documents proving the company’s ability to sponsor you
  • Copy of your work contract
  • Your health certificate
  • List of names of all employees in the company
  • Proof of your qualifications, translated and sealed.
• Requirements for Turkmenistan Study Visa:
  • A written letter of request by the Educational offices of Turkmenistan
• Requirements for a Personal Visa:
  • Copy of the sponsor’s passport
  • Copy of a document proving your relationship
  • Proof that your sponsor has the right of residence in Turkmenistan
• Requirements for a Family Visa:
  • Copy of your sponsor’s passport
  • Copy of your sponsor’s visa
  • Documents proving your family relationship

Note: This is not an exhaustive list of requirements. Your sponsor and the Embassy in which you will apply will provide you with the requirements based on your specific circumstances, both for the LOI and visa application.

How Do I Get a Turkmenistan Visa?

You can apply for a Turkmenistan visa at an Embassy or Consulate, but before that, you have to get a Letter of Invitation (LOI) from the Turkmen State Migration Service. You must have a sponsor in Turkmenistan who can get the LOI for you. Your sponsor can be:

• A travel agency, if you intend to visit Turkmenistan as a tourist. Check the website of the Turkmen Embassy in your country to see if they have a list available of travel agencies offering tours to Turkmenistan.
• An individual already residing in Turkmenistan, if you are applying for a family or private visa.
• A Turkmen organization or company, if you are travelling for business or employment reasons.
• An educational institution, if you are applying for a student visa.

So, if you are travelling simply for tourism, then your tour agency will handle a lot of your visa application for you. They will have the necessary information regarding documents and requirements for the Letter of Invitation.

The application for a Letter of Invitation can take up to 20 working days, or about a month overall. However, once you have the Letter of Invitation, the application for the visa is much easier, since the LOI is the most important part of the visa application.

After you get the Turkmenistan Letter of Invitation

Once you get the Letter of Invitation, you can apply for a visa at the nearest Turkmen Embassy or Consulate. Find the diplomatic representation offices of Turkmenistan here.

• Contact the Embassy/Consulate to inquire about the application process. Some offices may allow you to apply via mail or online.
• You must submit the Letter of Invitation along with your passport and any other required documents.
• Pay the visa fee.
• Wait for the visa to process.

If there is no Turkmen representation in your country, you can also apply for a Visa on Arrival at the airport of Ashgabat or land borders.

Applying for a Visa to Transit Through Turkmenistan

You can apply for a Turkmenistan Transit Visa at a Turkmen Embassy or Consulate, without having to book a tour or obtain a Letter of Invitation. However, the Turkmen Transit Visa is only valid for 3 to 7 days, with the average being a 5-day transit visa.

In addition, you must have a ticket or visa valid for a third country of destination, since the purpose of this visa is to allow you to transit through Turkmenistan on your onward travels. You cannot go back to your home country.

Registering a Transit Visa: Once you enter Turkmenistan, if you will be staying longer than 3 days, you have to go to the Migration Police (OVIR) in Ashgabat to register your stay. You will need your a copy of your passport, a valid address (your hotel), and a visa for your next destination, if applicable.

Documents Required for Turkmenistan Transit Visa

The documents you need to apply for a Turkmen Transit Visa are:

• Completed Visa Application Form. You can download the application form the Turkmenistan Migration website.
• Your passport. It must be valid for at least another six months after your visa expired, and have two blank pages.
• Copies of your passport pages which include any visas for the previous and next country you will travel to. If visas were not required for those countries, write a statement explaining it.
• A recent passport-sized picture.
• A cover letter, which states the reason for requesting the visa. The letter must include your travel route and itinerary.
• Photocopies of your airline ticket/s, if applicable.

Note: You do not need a transit visa is you don’t intend to leave the international transit area of Ashgabat International Airport.

Turkmenistan Visa on Arrival

If you have booked a tour, and you get a Letter of Invitation from the Turkmen Migration Services, then you can obtain a Visa on Arrival at Ashgabat International Airport or one of the land borders.

You must show your passport, the Letter of Invitation, as well as any other required documents.

The Visa on Arrival is valid for a maximum of 10 days, with the possibility of extension depending on your tour booking. The Turkmenistan Visa on Arrival at the international airport of Ashgabat costs USD 50 more than an average visa.

Note:

It is always advisable to get a visa beforehand, rather than on arrival. Although the Letter of Invitation issued by the Turkmen Migration Services is the most important entry authorization, the Immigration Services in Turkmenistan may decide not to issue a visa on arrival, or you may be unable to board a plane without a visa.

Again, because a lot of the visa application process is handled by your sponsor (i.e. the travel agency), please consult with them or an Embassy regarding how to proceed.

Registering Your Turkmenistan Visa

After you enter Turkmenistan with your visa, you have to register your stay at the Migration Police (OVIR). If you are travelling with a tour agency, they will handle the process on your behalf.

Turkmenistan Visa Fees

The fees for Turkmenistan visas are:

• 10-day single-entry visa: USD 20
• 20-day single-entry visa: USD 30
• One-month single-entry visa: USD 40
• USD 30 per month for stays longer than one month (single-entry)
• One-month multiple-entry visa: USD 60
• USD 40 per month for long-term stays (multiple-entry)
• Single-entry 5-day transit visa: USD 20
• Double-entry 5-day transit visa: USD 40

Note: In addition to the price of the Turkmenistan visa, you also have to pay a processing fee. This changes from country to country.

How Long to Process a Turkmenistan Visa?

The processing time for a Turkmenistan visa is 10 days from the date the Embassy receives your completed application. However, it can take up to one month for you to receive a Letter of Invitation from the Turkmen State Migration Service.

Therefore, if you intend to visit Turkmenistan, you have to contact a travel agency and start planning your tour well in advance.

Note: Because there is no LOI for a Turkmenistan Transit Visa, it may take several weeks for your visa to be processed.

What Is the Duration of a Turkmenistan Visa?

The duration of a Turkmenistan visa depends on the reason for travelling, the duration of your tour as well as your nationality. They can be issued for single-, double-, or multiple entries and have a duration ranging from 10 days and up to one year.

Can You Extend a Turkmenistan Visa?

Although it is not a common practice, you may be able to extend your Turkmen visa for another 3 to 5 days if you apply to the Turkmen State Migration Services. You will need a letter explaining why you seek the extension and payment of the visa extension fee.

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Do I Need a Tajikistan Visa?

Yes, you likely do need a Tajikistan visa before being allowed to enter the country. Only citizens of the following countries can stay in Tajikistan visa-free (for the specified period of time):

• Belarus (Unlimited)
• Georgia (Unlimited)
• Kazakhstan (Unlimited)
• Kyrgyzstan (Unlimited)
• Moldova (Unlimited)
• Russia (Unlimited)
• Armenia (Up to 90 days)
• Azerbaijan (Up to 90 days)
• Ukraine (Up to 90 days)
• Uzbekistan (Up to 30 days)

Types of Tajikistan Visas

The types of visas for Tajikistan are:

• Tajikistan Tourist Visa. This type of visa is issued to foreign nationals travelling for simply tourism or recreational purposes. Most people can apply for a Tajikistan tourist visa online, without an invitation.
• Tajikistan Business Visa. Issued to foreign nationals travelling to Tajikistan with the intention of conducting business, such as attending meetings, conferences, a symposium, conclude contracts, etc. A letter of invitation from the hosting company is required. This does not allow the holder to actually be employed in a Tajiki company.
• Tajikistan Private Visa. Issued to foreign nationals who are visiting family or friends in Tajikistan, travelling for medical treatment, or other short-term purposes.
• Tajikistan Investment Visa. Issued to the representatives or heads of companies making a large investment in Tajikistan, as well as the family members of the main applicant.
• Tajikistan Work Visa. This visa is issued to foreign nationals who have been employed in a Tajikistan-based company, as well as the family members of the main applicant.
• Tajikistan Study/Academic Visa. Issued to foreign nationals admitted into an educational institution in Tajikistan, post-graduate students, doctorate students, as well as the family members of the main applicant

How To Apply for a Tajikistan Visa?

You can apply for a Tajikistan visa in one of the following ways:

• Online, through the official Tajikistan eVisa portal
• At an Embassy or Consulate, if you are not eligible for the eVisa

Applying for a Tajikistan eVisa

You can apply for a Tajikistan eVisa through the official website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (here). This is a simplified process, wherein you have to:

• Complete the online application form.
• Pay the Tajikistan eVisa fee. Fees are non-refundable.
• Wait for the visa to be processed. This takes about two working days. You will receive the Tajikistan eVisa on your email.
• Print out the visa and bring it with you when you travel.

Visa type: The Tajikistan eVisa is issued only for tourism.

Eligible border crossings: You can enter Tajikistan through any airport or border crossing using an eVisa.

Tajikistan eVisa cost: The Tajikistan eVisa fee is USD 50. If also applying for a GBAO permit, the cost is about USD 70. The GBAO Permit allows the holder entry to the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region.

Required documents: When you apply for a Tajikistan eVisa, the requirements will appear once you fill in the sections regarding your nationality and travel dates. You always need a passport that’s valid for at least another six months.

Validity: The Tajikistan eVisa allows the holder to stay in the country for up to 60 days. The visa is single-entry and valid for 90 after it is issued.

Eligibility: You can apply for a Tajikistan eVisa if you are from one of the following countries:

Requirements for Tajikistan Visa

The requirements for getting a Tajikistan visa are:

• You must have a passport that’s valid for at least another six months from the date of entry.
• You must have a valid debit/credit card for paying the visa fee.
• You must have a clean criminal record
• You must be from one of the countries eligible for an eVisa
• You must have any other additional documents required (depending on your nationality)

The requirements for obtaining a Tajikistan visa at the embassy depend on the country in which you are applying. You will need an invitation letter from a tour agency, an individual in Tajikstan, or a host company/organization.

Applying for a Tajikistan Visa at the Embassy

If you are not eligible for a Tajikistan eVisa, then you can get the visa at the nearest Embassy/Consulate or even on arrival. This is a two-step process, which requires an online and in-person application:

1. Register on the Tajikistan Visa website of the MFA (here). This is not the same as the eVisa!
2. Select your nationality and which Embassy you will receive your visa in. If there is no diplomatic mission of Tajikistan, you have the option of getting the visa on arrival.
3. Complete the visa form.
4. Attach the required documents. You need a scanned copy of your passport, an invitation letter from a tour company in Tajikistan, and a 5×6 picture of yourself. If travelling for business, you need a letter of invitation from the company hosting you.
5. Pay for the visa. The fee for a Tajikistan visa changes depending on your nationality.
6. Wait for the visa to process. This usually takes about 5 working days.
7. You will receive the confirmation on your email.
8. Take the printed confirmation letter to the Tajikistan Embassy which you selected to get your visa or take it with you to apply on arrival, depending on your selection.

The Tajikistan diplomatic missions are listed here.

Is a Tajikistan Visa on Arrival Available?

You can get your Tajikistan visa on arrival if you get an electronic authorization beforehand. However, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), citizens of the following countries can obtain a Tajikistan Visa on Arrival at the Dushanbe Airport even without prior authorization:

• EU and EFTA Member States
• Algeria
• Andorra
• Argentina
• Australia
• Bahrain
• Brazil
• Brunei
• Canada
• Chile
• Cuba
• Egypt
• Indonesia
• Israel
• Japan
• Jordan
• South Korea
• Kuwait
• Latvia
• Lebanon
• Lithuania
• Malaysia
• Malta
• Mexico
• Monaco
• Mongolia
• Morocco
• New Zealand
• Oman
• Philippines
• Qatar
• Saudi Arabia
• Singapore
• South Africa
• Thailand
• Tunisia
• Turkey
• Turkmenistan
• United States
• United Arab Emirates
• Vatican
• Venezuela
• Vietnam
• Yemen

There is a lot of conflicting information online regarding the Tajikistan Visa on Arrival. While the IATA and previous travellers claim that such a visa is available at  Dushanbe Airport, there is really no mention of it on any of the official Tajiki websites. If you do decide to apply for a visa on arrival, then consult with an Embassy before you actually travel.

Note: This is not the same as obtaining a Tajiki Visa at the airport after completing an online application first.

Tajikistan Visa Duration

The most common type of Tajikistan visa (the eVisa) is valid for a maximum of 90 days from issuance. It allows you to stay up to 60 days in Tajikistan within its validity period.

You can apply for a visa with a different duration at the nearest Tajikistan Embassy or Consulate.

Can You Extend a Tajikistan Visa?

You cannot extend a Tajikistan tourist visa except in extraordinary circumstances (force majeure).

If you have another type of Tajiki visa which you want to extend, you have to submit e request at the Main Consular Department of the Tajikistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Your current visa must still be valid and you need the relevant documents supporting your request for an extension.

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