All travellers

Most international scheduled commercial flights to and from Turkmenistan have been suspended.

You will need a visa and letter of invitation (LOI) to enter or travel through Turkmenistan as a visitor.

You should consult the Turkmen Embassy in London well in advance of your intended travel date. All visa applications made at Turkmen Embassies in the UK and overseas are referred to Ashgabat for a decision. This can take 20 days or more. There is an accelerated 24 hour service, but a supplementary fee of approximately US$150 will be charged.

You will need a letter of invitation (LOI), certified by the State Migration Service of Turkmenistan, from a private individual or company to support your application. For tourists, these can be obtained from authorised travel agents. A list is available from the British Embassy in Ashgabat. Those travelling on business for the first time must obtain letters from relevant ministries, departments or companies they wish to co-operate with, unless the visit is made to attend an exhibition or other event, in which case the organiser normally provides visa support.

Without prior approval from the Turkmen authorities, it is not possible to enter Turkmenistan. It is possible to buy a visa on arrival at either Ashgabat and Turkmenabad airports or the ferry port at Turkmenbashi but only if you have approval from the Turkmenistan Migration Service before arrival. If you break your journey or try to enter Turkmenistan without the right visa you will face a long and uncomfortable wait in the offices of the Immigration Service at the airport or ferry port.

In addition to a visa fee, there are charges of up to US$150 for vehicles entering Turkmenistan by either land or sea. These can include elements for disinfection, an entry permit, insurance and a compensatory amount for fuel subsidies operating in Turkmenistan. The rate is changeable and varies depending on the entry point, the type of vehicle, its engine capacity and distance you intend to travel. All are payable in cash in US Dollars on entry.

If you are staying for more than 3 days, you must register with the State Migration Service of Turkmenistan. Confirm necessary paperwork with your hotel or employer. Don’t overstay your visa.

All foreign nationals need a visa to transit Turkmenistan. You can be registered at entry and exit points if your stay is not longer than five days and you hold a valid transit visa. But you won’t be able to change your transit visa in-country, and you must notify the authorities if you intend to vary your route through the country.

If you intend to travel from Turkmenistan to Azerbaijan across the Caspian Sea you should be aware that it is not possible to buy a visa on arrival at Baku seaport. Make sure you have a valid visa to enter Azerbaijan if you take the ferry.

On arrival, you must pay a US$14 migration fee ($10 fee plus $4 Admin charge).

You must register within three days of arrival with the State Migration Service of Turkmenistan at their office at 57 Azadi Street, Ashgabat. Registration is for the period of the visa and may be carried out on your behalf. If you are not staying in Ashgabat, you should register at the local department of Migration Service instead. You should bring two passport size photos. The State Migration Service of Turkmenistan will need a letter confirming your departure from Turkmenistan. A de-registration stamp in your passport is no longer required.

Non-compliance with these requirements could lead to prosecution and possible detention.

Single parents or other adults travelling alone with children should contact the Turkmen Embassy in London for advice about the documents that will be required at immigration.

If you intend to enter Turkmenistan with medicines, whether prescription or non-prescription, you should check in advance the list of prohibited medicines and the legal quantities of medicines that are allowed into the country. If you’re in any doubt, check this with the Turkmen Embassy in London before you travel (telephone 020 7610 5239).

Substances of concern to the Turkmen authorities include but are not limited to tramadol, morphine, opiates or any other constituent competent that may be considered as a narcotic drug or psychotropic agent. Possession of these items can lead to administrative or criminal proceedings if you don’t have a prescription, or if you’re carrying more than you need for your visit and don’t declare them on arrival.

If you’re travelling with prescription medicines, you should carry a doctor’s prescription and declare the items on your customs declaration form. Some medicines that are non-prescription in the UK, including codeine, can cause problems on entry into Turkmenistan. Issues have been reported at both the international airport and land borders.

Turkmen border crossings can be subject to occasional and unannounced closures.

If you’re fully vaccinated

All citizens of foreign countries arriving into Turkmenistan must have a physical document confirming that they have been vaccinated against COVID-19, or a certificate confirming the presence of antibodies to COVID-19 (IgM, IgG). The vaccination document should confirm that the last vaccination dose was provided at least 42 days prior to arrival in Turkmenistan.

Everyone entering Turkmenistan will be tested for COVID-19 on arrival, for which a fee (approximately USD $43) will be charged.

If an individual tests positive for COVID-19 upon arrival, they will have to quarantine for 7 days in a hospital- a fee will be charged.

You should confirm the latest information with your Turkmen sponsor, or with the Turkmen Embassy where your visa was issued the latest requirements, rules are subject to change with little notice.

If you’re not fully vaccinated

If an individual cannot be vaccinated for health reasons then they must provide a physical medical certificate confirming this AND a certificate confirming the presence of antibodies to COVID-19 (IgM, IgG).

Everyone entering Turkmenistan will be tested for COVID-19 on arrival, for which a fee (approximately USD $43) will be charged. All foreign visitors must then self-isolate for 3 days in a hotel or residence.

If an individual tests positive for COVID-19 upon arrival, they will have to quarantine for 7 days in a hospital- a fee will be charged.

You should confirm the latest information with your Turkmen sponsor, or with the Turkmen Embassy where your visa was issued the latest requirements for quarantine or self-isolation. These rules are subject to change with little notice.

Children and young people

Children aged 17 and under can follow the rules for fully vaccinated travellers to enter Turkmenistan.

If you’re transiting through Turkmenistan

Transiting is when you pass through one country on the way to your final destination.

It is not currently possible to transit Turkmenistan en route to another destination.

Check your passport and travel documents before you travel

If you are visiting Turkmenistan, your passport should be valid for a minimum period of 6 months after the expiry date of your visa.

Check with your travel provider to make sure your passport and other travel documents meet their requirements.