Everything you need to know about Turkmenistan Visa

According to Turkmenistan’s visa policy, UK citizens, like all other travellers must get a visa prior to arrival. So, what are the requirements for lodging a visa from the United Kingdom to Turkmenistan? Read on to know.

There is no online or visa on arrival system yet. All applications must be submitted to the embassy in London. Every application is referred to Ashgabat for a decision - a process that can take up to 20 days or more.

You can also lodge a visa under the accelerated service but at the expense of an additional fee. Hence, it is advisable to plan your travel well in advance if you are embarking on a trip to this country.

Tourist Visa

A tourist visa allows you to enter Turkmenistan if you wish to indulge in sightseeing or leisurely activities. It is available in either single or multiple entry categories.

Validity: Tourist visas come in various validity levels, depending on your requirements. A single entry visa is available in validities of 10 days, 20 days, 1 month, 2 months, 3 months, 4 months, 5 months, 6 months, and one year.

Multiple entry visa offer validity from 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months to one year. Maximum allowable stay is 90 days.

For lodging a tourist visa application, you require to download, print and sign the visa application form. Attach the supporting documents, which include an original and signed UK passport with at least 6 months validity from the date of travel and a minimum of one blank page for visa stamping.

Then, you need to attach a recent (at least 6 months old) passport-size photo on a white background, a copy of your confirmed hotel reservations (with the name of the applicant, name and address of the hotel, and duration of stay).

Two other mandatory documents are an official letter of invitation approved by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Turkmenistan and a personal letter from the applicant (which is addressed to the Embassy of Turkmenistan and contains an explanation about the the purpose of your trip, dates of travel, cities you are planning to visit, and place of accommodation. It should be original and must be signed by the applicant.)

The visa is usually processed within 10 business days and can also be done in 2-3 business days if you opt for an expedited processing option.

Business Visa

If you wish to enter Turkmenistan for business purposes such as attending meetings, conferences, or seminars, you need to apply for a business visa. It is also available in either single or multiple entry categories.

Validity: Just like tourist visas, business visas come in various validity levels, depending on your requirements. A single entry visa is available in validities of 10 days, 20 days, 1 month, 2 months, 3 months, 6 months, and one year.

Multiple entry visas offer validity from 1 month and 3 months to 6 months. Maximum allowable stay is 90 days.

For lodging, a business visa application, the list of required documents is the same as that of a tourist visa. However, you will also need a Business Letter.

This original signed letter from your company in the UK should introduce you by giving details about your employment status and position held in the company.

It must also introduce the nature of the business to be conducted in Turkmenistan, which includes business meetings, contract negotiations and the names and addresses of companies to be contacted in the country. It should contain a guarantee of sufficient funds for travel.

Transit Visa

You require a transit visa when you are transiting via Turkmenistan ports to another country.

Even this visa must be obtained prior to your entry into the country. It comes with a validity and maximum stay limit of 5 days.

For transit visa, ensure that your stay is not more than five days.You will then be registered at the entry and exit points. However, you cannot change your transit visa while staying in the country.

You require to inform the authorities if you intend to vary your route through the country.

If your travel plan includes entry into Azerbaijan across the Caspian Sea from Turkmenistan, you can get a visa on arrival at Baku seaport. You need to carry a valid visa while entering Azerbaijan if you are taking the ferry.

Other Visa Types

Apart from the above visa types, the Turkmen Embassy also issues Diplomatic, Official, Work permit, Investor, Study, and Private visas.

For all these categories, you need to submit a Letter of Invitation, issued from the State Migration Service of Turkmenistan, which is requested by the inviting company/organization or physical person in Turkmenistan.

NOTE: If you own an invitation letter from a company registered in Turkmenistan with pre-approval from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, you can also get a visa on arrival which offers you a 10-day stay.

After you reach Turkmenistan, you can apply for an extension for your visa. In any case, you cannot enter the country without seeking and getting prior approval from the Turkmen authorities.

You can get a visa after arrival at the Ashgabat airport or the ferry port at Turkmenbashi, only after presenting the prior approval letter.

Dual Nationality

Do note that the government of Turkmenistan does not entertain or accept dual nationality. If you enter the country on a Turkmen passport and are a British citizen, the British Embassy cannot offer much assistance in this regard.

If you are arrested or detained, you might not be allowed to communicate with the consular office in most cases.

Entering Turkmenistan via land borders

Apart from paying the visa fees, you might have to fay additional charges when you enter Turkmenistan on vehicles via land or sea.

This fee can include charges for disinfection, an entry permit, insurance and a compensation price for fuel subsidies applicable in Turkmenistan.

The rates vary as per the entry point, your vehicle type, engine capacity and the distances you intend to cover. You can pay for these charges in US$ at the ports of entry.

If your stay exceeds more than three days, you should register with the State Service of Turkmenistan for the Registration of Foreign Nationals.

Visa Registration

After you arrive in Turkmenistan, you need to pay a migration fee of US$14 and register within three days of entry at the State Migration Service of Turkmenistan at their office at 57 Azadi Street, Ashgabat.

However, if you are not staying in Ashgabat, you need to register at the local department of Migration Service.

For this purpose, you have to submit two passport size photos and a letter which confirms your departure from Turkmenistan. You won’t need a de-registration stamp in your passport.

Entering Turkmenistan with Medication

If you are planning to enter Turkmenistan with medicines, whether prescribed or non-prescribed drugs, you need to aware about the list of prohibited medicines.

You should also know about the legal, allowable quantities of medicines. Again, check with the Embassy for exact guidelines.

Some of the prohibited drugs include tramadol, morphine, opiates or any other constituent competent that qualify as narcotics or psychotropic agents.

If you are not carrying a prescription along with such drugs, you may be liable for administrative or criminal proceedings. Additionally, if you have more than the allowable quantity or fail to declare them after your arrival, you can be charged as well.

Ensure to carry a certified doctor’s prescription and declare the items on your customs declaration form in order to avoid any complications. Certain drugs are non-prescription in the UK, such as codeine. But this is not the case in Turkmenistan.

UK Emergency Travel Documents

Turkmenistan does not allow entry or exit by using a UK Emergency Travel Document (ETD). If you possess a Turkmenistan-issued ETD, you still need to carry an exit visa from the State Migration Service of Turkmenistan or Department of Visa and Registration, before you are granted exit from the border. This entire process take up to five business days.