Turkmenistan travel advisory today

This information is for people travelling on a full ‘British citizen’ passport from the UK. It is based on the UK government’s understanding of Turkmenistan’s current rules for the most common types of travel.

The authorities in Turkmenistan set and enforce entry rules. If you’re not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact the Embassy of Turkmenistan in the UK.

Entering Turkmenistan across the land border from Iran

If you are a British national wanting to enter Turkmenistan from Iran, you will need special authorisation from the Government of Turkmenistan and confirmation of an onward flight.

Authorisation can be facilitated by the British Embassy in Ashgabat by contacting the FCDO before you travel to the border, indicating whether you are contacting from Iran or from the UK on behalf of a relative.

You will need to provide personal details (name, date of birth, passport information) of the person travelling and a copy of an onward flight reservation, and indicate which border crossing they intend to use. The authorisation process will likely take about 48 hours but may be longer. Normal visa fees of 70-100 US dollars will be applied on arrival in Turkmenistan and must be paid in cash.

Access to the internet and mobile phone networks is restricted in Turkmenistan. If you intend to leave Iran overland, you do so at your own risk. In Iran, holding a British passport or having perceived connections to the UK can be reason enough for the Iranian authorities to detain you.

Read more FCDO advice if you’re affected by a crisis abroad.

COVID-19 rules

You do not need a COVID-19 vaccination to enter Turkmenistan. All travellers entering Turkmenistan must undergo a COVID-19 test upon arrival, which costs 31 US dollars cash.

Confirm the latest requirements with your Turkmen sponsor, or with the embassy that issued your visa if you have one. Check with your travel company or airline for changes.

Passport validity requirements

To enter Turkmenistan, your passport must have an ‘expiry date’ at least 6 months after the date you plan to leave Turkmenistan.

Check with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to.

You will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.

Dual nationals

When returning to the UK, British citizens must carry a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement. See Dual citizenship.

Visa requirements

You must have a visa to visit Turkmenistan.

If you have the wrong visa or if you overstay your visa, you could be prosecuted and possibly imprisoned.

Applying for a visa

You need a letter of invitation to support your visa application. For tourist visits, authorised travel agents can provide these letters. If you are travelling on business, you will need letters from the relevant government ministries or companies you want to do business with. If you want to attend an exhibition or event, the organiser normally provides visa support.

Once you have your letter of invitation you can either apply for a visa at your nearest Embassy of Turkmenistan or purchase a visa on arrival. The visa on arrival option is available at Ashgabat International Airport and some land borders. Check with your sponsoring tour agency for latest details on land border crossings.

Visas applications to an Embassy of Turkmenistan are referred to Ashgabat for a decision, which can take up to a month.

The cost of a visa is dependent on the length of stay in Turkmenistan, whether you are applying for a single or multiple entry visa and whether or not you are opting for the “Express Service” from the Embassy or visa on arrival option at Ashgabat airport. For a full list of prices for visas visit the website of the Embassy of Turkmenistan in London where a PDF document called “Visa Fees” outlines the range of prices for visas.

Transit visas and travelling through Turkmenistan by car

If you will be in Turkmenistan for fewer than 5 days you may also be able to use a transit visa. These are most commonly used for entry to Turkmenistan through a land border, for example if travelling overland from Uzbekistan. Apply for a letter of invitation through your nearest Embassy of Turkmenistan.

When you apply for a transit visa, the sponsor will be the Turkmen State Migration Service, rather than a tour agency. Check the website of the Embassy of Turkmenistan in London for further information.

You must secure the letter of invitation before you travel, and it can take up to a month for a letter of invitation to issue. This can then be converted to a transit visa at the land border checkpoint.

The website of the Embassy of Turkmenistan in London sets out the eligibility criteria for a transit visa. You cannot change your transit visa to a tourist visa, and you must enter and leave Turkmenistan using the border crossings you included on the letter of invitation.

You cannot buy a transit visa for Turkmenistan at Baku seaport. You must secure it ahead of time. If you want to travel from Turkmenistan to Azerbaijan by sea, you need to have visas for both Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan.

You will be charged up to 150 US dollars to bring a car into Turkmenistan by land or sea.

A transit visa is not usually required for layover flights where you will remain airside. You should contact the Embassy of Turkmenistan in London or your airline with further questions.

Border officials may close Turkmen border crossings without notice.

Vaccine requirements

For details about medical entry requirements and recommended vaccinations, see TravelHealthPro’s Turkmenistan guide.

Registering with the authorities

If you’re staying in the country for more than 3 working days, you must register with the State Migration Service of Turkmenistan within 3 days of your arrival. Your hotel or sponsor will usually register you. Confirm this with them before you travel, including what documentation is required.

To register, you will usually need:

• your passport
• 2 passport-size photos, and
• written confirmation of where you are staying from your sponsor

Taxes for foreign nationals

On arrival, you must pay a migration fee of 14 US dollars. All foreign visitors must also pay a ‘tourism tax’ of 2 US dollars for each day of their stay in Turkmenistan. Hotels include the tax as a separate item on your bill.

You may be charged additional taxes on entry, bring enough cash (US dollars) to cover unexpected charges.

Customs rules

There are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of Turkmenistan. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.

‘Tobacco products to the amount of 2 packs’ means you can bring one of:

• 2 packets of cigarettes – a total of 40 cigarettes
• 2 cigars
• 2 packs of tobacco each weighing no more than a packet of cigarettes

It is illegal to give tobacco products as a gift. If you are caught, you could get a fine.

Taking money into Turkmenistan

Turkmenistan is largely a cash-based society. Carry cash and pay in the Turkmen currency, manat. Some larger hotels and restaurants accept US dollars - you should check before purchasing. Other outlets are only allowed to accept manat.

You can exchange US dollars and euros at the official manat rate easily at a bank or money exchange. Bring new, clean notes as exchanges will reject damaged or marked notes. An increasing number of establishments also refuse to accept $100 bills produced before 2009. You can check which version of dollar notes you have on the US government website. Other currencies are difficult to exchange. Manat cannot be re-converted, so exchange only as much as you need.

There are a limited number of international ATMs in Ashgabat, but they can run out of manat notes. There’s a 3% withdrawal charge for each transaction. You are strongly recommended to bring enough dollars for your entire trip.

Some countries have imposed measures in response to the Ebola disease outbreak. These can include restrictions on entry and health screening measures for travellers having recently visited an affected country. If you are suspected of having symptoms, you may be subject to isolation, quarantine and/or travel restrictions. Contact the authorities of the country you are travelling to for more details.

The authorities of a country or territory decide who can enter or exit through its borders. The Government of Canada cannot intervene on your behalf if you do not meet your destination’s entry or exit requirements.

We have obtained the information on this page from local authorities. It can, however, change at any time.

Verify this information with the Foreign Representatives in Canada.

Passport

Entry requirements vary depending on the type of passport you're travelling with.

Before you travel, check with your transportation company about passport requirements. Its rules on passport validity may be more stringent than the country's entry rules.

Regular Canadian passport

Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the date on your letter of invitation.

Passport for official travel

Different entry rules may apply.

Official travel

Passport with “X” gender identifier

While the Government of Canada issues passports with an “X” gender identifier, it cannot guarantee your entry or transit through other countries. You might face entry restrictions in countries that do not recognize the “X” gender identifier. Before you leave, verify this information with the closest foreign representative for your destination.

You should also be aware that current systems used by some countries and travel companies may not recognize the “X” gender identifier. You may still be asked to provide your sex/gender information as either male or female when travelling.

Other travel documents

Different entry rules may apply when travelling with a temporary passport or an emergency travel document. Before you leave, verify this information with the closest foreign representative for your destination.

Useful links

• Travel and your sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and sex characteristics
• Foreign Representatives in Canada
• Canadian passports and other travel documents

Visas

Tourist visa: required
Business visa: required
Student visa: required

Letter of invitation

You must present a letter of invitation in support of your visa application. Obtain this letter from the person you intend to visit, from the company for which you will be working, or from an authorized travel agency in Turkmenistan. The person/organization inviting you must submit a request to the State Migration Service of Turkmenistan (SMS).

State Migration Service of Turkmenistan

Migration card

You must complete a migration card and pay a migration fee upon arrival at an airport or border crossing. Border officials will provide you with a copy of this card, which you must carry with you and return to border officials upon departure. Failure to produce the card or return it on exit can result in fines and departure delays.

Registration

If you plan to stay for more than three working days, you must register your arrival with the SMS. You must also deregister with the SMS prior to departure. Failure to register properly can result in fines, arrest and/or deportation. If you are deported for these violations, authorities will bar your return to Turkmenistan for up to five years.

Border areas

Areas bordering Iran, Uzbekistan and Afghanistan, including the city of Dashoguz and areas of the Caspian coast, are restricted zones. You must obtain permission from the Government of Turkmenistan to travel to these areas. Submit applications to travel to these areas at least 10 working days before your intended date of travel.

Health entry requirements

You must produce a negative result on an HIV test certificate if you intend to remain in Turkmenistan for longer than three months.

Children and travel

Learn about travelling with children.

Yellow fever

Learn about potential entry requirements related to yellow fever (vaccines section).