Turkmenistan Visa & Entry Requirements
Everything you need to know about visas, the Letter of Invitation (LOI), registration, and entry points for traveling to Turkmenistan.
Who Needs a Visa for Turkmenistan
Almost all foreign nationals require a visa to enter Turkmenistan. The country maintains a strict visa policy, and entry without prior authorization is not permitted for most travelers.
A visa is required for:
- •Tourists
- •Business travelers
- •Participants in conferences and events
- •Private visits
- •Group and individual travel
- •Transit passengers leaving the international transit zone
Even short visits require an officially issued visa.
Visa-free travel:
Turkmenistan does not offer broad visa-free entry for tourism. Citizens of most countries must obtain a visa in advance. Visa-free regimes in neighboring countries do not apply to Turkmenistan.
Transit:
Transit usually requires a visa if you leave the airport transit zone or cross the country overland.
Key rule:
If you are not a citizen of Turkmenistan, assume a visa is required.
Airport transit zone
If you only stop at Ashgabat International Airport for a connecting flight without leaving the international transit zone, no visa is required. As soon as you pass through immigration to enter the country, a visa is mandatory.
Tourist Visa & Letter of Invitation (LOI)
The tourist visa is the primary way to legally visit Turkmenistan. It can only be issued with an approved Letter of Invitation (LOI).
Without an LOI, a tourist visa cannot be obtained.
Tourism in Turkmenistan must be arranged through a licensed local tour operator such as TM Tour and follow a pre-approved itinerary.
Letter of Invitation (LOI):
- Official approval from the State Migration Service
- Basis for issuing a tourist visa
- Includes passport details, dates, and travel route
- Processing time: 10–20 business days
Without LOI approval, embassies will not issue a visa and visa on arrival will not be granted.
Independent travel is not permitted.
Visitors must travel via a licensed operator, follow an approved program, and be accompanied by a guide.
How we arrange your LOI:
- We confirm your itinerary and travel dates with you
- We submit the application to the State Migration Service
- We receive the official approval
- We send you the LOI reference number
The LOI is not a visa itself - it is the authorization that lets you apply for one.
Required Documents
To apply for a Turkmenistan tourist visa, travelers typically need:
- Passport valid at least 6 months
- Color scan of passport information page
- Passport photo (3 × 4 cm, white background)
- Completed visa application form
- Tour confirmation and itinerary issued by our team
Embassy requirements may vary by country.
Letter of Invitation – Application Form
The Letter of Invitation is a crucial document required before applying for a Turkmenistan visa. TM Tour, a licensed Turkmen tour operator, arranges it on your behalf.
- Our specialists submit your LOI application to the State Migration Service
- Processing typically takes 10-20 business days
- We provide the LOI confirmation number for your embassy application
- Full support throughout the visa application process
LOI Application Form (PDF)
Letter of Invitation – Application Form
Provided by our team
Visa Application Process
Book Your Tour
Choose travel dates and itinerary with a licensed operator.
LOI Application
Our specialists submit the LOI request. Processing: 10–20 business days.
LOI Approval
You receive the LOI reference number.
Obtain Your Visa
Apply at a Turkmen embassy or receive visa on arrival at the border.
Recommendation: Start the process at least 30 days before travel.
Entry & Exit Points
Turkmenistan has limited international entry points. Your point of entry must be specified in your LOI application.
By Air
Most tourists enter via air:
Ashgabat International Airport - main international hub with visa on arrival service.
By Land
Several land crossings are available for tourists:
Important: Your LOI must specify the exact border crossing you will use.
Most land border crossings operate from 09:00 to 18:00 local Turkmenistan time and close for a lunch break, typically around 13:00-14:00. Plan to arrive outside the lunch hour to avoid waiting or arriving too late.
From Iran:
- • Gaudan (Iran border)
- • Serakhs (Iran border) - Akhal Velayat / Khorasan Razavi Province
From Uzbekistan:
- • Farap (Uzbekistan border)
- • Shavat (Uzbekistan border)
- • Kunya-Urgench → Khodjeyli (Uzbekistan border) - exit from Turkmenistan only
From Kazakhstan:
- • Garabogaz (Kazakhstan border)
From Afghanistan:
- • Serhetabat → Turgundi (Afghanistan border) - Mary Velayat / Herat Province
Not all land crossings are open to foreign tourists. Confirm availability with your tour operator.
By Sea
Ferry service operates across the Caspian Sea:
Turkmenbashi Port - Baku, Azerbaijan (irregular schedule)
Ferry schedules are unpredictable. Allow extra buffer time if using this route.
Processing Time
10–20 business days
LOI approval
30+ days
Recommended lead time
Visa Fees
All fees are paid in cash (USD).
Tourist visa (single entry)
Varies by nationality
55–155 $
Border service fee
14 $
Medical test (if required)
33 $
Bring clean, undamaged USD bills (issued after 2006). ATMs are not available at the airport.
Important:
- • Fees are non-refundable if visa is denied
- • Express processing may cost extra
- • Visa fees are separate from LOI fees
Where to Apply for a Visa Abroad
Once your Letter of Invitation (LOI) is approved, you can apply for your tourist visa at the nearest Turkmenistan diplomatic mission. Turkmenistan operates 37 embassies and consulates worldwide. If your country has no Turkmen mission, the closest mission in your region will accept your application.
Embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan
Embassy6, Karte-e se, 5 st. 386, Kabul
Consulate in Herat, Afghanistan
ConsulateJade Mokhaberat St. 3236, Herat
Consulate in Mazar-i-Sharif, Afghanistan
ConsulateAhmad Shah Massoud Shahid St., 29-30, Mazar-i-Sharif
Embassy in Yerevan, Armenia
EmbassyVerin Antarain St. 148/6, Yerevan
Embassy in Vienna, Austria
EmbassyArgentinitrstrasse 22/2, StiegeII/EG, Vienna
Embassy in Baku, Azerbaijan
EmbassyJalil Mammadguluzade St. 85/266, Baku
Embassy in Minsk, Belarus
EmbassyPobediteley Ave. 69, 220035, Minsk
Embassy in Brussels, Belgium
EmbassyBoulevard General Jacques 15, 1050 Bruxelles
Embassy in Beijing, China
EmbassyKing's Garden villas A-1, Xiaoyunlu 18, 100016, Beijing
Embassy in Paris, France
Embassy13 rue Picot, 75116, Paris