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.
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.
LOI process handled by our team:
- Our team collects your passport copy
- Our team confirms your itinerary and travel dates
- Our specialists submit the LOI application
- Our team receives the approval
- We send your LOI reference number
LOI is not a visa - it authorizes you to 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.
From Iran:
- • Gaudan (Iran border)
From Uzbekistan:
- • Farap (Uzbekistan border)
- • Shavat (Uzbekistan border)
From Kazakhstan:
- • Garabogaz (Kazakhstan border)
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
Registration After Arrival
If your stay in Turkmenistan exceeds 3 business days, migration registration is mandatory and must be completed within the first 3 days after arrival.
How It Works
We take care of the entire registration process:
- • You provide your passport to your guide or our representative
- • We submit all required documents to the State Migration Service
- • A registration stamp is placed in your passport
- • Your passport is returned with the official registration stamp
Registration is confirmed by an official stamp in your passport - no separate document is issued.
Important
- • Registration must be completed within 3 business days
- • Required for all stays longer than this period
- • Arranged by your tour operator
- • Your passport may be checked upon departure
Why It Matters
Failure to register may result in:
- • Fines at departure
- • Questioning by migration authorities
- • Difficulties obtaining future visas
For travelers booking through a licensed tour company, registration is handled as part of the service to ensure full compliance with local regulations.
Migration registration is a legal requirement in Turkmenistan and may be checked at departure.