Tajikistan Visa requirements necessitate some planning and inevitable paperwork, and visas need to be obtained by all but a handful of former Soviet states. While letters of invitation are no longer required for tourist visas, they are still a requirement for other types of visa. Here is some useful information about the Tajikistan visa application process.
Documentation Required for Application for Tajik Visa
The following documentation is required for an application for a visa for Tajikistan:
- Two application forms, which can be downloaded from official sites or picked up at Dushanbe Airport.
- Two passport photos.
- A travel itinerary
- Passport valid for at least six months.
- Copy of the biographical page of the passport.
- Visa fee.
- Letter of Invitation if applicable.
Long Term Stay in Tajikistan and HIV Testing
Foreign visitors staying more than 90 days in Tajikistan are required to produce documentation that they are HIV-negative. The Tajik National HIV/AIDS Prevention Centre can be found at 48 Dehoti Street in Dushanbe.
Obtaining Visas for Tajikistan on Arrival at Dushanbe Airport
In certain cases, it is possible to obtain visas upon arrival at the airport in Dushanbe (the only entry point where this is possible), but this varies from country to country and generally only applies to visitors arriving from countries where there is no Tajik diplomatic representation.
Countries which currently have Tajik diplomatic presence are USA, UK, Afghanistan, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, China, Egypt, Germany, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, UAE and Uzbekistan.
It is advisable to check with the nearest Tajik embassy or consulate for the current situation prior to travel, as rules are subject to change.
Costs of Visas for Tajikistan
Costs of visas can change, but as a guide, the current published prices on the website of the Tajik Embassy in London are:
- Up to 14 days: £60 (single entry), £65 (double), £70 (multiple)
- Up to 30 days: £80 (single), £90 (double) and £100 (multiple)
- Up to 90 days: £150 (single), £160 (double) and £200 (multiple)
The cost of an additional permit to the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region (GBAO) is £50
Permits for Gorno-Badakhstan Autonomous Region (GBAO)
Tourists wishing to visit to the Gorno-Badakhstan region are required to obtain an additional permit, on top of the Tajik visa, and failure to do so is a serious offence which will result in arrest. The permit can be obtained at Tajik embassies and consulates abroad, or in Dushanbe from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or Ministry of Internal Affairs Department of Visas and Registration (OVIR).
The official advice is to apply for the permit two weeks ahead of planned travel. Successful applicants receive a stamped piece of paper with a list of places in the region that they plan to visit.
OVIR Registration Requirement for Foreign Citizens
Foreign visitors staying in Tajikistan for more than thirty days are required to register with their local OVIR office. In practice, this is usually taken care of by hotels and host businesses, but it is a requirement for those on a private visit also.
Tajikistan is a bureaucratic country and it pays to do some initial research and planning to minimise frustrations on the ground.
Sources:
Tajikistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Paul Bradbury - Author of Hvar: An Insider's Guide to Croatia's Premier Island, and Lebanese Nuns Don't Ski
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