With its proven gas reserves among the largest in the world and the eccentric whims of the late dictator Turmenbashi, attracting tourist attention, foreign travel to this remote Central Asian country is on the increase. While the independent country has made great economic strides since the Soviet era, the bureaucracy has not. Here are a few things to contemplate when applying for a Turkmenistan visa.
Turkmenistan Visa Types – Transit, Tourist and Business
Visitors staying more than three days are required to register with the State Service of Turkmenistan for the Registration of Foreign Nationals. In practice, this registration is done by hotels and host businesses, and the requirement should only necessitate some action by foreigners arriving on private visas.
Transit visa. For travellers wishing to pass though Turkmenistan, a transit visa is available, permitting an overnight stay in the country. An invitation letter is required or proof of onward travel is required, in the form of visa or onward ticket to a neighbouring country, as well as visas from country of arrival.
Tourist visa. A tourist visa can be obtained through an invitation from a travel agent and proof of hotel booking in the form of a voucher. Travel agencies will apply for the visa to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Turkmenistan on behalf of their clients.
Business visa. Business visas are granted to foreigners doing business in Turmenistan upon presentation of an official invitation from an official Turkmen-registered company. Local representative offices of international companies, as well as private entrepreneurs are not allowed to issue an invitation letter if they are not a Turkmen legal entity.
Processing times of visas are 5-10 working days, although this can be done in three days in Washington, for example, for a doubling of the visa fee.
Visa Requirements
Turkmenistan visa requirements are as follows:
- Completed application form which can be downloaded from the embassy website. (two copies in Washington)
- Letter of invitation certified by the State Migration Service of Turkmenistan. The invitation is valid only for 3 (three) months from the date it was confirmed.
- One passport-sized photograph, attached to the application form (two in Washington).
- A valid passport with at least one blank page and more than six months from expiry.
An additional requirement on the official website in Washington states that "legal resident aliens of the United States, Canada, and Mexico must have a valid visa for re-entry into their country of residence and must submit a copy of their Resident Alien Card."
Health Requirements – HIV Test
Travellers planning to spend more than three months in Turkmenistan are required by law to produce a certificate from a registered doctor to show that they are not HIV-positive.
Turkmenistan Visas After Flights to Ashgabat Airport
The network of global Turkmen diplomatic representation outside the former Soviet Union is limited with embassies of Turkmenistan operating only in Vienna, Paris, Berlin, London, Brussels, Washington, Karachi, Teheran (and Mashhad), Beijing, Ankara (and Istanbul), Islamabad and Damascus. For citizens of countries with no Turkmen embassy, visas can be issued at the airport, but only to those who have applied prior to arrival.
Fee Structure for Turkmenistan Visas
There are a variety of visa types and prices available, which are subject to change at short notice. As a guide, a British citizen will be required to pay €35 (plus €15 service charge) for a single-entry 10-day visa, €520 for a one-year multiple entry (including service fee), while the costs in Washington are slightly cheaper, with corresponding Turkemenistan visas costing $35 and $515.
Sources:
Turkmenistan Embassy in London
Turkmenistan Embassy in Washington
Paul Bradbury - Author of Hvar: An Insider's Guide to Croatia's Premier Island, and Lebanese Nuns Don't Ski
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