Turkmenistan visas
Whether you need a visa for Turkmenistan, and which type, depends on your nationality and the purpose of your trip. Turkmenistan operates a tightly controlled entry system in which most visitors need a Letter of Invitation approved before a visa is issued. Immigration is administered by the State Migration Service of Turkmenistan, with visas issued abroad by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs through Turkmen embassies and consulates.
Turkmen visa categories
Explore visa categories by the purpose of your trip.
- Visitor & short-stay visasShort stays in Turkmenistan — tourism, visiting family or friends, business visits and transit, plus any visa-free or e-visa options.3 visas
- Work visasComing to Turkmenistan to work — the employment and skilled-worker routes and the permits they require.1 visa
- Study visasStudying in Turkmenistan — student visas and permits for accepted students.1 visa
- Family visasJoining or sponsoring a partner, child or other relative in Turkmenistan.1 visa
- Business & investor visasInvesting, doing business or coming to Turkmenistan as a highly skilled individual.1 visa
- Residence & citizenshipLiving in Turkmenistan long term — residence routes and, where available, the path to citizenship.2 visas
Turkmen visa application at a glance
From start to finish in five simple steps.
- 01Choose the right visa
- 02Check eligibility & documents
- 03Apply online
- 04Provide biometrics
- 05Wait for a decision
Who needs a visa to Turkmenistan?
It is one of the world's least visited countries. Turkmenistan has a fairly strict visa policy. Before traveling, everyone must obtain a visa and an invitation letter, with the exception of certain holders of diplomatic or service passports. People of all nations are required to get a visa before entering Turkmenistan, with the exception of those who have special passports or who are from certain regions of Kazakhstan or Uzbekistan.
Entry into Turkmenistan
Currently, non-Turkmen nationals are prohibited from entering Turkmenistan. Citizens planning international travel should consider the ongoing risk of testing positive for COVID-19 while abroad and should purchase travel insurance that includes COVID-19 coverage. We recommend obtaining as much information as possible about Turkmenistan from travel agents, tour operators, and guidebooks prior to your trip. If you encounter difficulties in Turkmenistan, speak with your local contacts, tour operator representative, or hotel administration.
Requirements to apply for a Turkmenistan Visa
You will need the following:
- Form for Visa Application Completion.
- Your passport.
- Copies of the pages of your passport that contain any visas for the previous and subsequent countries you will visit.
- A recent photo in passport size
- A cover letter explaining why the visa is being requested.
Processing Time
You can expect a processing time of a minimum of 10 business days from the day of your initial application.
Who Can Visit Turkmenistan Without a Visa?
Nobody. The visa policy is very strict. You must follow the policy in place or you could risk being deported or even arrested on arrival.
Turkmenistan — key facts
- Visa authority
- State Migration Service of Turkmenistan
- Application
- Online (in most cases)
- Biometrics
- Usually required
- Currency
- Turkmenistan manat (TMT)
- Time zone
- Turkmenistan Time (UTC+05:00), Asia/Ashgabat
Turkmen visas — people also ask
Except for nationals of Turkmenistan and foreigners with permanent registration, entry into Turkmenistan is prohibited.
Official sources
For the most accurate and up-to-date information, always refer to the official government sources.
Verified against official sources · last reviewed 2026-08-21. Information only — not legal advice.