Visitor & short-stay visas
Turkmen Visa at Ashgabat Airport (Visa on Arrival)
For travellers whose Letter of Invitation has already been approved by the State Migration Service, this entry visa is issued on arrival at Ashgabat International Airport.
Under review — check current rules
Important information
On this page
- Official name
- Visa issued at Ashgabat International Airport
- Route type
- Airport (on-arrival) issuance of an entry visa
- Cost
- Standard visa fee by duration/entries plus USD 50 airport surcharge
- Official MFA consular-fee tariff
- Invitation
- Requires a Letter of Invitation approved by the State Migration Service in advance
- Where to apply
- Ashgabat International Airport, on arrival
- Only after a certified letter of invitation has been arranged in advance
- Letter of invitation
- Required, certified by the State Migration Service
- Valid for 3 months from the date of certification
- Passport validity
- At least 6 months from date of departure
- Photos
- Two colour photographs, 3x4 format
Who it is for
- Travellers arriving by air at Ashgabat with an approved invitation
- Those unable to obtain the visa at a consulate before departure
Requirements
- A Letter of Invitation pre-approved by the State Migration Service
- A valid passport and application form
- Payment of the visa fee plus the USD 50 airport surcharge
How to apply
- Arrange and obtain State Migration Service approval of the invitation before travelling
- Present the approval, passport and payment at the airport visa desk on arrival
Before you travel
This is not a visa you can simply turn up and request. Your host in Turkmenistan — the person, company or travel agency inviting you — must first apply to the State Migration Service for a letter of invitation and have it certified. Only once that certified invitation exists can the visa be issued to you on arrival.
The certified letter of invitation is valid for 3 months from the date it is certified, so time your travel to fall within that window.
Documents you may need
- Passport (valid at least 6 months beyond departure)
- The certified letter of invitation from the State Migration Service (original or copy)
- Two 3x4 colour photographs
- Completed visa application form
Frequently asked questions
No. A letter of invitation certified by the State Migration Service must be arranged before you travel. Arriving without a visa or a certified invitation can result in being held at the airport until you arrange to leave the country.
Official sources
For the most accurate and up-to-date information, always refer to the official government sources.
Verified against official gov.uk sources · last reviewed 2026-08-21. Information only — not legal advice.
Related Turkmen visas
- SHORT STAYTOURISMINVITATION REQUIREDTourist VisaShort-stay entry visa for tourism, normally arranged through an accredited Turkmen tour operator that secures a Letter of Invitation approved by the State Migration Service.View visa details
- SHORT STAYTRANSITUP TO 5 DAYSTransit VisaFor travellers making a brief passage through Turkmenistan, this short transit visa is issued for up to five days per transit.View visa details
