Turkmenistan
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Entry requirements
This information is for people travelling on a full ‘British citizen’ passport from the UK. It is based on the UK government’s understanding of Turkmenistan’s current rules for the most common types of travel.
The authorities in Turkmenistan set and enforce entry rules. If you’re not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact the Embassy of Turkmenistan in the UK.
Entering Turkmenistan across the land border from Iran
If you are a British national wanting to enter Turkmenistan from Iran, you will need special authorisation from the Government of Turkmenistan and confirmation of an onward flight.
Authorisation can be facilitated by the British Embassy in Ashgabat by contacting the FCDO before you travel to the border, indicating whether you are contacting from Iran or from the UK on behalf of a relative.
You will need to provide personal details (name, date of birth, passport information) of the person travelling and a copy of an onward flight reservation, and indicate which border crossing they intend to use. The authorisation process will likely take about 48 hours but may be longer. Normal visa fees of 70-100 US dollars will be applied on arrival in Turkmenistan and must be paid in cash.
Access to the internet and mobile phone networks is restricted in Turkmenistan. If you intend to leave Iran overland, you do so at your own risk. In Iran, holding a British passport or having perceived connections to the UK can be reason enough for the Iranian authorities to detain you.
Read more FCDO advice if you’re affected by a crisis abroad.
COVID-19 rules
All travellers entering Turkmenistan must undergo a COVID-19 test upon arrival, which costs 31 US dollars cash.
Confirm the latest requirements with your Turkmen sponsor.
Passport validity requirements
To enter Turkmenistan, your passport must have an ‘expiry date’ at least 6 months after the date you plan to leave Turkmenistan.
Check with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to.
You will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.
Dual nationals
When returning to the UK, British citizens must carry a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement. See Dual citizenship.
Visa requirements
You must have a visa to visit Turkmenistan.
If you have the wrong visa or if you overstay your visa, you could be prosecuted and possibly imprisoned.
Applying for a visa
On 1 October 2026 Turkmenistan introduced an electronic (e-visa) system for tourists and people visiting to participate in international conferences and exhibitions backed by the Government of Turkmenistan.
You cannot apply for one of these visas directly. Your tour agency or event organiser will continue to act as a sponsor. However, when the visa is approved and paid for through your sponsor, you will receive an e-visa that can be printed off or presented electronically on arrival. The e-visa replaces the former two-part process of a letter of invitation followed by a visa vignette in your passport.
If you plan to visit Turkmenistan for any purpose other than tourism or conference participation, you continue to need a letter of invitation applied for on your behalf by a sponsoring organisation. Once you have the letter of invitation you can apply for your visa either at your nearest Embassy of Turkmenistan or on arrival.
The cost of any visa is dependent on your length of stay in Turkmenistan and whether you are applying for a single or multiple entry visa. The website of Turkmenistan’s State Migration Service has more information about visas and border requirements.
For visas needing to follow the letter of invitation process, Visas applications through an Embassy of Turkmenistan are referred to Ashgabat for a decision, which can take up to a month unless a paid-for express service is available. Visas on arrival attract an additional fee of 50 US dollars.
The website of the Embassy of Turkmenistan in London includes a Visa Fees table for applications submitted to the Embassy.
Transit visas and travelling through Turkmenistan by car
If you will be travelling overland through Turkmenistan territory for fewer than 5 days, and the purpose of your stay is the transit rather than tourism, you may be eligible for a transit visa.
The Turkmen State Migration Service is the sole sponsor of transit visas.
You must secure the letter of invitation before you travel, and it can take up to a month for a letter of invitation to issue. This can then be converted to a transit visa at the land border checkpoint.
The website of the Embassy of Turkmenistan in London sets out the eligibility criteria for a transit visa. You cannot change your transit visa to a tourist visa, and you must enter and leave Turkmenistan using the border crossings specified in the letter of invitation.
You cannot buy a transit visa for Turkmenistan at Baku seaport. You must secure it ahead of time.
You will be charged up to 150 US dollars to bring a car into Turkmenistan by land or sea.
A transit visa is not needed for layover flights where you will remain airside. You should contact the Embassy of Turkmenistan in London or your airline with further questions.
Border officials may close Turkmen border crossings without notice.
Vaccine requirements
For details about medical entry requirements and recommended vaccinations, see TravelHealthPro’s Turkmenistan guide.
Registering with the authorities
If you’re staying in the country for more than 3 working days, you must register with the State Migration Service of Turkmenistan within 3 days of your arrival. Your hotel or sponsor will usually register you. Confirm this with them before you travel, including what documentation is required.
To register, you will usually need:
- your passport
- 2 passport-size photos, and
- written confirmation of where you are staying from your sponsor
Taxes for foreign nationals
On arrival, you must pay a migration fee of 14 US dollars. All foreign visitors must also pay a ‘tourism tax’ of 2 US dollars for each day of their stay in Turkmenistan. Hotels include the tax as a separate item on your bill.
You may be charged additional taxes on entry. Bring enough cash (US dollars) to cover unexpected charges.
Customs rules
There are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of Turkmenistan. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.
‘Tobacco products to the amount of 2 packs’ means you can bring one of:
- 2 packets of cigarettes – a total of 40 cigarettes
- 2 cigars
- 2 packs of tobacco each weighing no more than a packet of cigarettes
It is illegal to give tobacco products as a gift. If you are caught, you could get a fine.
Taking money into Turkmenistan
Turkmenistan is largely a cash-based society. Carry cash and pay in the Turkmen currency, manat. Some larger hotels and restaurants accept US dollars - you should check before purchasing. Other outlets are only allowed to accept manat.
You can exchange US dollars at the official manat rate at your hotel or a bank. Bring crisp, clean notes as creased, damaged or marked notes will be rejected. Notes issued before 2013 may also be rejected. 100 US dollar bills with the blue ribbon are favoured over the older white and green notes. You can check which version of dollar notes you have on the US government website. Other currencies are difficult to exchange. Manat cannot be re-converted, so exchange only as much as you need.
It is possible in Ashgabat to use a UK bank card to withdraw manat from an ATM or buy manat over the counter, but only at the State Bank for Foreign Economic Affairs. There’s a 3% withdrawal charge for each transaction. You are strongly recommended to bring enough dollars for your entire trip.