How Long Can I Stay in Turkmenistan?
Complete guide for UK passport holders. Last verified 2026-02-04.
Maximum Stay
Visa required - various durations available
At a Glance
Duration
Visa required - various durations available
Visa Type
Tourist Visa Required
Entry Requirements
- Passport valid for 6 months after date you plan to leave
- Letter of invitation required - from authorized travel agents (tourists) or government ministries/companies (business)
- Apply to Embassy of Turkmenistan or purchase visa on arrival at Ashgabat Airport and some land borders
- COVID-19 test required upon arrival at Ashgabat airport (costs 31 USD cash) - no test for land/sea entry
- Check with sponsor or embassy for latest requirements
Important Things to Know
Wrong visa or overstay can result in prosecution and possible imprisonment
Visa application referred to Ashgabat - can take up to a month
Cost varies by duration, single/multiple entry, and Express Service option
Transit visa available for stays under 5 days (most commonly used for land border entry)
Must secure letter of invitation before travel - can take up to a month
Cannot change transit visa to tourist visa
Transit visa: must use border crossings specified on invitation letter
Car import by land/sea: charged up to 150 USD
Cannot buy transit visa at Baku seaport - must secure beforehand
Border crossings may close without notice
Must register with State Migration Service if staying more than 3 working days - hotel/sponsor usually registers
Migration fee: 14 USD on arrival
Tourism tax: 2 USD per day - included in hotel bill
May be charged additional unexpected taxes on entry - bring cash USD
Tobacco: max 2 packs (40 cigarettes or 2 cigars or 2 packs tobacco) - illegal to gift tobacco (fine if caught)
Cash-based society - bring US dollars/euros; exchange at banks/exchanges
Damaged or marked notes rejected
100 dollar bills pre-2009 refused by establishments
Limited international ATMs in Ashgabat with 3% fee - can run out
Bring enough dollars for entire trip
Additional Information
Very restrictive Central Asian country. Letter of invitation required. Visa application takes up to a month. Largely cash-based. Registration obligations.
Official Sources
UK Government Foreign Travel Advice
https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/turkmenistan/entry-requirementsLast verified: 2026-02-04
Always verify current requirements with official government sources before traveling, as visa policies can change.
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