Travel to Turkmenistan for Taiwan citizenship

Tourist Visa for Turkmenistan

Foreign nationals and stateless persons may generally enter and stay in Turkmenistan on the basis of a visa, unless otherwise provided for by Turkmenistan’s international treaties.

On October 1, 2026, Turkmenistan officially launched its electronic visa (e-Visa) system. It allows foreign citizens and stateless persons to apply for an entry permit online through the State Migration Service of Turkmenistan.

The portal offers three categories of electronic visas:

• e-TU — tourist e-Visa;
• e-BS — business e-Visa for stays of up to 30 days;
• e-HM — humanitarian e-Visa.

For the tourist e-TU, a letter of invitation is not listed among the required documents. This is one of the main differences between the new electronic procedure and the traditional process of applying for a tourist visa through an embassy or consulate.

At the same time, the consular visa application process remains in effect.

Is insurance required?

For the tourist e-Visa e-TU, medical insurance is listed on the portal as an additional document, not as a basic required document.

However, when applying for a traditional tourist visa through a Turkmen diplomatic mission, medical insurance may be included in the required set of documents.

Regardless of how you apply for a visa, it is recommended that you have a travel insurance policy before your trip that covers medical care, hospitalization, emergency treatment, and, if possible, repatriation.

How do I get a visa to Turkmenistan?

Foreign citizens and stateless persons can apply for a visa:

1. Online — through the new e-Visa system for categories available in electronic format;
2. Outside Turkmenistan — through Turkmenistan’s diplomatic missions and consular offices;
3. Within Turkmenistan — through the State Migration Service of Turkmenistan in cases provided for by law.

For the traditional consular procedure, the grounds and list of required documents depend on the visa category and purpose of travel.

Electronic Visa to Turkmenistan

The new e-Visa system allows you to submit an application, upload the required documents, pay the fee, and track the status of your application online.

The following are required for all e-visas:

• a scan of the biographical page of your passport;
• a passport valid for at least 6 months from the date of entry into Turkmenistan;
• a recent passport-sized color photograph on a white background that meets ICAO standards;
• a valid email address for receiving notifications and the e-visa.
  
  

Tourist e-Visa (e-TU)

For the tourist e-Visa, an invitation letter is not listed among the required documents. An itinerary or confirmed hotel reservation, as well as medical insurance, are currently listed as supplementary documents.

Business e-Visa (e-BS)

For a business e-Visa, an invitation letter from a company or organization registered in Turkmenistan is required. The document must also include information about the applicant’s position.

Humanitarian e-Visa e-HM

For a humanitarian e-Visa, an official letter from a humanitarian organization or a UN agency confirming the purpose of the trip is required.

How long does it take to process an e-Visa?

There are three processing options for e-Visas:

• Standard — 7 business days;
• Express — 3 business days;
• Super-Express — 24 hours.

There is no fixed flat rate for an e-Visa: the amount is calculated at the time of application based on its specifics. Payment is made online in U.S. dollars; bank fees may be paid separately.

Traditional Tourist Visa

Alongside the e-Visa, the traditional tourist visa remains in effect. To apply for this type of visa, applicants typically need to contact a travel agency in Turkmenistan, which assists in obtaining an invitation letter from the State Migration Service of Turkmenistan. This document serves as the basis for the issuance of a traditional tourist visa by a diplomatic mission.

The list of required documents varies by consulate but may include:

• an invitation letter;
• a passport and a copy of it;
• a visa application form;
• a photograph;
• travel health insurance;
• airline tickets;
• hotel reservation confirmation;
• other documents as required by the diplomatic mission.

An invitation letter approved by the State Migration Service generally has a limited validity period. Some diplomatic missions of Turkmenistan specify a validity period of 3 months from the date of issuance or certification.

Is it possible to obtain a visa upon arrival?

In certain cases, a traditional visa can be obtained upon arrival, provided that the applicant has a properly prepared invitation letter in advance, approved by the State Migration Service of Turkmenistan.

Official diplomatic missions confirm that visas can be obtained upon arrival at international airports or at certain border crossing points.

The list of available land border crossing points and their operating hours are subject to change; therefore, you should verify this information with a diplomatic mission or the State Migration Service of Turkmenistan before your trip.

Types of Visas to Turkmenistan

The following visa categories are available:

• diplomatic — DP;
• official — OF;
• business — BS1, BS2;
• investment — IN;
• work — WP;
• family — FM;
• sports — SP1, SP2;
• humanitarian — HM;
• private — PR1, PR2;
• student — ST;
• tourist — TU;
• transit — TR1, TR2;
• health/medical — HL;
• driver’s — DR;
• outbound — EX.

Depending on the category and the decision of the competent authorities, a visa may be single-entry, double-entry, or multiple-entry.

What documents are required for a standard visa?

The specific list depends on the visa category, the applicant’s citizenship, and the diplomatic mission to which they are applying.

The required documents may include:

• a written or electronic application;
• a visa application form;
• a valid foreign passport and a copy thereof;
• an invitation letter approved by the State Migration Service;
• color photographs;
• documents confirming the purpose of the trip;
• documents from an employer, educational institution, host organization, or relatives—depending on the type of visa.

For certain categories or long-term stays, medical certificates may also be required, including HIV/AIDS test results. For example, some consular offices require such a certificate for stays of one month or three months, depending on the specific procedure. Therefore, requirements should be verified directly with the diplomatic mission through which the visa is being processed.

Visa and Stay Extensions

If a foreign national needs to extend their visa or the legal duration of their stay in Turkmenistan, they must apply to the State Migration Service before the current validity period expires.

If the visa is not extended, is revoked, or the authorized period of stay has expired, the foreign national is required to leave the territory of Turkmenistan in accordance with the requirements of immigration law.

In 2026, Turkmenistan also launched an online registration system for foreigners. Through this system, certain procedures related to registration at the place of stay, renewal of such registration, and deregistration can be carried out.

What to Do If You Lose Your Passport in Turkmenistan?

If a foreign national loses a passport containing a visa while in Turkmenistan, it is recommended to:

1. Immediately report the loss to the competent internal affairs authorities and the State Migration Service of Turkmenistan;
2. Obtain a document confirming the loss;
3. Contact the embassy or consulate of your home country to obtain a new passport or a temporary travel document;
4. Coordinate with the State Migration Service regarding the renewal or transfer of visa status.

The new e-Visa portal also includes a feature for transferring an electronic visa to a new passport, for example, if the passport is replaced after the e-Visa has been issued.

Registration of Foreigners in Turkmenistan

Foreign nationals should also be aware of the rules for registering their place of residence after entering the country.

The State Migration Service has introduced a separate online system through which you can:

• registration of a foreign national at their place of residence;
• extension of registration;
• deregistration.

The registration procedure may depend on the type of trip and accommodation arrangements. For tourists, the relevant formalities are often handled by the hotel or the hosting travel agency, but it is advisable to clarify before the trip who exactly is responsible for registration in a specific case.

Important Before Traveling

Since the e-Visa system was launched only on October 1, 2026, its practical rules may still be subject to change.

Therefore, before applying, it is recommended to check:

• whether e-Visa applications are available for your nationality;
• which e-Visa category corresponds to the purpose of your trip;
• the current list of required documents;
• the fee amount;
• the permitted length of stay;
• the permitted points of entry;
• the current rules for registration upon arrival.
  
  For traditional consular processing, you should also check the requirements of the specific Turkmenistan embassy or consulate, as the list of required documents may vary depending on the country of application.