Turkmenistan Transit Visa

Turkmenistan is a landlocked country in Central Asia, bordered by Kazakhstan to the northwest, Uzbekistan to the north and east, Afghanistan to the southeast, Iran to the south and southwest, and the Caspian Sea to the west. It has a land area of 488,100 square kilometers (188,500 square miles) and a population of 5.6 million people. If you are traveling from Turkmenistan to your final destination, you would require a transit visa.

The transit visa for Turkmenistan is valid for five days and allows for multiple entries. Getting a transit visa won’t be much stress for you if you pay attention to all we will share in this article.

This post will explain the requirements and how to apply for a Turkmen transit visa.

About Turkmenistan

Turkmenistan is one of the nations that are very sparsely populated in Asia. As a result, her citizens are known as Turkmenis or Turkmenians. The capital city is Ashgabat.

The country long served as a passageway for many other civilizations and nations. Merv is among the ancient oasis cities in Central Asia. It was once the largest city in the world.

Turkmenistan possesses the fifth largest reserves of natural gas. However, most of the country is covered by a Karakum or black desert.

Turkmenistan saw the number of foreign tourists coming to the country exceed 14,000 in 2019. However, the development of a tourism center on the Caspian Sea has not helped Turkmenistan’s tourism industry to grow.

Its tourism industry keeps showing signs of improvement. However, citizens of Turkmenistan must all obtain a visa to enter that country.

Turkmenistan Foreign Policy

The permanent neutrality of Turkmenistan is the foundation for the foreign policy of Turkmenistan. Other legislative acts are supplementary to this foreign policy.

Turkmenistan’s foreign policy is aimed at achieving its primary objective, which are:

Turkmenistan’s prominence and significance in the international affairs community are boosted by the maintenance and reinforcement of its state sovereignty.
Developing mutually beneficial cooperation with all her international partners based on equality and respect.
Upholding and implementing the national interests of Turkmenistan in all matters that take place within the practice of diplomatic contacts.

What is Turkmenistan transit Visa?

The transit visa is the only kind that does not require a Letter of Invitation from the Turkmen State Migration Office. Nonetheless, if you apply, it may take a longer processing time.

If you wish to visit for a brief period, you may be faced with the option of either getting a tourist or a transit visa. Here’s a comparison of the two types of visas.

For Tourism visa: For those interested in tourism, it allows for tourism possibilities. Requires a Letter of Invitation. Then, you must be booked on a guided tour and accompanied by a guide. It usually takes ten business days to process.

For transit visa: Only to pass through the country. Allows you to remain for five days. Does not require a Letter of Invitation. You don’t need to be booked on tour. It takes several weeks to process.

How to apply for a Turkmenistan transit visa

You can apply for a Turkmen Transit Visa at a Turkmen Embassy or Consulate without having to book a tour or obtain a Letter of Invitation. However, the Turkmen Transit Visa is valid for three to seven days, the average being a five-day transit visa.

Also, You must have or acquire a valid visa for the third country of destination, given that the purpose of this visa is to enable you to transit through Turkmenistan on your onward trip.

If you plan to remain longer than three days in Turkmenistan, you will need to go to the Migration Police (OVIR) office in Ashgabad to register for your stay. You must present a copy of your passport, your valid address (hotel), and a visa for your next destination when required.

Requirements for Turkmenistan transit visa

The documents needed to fill out a Turkmenistan Transit Visa are as follows.

Filled out Visa Application Form. You can download the application form from the Turkmen immigration website.
A 6-month valid passport with two blank pages.
Copies of the pages of your passports that include visas for the previous and next country you are traveling to. If visas were not required for those countries, write a note explaining why.
A recent clear passport-sized photograph of the applicant
A cover letter introduces the reason for seeking the visa and lays out your travel itinerary and route.
Copies of your flight ticket, if needed.

Visa status check

Have you submitted your application, and are you eager to learn at what stage it is? Almost certainly, you applied through the travel agency that organized your trip, so the best thing you should do is check in with them to check it has been approved. In addition, you may request to stay informed about any updates for peace of mind.

If the travel agency you booked does not permit you to apply for the visa online or does not accept your application, try contacting the consulate directly.

You might have been given a temporary or permanent code or reference during your application. Be sure you retain this information, as it’s likely necessary for your detail to be identified in the program. In addition, many embassies worldwide offer an online support forum where you can check the status of your application.

Cost of Visa

Depending on how many times you stay in a country over time, there are Single and Multiple-Entry lodging options available. In addition, service fees can vary from country to country, so if you plan to go, please make sure to keep that in mind.

In the meantime, a transit authorization is at the lower price of 20 USD for five days. On the other hand, if you require the visa to be processed quickly, you will have to pay a premium, which is generally around 150 USD.

Tourist sites in Turkmenistan

Ashgabat

Ashgabat is the federal capital territory of Turkmenistan, and it is also one of the fascinating places you can visit! Did you know that Ashgabat holds a Guinness record for the world’s highest density of white marble-clad buildings? The city also boasts the most significant number of fountain pools in public spaces and many other amazing sights.

Yangykala

The great canyons of Yangkala formed over 5 million years ago, and the marvelous limestone landscapes that have since been formed were created by the rivers and streams of the Karakum desert. A mere 15 million years ago, this area was also the ancient Paratethys ocean sea’s coastline.

Darvaza

The most unusual tourist attraction in the world is this burning gas crater named Turkmen’s Gate. Darvaza from Turkmen means Gate, and the flames from this huge hole in the desert capture the imagination of people visiting there.

Merv

Merv has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999, and its ruins include 4,000 years of history. Before the 11th century, it was an important learning center in the Islamic world. In the 11th to 12th centuries, it was considered the capital of the Great Seljuk Empire.

Gonur Tepe

This is a great archaeological site that lies 60 km from ancient Merv. The site is settled in the Bronze Age. It was dug up in the 1970s and was identified as the largest city of the Bactria Margiana Archaeological Complex (BMAC) or the Oxus Civilization.

Also Read: Turkmenistan Work Visa – Documents needed and Application

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a visa for Turkmenistan?

Yes, you must have a valid passport, a letter of invitation from Turkmenistan’s government, and a Turkmen visa before traveling to that nation. The invitation letter will let you obtain a visa, and you must be approved before arriving in Turkmenistan.

How much is a visa for Turkmenistan?

A single-entry visa valid for 20 days costs USD 30, and a visa valid for one month costs USD 40. For a stay longer than one month, a single-entry visa costs USD 60, while multiple-entry visas cost USD 60.

How much does it cost to travel to Turkmenistan?

The average Turkmenistan tour costs approximately $1095 (including an additional $200 single supplement) and lasts 7-8 days. Its stopover service includes airfare, hotel accommodations, and some meals. The anticipated travel expense from Turkmenistan to Mary and Merv is $339.

How can I go to Turkmenistan from India?

The cheapest way to travel to Turkmenistan from India is to fly, which costs 29,000 – 75,000 and takes 17h 38m.

How can I get a Turkmenistan tourist visa?

Basically, the SMS must ask for your passport and request a letter of invitation. When you have the invitation letter, you may apply for a visa at the Turkmenistan Embassy or the airport when you arrive in Ashgabat.

Conclusion

Finally, obtaining a Turkmenistan transit visa is a straightforward process that can be completed online. The requirements are minimal, and the application process is simple. With a transit visa, travelers can quickly and affordably explore one of the world’s most fascinating and little-known countries. In addition, the earlier you start your application, the better you can save time for other travel arrangements.