Asia and Oceania

• Travel Summary
• Safety and security
• Local laws and customs
• Entry requirements

• Health
• Natural disasters
• General
 

• There is a low threat from terrorism. But you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks, which could be in public places, including those frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.
  
  
• There may be heightened security arrangements in place in the lead-up to and during the Presidential election on 12 February 2012.
  
  
• You should carry an identity document at all times. Requests to produce proof of identity, for example by the police, are frequent.
  
  
• Do not overstay your visa. You should also register with the State Service of Turkmenistan for the Registration of Foreign Nationals if you are staying for more than three days.  See the Entry Requirements - Registration section.
  
  
• You should get comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. See the General - Insurance section.

Safety and Security - Terrorism

There is a low threat from terrorism. But you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks, which could be in public places, including those frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers. For more general information see Terrorism Abroad.

Safety and Security - Crime

There are occasional incidents of mugging, theft and pick pocketing, especially at local markets. You should take sensible precautions when travelling or walking in the street and keep valuables out of sight. Women should avoid going out alone late at night. For more general information see Victims of Crime Abroad. 

Safety and Security - Local Travel

Certain areas of the country (particularly border areas) are designated restricted zones, and require special permission to enter. Ashgabat, the Caspian port of Turkmenbashi, and the ancient Silk Road city of Merv/Mary are not in restricted areas. However, it is best to check with your local tour guide when planning visits to areas outside the capital.

Safety and Security - Local Travel - Road Travel

International driving licences are valid in Turkmenistan. 

Road travel at night outside of the cities is dangerous because of the poor condition of the roads. Driving standards are poor.  

Seat belts should be worn at all times but be aware that many taxis do not have them.  

There are licensed taxis in Turkmenistan, which are clearly identified and yellow in colour. Although the taxis have meters to calculate the fare, drivers will usually ask foreign nationals for a set fee of around 5 to 10 Manat (taxis from the airport cost more and they usually ask for US$. Most taxi drivers do not speak much English. It is also possible to flag down ordinary cars from the roadside and negotiate a fee with the driver for the journey to your destination. We advise against this as there is usually no insurance cover, the servicing of the cars is very likely to be infrequent and of poor quality and they are unlikely to have working seatbelts.

For more general information see Driving Abroad.

Safety and Security - Local Travel - Rail Travel

Rail travel is slow and can be uncomfortable. If you have to travel overnight, store valuables in a safe place. Do not leave the compartment unattended and secure the door from the inside. 

Safety and Security - Local Travel - Air Travel 

It is not clear whether maintenance procedures are always properly observed on internal flights. These concerns do not apply to flights originating outside the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS).

Safety and Security - Political Situation

Turkmenistan Country Profile

The situation remains peaceful and there are signs of the a relaxation of some regulations. Nonetheless, there is traditionally a relatively high state of security in Turkmenistan. There may be heightened security arrangements in place in the lead up to and during the Presidential election on 12 February 2012. You should be cautious and make sure your travel documents are in order and are carried at all times. 

Possession and use of drugs is illegal and, if found guilty, you could face a lengthy prison sentence in very basic conditions. Male homosexual activity is illegal, punishable by a custodial sentence. Homosexuality is still very much frowned upon socially. You should take care over public displays of affection.

There remain sensitivities around relationships between foreign men and local women, and the Turkmen authorities are known to take action against both. For foreign nationals this could result in a fine or deportation from the county.  

Photography of many official buildings is forbidden. You should check before taking photographs near potentially sensitive sites such as airports, military barracks, police stations, government buildings, embassies and the Presidential Palace. It is best to check with the nearest policeman if it is possible to take photographs. It is also against the law to smoke outside and if caught you could be fined.

For more general advice for different types of travellers see Your Trip.

Entry Requirements - Visas

The following requirements are subject to change. You should consult the Turkmen Embassy in London as to precise regulations and required documentation well in advance of your intended travel date.

British nationals require a visa to enter Turkmenistan. A Letter of Invitation, certified by the State Migration Service of Turkmenistan, is needed from a private individual or company to support the visa application. For tourists, these can be obtained from authorised travel agents (a list is available from the British Embassy in Ashgabat). Businessmen visiting for the first time have to obtain letters from relevant ministries, departments or companies they wish to co-operate with in the country, unless the visit is made to attend an exhibition or other event, in which case the organiser normally provides visa support.

Without prior approval from the Turkmen authorities, it is not possible to enter Turkmenistan.  It is not possible to buy a visa on arrival at either Ashgabat airport or the ferry port at Turkmenbashi. If you break your journey or attempt to enter Turkmenistan without the appropriate visa you can be assured of a long and uncomfortable wait in the offices of the Immigration Service at the airport or ferry port.

Turkmenistan does not recognise dual nationality and visitors are expected to have only one passport with them. Visitors trying to enter and leave the country on different passports will experience difficulties and may not be able to depart the country.

Do not overstay your visa. You should also register with the State Service of Turkmenistan for the Registration of foreign nationals if you are staying for more than three days.

Entry Requirements - Visas - Transiting Turkmenistan

All foreign nationals, including British nationals, require visas to transit Turkmenistan by train. You can be registered at entry and exit points if your stay is not longer than five days and you hold a valid transit visa. Transit visitors cannot change their visas in-country, and need to notify the authorities if they intend to vary their route through the country.

All visa applications made at Turkmen Embassies overseas are referred to Ashgabat for a decision.  This can take 20 days or more.  There is an accelerated 24 hours service, but a supplementary fee of approximately US$150 will be charged.

Entry Requirements - Visas - Passport validity

You must hold a valid passport to enter Turkmenistan. Your passport must be valid for at least the length of your visa allowing entry into Turkmenistan.

Entry Requirements - Visas - Caspian Sea ferry services

If you intend to travel from Turkmenistan to Azerbaijan across the Caspian Sea you should be aware that it is not possible to buy a visa on arrival at Baku seaport.  You should therefore ensure that you have a valid visa to enter Azerbaijan if you take the ferry, although this rule does not apply if you are entering Azerbaijan by air (see Travel advice: Azerbaijan for more detail). 

Entry Requirements - Visas - On arrival and Registration

On arrival, you have to complete a migration card and pay a US$12 migration fee ($10 fee plus $2 Admin charge).  The authorities will retain the card.

You must register within three days of arrival, with the State Migration Service of Turkmenistan at their office at 57 Azadi Street, Ashgabat. This registration procedure is to be carried out by your employers, inviting organisation or individual. Tourists will be registered by their Turkmen travel agent.  Registration is for the period of the visa.  If you are not staying in Ashgabat, you should register at the local velayat office of your place of residence (there is no need to register both in Ashgabat and regionally).  You should bring two passport size photos for registration purposes. The State Migration Service of Turkmenistan requires a letter from your host organisation or individual confirming your departure from Turkmenistan. The local registration authorities have abolished the requirement for a de-registration stamp in the passport itself.  Non-compliance with this requirement could lead to prosecution and possible detention. If you are staying for more than three days it is advisable that you register with the British Embassy in Ashgabat for the duration of your stay (tel: +99 312 36 34 98; fax: +99 312 36 34 65; email beasb@online.tm.  Online registration is also available under "consular services" on the Embassy website at:  http://ukinturkmenistan.fco.gov.uk

Entry Requirements - Visas - For stays over three months

If you are entering Turkmenistan for employment, study or private purposes for a stay of over three months, you must produce an HIV certificate. 

Entry Requirements - Visas - Travelling with children

Single parents or other adults travelling alone with children should be aware that some countries require documentary evidence of parental responsibility before allowing lone parents to enter the country or, in some cases, before permitting the children to leave the country.  Those visitors accompanying a child under the age of 18 will need to demonstrate that they have permission from both parents for the child to travel if one or both of the parents are not travelling with them.  Visitors without this authorisation will not be allowed to leave the country.  For further information on exactly what will be required at immigration please contact the Turkmen Embassy in London.

The quality of medical care in Turkmenistan is poor. There are some diagnostic facilities, particularly in Ashgabat, but these have not been tested and we cannot be confident that staff have the ability to understand the output. Any subsequent treatment may also be unreliable or even unwise due to poorly trained staff, limited facilities and a lack of drugs and equipment. Anything other than basic or emergency treatment, particularly away from the capital, is best avoided. You should have up to date accident and medical insurance including cover for repatriation.

Typhoid and hepatitis A are endemic to Turkmenistan. You should ensure your inoculations are up to date. In October 2010 the World Health Organization declared Turkmenistan malaria-free.

You should drink or use only boiled and filtered or bottled water and avoid ice in drinks. Unpasteurised milk should be avoided.  If you suffer from diarrhoea during a visit to Turkmenistan you should seek immediate medical attention.

Due to the extreme temperatures in the summer (up to 50 Celsius in the shade) drink plenty of water, as dehydration is common. You should beware of sunburn in the summer (May-September).

You should seek medical advice before travelling to Turkmenistan and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up-to-date.  For further information on vaccination requirements, health outbreaks and general disease protection and prevention you should visit the websites of the National Travel Heath Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) and NHS Scotland’s Fit for Travel or call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.

For more general health information see Travel Health.

Turkmenistan is located in an active seismic zone. Earth tremors can occur and there is a possibility of earthquakes.

On 6 June there was an earthquake measuring between 4.2 and 4.6 on the Richter scale near the city of Balkanabad in western Turkmenistan. There were no reports of injuries or damage.

All visitors should be aware that currently there is only one (state-owned) mobile telephone provider in Turkmenistan and the quality of the network is considered low. There is no roaming service which means that foreign mobile phones do not work in Turkmenistan. It is possible to purchase a local sim card.

General - Insurance

You should get comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling, including evacuation by air ambulance, is essential. Medical facilities are very poor. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake.  See Travel Insurance.

If things do go wrong when you are overseas, see When Things Go Wrong.

It is advisable to have comprehensive travel insurance cover for unexpected losses such as cancelled flights, stolen cash, passport or luggage. 

General - Consular Registration

It is advisable to register with the Embassy as soon as possible after arrival in Turkmenistan to enable our consular and crisis staff to provide assistance to you in an emergency.

General - Passports

You should carry your passport or other travel documents at all times.  Requests to produce proof of identity, for example by the police, are frequent. The British Embassy in Ashgabat does not issue passports. 

General - Passports - Replacing lost or stolen passports

Applications for a new passport can be submitted to the British Embassy in Ashgabat will be forwarded by diplomatic bag to the British Consulate in Dusseldorf for processing. Where possible you are advised to apply at least two months before your passport is due to expire. You will be allowed to retain your old passport while waiting for a replacement to be processed and returned. In exceptional circumstances, the British Embassy in Ashgabat can issue an Emergency Travel Document.

General - Money

There are no international ATMs in Turkmenistan. Credit cards are only accepted in a few of the main hotels, but Visa cards can be used to obtain cash at the Vnesheconom Bank in Ashgabat and Master-Cards may be used at Senagat Bank, again only in Ashgabat. The fee is currently 5% of the amount withdrawn. US Dollars can be used in major hotels and in some other tourist facilities. It is advisable to carry new notes in low denominations. Notes with any types of additional markings are often refused even by official travel exchange offices. Other currencies are difficult to exchange. The rate you will get at exchange bureaux/banks is $1 – 2.843 TRM; this rate is applied country wide.

General - Consular Assistance - British Embassy in Turkmenistan

The British Embassy is at Four Points Ak Altin Hotel, 301-308 Office Building, Ashgabat,
Turkmenistan.

Office hours GMT:Mon-Thurs: 0330-0730 and 0800-1200, Fri: 0330-0730 and 0800-1030

Local Time: Mon-Thurs: 0830-1230 and 1330-1700 Fri: 0830-1230 and 1330-1530

General - Consular Assistance Statistics

Six British nationals required consular assistance in Turkmenistan in the period 01 April 2011 - 30 November 2011 participating in the Mongol Rally.