Asia and Oceania

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

• Health
• Natural disasters
• General
 

Travel Summary

• The World Health Organisation (WHO) has raised its Pandemic Threat Alert Phase to Level 6. The WHO website at http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/en/index.html has further details. Check Swine Flu for further information.
  
  
• 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.
  
  
• 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 of this advice for more details.
  
  
• You should ensure your inoculations are up to date.  Typhoid and Hepatitis A are endemic.  See the Health section of this advice for more details.
  
  
• Most visits to Turkmenistan are trouble-free. Two British nationals required consular assistance in Turkmenistan in the period 01 April 2008 – 31 March 2009 for the following types of incident; deaths (0 cases); hospitalisations (0 cases); and arrests, for a variety of offences (1 cases). During this period assistance was also requested with regard to lost or stolen passports (0 cases).
  
  
• We recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling.  You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake.  See the General (Insurance) section of this advice and Travel Insurance for more details.