Asia and Oceania

Turkmenistan

Still current at: 03 July 2009

Updated: 11 June 2009

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.

Crime

As in most cities 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.

 

Political Situation

 

The situation remains peaceful and there are signs of the relaxation of some regulations.  Nonetheless, there is traditionally a relatively high state of security in Turkmenistan.  You should be cautious and make sure your travel documents are in order and are carried at all times.

 

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 yourocal tour guide when planning visits to areas outside the capital.

 

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.

 

For more general information see Driving Abroad.

 

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.

 

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).

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.  The position regarding the legality of homosexuality in Turkmenistan is unclear.  Homosexuality is still very much frowned upon socially.  You should take care over public displays of affection.

Photography of many official buildings is forbidden. You should check before taking photographs near possible sensitive sites e.g. airports, military barracks, police stations, government buildings and the Presidential Palace.

For more general advice for different types of travellers see Travel Advice Relevant to you.

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 buy a visa to enter Turkmenistan 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.

All foreign nationals, including British nationals, require visas to transit Turkmenistan by train.

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.

Passport validity

There should be at least six months validity remaining on your passport when you apply for a Turkmen visa.

Caspian Sea ferry services

 

Similarly, 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).

 

On arrival

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 one copy of the card. The other must be handed over on departure and so must be kept safe for the duration of your stay. There is also a US$25 departure tax.

Registration

 

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 you should 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

Transiting Turkmenistan

 

If you are transiting the country, 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.

 

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.

 

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.  For further information on exactly what will be required at immigration please contact the Turkmen Embassy in London.

The quality of medical care 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, hepatitis A and malaria are common to Turkmenistan.  The later is normally found in southern areas of Turkmenistan (next to the Afghanistan border) between June and October.

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).

In the 2008 Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic the UNAIDS/WHO Working Group estimated that less than 1,000 adults aged 15 or over in Turkmenistan were living with HIV; the prevalence rate was estimated at less than 0.1% of the adult population. This compares to the prevalence rate in adults in the UK of around 0.2%.  You should exercise normal precautions to avoid exposure to HIV/AIDS. For more general information on how to do this see HIV and AIDS.

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.

Avian Influenza (Bird Flu)

There have been no reported cases of Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) in Turkmenistan during the current series of outbreaks.  But the World Health Organisation (WHO) has confirmed cases elsewhere in the region.

You should read this advice in conjunction with Avian and Pandemic Influenza on the FCO website.

Insurance

 

Comprehensive travel and medical insurance, including evacuation by air ambulance, is essential.  Medical facilities are very poor.  Health insurance is essential.  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, then this is how we can help.

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

 

Consular registration

Register with our LOCATE service to tell us when and where you are travelling abroad or where you live abroad so our consular and crisis staff can provide better assistance to you in an emergency.  More information about registering with LOCATE can be found here.

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.  Applications for a new passport can be submitted to the British Embassy in Ashgabat will be forwarded either by courier at the applicant’s expense or by diplomatic bag free of charge, to the British Embassy in Moscow for processing.  When 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 Passport, which is valid for a single journey back to the UK.

 

Electricity

 

The electricity supply is 200V.  Appliances use two pin round plugs.

 

Money

 

There are no international ATM’s 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 currency has recently been redenominated and although you will be given the new notes when changing money it is likely that you will be given a mixture of old and new notes as change if you buy something.  The two types of notes will both be valid until 31 Dec 09 after which time only the new notes will be valid.