Turkmenistan

Typhoid and hepatitis A are endemic. You should ensure your inoculations are up to date.

You should drink or use only boiled and filtered or bottled water and avoid ice in drinks. Avoid unpasteurised milk.

In the summer temperatures regularly reach 45°C in the shade, so drink plenty of water in the summer and avoid sunburn.

If you intend to enter Turkmenistan with medicines, whether prescription or non-prescription, you should check in advance the list of prohibited medicines and the legal quantities of medicines that are allowed into the country. If you are in any doubt, check this with your nearest Turkmen Embassy before you travel. Substances of concern to the Turkmen authorities include but are not limited to tramadol, morphine, opiates or any other constituent component that may be considered as a narcotic drug or psychotropic agent. Possession of these items can lead to administrative or criminal proceedings if you don’t have a prescription, or if you’re carrying more than you need for your visit and do not declare them on arrival. If you are travelling with prescription medicines, you should carry a doctor’s prescription and declare the items on your Customs Declaration form. Some medicines that are non-prescription in your home country, such as codeine, can cause problems on entry into Turkmenistan. Issues have been reported at both the international airport and land borders.

Air quality in Turkmenistan can deteriorate from time to time. If there is a deterioration in outdoor air quality, e.g. due to weather events, you should minimise your individual exposure to external air by staying indoors in an air-conditioned environment as much as possible, with windows and doors closed and as well sealed as possible. Wash all fruit, vegetables and other foods which might have been exposed, and regularly damp dust all indoor surfaces, washing your hands afterwards. You are advised to monitor local reports and weather forecasts for the latest information and local advice.

Internet connections can be unreliable and many social media and sites, such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook are blocked. Some messaging Apps, such as WhatsApp, are also blocked. Access to Yahoo, gmail and hotmail are currently proving difficult (reported 2020). VPNs are illegal in Turkmenistan, and are usually blocked as soon as the authorities pick them up.

Also see ``Shore Leave''.

Licensed taxis are clearly identified and are white or yellow in colour. Although taxis have meters, drivers will usually ask foreign nationals for a set fee of around TMM 20. Taxis from the airport cost more. Some taxis might also ask for payment in USD. You should be cautious about this as it is against the law. Most taxi drivers do not speak much English. Do not use unlicensed taxis.

The political situation is calm, nonetheless, there is traditionally a relatively high level of security in Turkmenistan.

Possession and use of drugs is illegal. If you are 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 disapproved of 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 can result in a fine and deportation from the country.

Photographing official buildings is forbidden. Check before taking photographs near potentially sensitive sites such as airports, military barracks, police stations, government buildings, embassies and the Presidential Palace. The Turkmen can also be sensitive about pictures being taken in the Teke, Russian and Tolkuchka bazaars in Ashgabat.

It is against the law to smoke outside in Turkmenistan; this law extends to restaurants and other communal spaces (unless they contain a designated smoking area). From January 2016 a new regulation banned the import of more than 2 packets of 20 cigarettes per person, 2 cigars and 2 packets of loose tobacco not weighing more than 2 packets of cigarettes. Cigarette sales are restricted to state run shops and outlets. It is against the law to give tobacco products as a gift; if you are caught you could be fined. You can import up to a maximum of 1.5 litres of alcohol.

On 1 August 2017 a new ``tourism tax'' was introduced. All foreign visitors, with the exception of accredited diplomats, are charged USD2.00 for each day of their stay in Turkmenistan. Hotels include the tax as a separate item on guests’ hotel bills.

All foreign nationals will likely need a visa to enter Turkmenistan. You will need a letter of invitation (LOI), certified by the State Migration Service of Turkmenistan, from a private individual or company to support your application. Those travelling on business for the first time must obtain letters from relevant ministries, departments or companies they wish to co-operate with, 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 possible to buy a visa on arrival at either Ashgabat airport or the ferry port at Turkmenbashi but only if you have approval from the Turkmenistan Migration Service before arrival. If you break your journey or try to enter Turkmenistan without the right visa you will face a long and uncomfortable wait in the offices of the Immigration Service at the airport or ferry port.

All foreign nationals need a visa to transit Turkmenistan. 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. But you will not be able to change your transit visa in-country, and you must notify the authorities if you intend to vary your route through the country.

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. Make sure you have a valid visa to enter Azerbaijan if you take the ferry.

Dual nationality is not recognised in Turkmenistan. If you enter Turkmenistan on a Turkmen passport and also hold nationality of another country, that embassy can only provide very limited consular assistance. In cases of arrest or detention, consular access is unlikely to be granted.

Your passport should be valid for a minimum period of 6 months after the expiry date of your visa.

On arrival in Turkmenistan, you must pay a USD14 migration fee. You must register within three days of arrival with the State Migration Service of Turkmenistan at their office at 57 Azadi Street, Ashgabat. Registration is for the period of the visa and may be carried out on your behalf. If you are not staying in Ashgabat, you should register at the local department of Migration Service instead. You should bring two passport size photos. The State Migration Service of Turkmenistan will need a letter confirming your departure from Turkmenistan. A de-registration stamp in your passport is no longer required. Non-compliance with these requirements could lead to prosecution and possible detention.