Deep coverage11 verified routes across visit, study, work, investment, family and more.
Personalize for your passports
Select the passports you hold to see short-stay access and per-route eligibility for Turkmenistan.
4 routes
Visit
Short stays: tourism, transit, business trips, medical, pilgrimage.
Tourist Visa
Turkmenistan Tourist Visa (TU)
The tourist visa (category TU) is the standard route for leisure visitors and requires, like almost every Turkmen visa, a Letter of Invitation (LOI) approved in advance by the State Migration Service of Turkmenistan (SMST). For tourist visas only a Turkmenistan national tour operator may act as the inviting Counterpart and file the LOI request; the certified LOI is valid 3 months. Tourist visas normally stipulate that the visitor be accompanied by a registered, state-licensed guide for most of the trip, and a solo traveller must still engage a licensed Turkmen travel agency. The visa is stamped at a Turkmen embassy/consulate or, with a valid LOI, on arrival at Ashgabat airport; the consular fee depends on validity and entries (e.g. USD 55 single-entry up to 1 month). Travellers must register with the SMS within 3 working days of arrival.
Government fee
$55
Document checklist (6)
Letter of Invitation (LOI)Approval letter certified by the State Migration Service, requested by a licensed Turkmen tour operator; valid 3 months.
Visa application formCompleted Turkmenistan visa application form with affixed photo.
PassportOriginal passport valid at least 6 months beyond the date of departure, plus a colour copy of the bio-data page.
Passport photographsTwo recent 3x4 cm colour photographs.
Tour booking / itineraryConfirmation of the tour package or guided itinerary arranged through the licensed Turkmen agency.
Consular fee paymentPayment of the validity-based consular fee at the time of submission.
Transit Visa
Turkmenistan Transit Visa (TR)
The transit visa (categories TR1 single / TR2 double) is the one notable Turkmen visa that does NOT require a Letter of Invitation, making it the main route for independent travellers crossing the country (typically on the trans-Caspian or Central Asia overland circuit). It permits a transit stay of up to 5 days and is applied for in advance at a Turkmen embassy or consulate, not at the airport or land borders. Applicants must hold valid visas for both the country of entry and the onward country of departure and submit a detailed route. The fee is USD 10; approval is discretionary and refusals without stated reason are common. It does not authorise tourism beyond transit, work or study.
Government fee
$10
Processing time
21 days
Max stay
5 days
Document checklist (7)
Transit visa application formCompleted transit visa application and applicant petition with route details.
PassportOriginal passport valid at least 6 months, plus a colour copy of the bio-data page.
Passport photographsTwo recent 3x4 cm colour photographs.
Onward (departure-country) visaCopy of a valid visa for the country you will exit Turkmenistan into.
Entry-country visaCopy of a valid visa for the country from which you enter Turkmenistan, where applicable.
Detailed transit routePlanned route across Turkmenistan including border-crossing cities and dates.
Consular fee paymentPayment of the USD 10 transit fee.
Business Visitor Visa
Turkmenistan Business Visa (BS)
The business visa (categories BS1/BS2) is for meetings, negotiations, conferences and commercial activity and requires a Letter of Invitation approved by the State Migration Service, requested by the inviting Turkmen company or organisation; the certified LOI is valid 3 months. Standard LOI processing is about 10 business days, with paid expedited options. Validity and entries vary by request, and the consular fee follows the validity-based scale (e.g. USD 55 single-entry up to 1 month, up to USD 515 for a 12-month multiple-entry visa). It permits business activity but not local employment, and the holder must register with the SMS within 3 working days of arrival.
Government fee
$55
Processing time
10 days
Document checklist (6)
Letter of Invitation (LOI)Approval letter certified by the State Migration Service, requested by the inviting Turkmen company; valid 3 months.
Visa application formCompleted visa application form with affixed photo.
PassportOriginal passport valid at least 6 months beyond departure, plus a colour copy of the bio-data page.
Passport photographsTwo recent 3x4 cm colour photographs.
Company / business documentationInvitation and supporting business documents from the inviting Turkmen entity.
Consular fee paymentPayment of the validity-based consular fee at submission.
Medical Treatment Visa
Turkmenistan Health / Medical Visa (HL)
Turkmenistan issues a distinct health visa (category HL) for foreigners travelling for medical treatment. Like nearly every Turkmen category it requires a Letter of Invitation approved by the State Migration Service, requested by the Turkmen medical institution or sponsoring counterpart; the certified LOI is valid 3 months. Standard LOI processing is about 10 business days. The visa is tied to the treatment purpose and does not authorise work or study, and the holder must register with the SMS within 3 working days of arrival. Published fees and durations follow the general validity-based scale and are not separately specified for this category.
Processing time
10 days
Document checklist (6)
Letter of Invitation (LOI)Approval letter certified by the State Migration Service, requested by the Turkmen medical institution; valid 3 months.
Medical / treatment documentationConfirmation of the planned treatment from the receiving Turkmen institution.
Visa application formCompleted visa application form with affixed photo.
PassportOriginal passport valid at least 6 months beyond departure, plus a colour copy of the bio-data page.
Passport photographsTwo recent 3x4 cm colour photographs.
Consular fee paymentPayment of the validity-based consular fee at submission.
Not yet researched
Pilgrimage Visa
1 route
Study & Training
Universities, language courses, internships and exchanges.
Student Visa
Turkmenistan Student Visa (ST)
The student visa (category ST) is for foreigners admitted to a Turkmen educational institution and requires a Letter of Invitation approved by the State Migration Service, requested by the inviting institution; the certified LOI is valid 3 months. Standard LOI processing is about 10 business days, with paid expedited options. The visa is tied to enrolment, and the student must register with the SMS within 3 working days of arrival. Validity typically matches the academic period and is renewable; the consular fee follows the validity-based scale. Official published fees, durations and work-rights details for students are limited.
Study: Valid for enrolment at the admitting institution.
Processing time
10 days
Document checklist (7)
Letter of Invitation (LOI)Approval letter certified by the State Migration Service, requested by the admitting Turkmen institution; valid 3 months.
Admission / enrolment letterProof of admission or enrolment at the Turkmen educational institution.
Visa application formCompleted visa application form with affixed photo.
PassportOriginal passport valid at least 6 months beyond departure, plus a colour copy of the bio-data page.
Passport photographsTwo recent 3x4 cm colour photographs.
Educational credentialsOptionalPrior academic certificates, legalised or apostilled as required.
Consular fee paymentPayment of the validity-based consular fee at submission.
Not yet researched
Language Course Visa
Internship / Trainee Visa
Exchange Program Visa
1 route
Work & Self-Employment
Digital nomad, freelance, skilled employment and company transfers.
Skilled Work Visa
Turkmenistan Work Visa and Work Permit (WP)
Employment in Turkmenistan is a two-stage process: a Turkmen employer first obtains permission to hire a foreign worker (subject to labour quotas and a justification that no local candidate is available) and a work permit, then the State Migration Service issues a Letter of Invitation that lets the worker apply for the WP work visa at an embassy/consulate. The certified LOI is valid 3 months and the visa is tied to the sponsoring employer. On arrival the worker must register with the SMS within 3 working days. Published fees, validity and quota figures are not officially specified; the consular fee follows the validity-based scale. Time on lawful residence can lead toward a residence permit only via the separate long residence route.
Work: Employment authorised only for the sponsoring employer named in the permit.
Residency after 7 years
Family: Spouse and minor children may obtain dependent visas if the worker shows sufficient means; dependents cannot work without their own permits.
Document checklist (8)
Letter of Invitation (LOI)Approval letter certified by the State Migration Service, requested by the sponsoring Turkmen employer; valid 3 months.
Work permit / hiring permissionEmployer-obtained permission to engage a foreign worker, subject to labour quotas.
Visa application formCompleted visa application form with affixed photo.
PassportOriginal passport valid at least 6 months beyond departure, plus a colour copy of the bio-data page.
Educational / professional credentialsLegalised or apostilled diplomas and professional qualifications.
Medical certificateHealth certificate as required for employment.
Police clearance certificateCriminal-record clearance from the home country.
Passport photographsTwo recent 3x4 cm colour photographs.
Not yet researched
Digital Nomad Visa
Freelancer Visa
Self-Employment Visa
Startup / Entrepreneur Visa
Seasonal Work Visa
Intra-Company Transfer Visa
1 route
Invest & Capital
Golden visas, real estate, citizenship by investment, passive income.
Business Investor Visa
Turkmenistan Investment Visa (IN)
Turkmenistan issues a distinct investment visa (category IN) for foreign investors, which like other categories requires a Letter of Invitation approved by the State Migration Service, requested by the Turkmen counterpart entity tied to the investment project; the certified LOI is valid 3 months. There is no passive golden-visa, residence-by-property or citizenship-by-investment programme, and no published minimum-investment threshold — the route is project-specific and discretionary. Standard LOI processing is about 10 business days with paid expedited options, and the consular fee follows the validity-based scale. The investor must register with the SMS within 3 working days of arrival.
Processing time
10 days
Document checklist (6)
Letter of Invitation (LOI)Approval letter certified by the State Migration Service, requested by the Turkmen counterpart linked to the investment.
Visa application formCompleted visa application form with affixed photo.
PassportOriginal passport valid at least 6 months beyond departure, plus a colour copy of the bio-data page.
Passport photographsTwo recent 3x4 cm colour photographs.
Investment / project documentationDocuments evidencing the investment project and the inviting Turkmen entity.
Consular fee paymentPayment of the validity-based consular fee at submission.
Not yet researched
Golden Visa (Residence by Investment)
Residence by Real Estate
Citizenship by Investment
Non-Lucrative / Passive Income Visa
No verified routes yet
Retire & Lifestyle
Retirement visas and working holiday schemes.
Not yet researched
Retirement Visa
Working Holiday Visa
1 route
Family & Origin
Reunification, spouse routes and ancestry-based repatriation.
Family Reunification Visa
Turkmenistan Private / Family Visit Visa (PR/FM)
Visiting relatives or friends in Turkmenistan uses the private (PR1/PR2) or family (FM) visa categories, each requiring a Letter of Invitation approved by the State Migration Service and requested by the resident host; the certified LOI is valid 3 months. For family visas the Turkmen citizen or resident sponsor must submit their residence permit and passport pages, plus birth and marriage certificates evidencing the relationship. Standard LOI processing is about 10 business days. The visa is tied to the host and does not authorise work; the visitor must register with the SMS within 3 working days of arrival. The consular fee follows the validity-based scale.
Family: Designed for visiting/joining a spouse or relative; each visitor is invited individually by the host.
Government fee
$55
Processing time
10 days
Document checklist (7)
Letter of Invitation (LOI)Approval letter certified by the State Migration Service, requested by the resident host; valid 3 months.
Sponsor's residence permit and passport pagesCopies of the host's residence permit and required passport pages.
Proof of relationshipBirth certificate and/or marriage certificate evidencing the family relationship.
Visa application formCompleted visa application form with affixed photo.
PassportOriginal passport valid at least 6 months beyond departure, plus a colour copy of the bio-data page.
Passport photographsTwo recent 3x4 cm colour photographs.
Consular fee paymentPayment of the validity-based consular fee at submission.
Not yet researched
Spouse / Partner Visa
Dependent Relative Visa
Ancestry / Repatriation
3 routes
Special Categories
Talent, religious, humanitarian, media, official and permanent residence.
Humanitarian / Asylum Route
Turkmenistan Humanitarian Visa (HM)
Turkmenistan lists a distinct humanitarian visa category (HM), used for humanitarian, charitable, religious or aid-related missions invited by a Turkmen counterpart organisation. Like the other categories it requires a Letter of Invitation approved by the State Migration Service; the certified LOI is valid 3 months and standard processing is about 10 business days. The visa is tied to the stated humanitarian purpose and does not confer general work rights; the holder must register with the SMS within 3 working days of arrival. Official fees and durations follow the general validity-based scale and are not separately published for this category.
Processing time
10 days
Document checklist (6)
Letter of Invitation (LOI)Approval letter certified by the State Migration Service, requested by the inviting Turkmen organisation; valid 3 months.
Mission / project documentationEvidence of the humanitarian or charitable activity and the inviting body.
Visa application formCompleted visa application form with affixed photo.
PassportOriginal passport valid at least 6 months beyond departure, plus a colour copy of the bio-data page.
Passport photographsTwo recent 3x4 cm colour photographs.
Consular fee paymentPayment of the validity-based consular fee at submission.
Official / Diplomatic Visa
Turkmenistan Diplomatic / Service Visa (DP/OF)
The diplomatic (DP) and service/official (OF) visa categories are for holders of diplomatic or service passports travelling on official government, mission or international-organisation business. Applications are typically processed on the basis of a note verbale from the sending government or organisation and, where required, an LOI/clearance via the Turkmen Ministry of Foreign Affairs and State Migration Service; diplomatic and service-passport holders may in some cases apply directly at the embassy without a tour-operator LOI. Fees are generally waived or set under bilateral reciprocity, so no standard consular fee applies. The visa does not confer commercial work or study rights.
Family: Accompanying family of accredited staff may receive corresponding visas via the mission.
Document checklist (5)
Note verbaleOfficial note from the sending government or international organisation requesting the visa.
Diplomatic or service passportValid diplomatic or service passport with copy of the bio-data page.
Visa application formCompleted visa application form with affixed photo.
Mission / assignment documentationEvidence of the official assignment, posting or event.
Passport photographsTwo recent 3x4 cm colour photographs.
Permanent Residence
Turkmenistan Residence Permit (vid na zhitelstvo)
Turkmenistan's residence permit (vid na zhitelstvo) is a rare, long and discretionary route handled by the State Migration Service. In practice a foreigner must have lived lawfully in the country for around 2 years before applying, after which the permit is issued for 5 years and is renewable; permanent residence and naturalisation effectively follow roughly 7 years of total residence (Turkmenistan is generally a single-nationality state with no citizenship-by-investment). Applicants must show a stable source of income, knowledge of Turkmen language and culture, and a clean criminal record, and must be at least 18. Official published fees are not specified. Most spouse-of-citizen and long-resident cases run through this permit rather than any fast-track programme.
Work: Residence-permit holders may live and work in Turkmenistan subject to general rules.
Study: May study while resident.
Residency after 7 years
Family: Spouse and minor children may be included or apply on the same basis, subject to SMS assessment.
Validity
1,825 days
Document checklist (7)
Residence-permit applicationApplication filed with the State Migration Service (often initiated via the consulate/embassy from abroad).
PassportValid passport with copies of the bio-data pages.
Proof of lawful prior residenceEvidence of around 2 years of lawful residence in Turkmenistan before applying.
Proof of stable incomeEvidence of a stable source of income.
Language and culture evidenceDemonstration of knowledge of the Turkmen language and culture.
Some links are affiliate links — booking through them supports VisaPassage at no extra cost to you. Check fare and refund terms with the provider before you book.
Asia
