Turkmenistan Travel Advice

Published August 12, 2018

Turkmenistan is in Central Asia, bordering the Caspian Sea, between Iran and Kazakhstan

According to the U.S. Department of State, Turkmenistan’s Law on Citizenship does not recognize dual citizenship for its citizens. Consequently, U.S.-Turkmen dual citizens are often denied departure from the country until they renounce their Turkmen citizenship, a process that can take six months to a year or more. The ability of the U.S. Embassy in Ashgabat to assist such dual citizens is very limited.

On August 8, 2018, the British Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) issued the following Turkmenistan travel advice.

Additional charges of up US$150 are being levied at the land and sea borders for vehicles. This is additional to the visa fee. The charges are payable in cash in US Dollars on entry.

The border between Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan is currently closed to traffic. You’re advised not to try to cross the road border but to seek alternative routes, such as via Uzbekistan, until further notice.

In 2017 a new “tourism tax” was introduced. All foreign visitors, with the exception of accredited diplomats, are charged 2 US dollars for each day of their stay in Turkmenistan. If you’re staying in a hotel, this tax will be included as a separate item on your bill.

Although there’s no recent history of terrorism in Turkmenistan, attacks can’t be ruled out.

You should carry identification at all times. The police often carry out checks.