Turkmenistan’s new e-Visa: All your questions about the new system answered in one place!

Ben Crowley

Oct. 7, 2026

Turkmenistan announced it has launched a new e-Visa on the 1st of October, 2026. An e-Visa usually signals the easing of restrictions and a faster, more efficient process, however in this case not much has changed.

Turkmenistan's visa policy is among the most restrictive of any country, with tourists needing an invitation letter from a travel agency, approved by the government, which will remain at the heart of the new system.

When announcing the implementation of the new system, the State Migration Services announced: “These systems will also increase the efficiency of the work of the migration service and ensure that services are organized in accordance with modern requirements.” But what does that mean in reality?

Below are some of the frequently asked questions regarding Turkmenistan’s new e-Visa system.

What is the new Turkmenistan e-Visa process?

Tourists wishing to travel to Turkmenistan will be required to obtain a tourist visa. In order to obtain a tourist visa, an individual must be on an organised tour. The tour company will then apply for your LOI, as well as your e-Visa, which will be prepaid at the time of booking the tour. The tour agency will then send you your e-Visa which you’ll present on arrival in Turkmenistan in order to get a visa in your passport.

How does this compare to the old system?

The only difference the new system has is the requirement that the visa is paid for in advance, and that the visa is then applied for, by the travel agency, online prior to the tourist arriving in the country. This is opposed to the tour company taking care of the LOI and then you, as the traveller, paying the visa fee on arrival at the airport or land border.

What is an organised tour?

A tour in Turkmenistan has a very broad definition. It can be anything from two airport transfers and a single night of accommodation with no guide, transport or any other inclusions, all the way through to an all inclusive, in-depth, 20 day cross country sightseeing extravaganza.

Do you need to travel as part of a group?

No, you can travel privately, either solo or as part of your own immediate group, provided the tour is pre-arranged for you.

Will you still require to be approved for an LOI?

A Letter of Invitation (LOI) will still be part of the Turkmenistan e-Visa system. Upon booking a tour, your travel plans and documents will be submitted to the State Migration Services, who after the usual checks will either approve or reject the application. The chances and circumstances for rejections will remain the same.

Who will submit your e-Visa application?

For the time being, the tour agency who you booked your tour with, and who submitted your LOI, will also apply for your e-Visa. The traveller/tourist will not be involved in the online process.

How will I now pay for my Visa?

Previously when travelling to Turkmenistan tourists paid for their visa at the airport/land border. Now the visa fee will be collected when the tour is booked. The visa fee is now non-refundable, meaning that if your LOI is rejected, you will still be out of pocked for the visa. This did not used to be the case.

Will I still need to queue at the airport/land border for my visa?

Yes, for the foreseeable future, tourists will still need to queue up to get the visa in their passport, before continuing to the immigration desks. You will also need to stop at the bank and pay your migration tax and COVID test fee.

Will I still need to make a payment on arrival?

Yes, you will still have fees to pay at the border, including the Migration Tax, Bank fee, and COVID test fee. The visa fee, however, will have been handled previously – this is the change from the current system.

What happens if my LOI is rejected?

If your Turkmenistan LOI is rejected, you will be unable to receive a Turkmenistan visa in any form. Furthermore, your visa fee will not be refunded. This is also a change from the previous system, where a rejected LOI meant no out of pocket costs for the traveller.

For anymore questions relating to the Turkmenistan e-Visa system, or about the possibility of travelling to Turkmenistan, make sure to email [email protected] .

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