Turkmenistan is one of the least visited countries in the world and I am happy I have been able to explore this amazing country. I traveled from Uzbekistan to Turkmenistan and had an adventure. I got a quick tour of their capital, Ashgabat, the city of love/devotion. One of the most popular spots here is the “gateway to hell” in Darvaza. Turkmenistan has many quirks and is very beautiful, especially the white city, I had a great time there and so would you.

Philippine Passport Holders are required to have a visa to enter Turkmenistan. There is no Turkmenistan Embassy in the Philippines; however, the Embassy of Japan has been accredited as Ambassador Plenipotentiary to the Philippines.

Here is the guide on getting a Turkmenistan Tourist Visa for Philippine Passport Holders:

Quick Facts About The Turkmenistan Tourist Visa

Validity: 10 days – 12 months

Number of Entries: Single or Multiple Entry

Processing Time: 10 days (regular) or 3 days (expedited)

Where to Apply: The Embassy of Turkmenistan in Kuala Lumpur
Address: 2 Chome-6-14 Higashi, Shibuya City, Tokyo 150-0011, Japan
Email Address: embassy@turkmenistan.or.jp
Telephone: 03-5766-1150

Exemption:

Those with a letter of invitation from a company registered in Turkmenistan and approved by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs can get a visa on arrival in Turkmenistan for a maximum of 10 days.

Turkmenistan Tourist Visa Requirements

1. Visa Application Form - Fill it up clearly and neatly, if possible typed or printed and without correction. Blanks must be filled in “N/A”. Do not fold or deteriorate the form.

2. Passport and copy of bio-page - Passport must be valid for a minimum of 6 months from departure date. Pass also a the bio-page containing application details and signature, it must be arranged vertically in a Letter sized paper.

3. Passport-sized Photos – must be recently taken within 6 months and glued to the application form.

4. Certified Letter of Invitation – certified invitation letter from the person or company applicant is visiting. State Migration Service. If none, you can contact a travel agency in Turkmenistan. Please refer to this list.

Note that an invitation is only valid 3 for months after confirmation.

5. Visa Fee – Paid in USD and cash at the embassy. Please see the table below (#1 in FAQs) as it ranges from 10 days – 1 year, single or multiple entries from USD 35 to USD 1015 inclusive of USD 15 service fee.

Additional requirements for those who are staying for 3 months or more:

Original HIV/AIDs certificate from the doctor, it must be done within 3 months before the application date. English or Russian is preferred.

Step-by-Step Guide on getting a Turkmenistan Tourist Visa

Getting a visa for Turkmenistan is relatively easy and can be done in 4 easy steps.

STEP 1: Fill up your application form and have all of your documents ready.

STEP 2: Contact the Turkmenistan Embassy in Japan to schedule an appointment and to determine the final fees. You may e-mail your documents ahead so they can advise you on how much you would be paying.

STEP 3: Proceed to the Embassy to submit the required documents.

STEP 4: Wait for the decisions. Claim your passport and visa after 10 working days at the Embassy. Pay the visa fee in USD (cash).

FAQS in Applying for Turkmenistan Tourist Visa

1. How much is the visa fee for a tourist visa? Where do I pay?

Here is the table of the visa fees, inclusive of a service charge of USD 15. There are two types regular and expedited(*).

2. Is the visa fee the same for children?

For children of 0 – 7 years old – only USD 15 is charged.

For 7 – 16 years old – 50% consular fee plus USD 15.

So for example, 10 days regular, the consular fee is USD 20 (+15 = 35 as shown in the table). 20 divided 2 = 10 + 15 = USD 25. USD 25 is paid only for 7-16-year-old applying for 10 days single-entry in a regular process.

3. Is the visa fee refundable?

No, it is non-refundable.

4. Where is the Embassy of Turkmenistan located?

The Embassy of Turkmenistan2 Chome-6-14 HigashiShibuya City, Tokyo 150-0011, Japan

5. What time is the Embassy of Turkmenistan open?

It is open from Mondays to Fridays; 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM. The lunch break is from 1:00 – 2:00 PM.

6. How long is the visa processing time?

Regular processing takes 10 days while expedited takes 3 days.

7. How many days before my flight should I process my application?

Since regular processing takes around 10 days and your application is in Japan, then it’s better to process it at least 3 or 4 weeks before your scheduled departure.

8. Can I apply through the mail?

Most probably, you can consult with them if you are having difficulties like living in another country. However, you will shoulder postage costs and risk on delays.

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FAQS about Turkmenistan

1. What is the language in Turkmenistan?

Turkmen is the official language of Turkmenistan. Russian is widely spoken, however, only a few can speak fluent English.

2. What is the currency in Turkmenistan?

Turkmenistan Manat (TMT) is used in Turkmenistan. 1 TMT is about 14.50 PHP. The exchange rate is tricky, the official rate is 3.5 manat for 1 USD while the black market is 16 manat for 1 USD.

3. When to visit Turkmenistan?

The best time to visit Turkmenistan is in March, April, October, and November. During spring and autumn, the weather is great. Don’t come during July or August as the temperatures are more than 50 degrees.

4. Is Turkmenistan safe?

Turkmenistan is a safe country to travel to. Petty thefts and pickpocketing are also rare. The ones where it’s not safe to go are the borders near Afghanistan, but tourists won’t wander there. But to be safe, I always recommend having travel insurance.

5. How to get to Turkmenistan?

There are no direct flights to Turkmenistan; you need to pass through Turkey or China if you want to come here. However, if you want to tour around Central Asia, you can start in Kazakhstan.

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Go on a silk road journey in Central Asia, Turkmenistan is indeed a gem that has to be discovered. It is the most unique country I’ve visited in Central Asia. For Philippine Passport Holders, we can apply to the Turkmenistan Embassy in Kuala Lumpur. I fell in love with Turkmenistan and so will you!