Starting September 2026, tourist visas to Turkmenistan are processed in a new way — entirely online, via the official electronic visa portal eVISA of the State Migration Service of Turkmenistan (evisa.migration.gov.tm). A separate Letter of Invitation (LOI), without which the application process could not previously begin, is no longer needed. Here is a breakdown of how the process works now and what you will need.
🔄 What Has Changed
Previously, obtaining a visa involved two steps: first, the tour operator obtained a Letter of Invitation (LOI) for you, and only then was the visa issued based on it. Now everything takes place within a single system:
- 📋 the electronic visa application is initiated by the inviting party — that is, us, your tour operator;
- 📩 you receive an email from the portal, verify your details, and complete passport verification;
- 💳 you pay the visa fee online through the portal;
- ✅ the completed electronic visa is sent to your email.
No paper letters or mailing documents back and forth — all you need is a passport scan, a photo, and a few answers on the questionnaire.
📝 How to Get a Visa: Step-by-Step
- 1️⃣ Fill out the form. On our website, this takes about 5 minutes: upload your passport scan and photo, provide your contact details, travel dates, and a few details about yourself. You do not need to enter your name, date of birth, and passport number — we extract them from the scan.
- 2️⃣ We complete the application on the eVISA portal. Our manager enters your details into the official application and sends it to you for confirmation.
- 3️⃣ You complete verification. You will receive an automated email from the portal. Open the link on your smartphone or computer, verify the details, and confirm your passport using your camera — it takes just a couple of minutes.
- 4️⃣ Pay the visa fee online on the portal. The amount depends on the visa type and validity period — the portal will display it prior to payment.
- 5️⃣ We submit the application to the State Migration Service.
- 6️⃣ Receive your visa by email. Print it out and present it along with your passport at border control upon entry.
⚠️ Important: Passport verification can only be completed by the traveler personally. Until it is completed, the application can neither be paid for nor submitted to the Migration Service — so please do not delay acting on the email from the portal.
📎 Required Documents
🛂 Passport Scan
- 🖼️ full color scan of the personal data page;
- 🔤 both machine-readable lines (MRZ) at the bottom of the page must be fully visible;
- ✨ no glare, shadows, or cropped edges;
- 📅 passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the date of entry.
📸 Photograph
Document-style photo compliant with the ICAO standard:
- 🗓️ taken within the last 6 months;
- ⬜ light plain background — does not have to be pure white;
- 👤 face strictly centered, looking directly into the camera, neutral facial expression;
- 🚫 no glasses or headwear.
A smartphone photo taken against a light wall will work. Our application form automatically checks the quality of the scan and photo and will notify you if anything needs to be retaken.
🧾 Information for the Application Form
- ✉️ email address — the verification link and the visa itself will be sent here, so make sure to enter it without errors;
- 📞 phone number with country code;
- 🗓️ entry and exit dates (can be approximate);
- ✈️ mode of entry: flight, seaport, or land border;
- 💼 occupation, place of work, and job title;
- 🎓 education level and marital status.
Educational institution, field of study, family details, and previous surname are optional, but providing them helps the Migration Service approve applications faster.
⏱️ Processing Times
Once you complete verification and pay the fee:
| Processing Type | Processing Time |
|---|---|
| 🐢 Standard Processing | 9 business days |
| ⚡ Expedited Processing | 5 business days |
Add a couple of days to this for completing the application and your verification. If you are short on time before your trip, select expedited processing in the form — the form will automatically warn you if standard processing might not be completed in time for your entry date.
Alternatively, you can request to submit the application closer to your travel date: the form includes the option to choose "immediately" or "closer to travel date".
💰 How Much Does It Cost
You pay the visa fee directly online on the eVISA portal. The fee depends on the visa type and validity period; the portal will display the exact amount before payment.
🎁 Our processing service is free of charge for tourists who book a tour with us.
ℹ️ Other Important Details
- ❌ Cancellation. Once an application is submitted to the State Migration Service, cancellation costs $30 — this fee is non-refundable.
- ✈️ Flight Tickets. If you purchase tickets before receiving your visa, choose refundable or flexible fares.
- 🖨️ Printed Copy. You must print out the electronic visa and present it along with your passport at the border.
🚀 How to Get Started
Fill out our online visa application form — we will handle everything from there and guide you through every step. For more details about the process, visit our "Turkmenistan Visa" page.
