Turkmenistan LOI — No Longer Required
Until recently a Letter of Invitation (LOI) was the first step to a Turkmenistan tourist visa. It has been replaced: visas are now issued electronically (e-visa), and a separate LOI is not required. Here is what changed and what you need to do now.
Tours with Visa Support
For every tour below we prepare and submit your e-visa application, so there is no LOI paperwork on your side.
#80
7-tägige Tour zu den Höhepunkten Turkmenistans: Von Aschgabat nach Chiwa / Nukus
#79
9-tägige Expedition zu den Höhepunkten Turkmenistans: Aschgabat, Merv, Yangykala und Darvaza
#76
4-tägige Turkmenistan-Transit-Tour von Buchara nach Chiwa oder Nukus über Merw, Nachtzug & Derweze
#75
3-tägige Turkmenistan-Transittour von Buchara nach Chiwa oder Nukus über Merw, Nachtzug und Darvaza
#74
8-tägige Tour "Hauptattraktionen Turkmenistans": Yangi-Kala-Schlauf, Merv und Darvaza-Krater
#73
2-tägige Turkmenistan-Tour von Buchara zum antiken Merv und nach Türkmenabat
Upcoming Departures
Join a guaranteed small-group departure — the visa application is handled as part of the booking.
What You Do Instead of an LOI
The invitation step is now part of the e-visa application, which we handle for you:
1. Book a tour
The visa is issued for a specific trip, so the application starts after you choose a tour and dates.
2. Fill in the short online form
On our visa application page, upload a scan of your passport and a visa photo and add your contacts and travel dates. It takes about 5 minutes.
3. We check and submit the application
We correct and complete the data, including the route and other details the Migration Service asks for, according to your tour.
4. Pay the invoice and receive the e-visa
We email you the portal invoice and a payment link, and you pay by card on our website. Processing then takes 9 business days, or 5 if expedited.
What You Need to Know
Is the LOI still needed?
No. The old two-step process (LOI first, visa second) was replaced by a single e-visa application.
Who needs a visa
Everyone, without exception. There is no simplified procedure; the e-visa is the only way to get the visa.
Cost
Typically $40 for a standard visa and $80 for an expedited one. The fee depends on nationality and no full price list is published. The exact amount is known after we file your application: we email you the portal invoice and you pay it by card on our website.
Guide is mandatory
A guide accompanies every route without exceptions, because Turkmenistan is a closed country and some places are off limits.
Full Visa Guide
For visa types, cost, processing time and the transit visa question, see our complete Turkmenistan visa guide.
Start Your Visa Application
Choose a tour and fill in the short online form. We reply within 24 hours.
