Many people are interested in whether a visa to Turkmenistan is needed for citizens of Russia, and if so, what exactly is needed to obtain it? Since Turkmenistan, after the collapse of the USSR, has become closed even to the current CIS countries. This fact in itself contains the answer to the question asked - yes, a visa is necessary, without it you can’t cross the border. However, if you follow the instructions, then getting the coveted stamp in your passport is not difficult.
Important information
Russia-Turkmenistan is not a particularly popular destination. But still, many people regularly fly from our country to this state located in Central Asia. And there is one way, using which you can get there without first applying for a visa. To do this, cross the border by plane. And only through the international airport located in Ashgabat. But the duration of the stay should not exceed ten days. If this option is suitable for a person, then they will put a visa right at the airport.
But still some documents you have to have with you. A visa to Turkmenistan for citizens of Russia upon arrival is stamped with a valid passport and invitation, which, in turn, is agreed upon by the State Service for the Registration of Foreigners. But this is the concern of the inviting party.
By the way, another person will need the so-called landing card. But her foreigner acquires for $ 12 upon receipt of a visa. In fact, it is an analogue of the migration card, since it is also intended for keeping records of foreigners.
What is worth knowing?
So, as already mentioned, a visa is affixed at the Ashgabat airport. Turkmenistan is a state with strict laws. Therefore, if after the notorious 10 days a person does not leave the country, he will have to renew his residence permit. You can do this at the Immigration Service. And you need to go there in advance, because the extension takes some time.
There is also something to take into account when arriving in Ashgabat. Turkmenistan, or rather its legislation, imposes certain restrictions on the export of goods from the country. It is forbidden to export locally produced mummies, snake and bee venom (as well as propolis) without a written permit, all types of meat, precious metals and carpets. Otherwise, there are no restrictions.
For tourists
If a person plans to spend more than 10 days in the country, then he will need a visa to Turkmenistan. For Russian citizens, everything is quite simple. You just need to collect a certain package of documents and go with him to the embassy or consulate. Or to the visa center.
Be sure to need the original invitation in the name of the traveler, as well as a photocopier. Usually this document is a travel agency that acts as a guarantor of a person’s stay in Turkmenistan.
Still need a passport and a completed visa application form. To simplify the procedure, the Embassy of Turkmenistan in Moscow posted on its website.
In addition to the above, you will need photocopies of the filled out pages of a common passport, a color photograph of 3 x 4 cm, a certificate from the workplace. If a person is retired, then an appropriate certificate will be required.
Guest Visa
This type of permission to enter the country can also be obtained. In the event that a person needs to visit close relatives or the place where they are buried. In principle, a guest visa to Turkmenistan for citizens of Russia is issued after providing the same list of documents that are usually collected by potential tourists. But something will be required and additional.
This is a statement and a personal visa leaflet, as well as a document that confirms the relationship of the tourist and the one to whom he goes. In addition to these additions, copies of all pages of the Turkmen civilian passport of the host person will be required.
You will also need to provide a certificate of marriage or divorce. In the event that a person goes to visit the burial place, a copy of the death certificate will be needed.
For treatment
Many people are also interested in the topic of how to get a visa to Turkmenistan, if you need to go there to resolve health problems. Well, the main list of documents in this case is supplemented by three more items.
It will be necessary to submit a statement in the form (it can be found on the portal of the embassy), as well as a referral certificate, which is issued at the local clinic. Another must be an invitation from the health resort / sanatorium, where the person goes.
It is important to know one more nuance. Any invitation must be certified by the Migration Service of Turkmenistan. And in the event that a citizen intends to spend longer than three months on his territory, he will need to attach a certificate of absence of HIV to all the documents listed above. In this regard, everything is serious. Needless to say, even if people traveling to Iran and Uzbekistan via Turkmenistan in transit, you need to apply for a visa (either tourist or “fast”).
For a child
Talking about whether a visa to Turkmenistan is needed for Russians, it is worth noting the topic of traveling with children. So, the child whom the parent / guardian takes with him on a trip must have a personal foreign passport. Also, his name should be indicated in the invitation.
You will also need two of his color photographs, the original and a photocopy of the birth certificate and parental passports. A marriage certificate is also required. If the relationship is officially terminated, you will need a divorce certificate with the permission of the second parent to export the child.
About pricing
Now we can talk about how much it costs to apply for a visa to Turkmenistan. It is worth noting that the cost for the Russians is rather big. For a visa upon arrival, for example, you will need to pay $ 35. It is valid for 10 days - we must remember this. If you need a regular, tourist (for 20 days), you will need to pay $ 45. Are you planning a monthly stay in Turkmenistan? Will have to give 55 dollars. Each subsequent day is another plus $ 1. This is expensive, as a regular tourist visa to any European country costs 35 euros and lasts 90 days. It turns out that if a person wants to stay in the country for 3 months, he will have to pay $ 115 of the consular fee.
But that’s not all, which surprises Turkmenistan. A visa for Russians can be more expensive if a person needs permission to repeatedly enter the country. The most expensive option is a 3-month visa. It costs 155 dollars. For 60 days - $ 115. For a month - $ 75. Each additional 30 days costs $ 40.
But that is not all. For "urgency" also need to pay extra. The maximum amount is $ 120 (on the day the documents are submitted). Minimum - $ 40 (during the week). In general, usually the stamp is affixed in the next 10 days after the submission of documents.
Where to go?
Documents must be brought to the Embassy of Turkmenistan in Moscow. It is located in Filippovsky Lane, d. 22. First you need to make an appointment. All information can be found either on the portal or individually by calling the embassy directly. Or help desk, which works on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. By the way, even in Moscow there is a Turkmen consulate, you can also apply there. It is located in the Small Afanasyevsky Lane, in the house No. 14/34 (building 1).
But not only in Moscow are representative offices. Another is located in Astrakhan, on the first Arshanskaya street, at number 11. But the principle is the same - you must first make an appointment. And you need to come 10-15 minutes earlier than the agreed time.
Other visa options
Many people do not want to waste time and nerves on preparing all the documents listed above, standing in line at the embassy, ​​worrying if they approve the application. Although at certain points it is much easier to get a stamp on a passport for a trip to Turkmenistan than to European states. You do not need a certificate of income confirmation, bank statement, hotel reservation and airline tickets. But still, many decide to apply to the visa center of Turkmenistan in Moscow (or in other Russian cities).
The employees of these organizations themselves prepare the applicant’s documents, record it for a meeting at the embassy, ​​and for an additional fee also complete the entire procedure, without the presence of a person. The only thing left for their client is to come to the office a few days later and pick up their passport with a stamp already stamped. Very convenient and fast. But you have to pay for it. The service costs an average of 6-7 thousand rubles.
Work Visa
A couple of words should be said about what documents are needed to obtain a work permit in Turkmenistan. Or, in other words, how to get a work visa.
The most important thing is the presence of an invitation from a Turkmen enterprise. Anyway, the immediate employer is responsible for issuing a work visa. A tax is also levied on him ($ 25 per month for a foreigner's work). Documents are considered within one month from the moment of their submission.
If everything is in order, then permission is issued for a year (as a maximum). If then, after the expiration of the term, it becomes necessary to extend it, then all documents are resubmitted. In order to stay in Turkmenistan, the invited foreigner must be a respectable person, observe all the rules and laws of the state, because otherwise he may be refused an extension of his visa and deported to his homeland.
The invited person must provide the corresponding application in triplicate, a copy of the passport, an obligation, a copy of the diploma with a certified translation to apply for permission. If a specialist was invited as a leader, then documents from the parent company that would confirm the fact of occupying the position will be needed.
Other nuances
To convince representatives of the embassy that a person intends to return home from Turkmenistan, a certificate from the place of employment will be needed. It must contain information about the position held, as well as about salary and length of service. Is the person still studying? A certificate from the place of study, which can be ordered at the dean’s office, is suitable. And people on a well-deserved rest have a pension certificate. Does a person not work and not study? Well, there is a solution. He will need to prove his intention to return by having a family in Russia, registration, property.
By the way, if you want to go to study in Turkmenistan, first you need to contact the university, where you are planning to enter. The university is obliged to invite an applicant. After admission, the student will be given a long-term invitation, which will confirm his legal presence in the territory of the state and allow him to enter Turkmenistan.
As you can see, nothing complicated if you follow the procedure and have all the necessary documents with you.