Turkmenistan visa from Australia

[nancypants]

Hi team,

Unusual one I’m sure but does anyone have any pointers for how to get a Turkmen visa from Australia
I have a British passport also but uncertain if this assists me

Looks like I might take a holiday to Seoul and do it there- doesn’t seem like they restrict it to Korean citizens (as I have been caught out before!). Or do people mail for it?

There is talk of a VOA option but doesn’t appear 100% confirmed it’s still a thing?

Thanks!

 

[RooFlyer]

@Scarlett seems to be the most recent traveller or about to travel to Turkmenistan and probably has the best advice.

But then I believe you cannot enter Turkmenistan unless part of a tour and the tour will give you a letter of invitation and I think they will also secure the Visa.

 

[nancypants]

@Scarlett seems to be the most recent traveller or about to travel to Turkmenistan and probably has the best advice.

But then I believe you cannot enter Turkmenistan unless part of a tour and the tour will give you a letter of invitation and I think they will also secure the Visa.

Yes I’m looking at a tour but they are Turkmen based and their advice conflicts with Smart traveler (now I know that the Turkmens would surely know more about this than the Australians however…)

 

[burmans]

Yes I’m looking at a tour but they are Turkmen based and their advice conflicts with Smart traveler (now I know that the Turkmens would surely know more about this than the Australians however…)

I went 2 years ago on a tour, the tour agency arranged it all and visa stamped in at the border. Probably slightly different on arrival by plane but am sure process is basically similar. Have you checked Sherpa, I find their advice is better than Smarttraveller.

 

[nancypants]

I went 2 years ago on a tour, the tour agency arranged it all and visa stamped in at the border. Probably slightly different on arrival by plane but am sure process is basically similar. Have you checked Sherpa, I find their advice is better than Smarttraveller.

They say the same kind of thing ie VOA is available but may cause issues during check in, government of Turkmenistan recommends travellers secure a visa from embassy of Turkmenistan before travelling

 

[Scarlett]

I’ll let you know in a week and a bit!

I have an LOI and am confident that I’ll be able to get a VOA (for a tourist visa) at ASB. I’ve read plenty of blogs and posts that this is the way to do it as there is no Turkmen embassy in Aus.

If you have an Aus passport and enter on that, you should be fine boarding your flight to Turkmenistan with just the LOI. If you were using a British passport that might be a different story because there may have been an expectation you could go to the embassy in London.

I booked my tour by submitting a request for proposals through Caravanistan. They then had three separate tour companies respond to the basic outline I had suggested with personalised tour options and price. I chose the one I wanted and sent them my personal details to get the LOI. All three companies noted the exact same process of them getting an LOI for me before traveling and that I’d then pay the ~USD82 (+++) for the VOA at ASB airport.

 

[RooFlyer]

then pay the ~USD82 (+++) for the VOA at ASB airport.

I’m sure you have, but just check the payment methods. I have a vague memory of going through years ago that it was US dollars cash only.

 

[nancypants]

@Scarlett keep me posted!

 

[Scarlett]

I’m sure you have, but just check the payment methods. I have a vague memory of going through years ago that it was US dollars cash only.

Yep, still is.
I have USD for:
- the visa ($82 for Aust passports)
- mandatory covid test (USD33!)
- and another junk fee that might be called an immigration fee of USD14
- plus to pay my tour…

I’m sure someone will drag them kicking and screaming into the new millennium at some stage.

 

[JohnM]

I’m sure someone will drag them kicking and screaming into the new millennium at some stage.

Don't bank on that. It's a very strange place - but interesting, nevertheless.