This data is offered as a information solely. You ought to get definitive data from the Turkmen authorities. The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) isn’t chargeable for any inaccuracies on this data.
Support for British Nationals Abroad steerage units out how British nationals can keep secure overseas and the way the FCDO may also help in the event you do get into problem.
Read normal steerage on shifting or retiring overseas.
To keep updated: observe the British Embassy Ashgabat on Facebook and Instagram.
Before you go
See our journey recommendation for Turkmenistan for up-to-date data on entry necessities, native legal guidelines and customs, security and emergencies.
See additionally our Overseas Business Risk information for Turkmenistan for data on safety and political dangers which UK businesses might face in Turkmenistan.
Coronavirus
Follow the recommendation of the Turkmen authorities and your native authority.
You must also learn the Turkmenistan journey recommendation
All COVID-19 restrictions have been lifted, apart from in medical services, the place face coverings ought to proceed to be worn. Check the entry necessities in journey recommendation.
Visas
You will want a visa and a call for participation (LOI) to enter Turkmenistan.
You ought to contact the Turkmen Embassy in London earlier than your supposed journey date. All visa purposes made at Turkmen embassies within the UK and abroad are referred to the authorities in Ashgabat for a call. This can take no less than 14 days. There is a fast-track 24-hour service out there, which has a supplementary charge of roughly US$150.
You can apply for a residence allow on the State Migration Service in case you are married to a Turkmen nationwide, reside with first line Turkmen relations or buyers, for instance.
Read more information about residence permits.
When you arrive in Turkmenistan, you should pay a US$14 migration charge ($10 charge plus $4 admin cost).
If you plan to enter Turkmenistan with prescription or non-prescription medicines, it is best to test upfront the listing of prohibited medicines and the authorized portions of medicines which are allowed. Contact the Turkmen Embassy in London earlier than you journey (phone 020 7610 5239).
Registration
You should register inside 3 days of arrival with the State Migration Service of Turkmenistan.
State Migration Service of Turkmenistan
57 Azadi Street
Ashgabat
If you aren’t staying in Ashgabat, it is best to register on the native Migration Service as an alternative.
Confirm which paperwork you want together with your lodge or employer. Registration is for the interval of the visa. Someone else can register you, if essential.
You ought to deliver 2 passport dimension photographs. The State Migration Service of Turkmenistan will want a letter confirming your departure date from Turkmenistan.
Non-compliance with these necessities might result in prosecution and potential detention.
If you reside in Turkmenistan, you do not want to register with the British Embassy. We encourage British nationals to enroll in our Travel Advice e-mail alerts and observe UK in Turkmenistan on social media together with Facebook and Instagram.
Passports and journey
You should carry a legitimate passport in Turkmenistan always. Police might cease you to test your id.
Check that you’ve sufficient area in your passport for visas and entry and exit stamps. If your passport is because of expire quickly otherwise you should not have spare pages for stamps, it is best to apply for a alternative passport. You can apply for or renew your British passport from Turkmenistan.
Check the Turkmenistan journey recommendation for passport validity necessities.
Healthcare in Turkmenistan
You should guarantee you may have non-public healthcare cowl for Turkmenistan. You can discover a listing of public hospitals and practitioners in Turkmenistan. Doctors and nurses might not communicate English.
The NHS has information about healthcare for people moving abroad. You must also test your prescriptions are authorized in Turkmenistan.
UK journey insurance coverage suppliers won’t usually cowl your healthcare prices in the event you reside abroad.
Most hospitals will settle for card funds, however some might require money fee within the native forex.
Emergency medical help is accessible by dialling ‘03’ and asking for an ambulance. You might have help if you don’t communicate Turkmen or Russian. There could also be lengthy ready instances for ambulances. Where potential, chances are you’ll discover it faster to take a taxi to the hospital. You ought to contact your insurance coverage and medical help firm instantly in the event you’re referred to a medical facility for remedy.
Medicine
If you’re taking prescription remedy, it is best to guarantee you may get this when dwelling in Turkmenistan. Certain medicines might not be out there (together with main manufacturers available within the UK), and chances are you’ll be prohibited from taking them into the nation. You ought to seek the advice of your GP earlier than shifting to Turkmenistan to seek out out about any various remedy.
Working in Turkmenistan
If you’re planning to maneuver to Turkmenistan and work, you’ll need a piece allow.
In accordance with Turkmen regulation, international nationals can work in Turkmenistan below permits granted by the designated authority. Contact the British Embassy Ashgabat for extra data.
Studying in Turkmenistan
If you propose to check in Turkmenistan, you should meet all visa necessities earlier than you journey.
Contact the related increased schooling supplier to test what charges it’s important to pay. Contact the British Embassy Ashgabat for details about schooling alternatives and contacts of native schooling authorities.
Tax
The UK and Turkmenistan Double Taxation Convention entered into drive on 19 December 2016.
You ought to get skilled recommendation on paying tax in Turkmenistan. Find an English-speaking lawyer in Turkmenistan
Read steerage on:
Benefits
Check which UK advantages you may declare whereas overseas and declare them.
Many income-related advantages equivalent to Pension Credit and Housing Benefit can’t be paid in the event you’re overseas for greater than 4 weeks.
Pensions
Read State Pension steerage you probably have lived in Australia, Canada or New Zealand and you’re claiming or ready to say your UK State Pension.
Check details about your UK State Pension or new UK State Pension. Contact the International Pension Centre for additional data.
Life certificates for UK State Pensions
If you get a ‘life certificate’ from the UK Pension Service, you should reply as quickly as potential. Your funds could also be suspended if you don’t.
Money and banking
To open a checking account in Turkmenistan it’s worthwhile to have your unique passport with you.
Money will be transferred by Western Union or MoneyGram in an emergency.
Credit playing cards are solely accepted in Ashgabat resorts and a few supermarkets.
Accommodation and shopping for property
You can ebook lodging instantly on lodge web sites, or by some on-line reserving providers.
Driving in Turkmenistan
Read the steerage on what actions you should do to drive legally in Turkmenistan.
If you want to drive in Turkmenistan it is best to apply for an International Driving Permit. See additionally renewing UK driving licences in case your licence is because of expire.
If you’re requested for a letter authenticating, certifying or validating your UK driver’s licence, it is best to contact your UK issuing workplace (eg the DVLA).
Read extra steerage for travelling by street in Turkmenistan
Read steerage in the event you want to take your automobile with you.
Turkmenistan has a zero-tolerance coverage for driving drunk. You will be detained by police and convicted for drink-driving after consuming 1 alcoholic drink.
Disabled drivers
If you may have a UK Blue Badge and reside in Turkmenistan, you should return it to the unique UK issuing authority.
Voting
You could possibly vote in some UK elections. You can:
Births, deaths, marriage and civil partnership
Births
If your youngster is born in Turkmenistan it is best to register the beginning with the native authorities. You can then register with the UK authorities and apply for a UK beginning certificates
If your youngster has British nationality, you do not want to register the beginning with the UK authorities to use for a British passport.
Deaths
If somebody dies in Turkmenistan, learn our steerage on:
Marriage and civil partnership
Find out how one can get married or get a civil partnership overseas.
You may have to get your UK divorce papers legalised to register marriage in Turkmenistan.
Civil partnerships aren’t recognised in Turkmenistan and can’t be registered.
Find out about notarial and doc providers for British nationals in Turkmenistan.
Pets
To deliver a pet in Turkmenistan you’ll need to point out a world vet passport, well being certificates, and vaccinations certificates (for instance, anti-rabies, deworming remedy). You can even want to supply a translation in Turkmen or Russian languages.
Make certain you additionally test the necessities for transporting pets together with your airways.
See what it’s worthwhile to do to export reside animals from the UK
See travelling with pets for data on bringing pets to the UK.
Emergencies
- dial 02 for the police
- dial 03 for ambulance
- dial 01 for the fireplace brigade
The operators might not communicate English, and chances are you’ll want help from a Russian or Turkmen speaker.
If you may have been the sufferer of a rape or sexual assault in Turkmenistan, learn normal steerage for victims of rape and sexual assault overseas. You may also discover a listing of English-speaking legal professionals in Turkmenistan.
If you’re the sufferer of a criminal offense, have been arrested, or are affected by a disaster, contact the British Embassy Ashgabat.
Read the steerage on worldwide parental youngster abduction in case your youngster could also be vulnerable to this.
Returning to the UK
Read the steerage on returning to the UK completely which incorporates data on bringing relations, tax and entry to providers.
