Turkmenistan entry requirements for Nepal passport holders
Updated weekly · Last reviewed August 7, 2026·View sources
Visa required
Max stay
No fixed limit
Passport validity
6 months
Beyond entry date
Return ticket
Required
Or onward travel proof
Proof of funds
Recommended
May be checked
Nepali passport holders need a visa to enter Turkmenistan. You must arrange this in advance at a Turkmen embassy or consulate — there is no visa-on-arrival and no eVisa option for Nepali citizens. Plan well ahead, as the process involves paperwork and can take several weeks.
Entry requirements
| Requirement | Details | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Turkmenistan visaYou cannot get a visa on arrival or through an online system; you must visit a Turkmen diplomatic mission. Apply at an embassy or consulate | Nepali citizens must obtain a visa before traveling to Turkmenistan. There is no eVisa available for Nepali passport holders. Apply at the nearest Turkmen embassy or consulate well in advance of your departure. | Required |
| Passport validityCheck your passport's expiry date before booking anything — if it's too close, renew it first. At least 6 months beyond your intended stay | Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from your planned date of entry into Turkmenistan. | Required |
| Blank passport pagesThe border officer will stamp your passport on arrival; without a blank page you may be refused entry. At least 1 blank page for entry stamp | Your passport must have at least 1 blank visa/stamp page for the Turkmen border entry stamp. | Required |
| Return or onward ticketKeep a printed or digital copy of your flight itinerary handy when going through immigration. Proof of exit from Turkmenistan | You may be asked to show a confirmed return or onward ticket proving you will leave Turkmenistan before your visa expires. | Required |
| Proof of sufficient fundsImmigration may ask how you'll support yourself; having proof avoids problems. For your stay | Be prepared to show evidence of sufficient funds to cover your expenses during your time in Turkmenistan, such as bank statements or cash. | Recommended |
| Arrival declarationYou don't need to fill out any extra arrival form beyond the standard immigration procedures. Not required | No separate arrival declaration is required for Nepal passport holders entering Turkmenistan. | Not required |
| eVisa applicationOnly certain nationalities can use the eVisa; Nepal is not one of them. Not available for Nepali citizens | Turkmenistan's eVisa system is not available to Nepali passport holders. Do not attempt an online eVisa application; instead, apply through an embassy or consulate. | Not required |
No eVisa — apply at an embassy
Nepali citizens are not eligible for Turkmenistan's eVisa system. Do not waste time on eVisa websites. You must apply through a Turkmen embassy or consulate, and you'll need a letter of invitation.
Visa is not extendable
Once you enter Turkmenistan, you cannot extend your stay. Make sure your travel dates are accurate and you leave before your visa expires. Overstaying is treated seriously and can lead to heavy fines or worse.
Start the process 2-3 months ahead
Between the LOI, embassy processing, and potential delays, you should begin at least 8-10 weeks before your planned departure. Last-minute applications are very likely to fail.
What happens at the border
1
Obtain a letter of invitation (LOI)
Contact your host in Turkmenistan — a hotel, tour operator, or individual — and ask them to apply for an LOI from the State Migration Service. This can take 2-4 weeks. Without it, you cannot proceed.
2
Find the nearest Turkmen embassy or consulate
Nepal does not have a Turkmen embassy in Kathmandu. You'll need to apply at a Turkmen embassy in a nearby country, such as New Delhi (India), Dhaka (Bangladesh), or another accredited mission. Check which embassy covers Nepal and contact them for specific requirements.
3
Prepare and submit your application
Fill out the visa application form, gather your passport, photos, LOI, and any other requested documents. Submit them in person or by mail to the embassy. Pay the visa fee. Processing typically takes 2-4 weeks, sometimes longer.
4
Collect your visa and travel
Once approved, you'll receive a visa sticker in your passport. Check the dates and validity carefully. When you arrive at Ashgabat International Airport (the main entry point), present your passport and visa to immigration. They will stamp you in.
Download Turkmenistan Entry Checklist
PDF · Nepal Passport · Includes QR codes · Updated August 7, 2026
Staying longer & fees
Visa options if you want to stay beyond the free limit:
Tourist visa (single entry)
Max stay30 days
Validity3 months from issue date
Cost$35–$155
Requires LOI. Extendable for up to 30 additional days at the State Migration Service in Ashgabat.
Business visa (single or multiple entry)
Max stay30 days per entry
ValidityUp to 1 year (multiple entry)
Cost$100–$300
Requires LOI from a Turkmen company. Multiple-entry visas are available for business purposes.
Transit visa (single or double entry)
Max stay5 days
Validity3 months
Cost$35–$70
Requires confirmed onward travel tickets and a valid visa for the next destination.
work visa
Work Visa for Turkmenistan
1 year, renewable
~$200 USD (approx. NPR 26,000) plus employer sponsorship
For foreign nationals employed by a Turkmen company. Requires a work permit obtained by the employer. Allows multiple entries.
student visa
Student Visa for Turkmenistan
Duration of studies, renewable annually
~$50 USD (approx. NPR 6,500) plus university acceptance
For those enrolled in a Turkmen educational institution. Requires proof of enrollment and financial support.
Other fees
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Turkmenistan visa (single entry, issued on arrival or at embassy)Visa on arrival is available only with a letter of invitation (LOI) from a Turkmen organization or host, and only at Ashgabat International Airport. | $35–$155 (depending on duration and processing) |
| Letter of invitation (LOI) processingRequired for visa on arrival; obtainable through a Turkmen travel agency or host. | $30–$100 |
| Visa registration (if staying more than 3 working days)Must be done by your hotel or host within 3 working days of arrival. | Usually included in hotel fee; otherwise ~$10–$20 |
| Exit tax (if applicable)Some older visa types may require an exit tax at the border; check with your issuing authority. | Included in visa fee for most visas |
Common reasons for entry denial
Insufficient funds30%
No return ticket25%
Incomplete documents20%
Approval probability calculator
Answer 6 quick questions — we'll estimate how likely you are to be approved for entry based on typical immigration patterns.
Transiting through Turkmenistan
Transit visa required
All foreign nationals, including Nepali citizens, require a transit visa to pass through Turkmenistan, even if staying airside. Transit visas are issued for a maximum of 5 days and require a confirmed onward ticket and a visa for the next destination.
Exceptions & conditions
- Diplomatic or official passport holders may be exempt under bilateral agreements.
- Crew members of international flights may be exempt if they remain in the airport transit area.
Transit hubsAshgabat International Airport (ASB) · Turkmenabat International Airport (CRZ) · Turkmenbashi International Airport (KRW)
Health & vaccines for Turkmenistan
Required for entry
Yellow FeverRequired if arriving from a country with yellow fever transmission risk.
Recommended vaccines
Hepatitis AEssentialTyphoidEssentialRoutine vaccines (MMR, DTP, polio, varicella)EssentialHepatitis BRecommendedRabiesConsider
Health risks
Food and waterborne diseasesModerate risk
Common due to contaminated food/water; practice safe eating and drinking.
TuberculosisModerate risk
Risk in crowded settings; consider screening if prolonged stay.
Respiratory infectionsLow risk
Seasonal flu and other respiratory illnesses are possible.
Based on CDC and WHO guidance. Consult a travel medicine clinic 4–6 weeks before departure for personalised advice.
Immigration offices for extensions
Ashgabat
State Migration Service of Turkmenistan
Bitarap Turkmenistan Avenue, Ashgabat
Mon–Fri 09:00–18:00
Main office for visa extensions and registration. Bring passport, visa, and completed application form.
Turkmenbashi
Turkmenbashi Immigration Office
Magtymguly Street, Turkmenbashi
Mon–Fri 09:00–17:00
Handles visa issues for port and border areas.
Practical information for NP travellers
Country basics
CapitalAshgabat
LanguageTurkmen
Driving sideRight-hand traffic
US driving licenceUS visitors can drive with a valid US license for up to 30 days, but an International Driving Permit is recommended.
Money
CurrencyTurkmenistan manat (TMT)
Exchange rate
1 USD = 3.5 TMT
Time zone
Local timeUTC+5
vs New York+10h
vs Los Angeles+13h
Electricity
Voltage220V / 50Hz
Plug types
C,FTypes C and F, standard European plugs
⚠ US adapter needed
Water & health
Tap water
Not safe — use bottled
Tap water is not safe to drink; use bottled or boiled water.
Emergency numbers
Frequently asked questions
No. Turkmenistan does not offer visa-on-arrival for Nepali passport holders. You must obtain a visa from a Turkmen embassy or consulate before you travel.
No. The Turkmenistan eVisa system is not available to Nepali passport holders. You must apply through an embassy or consulate in person or by mail.
There is no Turkmen embassy in Kathmandu. The nearest options are the Turkmen embassies in New Delhi (India) or Dhaka (Bangladesh). Contact the embassy that covers Nepal to confirm which one handles applications from Nepali citizens.
Expect 2-4 weeks for the LOI to be approved and another 2-4 weeks for the visa itself. In total, allow at least 6-8 weeks from starting the process to receiving your visa. Delays happen, so start as early as possible.
A letter of invitation is an official document issued by the State Migration Service of Turkmenistan, based on a request from your host in Turkmenistan (a hotel, tour company, or individual). Your host must apply for it on your behalf. Without it, your visa application will be rejected.
Visa fees vary depending on the embassy and the type of visa (tourist, business, etc.). There is no fixed public rate for Nepali citizens. Contact the embassy where you apply for the exact fee. Be prepared to pay in cash or by bank transfer.
No. The database indicates that the visa is not extendable. You must leave the country before your visa expires. Overstaying can result in fines, detention, or deportation.
Official sources
Always verify before you travel
Entry requirements change. This page was verified on August 7, 2026. Always check the official embassy or government source before booking. Report an error — we update within 24 hours.