Turkmenistan
TKMTurkmenistan is one of the world's most closed and authoritarian states, a natural-gas-rich desert nation in Central Asia bordered by Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, and Iran. The government tightly controls all aspects of public life, media, and movement; a Letter of Invitation from a registered sponsor is required before most foreigners can obtain a visa. Tourism visas are issued sparingly and typically require guided itineraries. Dual citizenship is prohibited by law. Long-term residency and work permits for foreigners are extremely difficult to obtain. The country holds some of the largest proven natural-gas reserves on earth yet most citizens see little benefit. Freedom House consistently rates Turkmenistan 'Not Free'. Independent journalism is virtually non-existent, and the internet is among the most restricted globally.
Passport Rank
#93
Visa-Free
57
destinations
Country Details
- Capital
- Ashgabat
- Currency
- TMT
- Languages
- Turkmen, Russian
- Population
- 6,118,000
- Tax System
- Residence Based
- Dual Citizenship
- Not allowed
- Naturalisation
- 7 years
- Schengen / EU
- No
- Climate
- Arid desert; scorching summers above 40 °C in the Karakum, cold winters in the north; minimal rainfall year-round
Indices
Cost of Living
28
Safety
55
Healthcare
25
Quality of Life
30
Tax Summary
- Tax System
- Residence Based
- Territorial Taxation
- No — worldwide income taxed for residents
- Naturalisation
- 7 years of legal residency
- Dual Citizenship
- Not allowed
Cost of Living by City
← scroll the table →
| City | Rent 1BR centre | Rent outside | Groceries | Utilities | Transit pass |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ashgabat | — | — | — | — | — |
| Türkmenabat | — | — | — | — | — |
| Daşoguz | — | — | — | — | — |
Monthly USD figures. Typical central 1-bedroom rent, grocery basket for one, household utilities, monthly transit pass.
Climate
Ashgabat
Rainfall range: 1–20 mm/month · Daylight 9h (winter) to 15h (summer)
Türkmenabat
Rainfall range: 1–14 mm/month · Daylight 9h (winter) to 15h (summer)
Daşoguz
Rainfall range: 2–12 mm/month · Daylight 8h (winter) to 16h (summer)
Visa Categories & Immigration Authority
Major Visa Categories
- Tourist (Letter of Invitation required)
- Business
- Work
- Family
- Student
- Authority
- State Migration Service
- Official Portal
- migration.gov.tm
Naturalisation Details
- Residence Years
- 7
- Language Test
- Yes (Turkmen (state language required; fluency assessed informally by committee))
- Civic Test
- Yes
- Oath Required
- Yes
- Dual Allowed
- No
- Fee
- $30
- Processing
- ~24 months
Safety
GPI Rank
#103
Global Peace Index ranking (lower is safer)
Common Risks
- ⚠Currency exchange fraud: the official Manat rate is severely overvalued; unofficial parallel-market rates 2–3× higher are technically illegal, and foreigners who transact on the black market risk arrest or extortion by police
- ⚠Taxi overcharging of foreigners is routine in Ashgabat; negotiate fare in advance and carry small Manat denominations
- ⚠Fake tour guides soliciting at Nisa ruins and Darvaza gas crater offer unofficial services then demand inflated fees or involve police contacts to extract payment
- ⚠Hotel registration scams: all visitors must register with OVIR within three days; unofficial 'fixers' charge large fees for a process that is free or low-cost through hotels
Examples of areas to avoid: Outskirts of Ashgabat near industrial zones at night — poorly lit and subject to police stops targeting foreigners, Border-adjacent areas in Daşoguz and Mary provinces without explicit permit — military zones exist and boundaries are not always marked
Related Guides
Sources & last verified
- Last verified 2026-06-15