Turkmenistan Transit visa

[2R1ST]

Hi,
I am an Australian and I'm planning a ride in early 2017 from Turkey through the stans to Russia/Mongolia. As there are no Embassies in Australia for Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan can someone give me ideas or maybe the agent they used to get a Transit visa for Turkmenistan? Is it still possible to get a Transit visa? Where is the best place to apply, Turkey, Iran?
Also I as an Australian I need a LOI for Uzbekistan. Do I need to book a tour to get the LOI?

Thanks for you help!

[eurasiaoverland]

For any Central Asia travel info, the best resource on the web that I know if is:

The Complete Guide to Silk Road Visas | Caravanistan

Visa information is very up to date; seems like Turkmenistan transit visas are a bit hit-and-miss these days. You don't need to book a tour in Uzbekistan to get a visa LOI.

There is also a forum on the above mentioned site where you can ask questions.

[roro]

"seems like Turkmenistan transit visas are a bit hit-and-miss these days",

That's true! I have the same problem for my next trip

And sure, Caravanistan have reliable and up to date infos

RR.

[2R1ST]

Thanks very much for the info eurasiaoverland and RORO.

[Fern]

In 2012, I got my Turkmen tranzit visa from a fella called Vali, in Mashad, Iran. He claimed a high success rate, and you stay at his guesthouse for a few days while he sorts it out. His wife cooks devine food (don't all Iranians?!) but he will do the hard sell on the persian rugs.

He was listed in lonely planet etc Valis homestay – Experience the hospitality of Iran in our lovely homestay

Good luck

[roro]

But 2012 is a long time ago....

[duibhceK]

Turkmenistan transit visa are always a risk. There seems to be no consistency in which they approve and which they reject. Even with a visa you can still get turned away at the border, although that seems to be more rare.

If you are applying on the road and coming from Europe, heading to Central Asia, I would not apply in Iran. Unless you plan on spending a good bit of time there. It can take some time for the visa to get approved. Better to apply in Ankara and pick it up in Tehran. Or you could apply in Turkey and use the authorisation code you will be sent via email directly at the Turkmen border. That has worked for some.

We applied for ours in Vienna and were planning to get them added to our passports in Tehran. We got all the approvals and authorisation code, but we ended up not picking up the visa as we had to change our plans due to circumstances.

[Bartosz]

I was in Turkmenistan in 2014. I organized trip over Caspian See for 12 persons.
First I started to talk with Embassy in Berlin but it was not good atmosphere there. Next I turned to Vienna and it was rather simple. I was arranged with consul, visas was prepared. He only sticked to passeports and took money.
I made it for all group. It was very simple.
I know that is problems now with getting it.
There are so many other directions in my trips but I will returned to Turkmenistan.

[MuzToo]

We do this trip every year.
http://muztoo.ch/seidenstrassen-tour-mai2017/
We work with:
visa@stantours.com
They have been able to get visas for us.

[eurasiaoverland]

In 2014 I applied at the (very friendly and helpful) Turkmenistan Embassy in London, and they emailed me an authorisation letter. I was able to get a visa with this at the border. You can also pick up the visa at another consulate; in 2009 I applied in Kabul and picked the visa up in Mazar-e Sharif.

[roro]

But things have changed since 2015....
RR.

[fnormet]

Originally Posted by roro

But things have changed since 2015....
RR.

In 2015 August it was still possible to get the LOIs in Iran (applied in Tehran). In 2016 July some people were rejected by the Ankara embassy, but I don't know the exact details.

[eurasiaoverland]

Only way to find out is to try.

You could always try speaking to your local embassy, instead of a travel forum. They issue the visa (or not).

[Declan]

Originally Posted by eurasiaoverland

In 2014 I applied at the (very friendly and helpful) Turkmenistan Embassy in London, and they emailed me an authorisation letter. I was able to get a visa with this at the border.

In 2016 I did exactly what eurasiaoverland did above - in fact it was based on his suggestion!
One little problem, I informed them of my palnned route as they requested and I said Ashgabat to Darvaza to Konurgence. Big mistake to mention Darvaza (where the gas crater is) and they denied my visa saying perhaps I need a tourist visa! So I reapplied just giving the entry and exit point and no more and was granted parmission. Ironically the border gaurd (a boy at best) then dictated my overnights stops to me as follows, Ashgabat, Darvaza then Konurgence - Just what I requested in the first place!

[roro]

I didn't say it's impossible, but since summer 15 , some travellers (not just a few) have seen their TRANSIT visa rejected.
In July 15, mine have been accepted in Ankara/Téhéran, so , it's a kind of Lottery!
RR.