On September 30, 2026, Turkmenistan’s State Migration Service announced the launch of an electronic visa (e-Visa) system effective from October 1, 2026. The announcement followed a briefing held in Ashgabat on the same day, which involved diplomatic missions, international organizations, as well as ambassadors and consuls. The briefing focused on the digitalization of immigration procedures, including the new e-Visa issuance and online registration processes.
Official Portals for E-Visa and Online Registration
The e-Visa application system will be hosted on the domain evisa.migration.gov.tm, identified by travel document specialists from VisasNews and Action-Visas as the official portal. However, as of this report, full public access to the application portal
remains limited and difficult to access. Separately, the State Migration Service operates an online registration platform for foreign nationals and stateless persons at rgstr.migration.gov.tm. This portal facilitates residence registration, extensions, and deregistrations without requiring visits to State Migration Service offices.
Legal Framework and Historical Entry Restrictions
The introduction of electronic visas follows amendments to Turkmenistan’s migration law enacted in April 2025. These changes established the legal basis for issuing e-Visas electronically. Historically, Turkmenistan maintained some of Central Asia’s strictest entry requirements, including mandatory prior invitation letters approved by the State Migration Service, usually arranged via local travel agencies. The new law removes the requirement for an
invitation letter when applying for an e-Visa.
Impact on Travelers and Immigration Procedures
From October 1, 2026, foreign nationals traveling to Turkmenistan may apply online for an e-Visa without needing a pre-arranged invitation letter. The online registration portal at rgstr.migration.gov.tm also allows both foreign residents and their local hosts to complete registration, renewals, and deregistration remotely. These measures are intended by the State Migration Service to reduce processing times and simplify immigration formalities for travelers and residents alike.
Outstanding Details and Operational Status
Despite the official launch, full details on eligible nationalities, visa categories, required documents, application fees, processing durations, visa validity, permitted stay limits, and accepted points of entry have
yet to be disclosed. The e-Visa application portal evisa.migration.gov.tm is not fully operational or publicly accessible, limiting prospective applicants’ ability to engage with the digital service. The State Migration Service continues to develop the system’s infrastructure, highlighted by the presence of an online visa verification function separate from the application portal.
