Turkmenistan transit visa refusals

[steven]

Turkmenistan is refusing a lot of people for transit visas recently. So far this month, we have heard from people getting refused in Almaty, Dushanbe and Mashad. All formerly reliable embassies. Please let us know your experience below, so we can follow up on this.

See also:
http://caravanistan.com/forum/viewtopic ... 3299#p3299
http://caravanistan.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=986
http://caravanistan.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=1070

Summary is kept up to date at rejections section of the Turkmen visa page.

[bwv812]

So far as I know, the actual embassies have very little or nothing to do with the actual approval of the visa (though they can make the process easier or let you change dates), as actual approval is done in Ashgabat. So in this context it's not surprising if the problem is affecting multiple embassies and consulates.

[jeffbeck]

Gasp!

And what do we do then ?
I've seen few expensive flights from Tehran to Taschkent (800+USD) but no good alternative.
What are the main option ?
Sorry if this is not the right section to ask that.
J.

[steven]

Flights from Dubai might be cheaper. You can take the boat across: http://caravanistan.com/transport/persian-gulf-ferry/

[roro]

But my car can't take plane...
My plan was to make application in Ankara and pick it up in Teh.

Waht is the alternative??

Thanks in advance.

RR.

[steven]

For cars, alternatives are Georgia - Russia - Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan - Russia - Kazakhstan or the boat over the Caspian Baku - Aqtau.

Here some more info on what is possibly the root cause. Tweets by prof. Luca Anceschi


and an article saying the Taliban has taken control over Faryab province bordering Turkmenistan.
http://www.rferl.org/content/afghanista ... 31168.html

Will they invade Turkmenistan? Not likely right now, I think.

[lesmolletsauvages]

SH.... we already have been refused the chinese to be in time there, and we had to apply tomorrow morning for the turkmen... we already have the ouzbek and the tadjik... I suppose there are no other solutions than plane in this case?
And do you know if all the belgium and french are refused now? Because we are belgium and french ?
We were planning to go cycling to mashad, so if it is to be refused there, it is maybe better to change our plans before
Thanks for the news

[lesmolletsauvages]

Other question
Do somebody think that we would have more chance if we pick up the visa in teheran instead of mashad?
Thanks

[lesmolletsauvages]

Sorry, our questions come one by one because we make research... Is it possible to ask to a travel agencie to ask the visa? Maybe they will have more chance to get it?
Or would it be better if we ask for LOI even if it is not needed?
We really don t know what to do...
Thanks

[steven]

1. Ppl are not refused because of their nationality, it's because of internal politics. See my previous message, it could be a combination of Taliban threat, failing economy and other things.
2. We don't know if all travelers are being refused, or if all embassies are refusing. We don't know.
3. Maybe a travel agency can help you if you buy a tour. I also really don't know.