Turkmenistan Transit Visa in Dushanbe

[imdumas]

During the SECOND HALF of October they don't accept any application. Please REMEMBER it for next year!
Not even possible to discuss about the topic, give up.

[Hsinclair]

So unfortunately I got a bit of the runaround.

I applied in Bishkek for pickup in Dushanbe. No problems on the Bishkek side.

I made it to Dushanbe 12 days later and having heard nothing I went to the embassy. I registered my passport with the guards and waited 2 hours before being let in. I was told "you need a code!". I tried to implore them to look it up on their system, but they just repeated that I needed the code, and I should call Bishkek.

I emailed Bishkek and got the code back in an email. I show up the next day, register, and wait 3 hours before being let in. "I got a code!" I tell them. "You need to print the code". I try to tell them that it's just an email but they repeat that I need to print it and to come back tomorrow.

I come back the third day with the printed email, and the guards felt sorry for me so let me in first. "I have a printed code!" I say. "You need a letter!" they tell me. I tell them that the email is the only thing I got from Bishkek, but they insisted on an official looking letter (they showed me an example).

I contacted Bishkek again and they tell me the code should be sufficient (even at the border) so I was in a bit of a stalemate and really needed to get moving and couldn't stay in Dushanbe for the full weekend.

So unfortunately I wasn't able to resolve this problem.... not sure what to advise future travellers.

[steven]

Ask Bishkek if you could go directly to the border with this code, that should be easier if possible. It sounds like what a lot of travelers get and exchange at the border, but I'd get that confirmed by Bishkek first to be certain.

[Hsinclair]

Ask Bishkek if you could go directly to the border with this code, that should be easier if possible. It sounds like what a lot of travelers get and exchange at the border, but I'd get that confirmed by Bishkek first to be certain.

Bishkek seems to think I can get it at the border with just the code but other travellers are telling me that I need the letter. I'm going to try to see if Uzbekistan will let me walk across and ask before being stamped out so I don't get stuck in no man's land.

[farandfurther]

I've applied with @Hsinclair in Biskhek and I've visited the Dushanbe embassy today with no success as well.

We have both received code which should be enough for us to pickup the visa at the Dushanbe embassy but the guy there just wants the Invitation letter and won't just take the code, so it's pointless to try, he won't even check at the computer if the code is valid.

After many calls which were unanswered I've sent e-mail to Biskhek and they did send me back the Invitation letter! I'm attaching the example. With it you can pickup the visa at the embassy.

Now both Biskhek and Dushanbe embassy did confirm that with the code you CAN PICKUP YOUR VISA AT THE BORDER.

Also what you get after you apply at the Biskhek (not sure of others) is the code, which is actually the code of your INVITATION LETTER. This letter and the code is valid for 3 MONTHS from the day it has been granted and you can go to the border to exchange it for your visa.

So DESPITE YOUR APPLICATION LOOKS LIKE DATE SPECIFIC, IT IS NOT AND YOU CAN SHOW UP AT ANY TIME WITHIN VALIDITY OF THE CODE/LETTER.

I'm attaching the example of the letter.

Good luck & safe travels!
---
https://instagram.com/farandfurther

[olmo]

Sure the code is not date specific? They actually did give those non date specific invitation codes as a special agreement to Mongol Rally participants (https://mongolrally.thevisamachine.com/ ... tation-loi). We inquired with them last year and that's what they told us, and also that they couldn't help anyone who is not participating in the rallye.

We successfully applied for the code in Dushanbe last year (there should be a detailed post in Dushanbe thread from us) and had no problem getting our visas at the border, though it did feel funny rocking up there with nothing but "TJ1234" (it's really that short) written on a piece of scrap paper.

[Hsinclair]

Update: I was able to successfully enter with just the code. I entered on the originally requested date so I have no idea if the non date specific code-only works.

As Olmo says it's very weird going with just a code and Uzbekistan was very reluctant to stamp me out without a visa or letter, and they refused to let me check with the Turkmenistan side first... so it was mildly terrifying but once in the Turkmenistan side they didn't even question the lack of a letter.

-
Heather
https://www.instagram.com/improbablyadventuring

[VFok]

WARNING!

DO NOT apply at this embassy if you are planning to enter Azerbaijan through the ferry and you hold the evisa and not the sticker version.

My story:

Went to the embassy at around 11:30 but was told to come back at 3.

Went back at 3 and waited for half an hour before being let in. The guy seemed okay and answered my questions and told me what dates are possible to enter Turkmenistan. Seemed fine so far. Then I told him my planned route and that I wanted to enter Azerbaijan and not Iran. He asked if I had the visa and I said yes, I have the evisa.

He then straight up told me he accepts ONLY the sticker visa and NOT the evisa. I was quite surprised because who gets the sticker visa for Azerbaijan anymore? So I tried asking him what to do and he grumpily told me to get the sticker visa at the Azerbaijan embassy.

So, I went to the Azerbaijan embassy which, luckily, was not too far away. I explained to the consul himself about my situation and if he can give me a sticker visa. He laughingly told me Azerbaijan doesn't give sticker visas anymore and only some European countries may still give it. We laughed and joked and actually had a good time, a complete opposite experience from the Turkmen embassy. The consul tried calling the Turkmen embassy to explain that Azerbaijan doesn't give sticker visas anymore but of course, nobody picked up. So, the consul told me to tell the Turkmen guy to call him to confirm about the Azerbaijan sticker visa.

So I went back to the Turkmenistan embassy and of course, the guy had already left.

Next day, I went in the morning and tried to be friendly with the guy and kindly explained to him about what was said by the Azerbaijan embassy, that they do not give sticker visas anymore, only evisas.

This was when the guy got angry and immediately shouted "No sticker visa, no application!" and even pointed me the way out. I tried gently reasoning with him that it was impossible to get the sticker visa but he kept shouting and talking over me. He simply did not listen. I told him to try calling the Azerbaijan embassy to confirm my story but he kept shouting somewhere along the lines of "ambassador of who? This is my country!" and he went ballistic. He called security to escort me out and that was the last that I saw of him.

Luckily the guards are very friendly and they knew my side of the story so they weren't rough on me in anyway. They knew this guy was a complete asshole.

So to all traveles. If you have the evisa and not the sticker visa for Azerbaijan, AVOID this embassy at all cost! You don't want to be shouted at and have security escort you out. Once this asshole has made a decision, he won't change his mind and will get very aggressive with you. Don't try it! It's not fun!

[olmo]

As Olmo says it's very weird going with just a code and Uzbekistan was very reluctant to stamp me out without a visa or letter, and they refused to let me check with the Turkmenistan side first... so it was mildly terrifying but once in the Turkmenistan side they didn't even question the lack of a letter.

Congratulations on getting your visa then!

About the stories of people getting stuck in no mans land here, they all involve expired visa - they (tried) to cross into Turkmenistan the last day of their Uzbek visa, therefore didn't have a valid visa upon returning anymore. I think chances are high that if you have a couple days left even here they'd be able to just cancel the exit stamp and let you back in.

[Koen]

Just applied for transit visa at the embassy.
Arrived little early 09::00 am. Was the first. Guard in the white shed across the street checked paspoort and let me in as first around 09:45.
The embassy man inside was friendly and speaks some English. Only filled in the application form and gave all my other documents.
- Iran visa copie
- uzbekistan e-visa copie
- Tajikistan e-visa copie
- 1 photo
- copie of paspoort
- letter in English and Russian explaining my application with all info.

Was out before 10:00 am.

Now hoping I get confirmation via email as said.