Tajikistan – a country of beautiful people enjoying their life despite the tough experience of the country’s turbulent history. Summers are unbearably hot here, while winters extremely freezing. Planning your Tajikistan trip, it’s highly recommended to go there either in late spring or in early summer. May or September will be perfect months. The weather in the mountains is impossible to predict, so you shouldn’t be surprised by a blizzard when you will be reaching the mountain Palmer peaks in the mid-summer.
If you are a traveler who isn’t sure whether to obtain a visa before going to Tajikistan, you’re in the right place to get all the necessary information. Stay here and find out, i.a. which countries don’t need a Tajikistan visa, who and how can go to Tajikistan visa-free, and what is an alternative to a traditional visa, namely e-visa.
Do you need a visa to Tajikistan?
All those willing to visit Tajikistan for various reasons are obliged to receive a visa issued by one of the Tajikistan diplomatic offices located in their countries unless they are on the list of nationalities authorized to be granted an electronic visa.
Can you enter Tajikistan without a visa?
Well, yes and no. Generally speaking, you cannot enter Tajikistan without a visa. Nevertheless, there are always some exceptions to the rule, and some countries can travel to Tajikistan visa-free. Go to the next paragraph to find out more!
Tajikistan visa exemption
As Tajikistan used to be a country of the former Soviet Union, 10 other countries that in the past also formed the USSR are allowed to cross Tajikistan borders not holding a visa. Citizens of these countries can stay in Tajikistan for various periods of time.
Detailed information on the allowed maximum period that certain countries’ citizens can stay in Tajikistan visa-free:
- Countries with no limits of stay in Tajikistan:
- Belarus
- Georgia
- Kazakhstan
- Kyrgyzstan
- Moldova
- Russia
2. Countries limited to stay up to 60 days:
- Armenia
- Azerbaijan
- Ukraine
3. Country limited to stay up to 30 days:
- Uzbekistan
OTHER EXEMPTIONS
Below, we present some other countries that can enter Tajikistan visa-free:
Citizens holding all kinds of passports:
- Armenia
- Mongolia – up to 3 months
Holders of diplomatic and official passports:
- North Korea
- China – also service passport holders, allowed staying up to 30 days
- Hungary – up to 3 months
- Romania – up to 3 months
- India – up to 30 days
- Iran- up to 30 days
- Afghanistan – up to 30 days
If you are not a citizen of one of the aforementioned visa-exempt countries, you are required to receive a visa to be allowed to enter Tajikistan. You can obtain it either by filling online application or going to the nearest Tajik Embassy in your country and receive a regular visa.
Transit Visa
Generally speaking, you aren’t obliged to have a visa for transit purposes when making a stop in Tajikistan. Nevertheless, being in this country and missing the opportunity to explore it may be a shame. So consider the idea of getting an online e-visa and spend a couple of days in Tajikistan. You won’t regret it!
Transit to Russia
If your final destination is Russia and you treat Tajikistan as a transit stop, please remember you will need to receive a separate visa to Russia. The visa must be obtained before your travel. More information on the Russia e-visa and requirements can be found here.
Tajikistan Visa Upon Arrival
In general, citizens of the countries where there are no Tajikistan Embassies or Consulates can apply for a tourist visa once they arrive in Tajikistan. However, they have to know that this option is possible only at one country’s airport. Namely, the Dushanbe International Airport. In case they arrive at any other Tajikistan airport than in Dushanbe, there’s no possibility to obtain a visa there.
If you aren’t a national of one of 10 countries, Tajikistan visa-free, you can go to the Tajik Embassy present in your country or apply for an electronic visa.
Try to obtain a visa before arrival, if possible. Travelers not carrying a visa onboard may be refused to be let on the plane, as various airlines have different rules. Don’t risk!
Tajikistan Embassy Visa
If you aren’t on the list of countries that may be granted an electronic Tajikistan visa, you will need to arrange an appointment in one of the Tajik embassies located in your country. Your appearance in person is mandatory as you will be interviewed before receiving your embassy visa to Tajikistan.
Tajikistan Embassy Visa can be issued for various reasons depending on your travel needs. Even though you can be eligible for a Tajikistan e-visa, your travel purpose may be different than leisure, business, or transit. In such situations, e.g., going to Tajikistan for study or work, you need to receive a regular visa. There may be some other requirements like additional documentation to provide. It all depends on the type of visa you are applying for.
Once in Tajikistan, holders of a regular visa can prolong it at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. However, this rule doesn’t apply to tourist visas.
Tajikistan e-Visa
e-Visa functions as an electronic authorization allowing travelers to enter certain destinations. e-Visa eligible countries can receive this permit on average within a few days before their intended travel dates. So now it’s unnecessary to worry about formalities related to your travel plans long weeks before the departure. Applying for Tajikistan e-visa 3 business days before your journey is enough time!
You can choose from the following visa type that fit your travel needs best:
- single-entry e-visa: if you want to enter the country only one time
- multiple-entry e-visa: if you want to come back to the country
Whatever visa you decide to choose, you can stay in Tajikistan for maximally 60 days as long as your e-visa is still valid. It is issued for 90 days in both cases. Your tourist visa issued online cannot be prolonged.
e-Visa application
If you decided to apply for your visa online, you are 3 following steps away from your e-visa no matter what visa type you choose:
- Grab the only required document, namely your passport, and open the online application form. Next, indicate your travel purpose and enter the required personal details in the application form.
- Use the most convenient payment form and pay a fee for a selected type of e-visa.
- Refresh your inbox and make sure that you have received a confirmation of your payment. Maximally after 72 hours, your e-visa will be in your inbox. It may arrive earlier, so stay tuned!
Requirements on arrival
Before you leave your home and go to the airport, check if you packed your valid passport and printed version of your e-visa, the best more than one copy.
Remember that the passport you are traveling with must be the same passport the data of which you entered into the application form! Your e-Visa and passport are electronically matched!
Benefits of e-Visa
- much easier and cheaper way to get an entry permit
- no complicated requirements
- processing time up to 72 hours
- no need to fill piles of documents
- no need to go to an embassy – you can avoid long and stressful visa interviews
- more time for planning your trip as you won’t spend long hours waiting in an embassy or at the airport visa-releasing points
- anytime you can contact our consultants that will advise you on whatever visa-related issues