Page 29 - The Stans of Central Asia: Turkmenistan & Uzbekistan

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IMPORTANT: Expectations for Turkmenistan’s Visa

2P__TYR L aT^L QZ] ?`]VXPYT^_LY T^Yɪ_ OTʯN`W_ M`_ OZP^ TYaZWaP L WZ_ ZQ [L[P]bZ]V LYO ^ZXP
unique quirks. Here’s what you should expect:

• Check your passport now. If it needs to be renewed or replaced for any reason, that step
must be completed by 120 days (4 months) before your departure.

• You’ll need to complete two sets of forms—a registration form and a separate visa
application. Turkmenistan has a two-step process. First, you’ll need to register with
their government for approval. We’ll send you a registration form about 180 days before
your departure. (Or immediately after you’ve made your reservation, whichever comes
ʭ]^_ ?SP ^PNZYO QZ]X T^ _SP LN_`LW aT^L L[[WTNL_TZY bSTNS dZ`ɪWW ]PNPTaP TY dZ`] ]PR`WL]
Visa Packet about 100 days prior to departure.

• Follow all instructions to the letter. 1Z]X^ X`^_ MP ʭWWPO Z`_ NZX[WP_PWd& [SZ_Z^ X`^_
XPP_ ]P\`T]PXPY_^& NZ[TP^ ZQ ^`[[Z]_TYR OZN`XPY_^ X`^_ MP TY NZWZ]

• Aim to meet all deadlines—your group is depending on you. The process for
Turkmenistan is longer than any other visa. Missing key deadlines only makes it longer.
In addition, the Turkmen government usually processes materials in batches, meaning
that any delay on your part could hold up the rest of your group.

• Expect to be without your passport for the three months prior to your trip. Also, your
passport may not be returned to you until two weeks before your departure. This is
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departure date to try to speed up the process—that could result in your visa being issued
for the wrong dates.

• Know that we might contact you for additional information if the Turkmen government
asks for it. For example, they occasionally ask us to verify current or past employment
in writing.

We hope that we haven’t made the process sound too scary. Keep in mind that most travelers
have no issues getting this visa. (If they can do it, you can too!) It just takes a long time and
some patience.

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