Okay, so I wanted to get into Turkmenistan. I’ve heard it’s a tough nut to crack when it comes to visas, but I was up for the challenge. Here’s how I went about getting my visa sorted.
Getting the Invitation Letter
First things first, I found out that you can’t just apply for a Turkmenistan visa straight away. You need a Letter of Invitation (LOI) from the Turkmen State Migration Service. Sounds complicated, right? It kinda is. You gotta have a sponsor in Turkmenistan who can get this LOI for you. I didn’t know anyone there, so I reached out to a travel agency that specializes in trips to Turkmenistan. They were a real lifesaver. They handled the whole LOI process for me, which was a huge relief.
Applying for the Visa
With the LOI in hand, the next step was the actual visa application. I had two choices: apply at an Embassy or Consulate, or go for the eVisa online. I chose to do it online because, well, it seemed easier, and I’m all for making things less of a hassle. The eVisa process is pretty straightforward. I went to their official website, and there’s a section for the eVisa application. You fill in your details, upload the required documents, including the LOI, and pay the visa fee. It’s all done online, which is super convenient.

- Fill Out the Application Form: I made sure to fill out the application form carefully. You know how it is, any small mistake and they might just reject your application.
- Upload Documents: Along with the LOI, I had to upload a scanned copy of my passport and a passport-sized photo. Pretty standard stuff.
- Pay the Fee: There’s a visa fee that you need to pay online. I paid with my credit card, and it was processed pretty quickly.
Waiting Game
After submitting everything, it was a waiting game. I kept checking my email like a hawk, hoping to see that approval notification. It took a bit longer than I expected, maybe a couple of weeks. But finally, I got the email saying my eVisa was approved! I was so stoked. The eVisa is electronically linked to your passport, so there’s no physical visa stamp, which I thought was pretty cool.
Final Thoughts
Getting a visa for Turkmenistan is definitely not the easiest, but it’s doable. The key is that Letter of Invitation. If you don’t have a contact in Turkmenistan, your best bet is a travel agency that can sort it out for you. And the eVisa process is a breeze compared to the traditional way. If you’re planning to visit Turkmenistan, just make sure you start the process early and have all your documents in order. Trust me, it’s worth the effort. Turkmenistan is such a unique place to visit!