Turkmenistan investment visa (IN)

The investment visa is level IN in Turkmenistan’s list of fifteen visa categories. It is requested for a foreigner whose capital is invested in Turkmenistan through a legal entity or an individual entrepreneur that receives the foreigner in the country. The Migration Service asks for proof that money and material resources worth USD 250,000 have been contributed to the economy.

The application file for the State Migration Service contains the IN visa application in three copies, the list of foreigners concerned in three copies, the certificates confirming the USD 250,000 contribution, information on the activities of the receiving legal entity or entrepreneur, and a copy of the foreigner’s current passport. The host adds copies of its constituent documents certified under Turkmen law, registration certificate, patent and tax registration where relevant, licences for licensed activities, concluded agreements and a power of attorney for its visa representative.

Consular fees published by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs are USD 20 for a single-entry visa of up to 10 days, USD 30 for up to 20 days, USD 40 for up to one month and USD 30 for each further month. A multiple-entry visa costs USD 60 for the first month and USD 40 for each further month, and visas issued at Ashgabat International Airport carry an extra USD 50. A fee for actual costs is added, depending on where the visa is issued. Children under 7 are exempt from the consular fee and children aged 7 to 16 pay half; the fee is not refunded if a visa is cancelled.

With the invitation letter, you apply at the Turkmen embassy or consulate responsible for your place of residence; the Ministry of Foreign Affairs also issues visas through its representations in the provinces and at Ashgabat International Airport, where an extra USD 50 is charged. The checklist published by the Turkmen embassy in Ankara, the mission page this guide draws on, asks for the invitation letter, the special visa application, the passport with a colour copy and two 3 x 4 cm colour photos, each copy on A4 paper, with the fee paid on submission. Check opening hours, appointments and any extra requirements with your own mission.

The State Migration Service considers invitation documents in 10 working days as standard and in 3 working days if urgent; some applications take up to 45 calendar days. Once the invitation exists, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs says consular actions take up to 10 calendar days from receipt of the documents, or 3 working days for urgent processing at a 100 percent higher fee.

After arrival, foreigners staying longer than three working days register with the State Migration Service department at their place of stay within three working days, not counting the day of entry. Registration uses a personal application or a letter from the host, one 3 x 4 cm colour photo, the passport and copies of documents giving the right to use the accommodation. A change of address, employer or personal details requires new registration within three working days, and trips to other places of up to 15 days must be reported to both migration offices.

A residence permit of up to five years can be requested by foreigners who have invested at least USD 500,000 in the economy of Turkmenistan and have lived in the country for at least two years; the request is addressed to the President of Turkmenistan through the State Migration Service.