Tourist visas are typically valid for up to 10 days and may be extendable by a further 10 days. Confirm the exact dates on your LOI and visa.

Home/from/South Korea/to/Turkmenistan

🇰🇷South Korea

🇹🇲TurkmenistanKR-TM

South Korea to Turkmenistan visa requirements

Q: Do I really need a Letter of Invitation?

Yes. A tourist visa cannot be issued without an LOI from a licensed Turkmen travel agency approved by the State Migration Service. This applies to both embassy and visa-on-arrival routes.

Q: Is there a Turkmenistan e-visa I can apply for online?

Not yet. Turkmenistan passed a law in April 2025 to introduce e-visas and remove the LOI requirement, but the platform has no confirmed launch date as of mid-2026 and is not operational.

Q: How much does the visa cost and how do I pay?

Roughly USD 50-150 depending on nationality and urgency, plus agency LOI fees. Pay in cash using undamaged USD banknotes issued after 2008.

Q: Can I travel independently as a tourist?

Effectively no. Tourist visas require a sponsoring licensed tour operator, and travelers are generally accompanied by a guide. Independent backpacking is not permitted on a tourist visa.

South Korean ordinary passport holders need a visa to enter Turkmenistan for tourism. There is no visa-free entry. A Letter of Invitation (LOI) from a licensed Turkmen travel agency is mandatory, after which you obtain either an embassy-issued visa in advance or a visa-on-arrival at Ashgabat airport. A long-announced e-visa system was legislated in April 2025 but has not launched as of mid-2026. As of 2026-06-01, a South Korea (KR) ordinary passport holder requires a visa to visit Turkmenistan (TM) for tourism. Turkmenistan maintains one of the world's most restrictive visa regimes: nearly all foreign nationals, including South Koreans, must secure a Letter of Invitation (LOI) issued by a state-licensed Turkmen travel agency and approved by the State Migration Service before they can be issued a visa. Independent travel without a sponsoring tour operator is effectively not possible for tourists. With a valid LOI you can either apply for a tourist visa at a Turkmen embassy/consulate beforehand or collect a visa-on-arrival at Ashgabat International Airport (and certain land borders); both routes still require the pre-approved LOI. Tourist stays are short, typically up to 10 days, sometimes extendable by a further 10 days. Visa fees are paid in cash USD and range roughly USD 50-150 depending on nationality and processing speed. Turkmenistan's parliament amended its Migration Law in April 2025 to introduce an electronic visa and abolish the LOI requirement, but as of mid-2026 the e-visa platform has no confirmed launch date and the implementing presidential decrees (categories, fees, validity) remain pending. Until that system goes live, the traditional LOI-based process remains in force. Because sources are consistent that no visa-free or fully online channel currently operates, the conservative and correct verdict is visa-required. Travelers should book through a licensed Turkmen tour operator well in advance, carry clean post-2008 USD banknotes for the fee, and note that certain border zones require an additional special permit.

VISA REQUIREDTOURISMSINGLE ENTRYLast verified 2026-05-30

For guidance only — visa rules change with little notice. Always confirm directly with the destination's embassy or foreign ministry before booking non-refundable travel. Information here applies to ordinary (non-diplomatic) passports unless noted.

Policy alertWatch this route for rule changesSave this passport and destination for email summaries and optional browser notifications.Subscribe →South Korea (PR)Living in South Korea as a permanent resident? See PR-specific guidance→

/01 — The numbers

Key facts

Last verified 2026-05-30

Visa type

Tourist visa (Letter of Invitation required); embassy-issued or visa-on-arrival

Maximum stay

Up to 10 days, extendable by a further 10 days

per entry

Entries

Single entry (typical for tourist visas)

from issue date

Visa fee

Approx. USD 50-150 (cash, post-2008 USD notes)

consular fee only

Processing time

LOI approval 3-4 weeks; apply at least 1 month ahead

standard track

Validity

Visa valid for the dates specified on the LOI/visa (short-term)

from issue date

/02 — The process

How to apply

/01

Book a licensed Turkmen tour operator

You cannot get a tourist visa independently. Engage a travel agency licensed in Turkmenistan to sponsor your trip and apply for the Letter of Invitation (LOI) on your behalf.

· Mandatory· Start 1-3 months ahead

/02

Obtain the Letter of Invitation (LOI)

The agency submits your documents to the State Migration Service for approval. Approval typically takes 3-4 weeks. The LOI is the foundation of any tourist visa.

· 3-4 weeks· State Migration Service approval

/03

Choose embassy visa or visa-on-arrival

With an approved LOI, either apply for a visa at a Turkmen embassy/consulate before departure, or collect a visa-on-arrival at Ashgabat International Airport. Both still require the pre-approved LOI.

· Embassy or VOA· LOI required either way

/04

Prepare documents and photo

Provide a valid passport (6+ months validity), a colored full passport copy, a recent white-background passport photo, and the completed application form with personal/employment details.

· Passport 6+ months· 1 photo

/05

Pay the visa fee in cash USD

Pay the fee (approx. USD 50-150) in clean, undamaged USD banknotes issued after 2008, at the embassy or at the airport/border on arrival.

· Cash only· Post-2008 USD notes

/06

Travel with your guide as arranged. Note that visiting restricted areas (e.g., Dashoguz, Serakhs, Atamurat, Cheleken, Serhetabat) requires an additional special permit obtained in advance.

· Guided travel· Special zone permits

/03 — The paperwork

Required materials

12 items

Personalized checklist

South Korea -> Turkmenistan · Tourist visa (Letter of Invitation required); embassy-issued or visa-on-arrival

0 / 12 complete

Visa typeTravel date

Deadline reminderAdd a date before export

RequiredPassport valid at least 6 months beyond intended stay, with blank pages

Original passport; keep the blank pages and remaining validity required for this route

required

RequiredConfirmed booking with a licensed Turkmen travel agency / tour operator

Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel

required

RequiredApproved Letter of Invitation (LOI) from the State Migration Service

Signed or stamped letter with host contact details and visit arrangements

required

RequiredCompleted visa application form (personal, education, employment details)

Official form; submit online or print and sign as instructed

required

RequiredRecent passport-style photo, white background

Use the official size, background, and recency rules for this route

required

RequiredColor copy of passport bio page

Original passport; keep the blank pages and remaining validity required for this route

required

RequiredVisa fee in cash, USD banknotes issued after 2008, undamaged

Bank, income, or asset proof with clear name, date, and balances

required

RequiredConfirmed accommodation / itinerary arranged by the agency

Bookings, itinerary, or confirmations matching the requested stay dates

required

ConditionalSpecial permit for restricted border zones, if visiting them

Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel

conditional

RecommendedReturn or onward travel ticket

Bookings, itinerary, or confirmations matching the requested stay dates

recommended

RequiredFlight and hotel itinerary

Confirmed or agency-arranged itinerary when the route guide requires it

Use dates that fit the allowed stay and visa validity.

RecommendedTravel medical insurance

Policy certificate showing traveler name, destination, and coverage dates

Some destinations or agencies require it even when the core visa rule only recommends it.

Official sourcesVisa policy of Turkmenistan - Wikipedia Visa requirements for South Korean citizens - Wikipedia Embassy of Turkmenistan (Washington) - Visa requirements

Application link included: Visa policy of Turkmenistan - Wikipedia

Open link

/04 — The cost

Fee breakdown

All-in estimate

Line itemAmountSource

Tourist visa fee (standard)USD 50-90Varies by nationality; paid in cash at embassy or on arrival

Express / urgent processingUp to USD 150Higher fee for expedited handling

Letter of Invitation (agency service)USD 30-100+Charged by the sponsoring travel agency; varies

Transit visa (alternative)USD 205-day transit only, between two non-bordering countries

Total estimateUSD 80 — USD 250incl. all

/05 — The wait

Processing time

Letter of Invitation + embassy visa (advance)

3-4 weeks (LOI) + visa issuance

Apply through a licensed agency at least one month ahead; collect the visa at a Turkmen embassy before departure.

Letter of Invitation + visa-on-arrival

3-4 weeks for LOI; visa issued at airport

LOI must still be approved in advance; the visa itself is stamped at Ashgabat airport on arrival.

Express LOI processing

3-7 working days

Faster invitation approval for an additional fee, when offered by the agency.

/06 — The risks

Common refusal reasons

by frequency

/01

Letter of Invitation is mandatory

Tourist visas require an LOI from a Turkmen-licensed travel agency approved by the State Migration Service; independent application is not possible.

High

/02

No visa-free or visa waiver for South Korea

South Korea has no bilateral visa-waiver agreement with Turkmenistan for ordinary passports.

High

/03

E-visa not yet operational

The April 2025 law introducing e-visas and abolishing the LOI has no launched platform as of mid-2026; implementing decrees are still pending.

Medium

/04

Cash-only USD fees with strict banknote rules

Fees must be paid in undamaged USD notes issued after 2008; old or torn notes are rejected.

Medium

/05

Restricted zone permits

Several regions require a separate special permit obtained in advance from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Low

/07 — On arrival

After you land

/01

Immigration

Keep your passport, visa or exemption proof, return ticket, and accommodation details ready for border inspection.

/02

Customs

Review the destination's customs rules before travel and declare restricted goods or large cash amounts when required.

/03

Connectivity

Check whether airport SIMs, eSIMs, or roaming are the best option for your route before arrival.

/08 — The history

Policy changelog

since 2024

2026-05-30 · major

South Korea to Turkmenistan route verified

Confirmed visa-required status for KR ordinary passports against Wikipedia visa policy pages and agency guidance. Letter of Invitation remains mandatory; e-visa legislated April 2025 but not yet launched as of mid-2026.

/09 — The questions