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Safety and Security

SAFETY AND SECURITY: Turkmenistan's proximity to regions of past and current instability should be weighed carefully by travelers to the country. The Government of Turkmenistan has designated many areas throughout the country as “restricted zones”, particularly the border areas next to Iran, Uzbekistan and Afghanistan. Other areas have also been designated as “restricted zones,” including the city of Dashoguz and areas of the Caspian coast. Travel to these areas is forbidden without special permission from the Government of Turkmenistan. Turkmen Air, the national airline, will not sell a ticket to any traveler who intends to travel to a “restricted zone” without proof of permission from the Government. Travelers who wish to visit a “restricted zone” must have a valid passport and visa and must apply to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. There is a minimum processing time of 10 working days.

The November 25, 2002, attack on the motorcade of the President of Turkmenistan led to a heightened state of security. Visible police and military presence in Turkmenistan is not uncommon. Both uniformed and plainclothes officials frequently ask to see passports, visas, migration cards, and OVIR registrations. Travelers should ask to see identification if they are not certain that the person asking is an official. In addition to the questioning of foreigners, home and car searches are not uncommon. Security personnel man checkpoints on major roads. Foreigners have sometimes been singled out for harassment.

Supporters of extremist groups such as the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan, Al-Qaeda, and the Eastern Turkistan Islamic Movement remain active in Central Asia. These groups have expressed anti-U.S. sentiments and may attempt to target U.S. Government or private interests in the region, including in Turkmenistan. Terrorists do not distinguish between official and civilian targets. Because of increased security at official U.S. facilities, terrorists are seeking softer civilian targets such as residential areas, clubs, restaurants, places of worship, hotels, schools, outdoor recreation events, resorts, and planes.

For additional regional security information concerning Central Asia, U.S. citizens should check the Consular Information Sheets and current Travel Warnings or Public Announcements for nearby countries, including Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan on a regular basis. The U.S. Embassy in each of these countries can provide up-to-date information about local crime and safety issues. Information about how to contact each Embassy directly is available on the Internet at the Consular Affairs home page, http://www.travel.state.gov , or by calling the U.S. Embassy in Ashgabat. For the latest security information, Americans traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department's Internet web site at http://travel.state.gov where the current Worldwide Caution Public Announcement, Travel Warnings and Public Announcements can be found.

The Overseas Citizens Services call center at 1-888-407-4747 can answer general inquiries on safety and security overseas. This number is available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays). Callers who are unable to use toll-free numbers, such as those calling from overseas, may obtain information and assistance during these hours by calling 1-317-472-2328.