Herat Governor Asks Turkey and Turkmenistan for Easier Visa Access

The governor of Herat province, Noor Ahmad Islamjar, has called for easier visa access for citizens of Afghanistan, Turkey and Turkmenistan, alongside expanded trade, health and infrastructure cooperation. He made the request at a meeting with the Turkish and Turkmen consuls general and representatives of several organisations, his media office said.

Key facts

• When: The meeting was reported on 20 October 2026.
• Who attended: Turkey's consul general Qazi Oghlu, Turkmenistan's consul general Batur Yulov, the head of the TIKA office, the director of Afghan-Turk schools in Herat and the head of the TAPI project.
• Visa request: Easier visa access for citizens of Afghanistan, Turkey and Turkmenistan.
• Health plans: A standard Afghan-Turk hospital and a joint Afghan-Turkmen hospital in the Turgundi border area.
• No timetable: No dates, visa rules or procedures were announced.

What is being proposed?

Islamjar called for stronger friendly ties, increased trade cooperation and easier visa access for citizens of the three countries, referring to their shared cultural and religious values. He also stressed the need to strengthen Herat's health services with the help of Turkish specialist doctors.

Plans discussed included building a standard Afghan-Turk hospital and a joint Afghan-Turkmen hospital in the Turgundi border area. The importance of the TAPI gas pipeline project was also raised at the meeting.

What did the consuls general say?

The Turkish consul general welcomed the proposals and announced plans to build an Afghan-Turk school in Farah province. The Turkmenistan consul general told the meeting about a plan to transmit electricity from Turkmenistan to Farah province and also welcomed the governor's proposals.

Both officials expressed satisfaction with developments in Afghanistan and said they were pleased with its trade relations and economic activities.

What this means for travellers

The visa request is a proposal only. The source does not state any change to current visa requirements, application procedures, fees or processing times for travel between Afghanistan, Turkey and Turkmenistan, and no implementation date has been given. Travellers should continue to check the current entry rules for each country before booking.

Islamjar said nationwide security was a necessary condition for the progress of large economic and infrastructure projects. No further steps or decision dates were announced.