Turkmenistan Launches New e-Visa as Central Asian Visitor Numbers Reach Records

Turkmenistan has introduced a new e-Visa, opening a simpler route into one of Central Asia's most difficult countries to visit. The change comes as the wider region posts record visitor numbers, with arrivals up 26.4% in 2025 compared with the previous year.

Key facts

• Turkmenistan has introduced a new e-Visa
• Uzbekistan became visa-free for US passport holders in 2026, and for Chinese visitors a year earlier
• Central Asia was the fastest-growing tourism region in the world in 2025
• Uzbekistan saw a rise of more than 20% in international visitors between January and September 2026
• Tajikistan reported visitor numbers 15% above last year's level in 2026

What has changed for visas?

Turkmenistan, long described as isolationist and closed to many visitors, has introduced a new e-Visa. The article gives no details on eligibility, cost, processing time, permitted length of stay or where to apply, so travellers should check current requirements before making plans.

Elsewhere in the region, Uzbekistan became visa-free for US passport holders in 2026, and a year earlier for Chinese visitors, among other nationalities. These easier entry rules are cited as part of the reason for the region's recent tourism growth.

How fast is tourism growing?

In 2025 Central Asia recorded a 26.4% increase in visitors year on year, the fastest growth of any tourism region in the world. The trend has continued in 2026: Uzbekistan reported more than a 20% rise in international arrivals between January and September compared with 2025, while Tajikistan was already up 15% on last year. Kazakhstan's tourism sector is growing too.

Kyrgyzstan hosted the World Nomad Games this year, drawing 200,000 people to the main event village in a single day. Hotel occupancy in the capital, Bishkek, was close to 100% during the Games.

Are there enough flights?

Flight connections to the region have improved substantially over the past five years. There are now daily flights from Istanbul to Dushanbe in Tajikistan, Pegasus Airlines has expanded its network to smaller regional airports in countries including Uzbekistan, and there are more direct services from large European hubs.

What this means for travellers

Travellers planning to visit Turkmenistan now have a new e-Visa route to explore, though the source does not provide the application details; check eligibility and requirements before booking. Those heading to Uzbekistan or Tajikistan in 2026 may find busier sites, as the article notes concerns about overcrowding at some of the most famous attractions and about development potentially damaging historic cities, particularly in Uzbekistan.

Quieter alternatives cited in the region include the Mangystau desert region of western Kazakhstan, the Pamir Mountain Lakes wilderness of Tajikistan and the Pamir Highway. No further visa or entry rule changes for the region have been announced in the source.