TAJIKISTAN TRAVEL REPORT.

 VISA TAJIKISTAN

As regards the tourist visa, some changes and facilities have been introduced.

 In particular::

- for citizens of the European Union it is now possible to obtain a tourist visa directly at the airport upon arrival in the country.

 - for tourist visas of less than 30 days, registration with the competent Department of the Tajik Ministry of the Interior is no longer required. The obligation for other types of visas remains and must be carried out within three days of arrival in the country.


It is logical that most tourists arrive by land as flights to Tajikistan are quite expensive and it is preferable to land in neighboring countries such as Kyrgyzstan, where the low cost Turkish company offers excellent fares and among other things, the the only country in central Asia where a visa is not required.

So for those arriving by land it is mandatory to have a visa in advance.

For those who do not travel in a hurry like me it is logical to get it in one of the neighboring countries thus saving a lot of money.

For those like me who want to get it before leaving, you need to contact one of the three embassies between that of Belgium, Germany and Austria:

 ADDRESS OF THE EMBASSY IN VIETNAM: Universitatstr. 8 / 1a, 1090 Vienna, Austria, Telephone: (+ 43-1) 409-82-66, Fax: (+ 43-1) 409-82-66-14, E-mail: info@tajikembassy.at


So since I was already doing the Turkmenistan visa, with the following travel agency in Vienna:

Visum4you

Mag. Andreas Schlichtner

Geschäftsführer Visum4you 

T: 0043 1 974 39 82 - 11

M: 0043 (0) 699 170 709 75

F: 0043 1 974 39 82 - 90 

E-Mail: a.schlichtner@visum4you.at // office@visum4you.at

Web: www.visum4you.at 

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I also had the one for Tajikistan valid for 7 days with prices and timing that can be seen from the following e_mail:

EMAIL N. 1 AGENZIA  VISUM4YOU DI VIENNA

Da: office@visum4you.at

A: "monteorsaro@libero.it"<monteorsaro@libero.it>

Ogg: AW:

Dear Riccardo,

 

we can help.

 

Tadschiksitan takes 2 weeks or 1 week express. Do you need the PAMIR Highway? We need 1 form, 1 photo, 1 personal letter.

 

Tadschikistan € 120 with pamir and plus 50% for express

Tadschikistan € 80 with out pamir and plus 50% for express


Our fee: € 60,00 net per visa

Bank fee: € 9,00 net

DHL: € 45,00 net

 

We accept only payments in advance.

 

Mit freundlichen Grüssen | Best Regards | С уважением |Met vriendelijke groet | 祝好| Cordiali saluti | �ع اطيب التحيات 

  

Mag. Andreas Schlichtner

Geschäftsführer Visum4you 

T: 0043 1 974 39 82 - 11

M: 0043 (0) 699 170 709 75

F: 0043 1 974 39 82 - 90 

E-Mail: a.schlichtner@visum4you.at // office@visum4you.at

Web: www.visum4you.at 

FN 331079 g

ATU65090518

FOLLOWING OTHER USEFUL INFORMATION TAKEN FROM THE SITE OF THE TAGIKA EMBASSY IN VIENNA:


FROM THE SITE: http://tajikembassy.at/index/visa_issues/0-25

ADDRESS OF THE EMBASSY IN VIETNAM: Universitatstr. 8 / 1a, 1090 Vienna, Austria, Telephone: (+ 43-1) 409-82-66, Fax: (+ 43-1) 409-82-66-14, E-mail: info@tajikembassy.at


VISA ISSUES

Requirements for visa issuance

Documents to be submitted for Tajik entry visa:

Support letter (letter of invitation, letter of Company, etc) should be submitted in accordance with category of visa, which is going to be applied. See above-mentioned category visas;

Fully completed and signed visa application form (one per person);

Visa application form (in English Language)

Visa application form ( in Russian Language)

One passport size photo;

Valid passport of at least no less than 6 months validity from the moment of intended visa's termination and with at least two free blank pages;

Copy of the passport (main page);

Payments Fee: No cash payments are accepted.

Payments for the Consular Services can be made by the following ways:

by Bank transfer directly to the Embassy account (UniCredit Bank Austria AG, blz 12000; KontoNr. 09554787301);

by payment in any branch of UniCredit Bank Austria AG;

by Bank Cards upon submission of documents at the Embassy*

Note:

When paying by Cards charges are applied*

In case of processing express visa from 24 to 48 hours, applicant must pay double price irrespective of the category of visa.

In case of applying to visa issuance by post, applicant must send paid self-addressed return envelope with actual post stamp or organize the pick up by themselves. The Embassy is not responsible for any damage or lost of content of envelope that could be occur in course of return post-delivery.

Applicant or his/her representative are responsible to check the validity of issued visa before undertaking the trip to Tajikistan. In case of appearance of incorrect or missing data rather than indicated in filled application form, he must timely inform the Consular Section and request a proper amendment.


Visa term Single Double Multiple

ORDINARY, BUSINESS AND OTHER VISA FEE IN EURO

One week € 40 € 50

Two weeks € 60 € 70

One month € 80 € 100

Two month € 90 € 110

Three month € 95 € 115

Six month € 110 € 140

TOURIST VISA FEE

Up to 45 days* € 80 € 90

Up to 45 days** € 20 € 30

TRANSIT VISA FEE

Up to 72 hrs. € 30 € 40

EDUCATIONAL VISA FEE

Studens Studying in Tajikistan € 50

Interns – up to three months € 80

PhD`s –  up to three months € 100

Scientific, research in Tajikistan € 100

VISA FEE FOR FORMER CITIZENS OF THE REPUBLIC OF TAJIKISTAN

One week € 20

One month € 30

Two month € 40

Three month € 50

Reference:

* - requires submission original travel invitation issued by certified Tajik National Tourist Companies or Visa support from Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Tajikistan;

** - ordinary tourist visa fee

Kuhistoni Badakhshon Autonomous Province of Tajikistan (VMKB) is the frontier territory of Tajikistan and has special permission entry (has its entry permission stamp, which is put in valid passport separately if it is applied to), which is valid to visit Khorugh, Darvoz, Vanj, Rushon, Ishkoshim and Murghob districts. Foreign citizens traveling to VMKB must underline his/her visit to VMKB in the same application form which is for visa issuance (in the point of 21 "purpose of trip")

Category visas

For obtaining Diplomatic visa - It is needed to submit Verbal Note of one of the following authorities - foreign affaires authorities, diplomatic representatives of foreign countries, international organizations or representatives of international organizations on request of the visa issuance, with the point of target and term of visit. It can be issued up to three months;

For obtaining Official (Service) visa - It is needed to submit Verbal Note of one of the following authorities - foreign affaires authorities, diplomatic representatives of foreign countries, international organizations or representatives of international organizations, letter of state authorities of arrival country for consular service of Tajikistan, letter of invitation of ministries and institutions of Tajikistan on request of the visa issuance, with the point of target and term of visit. It can be issued up to three months;

For obtaining Investment visa - It is needed to submit letter of large foreign companies or letter of State Committee of Tajikistan on investments and state property. It is necessary that the rate amount of investment must be not less than US $ 500 000. It can be issued up to six months;

For obtaining Business visa - It is needed to submit letter of Company or representatives of foreign commercial organizations on request of the visa issuance, with the point of target and term of visit. It can be issued up to six months;

For obtaining Labor visa - It is needed to submit Letter of inviting organization or citizen of Tajikistan on request of the visa issuance, with the point of target and term of visit, copy of contract on fulfill of services. In the case of invitation from citizen of Tajikistan on fulfillment of job, additionally it is demanded the notice from authorities of internal affaires on the place of fulfillment of services. It can be issued up to three months;

For obtaining Tourist visa - It is needed to submit the letter of relevant licensed tourist company of country of destination on visa issuance with indication of the purpose of entry, itinerary and term of stay in the territory of the Republic of Tajikistan. It is needed to submit the Letter of relevant licensed tourist company of the country origin with indication of the purpose of entry, itinerary and term of stay in the Republic of Tajikistan. In the case of Individual tourist visa application - It is needed to submit the Letter of request signed by applicant, addressed to Consular Section with description of tourist itinerary, copies of proof travel documents and contact person's information etc. It can be issued up to 45 days. Holder of tourist visa is free from registration as a foreigner under internal affaires branches (OVIR) if his stay does not exceed 30 days;

For obtaining Educational visa - It is needed to submit letter of educational, scientific institution or individual request of applicant for apply to educational institution or letter of sending organization for internship, exchange programs, educational training or language courses. It can be issued up to six months;

For obtaining Private Visa - It is needed to submit notice of Migration service of Ministry of internal affaires of the Republic of Tajikistan. In exceptional cases, the private visa can be issued on the base of letter of citizen (reference of foreign citizen, who has permanent residence in abroad and is in official marriage with citizen of Tajikistan) without demands of notice of Migration service of Ministry of internal affaires of the Republic of Tajikistan, as well as in the case of funeral (serious illness) of relatives and friends on the bases of international telegrams confirmed by doctor. It can be issued up to three months;

For obtaining Driver visa - It is needed to submit letter of organization on request of the visa issuance, with the point of target and term relevant for transportation realization, license of international carriage, in the case of cargo transportation special permission for transportation of large-sized cargo and copy of insurance police for vehicle. It can be issued for period not exceeding license term but not more than six months. Driver visa is valid strictly for concrete route to destination;

For obtaining Crew of aircrafts visa - It is needed to submit copy of flight crew ID card and letter of Airline Company or its representative in Tajikistan. It can be issued up to three months;

For obtaining Foreign mass media visa - It is needed to submit Verbal Note of foreign affaires authorities of country arrival of mass media staff or letter of representative of foreign Mass Media on request of the visa issuance, with the point of target and term of visit. It can be issued up to three months;

For obtaining Visa for spouse of citizen of the Republic of Tajikistan - It is needed to submit letter from spouse of citizen of the Republic of Tajikistan on request of visa issuance with the point of detail information on proposed activity of spouse's foreign citizen in Tajikistan, copy of marriage certificate recognized by Republic of Tajikistan, the existence of means for payment of travel tickets and accommodation in Tajikistan till managing the job. It can be issued up to three months;

For obtaining Sportsmen and art group visa - It is needed to submit Verbal Note or letter of state organization of arrival country of foreign sportsmen or art group on request of the visa issuance or letter from state organization of the Republic of Tajikistan deals with sport and culture issues with the point of target and term of visit. It can be issued for term of event;

For obtaining Missionary visa - It is needed to submit Verbal Note of foreign affaires of country where religion organization is registered and together with the letter from religious organization intending to work in Tajikistan. It can be issued up to four months;

For obtaining Humanitarian visa - It is needed to submit Verbal Note of foreign affaires authorities or letter of state organization deals with delivery of humanitarian assistance to the Republic of Tajikistan. It can be issued for term of assistance and free of charge, but not more than six months;

For obtaining Commercial visa - It is needed to submit letter from commercial organization (administration), where foreign citizen takes up with commercial activity, copy of reference from tax authority consequently from commercial activity's venue on debts absence for taxes during commercial activity and copy of patent, if he is individual employer. It can be issued up to three months;

For obtaining Permanent residence visa - It is needed to submit a letter of applicant on request of the visa issuance, with the point of detail information on proposed activity in Tajikistan, the existence of means for travel ticket payment and accommodation in Tajikistan till being managed for job, on opportunity of the transaction to Tajikistan pension's payment if applicant gets such payment and the notice from the authorities of internal affaires. It can be issued up to three months.

Procedure of visa's extension and visa restoration

Requirements and points: The validity term of visa can be extended only by Consular Department of MFA of Tajikistan on the base of primary (previous) visa and submition relevant documents;

Foreign citizen must apply for extension of visa 20 working days before the expiration visa's term validity. In case of expiration visa's term validity on the applicant's blame, he is involved to administrative liability in accordance with legal-normative acts of Tajikistan;

The extension of visa's term validity is allowed with holding of the same category visa;

The extension of visa's term validity is considered for 10 working days from the date of document's  submission;

In case of technical damage of foreign citizen's visa, which is impossible for further use or loss, visa must be restored  after check and fact acknowledgement of its issuance;

The restoration of visa is realized  by Consular Department of Ministry of Foreign Affairsof Tajikistan or by consular sections of Embassies of Tajikistan in abroad on the base of written letter of foreign citizen or letter from organization under which invitation, foreign citizen is arrived or is intended to arrive to Tajikistan;

In a case if foreign citizen having valid visa obtains new national passport, but previous passport is cancelled, the visa can be restored in a new passport on the base of written letter of that foreign citizen.

Rules of stay and limitations for foreigners in Tajikistan

Registration of foreign citizens temporarily arrived in Tajikistan:

Temporary arrived foreign citizens live in the territory of Tajikistan in accordance with their valid international passports;

Upon arrival international passports must be submitted for registration to relevant authorities (authorities of internal affaires - (OVIR)) during 3 days, except holidays and weekends. Holders of tourist visa are free from registration. Registration is realized on the base of written letter of host organizations (inviting side), foreign permanent representatives in Tajikistan or letters of private persons. Registration of foreign citizens arrived to Tajikistan with private cases (private visas) is realized on the base of their actual visa.

The following persons are free from registration of their international passports:

heads of states and governments of foreign countries, members of parliamentary and governmental delegations, technical personal of these delegations, members of families of mentioned persons;

holders of UN passports;

foreign citizens not reached 16 years old;

members of foreign military crew aircraft arrived to Tajikistan;

members of civil crew aircrafts of international airlines in case if they are situated in the air port;

members of crew auto crafts realizing transportation of cargo and passengers and enter to and exit from Tajikistan in accordance with route destination;

Hotel registration of foreign citizens arriving for service, commercial or social cases (visas, aims), treatment or rest as tourists. In case of arrival of foreign citizens for treatment directly in hospital or sanatorium, they must be registered under authorities of internal affairs (OVIR)

OVIR, Ministry of Interior registration of foreign citizens arriving in Tajikistan for study, internship, job in accordance with intergovernmental agreement, as well as for service cases of social organizations and private person's invitations. Foreign citizens arrived in Tajikistan for term of more than 3 months for job, study, permanent residence or for other cases are medically testified during 10 days after arrival. Private and service vehicle of foreign citizens entering the territory of Tajikistan must be registered.

Issuance of permanent residence permission for foreign citizens

foreign citizens would permanently live in Tajikistan if they receive permission for permanent residence issued by authorities of internal affaires (OVIR);

letter of request on issuance of permission for permanent residence in Tajikistan is to submitted by temporary arrived foreigners directly to relevant authorities of internal affairs up to place of residence in Tajikistan;

Permission for permanent residence is issued by authorities of foreign affaires of Tajikistan up to place of residence of foreign citizens, reached 16 years old for the term no more than 5 years and foreigner reached 45 years old for the whole term of passport validity;

letter on extension of permission for permanent residence term or new permanent residence permission must be submitted by foreign citizens to authorities of internal affairs up to place of residence not later than 10 days before expiration of date of permanent residence permission;

foreign citizens arrive in Tajikistan for the term more than 6 months have to receive permanent residence permission from authorities of internal affaires;

permanent residence permission can not be extended without extension of visa;

Foreign citizens temporarily living in Tajikistan and wishing to change the place of residence or temporarily move to another place must receive permission from authorities of internal affaires.

Issuance of Tajik Visa at the Airport of Dushanbe

General requirements for visa obtaining at the airport of Dushanbe are the same as it mentioned in the Webpage of Embassy of Tajikistan to Austria.

In the airport of Dushanbe all visa categories are issued up to 45 days.


REPORT TRAVEL


Keep in mind that the Penjikent border between Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, just 45 km from Samarkand, is closed and therefore for those heading to Tajikistan, it is better to cross the border at Denau.

That's why very early the next morning I walk up Registan Street and stop an eastbound taxi which asks me for 8,000 Sum to take me to the Grebnoy Kanal, 15 km southeast of the center of Samarkand, where Collective Taxis gather. for Termiz and Denau. Keep in mind that those going to Denau do not go through Termiz. To go to the Denau border between Uzbekistan and Tajikistan I had to pay 25 $. Logically they also accept the Sum. It starts when the 4 seats are filled but in my case I only had to wait 30 minutes. The trip lasts 8 with a taxi driver who does not run too much. The roads are not beautiful but the mountainous landscape is very interesting. At one of the numerous checkpoints I had to go down to register. Needless to say, the guards speak Russian and a lot of other languages but not English. The taxi driver took the other passengers in front of the house in remote villages and made a few grunts to take me to the border which is more than 40 km after the city of Denau, but in the end he didn't ask for an extra dollar.


Before the Uzbek border you can change money from disreputable guys or you can do it (maybe it's better) before that Tajik always in black but without problems as the Tajik guards do not create problems.


From the square where the taxi leaves you at the Uzbek border you have to walk for about 300 meters. Then you have to go through an Uzbek control near a gate. After that, in the next building, you have to fill in the immigration card for leaving the country. It is written only in Uzbek and Russian. I asked for it in English, but the guard got pissed off and I gave up and copied it from the one I had in my pocket that I had filled out at the entrance. Then you have to deliver both immigration cards. It goes without saying that when you leave the country, you have to declare less money than you declared on entry if you want to avoid a lot of trouble. The Uzbek Police carefully check them and also check in detail all the things you have in your backpack by checking on the internet medicine x medicine. Then further on there is a counter where you will be stamped for exit. Once you have passed the Uzbek border, you have to walk for over 300 meters. to reach that Tajik. All people must enter the building on the right and tourists in the one on the left. The Tajik police are rigid than the Uzbek police and in my case they also helped me fill out the immigration form, although it was in English, to be returned when you leave the country. Then you have to walk for several tens of meters to reach another building where the staff asks you verbally how much money you take with you.


Once you have crossed the Tajik border, you will reach an open space on foot in a few minutes where collective taxis for Dushanbe await you. If you arrive in the morning you can try to take a bus from the bus shelter clearly visible. The price of the Collective taxi is $ 10 for one hour of travel. It is logical that the Premises pay much less. Collective taxis leave only when they are full and it is not easy to fill them because tourists only spend 5/7 a week in summer and none in winter while locals use other means to reach the capital. In the end I waited 3 hours but besides me there was only one person and as the sunset was coming I had to enter into a long and difficult negotiation but in the end I managed to get taken to the Hotel Dushanbe, located in Maydani Ayni in the center of Capital, priced at $ 14. Logically they also accept the Somoni.


If you don't want to change money in black at the border, in Rudaki Street, the main street of Dushanbe, there are a lot of money changers, which change at slightly more advantageous rates, both Euros and Dollars, but beware that they close at 19.00 .


The old Hotel Dushanbe (the staff speaks very little English), located in Maydani Ayni in the center of the capital, offers different rates depending on the comforts you want. I logically choose the lowest and pay 20 $ (they also accept Somoni), including breakfast, for a shared room with 2 beds, terribly hot in summer, while the bathroom and showers, unlivable, are shared with all floor rooms. Fortunately, in the room with me there was a Tajik boy who, working abroad, spoke an ocean of languages including excellent English and so I talked a little with him who told me that he paid for this room 42 Somoni ($ 8) and so once again I took a big hit. On the ground floor in the hotel there are 2 computers with free internet but none of the 2 worked at the time of my trip.


If you want to travel by bus on the long Rudaki Street, which is the main artery of Dushanbe, you can use bus n. 1 and n. 3 for the price of 1 Somoni. You pay the controller who is always present on the vehicle.

If you want to go to Khojand, in the extreme northwest of Tajikistan, you need to reach the collective taxi parking of the Tsementzavod (cement plant) in Dushanbe, located 2 km north of Vadanosos (Varzob) Bazar, which can be reached by bus no. 3 from any bus stop on Rudaki Street. Tsementzavod is the last stop.


From Tsementzavod (cement factory) in Dushanbe, when they are full, 7-seater collective taxis, including the driver, depart every morning from 6.00 to 11.00 to Chunchuk Bus Station in Khojand, for the price of 100 Somoni. The 400 km journey on the M34 road (often bumpy), which crosses 2 passes (Anzob Pass mt.3.372 and Shakhristan mt.3.378) and 2 mountain ranges (Zerafshan Mountains and Turkestan Mountains) offers enchanting landscapes and lasts from 5 to 8 hours depending on what the taxi driver runs.


From Khojand Chunchuk Bus Station, located approximately 6 km north - east of Panchshanbe Bazaar, you have to go to the adjacent side of the main road and stop at Marshrutka n. 3 or 18 or 45 or 55, which takes you to the Marshrutka car park, located on Lenina Street, on the opposite side of the aforementioned Bazaar. You pay directly to the driver or to whom for him 1 Somoni.


From the Marshrutka parking lot, located on Lenina Street in Khojand, I went to the opposite side of it where the alleys of the Panchshanbe Bazaar begin. At this point I walked north on the sidewalk for several dozen meters until I came across the large WWII Memorial located between Lenina Street and Sharq Street. At this point I walk south on this last street for a few tens of meters until I see on the left the beautiful yellow and green facade of the Hotel Sharq, located above the beautiful Panchshanbe Bazaar. Take the flight of stairs to the top floor where the kind and helpful host who speaks English welcomes you. In this hotel there are no single rooms and in my case even doubles as I was assigned a triple room for the price of 45 Somoni. The rooms are old but spacious while the only shared bathroom in the whole hotel is not the best in life.


If you are interested in changing money there are several money changers scattered adjacent to the Bazaar on Sharq Street.


If you want to visit the gigantic statue of Lenin of Khojand, 22 meters high, located 500 meters. beyond the Sry Darya River, you can take one of the many Marshrutkas, including No. 15, parked in front of the Sharq Hotel, which logically leave when all the seats are occupied. You pay directly to the driver or to whom for him 1 Somoni.


If, like me, you stayed at the Hotel Sharq and, the next morning, you are interested in reaching Isfara from Khojand (be careful not to confuse it with Isfana), and then go to Kyrgyzstan, you need to go to the Marshrutka car park located on the Lenina Street, on the opposite side of the Panchshanbe Bazaar and take one of these Minibuses: 3, 80, 92, 90, 48, 95 and 100 and ask the driver to drop you off at the Isfara Bus Station, located 7km south. You pay directly to the driver or to whom for him 1 Somoni.


From the Khojand Isfara Bus Station, Marshrutka no. 301, which reaches the center of Isfara in about 2 hours, at a cost of 15 Somoni (US dollars are also accepted). You pay directly to the driver or to whom for him. If you are in a hurry on the other side of the road there are collective taxis which take less time but with much higher rates.


Marshrutka No. 301 above leaves you in the center of Isfara, near a monument about 70 meters away. m visible to the naked eye. If like me you are headed for Kyrgyzstan, you need to reach the square where the Marshrutkas gather, about 300 meters away. from here. Therefore, walk on the opposite side from where you arrived, cross a bridge over the river and then turn right. Continue on the busy road for about 250 meters. until you find on the left the obvious square where the Marshrutkas gather.


Hence the Marshrutka No. 300 leaves when full in the direction of the Batken Bus Station in Kyrgyzstan, at a cost of 4 Somoni, which it reaches in about 45 minutes, including the stops at the two borders, which I pass quickly without problems. In the Kyrgyz Republic, where Italians no longer need a visa since the end of 2012, the immigration card is no longer even filled out. Change the Somoni before leaving Isfara if possible because in Kyrgyzstan it could be difficult.


My complete travel report with map, photographs and videos is available at this link:

https://vivendosalendo.blogspot.com/2015/09/viaggio-in-iran-e-nel-centro-asia.html

 


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