Do Russians need a visa and a passport to enter Tajikistan?

Do I need a passport to travel?

Do you need a passport to Tajikistan? The answer is unequivocal - yes. A foreign passport is the main document for crossing the border . Until 2015, residents of the Russian Federation could enter the country using passports of Russian citizens. But in 2021, only those residents of the Russian Federation who have a valid international passport, which must indicate the nationality of the owner of the travel document, can enter Tajikistan on a visa-free basis.

Having a citizenship stamp is a mandatory condition. If it is not there, border control officers will not be able to determine which country a person entering the territory of Tajikistan is a resident of.

How requirements have changed

It is important to clarify that previously Russians could travel to the Republic of Tatarstan using either a general Russian or a foreign passport.
However, now, using a Russian passport, travel is only possible to Kazakhstan and Belarus, that is, member countries of the Customs Union. Since the beginning of 2015, to travel to Tajikistan, Russians can only use a foreign passport, which must be valid at least until the last day of their stay on the territory of the republic.

Minors can visit the Republic of Tatarstan only if they have their own foreign identity card or an appropriate mark in the document of the parent traveling with them. Previously, we recall that in order for a child to enter, it was enough to present his birth certificate.

Reasons for making changes

As employees of the migration services of both countries explain, the tightening of the rules for the entry of foreigners was caused by the need to strengthen control over immigrants. And this is not so much about the number of illegal immigrants, but about the inability to fully keep records of foreigners due to the fact that migration cards are filled out by hand, often inappropriately. A foreign passport is a machine-readable document produced in accordance with international standards.

Let us clarify that if citizens of Tajikistan entered Russia before 2015, then they will not need to obtain a foreign passport to leave their homeland. They will be able to return using their Tajik passport. But next time they will be able to enter Russia only with a valid foreign document.

The situation is similar with Russians who left for Tajikistan before the end of 2014: they will be able to return to the Russian Federation using a Russian identity card, but in the future they will have to comply with new rules for traveling to Tajikistan.

Please note that in 2021 in the Russian Federation the state fee for issuing a foreign passport is up to 3,500 rubles (previously it was 2,500 rubles).

In addition, many countries are planning to change the requirements for the validity of foreign passports of foreigners entering their territory. In Tajikistan, a similar bill is also being considered, and the expected validity of a passport to enter the republic will soon have to exceed the duration of the trip by at least six months.

Visa-free entry

An agreement on visa-free entry has been concluded between Russia and Tajikistan.

Citizens of the Russian Federation for the purpose of tourism, recreation, visiting friends and relatives, as well as sightseeing, can visit the Tajik Republic in 2021 for a period of no more than 90 days.

If the expected period of stay in this country is longer, then you need a visa to Tajikistan, which is issued at the diplomatic mission of this state.

Entry stamp

Staying under visa-free entry does not give a foreign resident the right to work or conduct business activities in the territory of the republic.

Read about the standard of living in Tajikistan on our website.

Conditions and documents for crossing the border in 2021

1. To cross the Tajik border, a Russian citizen will only need a foreign passport. In addition, the tourist is required to fill out a migration card. If a person crosses the border by air, then migration cards are issued directly on the plane. If crossing the border is carried out by land transport, then migration cards are issued by border control officers.
2. The migration form should indicate the traveler’s initials, length of stay in Tajikistan, purpose of the trip, and residential address. The card is filled out in 2 copies. One is given to customs officers, and the second copy remains with the tourist. A template for filling out the migration card of Tajikistan can be downloaded here.
3. In addition, the traveler is required to fill out a customs declaration. This document is filled out only if a person brings with him to the territory of Tajikistan objects or things that are subject to declaration.

Customs declaration form

The process of crossing the border itself takes a little time. Initially, the tourist goes through passport control, and then customs control.

What documents are needed to cross the border?

Only a valid international passport is required to cross the Tajik border. Before the control, you will also be given a migration card and two customs declaration forms, in which you need to indicate not only the amount of imported currency, but also a list of jewelry, photographic equipment, and other valuables. After passing control, the traveler is returned half of the migration card and one customs declaration form with the stamp of the service. It is recommended to keep the card and declaration until the end of the trip.

Medical insurance is not compulsory. However, the Russian Foreign Ministry recommends taking out international insurance. This is especially important for those who are planning climbing, rafting or simply active recreation.

When traveling to Tajikistan in a personal car, you must ensure that you have international vehicle insurance. But a driver's license does not have to be international. A Russian ID will be sufficient.

Bailiffs have the right to prohibit leaving the Russian Federation for unpaid debts, alimony, taxes, and fines. You can find out current information on these issues on the website nevylet.rf.

Types of visas

A visa to Tajikistan for Russians is required only if there is a need to stay in the country for more than 90 days. To obtain it, you should contact the diplomatic mission of Tajikistan in Moscow.

At the embassy you can apply for different types of visas depending on the purpose of your trip.

Tourist

The tourist visa to Tajikistan is the most popular and in demand. As practice shows, it is easy to obtain. The applicant only needs to collect all the necessary papers and submit them for consideration by the consul.

Tourist visa to Tajikistan

To obtain a visa to Tajikistan, the applicant submits a package of papers consisting of:

• Foreign passport. It is important that the travel document meets all the requirements:

1. The travel document must be valid for at least six months.
2. Availability of one blank page for pasting a visa sticker.

• Application form. The application must be completed in Russian. The applicant can fill out the application form either in printed form or electronically. The application form for a visa to Tajikistan can be downloaded here, and here is a sample form.
• A medical certificate confirming that the applicant is not a carrier of HIV infection. Testing for this virus must be done at a government medical institution. Certificates from private laboratories are not accepted.
• Photograph. Photo size: 35 by 45 mm.
• A receipt confirming that the applicant has paid the required consular fee for processing the documents.

If a person intends to travel to Tajikistan as part of a tourist group, in this case he will need to provide additional documents indicating the route and place of residence from the travel company.

Application form for visa permission of Tajikistan

If the trip to Tajikistan is independent, then the applicant additionally submits a document confirming that he has booked a hotel room for the entire period of his stay in the country.

If a tourist intends to go to the Pamirs, then to visit it it is necessary to obtain permission in advance.

Obtaining permission to visit the Pamirs

The Pamirs are an ethnocultural region of the Tajik Republic, which is one of the most visited places in Tajikistan for tourism purposes. Especially GBAO (Pamir) attracts climbers and people who love nature tourism. The Pamirs are part of the border zone of Tajikistan, so special permission is required to visit it. It is worth immediately noting that obtaining a permit is not difficult, but a foreign resident must have registration. Without it, unfortunately, you cannot get a pass to the Pamirs.

To obtain a pass to the territory of GBAO, foreign residents need to contact the migration service and ask for a permit. There is a fee for issuing a pass. The amount depends on the place of registration, but on average you will have to pay from 15 to 30 somoni for permission to visit the Pamirs. After payment, a migration service employee issues a pass within 10 minutes.

The Pamirs attract adventure seekers and outdoor enthusiasts from all over the world. Fascinating video.

If a tourist enters the border zone without a pass, he will be subject to a fine of 40 to 60 indicators (1 indicator is equal to 35 somoni). In other words, if a tourist meets a border guard or policeman on the territory of the Pamirs and cannot present a pass due to his absence, then the tourist will pay a fine of 10 to 15 thousand Russian rubles for his mistake.

Important! To visit the famous alpine lake Sarez, a separate permit is required, which can also be obtained from the migration service.

Working

A work visa to Tajikistan is issued only on the basis of an invitation from an employer. Initially, a Russian citizen is required to find an employer, enter into an employment contract with him, and only on the basis of the above documents will he be able to obtain a work visa. You can get acquainted with the level of salaries in the Republic of Tajikistan by following the link.

Basis for obtaining a work visa

Other types of visas

In addition to the above, Tajikistan issues the following types of visas:

• Diplomatic.
• Service.
• Investor's
• Business.
• “Hiruchi” – urgent visa for 7 days. Issued in case of delay of a foreign resident on the territory of Tajikistan. This type of visa cannot be extended.

Types of permissions

Visas to Tajikistan are divided into several categories depending on the purpose of the trip. Therefore, before going to the diplomatic mission, the applicant needs to formulate why he is going to the republic. The purpose of the trip is documented. A suitable basis for obtaining a visa sticker of any type is an official written invitation from an individual or legal entity from the Republic of Tajikistan.

To become the holder of a tourist visa, you need to submit a document from a travel agency to the diplomatic mission. The route and timing of the trip are entered on the paper.

To visit the Pamir zone you need to buy a separate permit. Citizens of only those states that do not have an embassy of Tajikistan can apply for a visa at the airport, so Russians do not have the right to use this service.

This is what a visa to Tajikistan looks like in a foreign passport.

Government officials must obtain a diplomatic visa. Such permission can be obtained by all those who have a diplomat's passport. This visa is not issued to ordinary tourists.

If a foreigner travels to the Republic of Tajikistan on a business assignment, he must obtain the appropriate permit. These visas are issued to employees of Russian government agencies traveling to the republic on a business trip.

Foreigners whose purpose of travel is to invest in Tajik enterprises or develop a business receive special permission. Investor visas are also issued to family members of directors of large Russian companies.

People coming to the republic to participate in meetings and negotiations apply for a business visa. Such permission is issued to Russians who travel to the Republic of Tatarstan for the purpose of conducting an audit or carrying out consulting activities.

To work in the republic, a work visa is required.

Guest invitations are issued by citizens of the Russian Federation who are traveling to Tajikistan to visit relatives or friends. In this case, the latter must bear all financial expenses of the foreign guest.

Special permits are issued to students, journalists, athletes, and missionaries.

Traveling with children

If a trip to Tajikistan is carried out together with a minor child, then the child over 14 years old must have his own passport. If a child is under 14 years old, he can cross the border with a birth certificate. But in this case, the children must be included in the foreign passport of one of the parents.

If the baby goes on a trip with one parent, then permission for export from the second parent is required.

Example of consent to take a child abroad

They told me to show my passport

Let us recall that then it was established that entry into the Russian Federation and exit, transit travel, movement and stay on our territory of citizens of the Republic of Tajikistan “can be carried out on the basis of a passport of a citizen of the Republic of Tajikistan or a birth certificate (for children under the age of 16 years) with indicating citizenship of the Republic of Tajikistan.” At that time, such an agreement was completely justified - millions of people, former citizens of the USSR, simply did not have time not only to acquire the necessary documents, but even to realize the very fact of the emergence of new state borders that separated many families. And people were allowed - temporarily - to travel to each other and to work, as they say, the old fashioned way, without any special “problems”.

But after 23 years of the formation of independent states, all these actions are possible only with foreign, service, diplomatic passports, a sailor’s passport and a certificate of return to the Republic of Tajikistan. The Russian government decree comes into force on January 1 next year.

Only citizens of the Republic of Tajikistan work in Russia about 1.5 million people

It is no secret that the draft of this document was developed by the Federal Migration Service of Russia. Moreover, it was prepared on the direct instructions of the head of state, Vladimir Putin. In his Address to the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation dated December 22, 2012, the President gave instructions to “conduct negotiations with the governments of the member states of the Commonwealth of Independent States on ensuring, no later than by 2015, the regime for the entry of citizens of these states into the Russian Federation and exit from the Russian Federation using foreign passports.” At the same time, Vladimir Putin obliged “to provide, if necessary, assistance to these states, including financial and technical, in the production of foreign passport forms.”

The exception to this new regime of entry and exit were the states that are members of the Customs Union and make up the Common Economic Space with Russia - Kazakhstan and Belarus.

The head of the Russian Federal Migration Service, Konstantin Romodanovsky, said in an interview with Rossiyskaya Gazeta that, in his opinion, there is nothing wrong with using foreign passports. For example, in Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, 300 thousand foreign passports are issued per year. Where there are 300 thousand, you can release a million. These foreign passports are obtained to travel to Europe, America, Africa. Why not enter Russia with a foreign passport? In general, this should be treated calmly, as a civilized movement.

On the other hand, the issuance of a foreign passport is always a check of its citizen by local intelligence services. That is another guarantee that extremists or criminal elements will not come to us. And this is a weighty argument, considering that there are about 1.5 million Tajik citizens working in Russia.

For now, citizens of Kyrgyzstan and Ukraine can travel to us without foreign passports. It is curious that Kyrgyzstan turned to Russia for help in organizing a system for producing foreign passports.

Traveling by car

In order to get to Tajikistan by car, you first need to cross the border of one of the countries: Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan. These states have also signed an agreement on a visa-free regime with the Russian Federation, so you do not need an entry permit to visit them.

To travel by car through these countries you will need the following documents:

• Documents for the car.
• Driver license.
• Power of attorney to drive a car (if the car belongs to another person).

It is worth remembering that in many countries Russian MTPL insurance is not valid, so to transit through the country you will need to take out local car insurance. The registration itself takes 10-15 minutes. You can get car insurance at border control points. The average cost of car insurance is 200 Russian rubles for 5 days.

Hitchhiking to Tajikistan from Russia. Is it possible to? Let's see together.

Migration registration

According to the rules of entry and stay, all foreign residents who arrived in the territory of Tajikistan for a period of more than 3 days are required to register for migration.

Important! If a person has an open tourist visa to Tajikistan and his period of stay is less than 30 days, then registration is not necessary.

The registration procedure depends on where the foreign resident is staying. If he is staying at a hotel, then his registration is handled directly by the administrator of the hotel complex. If a person intends to rent housing, then for temporary registration he needs to visit the OVIR (passport office) together with the owner of the property and register for the period of stay in Tajikistan.

Registration in Tajikistan

Registration fee

Registration for migration is a paid procedure. If a person stays at a hotel, the registration fee is already included in the room price.

If a Russian citizen is staying in a rented property, then the registration fee is:

• 90 somoni (630 rubles) – for up to 90 days.
• 130 somoni (908 rubles) – for a period of more than 90 days.

Funds are sent by a foreign resident to a bank account, the details of which are issued by the OVIR when submitting an application for registration. After payment and obtaining the consent of the property owner, the Russian citizen receives a registration document, which indicates the personal and passport details of the foreign guest, as well as the registration period.

Migration Service of the Republic of Tajikistan. Dushanbe, st. Mirzo Tursunzade, 5

You need to register within the first 3 days of your stay in Tajikistan. Weekends and holidays are not taken into account. The police often check the registration of foreign guests, so it is mandatory to do so. For violating this rule, a foreigner is subject to a fine of 3,200 somoni (22,300 Russian rubles).

Registration in Tajikistan for Russians

Without registration, foreigners can stay in the Republic of Tajikistan for no more than 3 working days. No later than 3 days you need to contact the Passport and Registration Service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Tajikistan. You can also register at the hotel.

Failure to register faces a foreigner with a fine of $500. and deportation.

If a foreigner moves from one locality to another, he must register within 3 days in the new place. If the stay is less than 3 days, then registration is not required.

Mountain river in Tajikistan

Visa cost

The cost of a visa to the Tajik Republic directly depends on its type:

• Single entry for 6 months – 2,500 rub.
• Double entry for 6 months – 2,750 rub.
• Multiple entry for 6 months – 3,000 rub.
• One-time for a year - 5,500 rubles.
• Double entry for a year – 6,000 rubles.
• Repeated for a year - 6,250 rub.

Cost of different types of visas

How much does it cost and how long does it take to obtain a Tajik visa?

The cost of a visa to Tajikistan depends on the type of visa and its validity period.
For tourism purposes, people travel to Tajikistan without a visa, and therefore free of charge. In other cases, you will have to pay for the document.

Current prices for a visa to Tajikistan can be viewed on the official website of the embassy - tajembassy.ru.

A frequently asked question is how long it takes to obtain a visa to Tajikistan for Russians. Crossing the border takes about 1 hour. It will take from 5 to 20 days to receive the document in advance. This depends on the type of form required.

Extension of a visa

It is possible to extend a visa, but for this the foreign resident must have compelling reasons. Extension of a residence permit is possible if a foreign resident or one of his family members becomes ill or experiences an emergency. Extension of a private visa is possible for 45 days. The work visa can be extended for 90 days, and the study visa is extended until the end of the academic year.

To renew, you must contact the Main Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Tajikistan. The renewal period is 20 days.

Validity

Validity periods for different categories of visas:

• Business – 2 years.
• Service – 2 years.
• Study – 9 months with the right to extend.
• Visa for permanent residence – 6 months with the right to extend.
• Working – 6 months.

Map of Tajikistan showing cities

A visa is issued at the embassy within 10 days.

Documents for a visa to Tajikistan

Required documents to obtain a visa for a period of more than 90 days:

1. International passport
   Valid for at least 6 months from the date of intended departure from the country, and with at least one blank page.
2. Questionnaire
   You can download the form here.)
3. Medical certificate
   with passing an HIV test.
4. Color photo
   Format 3.5*4.5 cm.
5. Receipt
   for payment of state duty (cost: 2500 RUB for a single entry visa, 2750 RUB for a double entry visa, 3000 RUB for a multiple entry visa)
6. Additionally,
   if you plan to visit the Pamir border zone, you need a special permit from the Migration Service of Tajikistan; you can obtain such paper (for a fee) through travel companies in Russia.
7. Certificate of employment
   Certificate of employment with the stated position and salary;
8. Bank account statement
   The statement must be recent and not older than 6 months;
9. Sponsorship letter for a visa
   For unemployed citizens - an application for sponsorship.

Is refusal possible and for what reasons?

Refusals for a Tajik visa are rare. Often, the issuance of visa permits to foreign residents is denied for reasons such as:

• Presentation of false documents.
• Providing false information.
• Inclusion of a resident of the Russian Federation on the “black list”.
• Suspicion of terrorist activity.
• Having a criminal record in the Russian Federation.
• Having a criminal record in Tajikistan.
• The applicant has HIV infection.

  Tajikistan is not on the list of countries that often deny visas to Russian citizens

To Tajikistan for permanent residence

To move to Tajikistan for permanent residence, a Russian citizen must have the following grounds:

• Marriage with a resident of Tajikistan.
• Repatriation.
• Reunion with family.

Initially, a person needs to obtain a residence permit. A residence permit is issued by the internal affairs bodies at the place of registration. A residence permit for foreign residents is issued for a period of no more than 5 years; for citizens over 45 years of age, a residence permit is issued for the entire period of validity of the visa.

After 5 years of residence in Tajikistan, Russian citizens can submit an application for permanent residence to the internal affairs authorities.

Residence in Tajikistan for more than 3 months: where and how to get a visa?

Sometimes circumstances develop in such a way that there is a need for long-term residence in the territory of a country within the CIS. You can obtain a visa at the Embassy of Tajikistan, located in Moscow at 13 Granatny Lane. The document is prepared within one week.

There are several categories of visas:

1. tourist (to obtain it, they may request an itinerary for visiting attractions, and if a person cooperates with a travel agency, then it is obliged to provide an official application);
2. labor certificate (issued only if the foreigner has a letter from the employer, in which he undertakes to employ the guest and guarantees him a certain position);
3. educational (issued after the diplomatic servants present a letter from a higher educational institution, which undertakes to accept the future student for study and indicates the specialty that he intends to master).

To apply for a visa, you will need to fill out a special application in the form of a questionnaire, present a valid passport, a receipt for payment of a fee, a certificate of passing an HIV test, and bring photographs measuring 3.5x4.5.

Customs regulations

It is allowed to import foreign currency into the territory of the state in the amount of $5,000 (no more). The same amount is allowed to be taken out of the country. The import and export of somoni is prohibited by law .

It is also prohibited to import drugs and substances that contain them, a number of medications that have a psychotropic effect, bladed weapons and firearms, and ammunition. Tajikistan is a Muslim country, therefore it is prohibited to import into its territory products that contradict or desecrate Islam. This applies to pornographic products, items of other religions, as well as alcoholic beverages.

Undeclared gold and precious stones cannot be exported. The export of food is also prohibited.