Travel Advisory
Please see the U.S. Department of State Travel Advisory for Tajikistan https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories/tajikistan-travel-advisory.html .
Visa requirements
A valid passport and visa are required to enter Tajikistan. Beginning January 1, 2022, U.S. citizens are eligible for visa-free entry into Tajikistan for stays lasting no more than 30 days (non-extendable), regardless of the purpose of travel. Registration within 10 days of arrival at the nearest Department of Visas and Registration of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (OVIR) is required. Registration costs 180 Tajik Somoni and takes up to three business days. Failure to register or loss of registration form can result in fines and delay your departure. Tourists should seek registration assistance from their hotel or tour operator for more information. American citizens can obtain Tajik visas at Tajik embassies and consulates abroad.
Up-to-date information about entry requirements for U.S. citizens to Tajikistan is listed on the State Department’s website at https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Tajikistan.html.
Tajik E-visa
https://www.evisa.tj/index.evisa.html
Tajikistan Visa Electronic Application Center
https://www.visa.gov.tj/index.html
U.S. Companies that require travel of foreign businesspersons to the United States are advised that security evaluations are handled via an interagency process. Visa applicants should go to the following link(s):
State Department Visa Website
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas.html
U.S. Embassy Dushanbe Consular Section
https://tj.usembassy.gov/visas/
Currency
The currency of the Republic of Tajikistan is the somoni (TJS). Most banks with currency exchange offices are open from 08:00 AM to 5:00 PM from Monday to Friday. Electronic payment systems and card payment systems are uncommon – visitors may face technical problems while using major international debit/credit cards including Visa, MasterCard, and UnionPay. Debit/credit cards are accepted in five-star hotels, some restaurants, and supermarkets. Small businesses and family-run stores may not accept bank cards, so it is useful to keep a moderate amount of cash on hand.
Telecommunications/Electronics
Tajikistan has an aging 3G mobile network infrastructure which needs to be modernized and upgraded. As of 2023, there are 6.5 million cellular subscribers with access to the internet, and 3.8 million registered internet subscribers. There are three major mobile operators (Babylon, Tcell, and Megafon) in Tajikistan providing services in GSM standard. There are also smaller companies including Zet-Mobile, Tajmobile, Anor, and OMobile. Most business travelers with roaming capabilities will have no problem using mobile phones here in urban areas such as Dushanbe, Khujand, and Khatlon. VoIP services such as WhatsApp and Telegram have become popular during the last few years in Tajikistan. Wi-Fi at cafes and restaurants is more and more common in Dushanbe. Access to high-speed Internet access is problematic in Tajikistan. Both phone and internet services are spotty outside the urban areas.
For Tajikistan there are two associated plug types, types C and F. Plug type C is the plug which has two round pins and plug type F is the plug which has two round pins with two clips on the side. Tajikistan operates on a 220V supply voltage and 50Hz. There are occasional electricity outages which are more frequent in winter months.
Transportation
There are no direct transatlantic routes to Tajikistan. Other carriers connect Dushanbe to Moscow, St. Petersburg, Yekaterinburg, Kazan, Tashkent, Almaty, Baku, Tehran, Dubai, and Urumqi. Western type carriers flying into Tajikistan are Turkish Air and Fly Dubai, which operate flights from Istanbul and Dubai to Dushanbe, respectively. Tickets for Turkish Airlines can be purchased online at https://www.turkishairlines.com/. Passengers arriving from these two flights can anticipate arriving after midnight.
The local carrier is Somon Air, which, in addition to several international flights, operates Tajikistan’s few domestic routes. Buying tickets from abroad can be difficult. Somon Air flies weekly between Dushanbe and Munich and also services routes to Dubai and Istanbul. The latest information for Somon Air can be found on their website: https://somonair.com/. An official timetable is available online for Dushanbe airport (IATA code: DYU).
Language
The official language of Tajikistan is Tajik – a Persian language related to Farsi and Dari, though written in the Cyrillic (Russian) alphabet. Russian is the international language of communication according to Chapter Two of the Tajik Constitution. Russian is used in Dushanbe and is the language of business and government. The Uzbek language is spoken widely in the border areas with Uzbekistan. Few Tajiks can read the Arabic-origin Persian script. U.S. firms exploring the market are encouraged to hire local interpreters to assist ensure accurate communication with potential partners/buyers in the market.
Health
Medical care is limited and significantly below U.S. standards, with severe shortages of basic medical supplies, including disposable needles, anesthetics, prescriptions drugs, and antibiotics.
Seriously ill persons generally seek treatment abroad.
There are no health restrictions on travel to Tajikistan. Food and waterborne diseases are the number one cause of illness for newcomers. Viruses, bacteria, or parasites that contaminate food or water can cause diarrhea. Infections may cause diarrhea and vomiting, fever, or liver damage (in the case of hepatitis). Make sure your food and drinking water are safe. Drinking tap water in Tajikistan is not advised. Bottled water is available at grocery stores. Fruits and vegetables bought in local markets should be washed thoroughly.
American travelers are encouraged to register with the U.S. Embassy in Dushanbe via the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) at https://step.state.gov. This will help the Embassy’s consular section contact you in case of an emergency.
The privately-run Prospekt Medical Clinic is the only clinic in Dushanbe offering health services at international standards. Most of the OTC drugs are available there. This clinic is a recognized medical clinic in-country for International SOS. Prices are accordingly high. For appointments, please contact reception at (+992) 48 702 44 00. Website: http://www.prospektclinic.com/. There are no other private clinics in Tajikistan offering health services at international standards.
In the case of a life-or-death emergency involving a U.S. citizen, call the consular section at +992 (37) 229-23-00 during normal working hours (8:00 am to 5:00 pm). the call will go straight to the consular section. After working hours and on holidays, call the Duty Officer at +992 98 580-10-32. The duty phone is only monitored outside of normal working hours and on holidays. For emergencies during working hours, please call the consular section directly.
U.S. Embassy in Dushanbe
109 A Ismoili Somoni Ave.
Dushanbe, Tajikistan 734019
Switchboard: +992 (37) 229-2000
Consular Section: +992 (37) 229-2300
After-hours Duty Officer: +992 (37) 580-1032
Fax: +992 (37) 229-2050
Email for Consular Section, U.S. Citizens Services: DushanbeConsular@state.gov
Embassy website: https://tj.usembassy.gov
Local emergency numbers are as follows (non-English):
Fire: 01 (101 from a cell phone)
Police: 02 (102 from a cell phone)
City Ambulance 03 (103 from a cell phone)
IMMUNIZATIONS:
In addition to routine childhood and adult immunizations, CDC recommends these vaccines: Hepatitis A, Rabies, and Typhoid.
Be sure to check State Department’s Travel page: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel.html
Medical information for Americans traveling abroad is located at: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/before-you-go/your-health-abroad.html
Tajikistan is still in the list of countries with ongoing risk for large measles outbreaks. More information available at Measles in Globe - Level 1 - Level 1 - Practice Usual Precautions - Travel Health Notices | Travelers’ Health | CDC
Traveler’s Health information updated on 13 July 2023. More information available at Tajikistan - Traveler view | Travelers’ Health | CDC
Local time, business hours, and holidays:
The local time zone is five hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). Tajikistan does not observe daylight savings time. Local business hours are normally from 8am to 5pm. Lunch breaks are typically from 12 pm to 1 pm.
Local holidays can be found on the https://tj.usembassy.gov/holiday-calendar/.
Temporary Entry of Materials and Personal Belongings
Tajikistan is not a member of the ATA Carnet temporary import system. A foreigner can temporarily bring in audio/video equipment, transport, and other equipment by filling in a customs declaration.