Turkmenistan
Regulations on entry, stay, residence, and treatment access for people living with HIV
The categories of restriction are:
- Restrictions on entry limiting the entry of people living with HIV.
- Restrictions on short-term stays which in most cases is defined as under 90 days.
- Restrictions on long-term stays which in most cases is defined as over 90 days.
- Unclear restrictions - it is not clear to what extent restrictions apply.
The types of restriction are:
- HIV testing/disclosure required for entry.
- HIV testing/disclosure required for work visa.
- HIV testing/disclosure required for study visa.
- HIV testing/disclosure required for residence.
- Ban on entry.
- Ban on work.
- Ban on study.
- Ban on residence.
- Deportation based on HIV status.
Restrictions on entry to Turkmenistan
Sources are mixed on whether Turkmenistan imposes entry restrictions on people living with HIV.
According to UNAIDS, Turkmenistan requires HIV testing or disclosure for certain types of entry permits, prohibits entry, and deports non-nationals on the basis of HIV status.
Similarly, the US Department of State reports that some HIV entry restrictions exist for visitors to and foreign residents of Turkmenistan.
However, we found no official confirmation of this. The entry visa application form published on the Embassy of Turkmenistan website asks no health questions. The form applies to any visa, single or multiple entry and for up to 12 months.
Restrictions on short-term stay in Turkmenistan
There is some evidence of some official restrictions on short-term stay of people living with HIV in Turkmenistan.
According to UNAIDS, Turkmenistan requires HIV testing for work and study permits, prohibits short-term stay on the basis of HIV status.
Similarly, the US Department of State reports that foreign workers may be required to undergo HIV testing for business visas.
However, nothing in the list of documents required to request a visa, available on the official website of the Ministry of National Security suggests an HIV-related restriction on work permits.
According to the information provided by the State Migration Service of Turkmenistan, the List of documents required to obtain a residence permit includes among others, ‘Help from the AIDS center’ and a ‘Certificate from the narcological, psychological dispensary and from the skin and venereal center.’
Restrictions on long-term stay in Turkmenistan
It is unclear whether Turkmenistan imposes restrictions on long-term stay of people living with HIV.
According to UNAIDS, Turkmenistan requires HIV testing for residence permits, and these are denied on the basis of HIV status.
However, we found no official confirmation of this.
Treatment access in Turkmenistan
The following summarises available information on access to healthcare for people living with HIV in Turkmenistan. However, it is not clear whether non-nationals are able to access this treatment in the same way as nationals.
In 2024, it was reported that the Ministry of Health and Medical Industry of Turkmenistan approved a new procedure for providing medical care when identifying individuals with HIV. Order No. 297 was signed on July 15, 2024, by the Minister of Health. According to the order, individuals with HIV are guaranteed free access to the necessary medications. Particular attention is paid to providing assistance in case of concomitant diseases and emergency conditions.
However, this is unlikely to apply to non-nationals given entry restrictions for people living with HIV and the deportation of HIV positive migrants.
For travellers or residents seeking HIV-related care in Turkmenistan, the most reliable approach would be to contact UNAIDS local office for further guidance on accessible treatment options in the region.
Sources
The HIV Justice Network's Global HIV Criminalisation Database
Visit the Turkmenistan page on the Global HIV Criminalisation Database to see more information about known HIV criminalisation laws in this country, an overview of how the laws are used, and any significant advocacy developments.
UNAIDS Global AIDS monitoring data
This information about access to HIV services comes from UNAIDS https://lawsandpolicies.unaids.org/, a platform to view data on HIV-related laws and policies. This is information provided by national authorities and civil society and may contradict other sources.
Migrant populations
| Laws/policies enable documented migrants to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens | N/A |
| Laws/policies enable documented migrants to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens implemented (countries with such laws/policies) | N/A |
| Laws/policies enable undocumented migrants to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens | N/A |
| Laws/policies enable undocumented migrants to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens implemented (countries with such laws/policies) | N/A |
| Migrants are able to access HIV services | N/A |
Refugees and asylum seekers
| Laws/policies enable asylum seekers to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens | N/A |
| Laws/policies enable asylum seekers to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens implemented (countries with such laws/policies) | N/A |
| Laws/policies enable refugees to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens | N/A |
| Laws/policies enable refugees to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens implemented (countries with such laws/policies) | N/A |
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This site focuses on information about HIV travel. Please also consult your own Foreign Office/Ministry of Foreign Affairs website, or the local consulate of the country you are visiting, to see what restrictions there are specifically for you as a citizen of your country, regardless of your HIV status.
