Overall Rank: #140 out of 199 countries
Turkmenistan ranks #140 out of 199 countries and territories in the Globevisa Passport Ranking, placing it in the below-average category. Across the five core dimensions — Mobility (#175), Governance (#135), Security (#115), Education (#101), and Quality of Life (#91) — Turkmenistan performs strongest in quality of life (#91), followed by education (#101). Its weakest dimension is mobility (#175).
Mobility: #175 (score 13/100), Governance: #135 (score 33/100), Security: #115 (score 43/100), Education: #101 (score 50/100), Quality of Life: #91 (score 55/100)
Turkmenistan ranks #140 globally in the 2026 Globevisa Passport Ranking, which evaluates 199 countries and territories worldwide. Unlike traditional passport indices that focus solely on visa-free destination counts, the Globevisa Passport Ranking provides a comprehensive structural assessment across five core dimensions: Mobility, Governance, Security, Education, and Quality of Life. Turkmenistan shows a relatively balanced profile across all dimensions. However, Governance (#135) and Mobility (#175) represent structural areas of concern.
Country Overview: Turkmenistan is a highly isolated, resource-rich authoritarian state with extremely restrictive immigration policies and limited global mobility for its citizens. / Limited mobility passport with restricted immigration pathways (Not currently recommended).
Identity Attributes: Not Recommended
Global Taxation: Yes (Worldwide Taxation)
Cost of Living: Low
Culture & Adaptation: Significant language barriers with limited English proficiency and Russian as a common second language; high cultural distance due to strong tribal ties and strict traditional norms; extremely challenging adaptation for most international residents due to tight state controls and limited openness to foreigners
Employment & Development: Economy heavily reliant on oil and gas exports; specialized opportunities for foreign professionals in energy and infrastructure; high entry barriers due to strict labor quotas and restrictive work permit policies
Holding a Turkmenistan passport does not provide visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to the Schengen Area, the United Kingdom, or the United States, and formal visa applications are required for these regions. Internationally, the passport is perceived as having limited mobility and is frequently subject to rigorous security vetting and document verification. While there is no immediate risk of losing existing visa-free access to major Western regions, as it currently does not possess such privileges, the document remains under close scrutiny due to regional geopolitical dynamics and strict domestic migration controls. Prospective travelers should expect a structured and often lengthy application process for most major global destinations.
Turkmenistan maintains a highly centralized and relatively volatile immigration and investment policy environment, characterized by opaque bureaucratic processes and strict state control. Historically, the country has experienced sudden regulatory shifts, including arbitrary visa denials and significant restrictions on the movement of both foreign nationals and its own citizens. Future applicants may face ongoing risks related to international compliance scrutiny, particularly regarding currency controls and the lack of a transparent legal framework for foreign residents. These factors suggest that long-term policy predictability remains low, requiring investors to maintain a high degree of caution and local advisory support.
Turkmenistan maintains a high level of internal political stability and low rates of violent street crime, largely due to a centralized government and a pervasive security presence. While major urban centers like Ashgabat are generally considered safe for residents, significant risks exist in remote border regions, particularly along the frontier with Afghanistan where access is strictly restricted. Personal and property security are enforced by a dense network of police and military checkpoints, though the legal system operates under unique local standards and foreigners may be subject to close institutional surveillance. Overall, residents benefit from a highly controlled environment, but must strictly adhere to local regulations and curfews to ensure their continued safety.