Tajikistan

Terrorist attacks have occurred in Tajikistan. Tajik security forces have prevented many more. Terrorists may attack with little or no warning, targeting tourist locations and other public areas.

In November 2019, it was reported that 17 people were killed in an armed attack on the Tajik security checkpoint Ishkobod in Rudaki District on the Tajik/Uzbek border, 60km south-west of Dushanbe. Local authorities advised that IS was responsible for the attack.

Explosions have been reported in some locations, including Dushanbe, in recent years.

To stay safe:

• be alert to possible threats, especially in public places
• be cautious when visiting potential terrorist targets
• report any suspicious activity or items to police
• monitor the media for threats
• take official warnings seriously
• follow the advice of local authorities

If there's an attack, leave the area as soon as it's safe.

Terrorism is a threat worldwide.

More information:

• Terrorism

Avoid travelling to the border area with Afghanistan due to the volatile security situation. It's also a transit point for drugs and other smuggled goods. If, despite our advice, you travel to this area, always be alert to your surroundings.

In September 2022, military clashes at the border between the Sughd Region of Tajikistan and the Batken region of Kyrgyz Republic escalated into an armed conflict, where more than 100 people were killed and 140 000 evacuated. Following a ceasefire agreement, the security situation remains volatile and could deteriorate further with little warning. Avoid all non-essential travel to the Tajik-Kyrgyz border area.

Political violence has occurred in the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Oblast (GBAO). Extra security measures are in place.

You need a special permit to travel into the GBAO. See Travel.

Demonstrations and protests

Public protests and events that draw large groups of people can turn violent. Avoid demonstrations and public gatherings.

Monitor the media and local sources for updates about possible unrest. Avoid affected areas.

More information:

• Demonstrations and civil unrest

Pickpocketing is common in Dushanbe and on international rail services. Travellers may be targeted.

Women can be subject to verbal and physical harassment.

Criminal activity increases after dark.

Criminal groups are particularly active in Tajikistan's border regions. The region bordering Afghanistan is a transit point for drugs and other smuggled goods.

Occasional clashes occur between government forces and criminal groups, particularly in the regions bordering Uzbekistan and the Kyrgyz Republic.

To protect yourself from crime:

• leave valuables in a secure location
• carry a copy of your passport and visa
• take particular care if travelling alone or at night
• watch your belongings on buses and taxis, especially at night
• always keep your vehicle and accommodation locked
• be alert to suspicious behaviour

Cyber security

You may be at risk of cyber-based threats during overseas travel to any country. Digital identity theft is a growing concern. Your devices and personal data can be compromised, especially if you're connecting to Wi-Fi, using or connecting to shared or public computers, or to Bluetooth. 

Social media can also be risky in destinations where there are social or political tensions or laws that may seem unreasonable by Australian standards. Travellers have been arrested for things they have said on social media. Don't comment on local or political events on your social media. 

More information:  

• Cyber security when travelling overseas 

Earthquakes happen in Tajikistan.

Avalanches, mudslides and floods happen in mountainous areas.

If a natural disaster or severe weather occurs:

• secure your passport in a safe, waterproof location
• closely monitor local media and other sources, like the Global Disaster Alert and Coordination System
• follow the advice of local authorities
• keep in contact with your friends and family.

Get comprehensive travel insurance before you leave. 

Your policy needs to cover all overseas medical costs, including medical evacuation. The Australian Government won't pay for these costs.

If you can't afford travel insurance, you can't afford to travel. This applies to everyone, no matter how healthy and fit you are.

If you're not insured, you may have to pay many thousands of dollars up-front for medical care.

Confirm:

• what activities and care your policy covers
• that your insurance covers you for the whole time you'll be away

Consider your physical and mental health before you travel, especially if you have an existing medical condition.

See your doctor or travel clinic to:

• have a basic health check-up
• ask if your travel plans may affect your health
• plan any vaccinations you need

Do this at least 8 weeks before you leave.

If you have immediate concerns for your welfare or the welfare of another Australian, call the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on +61 2 6261 3305 or contact your nearest Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate to discuss counselling hotlines and services available in your location.

More information:

• General health advice
• Healthy holiday tips (Healthdirect Australia)

Not all medication available over the counter or by prescription in Australia is available in other countries. Some may even be considered illegal or a controlled substance, even if prescribed by an Australian doctor.

Some sleeping tablets and medications containing codeine are controlled in Tajikistan.

If you plan to bring medication, check if it's legal in Tajikistan. Take enough legal medicine for your trip.

Carry a copy of your prescription and a letter from your doctor stating:

• what the medicine is
• your required dosage
• that it's for personal use

Declare all medications and other restricted items on arrival. If you don't declare them or you're carrying amounts over the legal limit, you could face charges even if you have the required paperwork.

More information:

• Medication
• Embassy or consulate of Tajikistan
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Tajikistan

Ticks are very common in forests and country areas. They're active from spring to autumn (March to November).

Check your body for ticks during and after travel in forests.

To protect yourself against illness:

• ensure your accommodation is insect-proof
• use insect repellent
• wear long, loose, light-coloured clothing
• consider taking medicine to prevent malaria

Other health risks

Waterborne, foodborne, parasitic, and other infectious diseases are common. They include:

• tuberculosis
• cholera
• typhoid
• brucellosis
• hepatitis
• rabies
• COVID-19

Serious outbreaks sometimes occur.

To protect yourself from illness:

• drink boiled water or bottled water with sealed lids
• avoid ice cubes
• avoid raw and undercooked food, such as salads
• avoid contact with dogs and other mammals

If you're bitten or scratched by an animal, get medical help immediately.

Seek medical advice if you have a fever or diarrhoea.

Tailings and pesticides

Unprotected uranium and pesticide waste dumps in the northern Sughd Region may pose a health risk.

Seek local advice.

Medical facilities

Medical facilities and services are limited in Tajikistan. Hygiene is poor, and there's a shortage of medical equipment and medications.

Doctors will ask for up-front payment before providing treatment.

If you're seriously ill or injured, you may be moved to a place with better facilities. Medical evacuation can be very expensive.

The Australian Embassy in Moscow can give you a list of medical facilities in Tajikistan.

You're subject to all local laws and penalties, including those that may appear harsh by Australian standards. Research local laws before travelling.

Law enforcement agencies in Tajikistan cooperate closely with agencies in Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) countries. If you commit an offence in one of these countries, you may be detained in another (including at the border) and extradited for prosecution.

If you're arrested or jailed, the Australian Government will do what it can to help you under our Consular Services Charter. But we can't get you out of trouble or out of jail.

More information:

• Arrested or jailed

Drugs

Penalties for drug offences include long prison terms in local jails.

More information:

• Carrying or using drugs

Other laws

You must always carry a copy of your current passport and visa.

In Tajikistan, it's illegal to:

• drive with a blood alcohol limit of over 0%
• smoke in public places, including on the street
• take artefacts or cultural items out of Tajikistan without a permit

It's also illegal to photograph sensitive sites, including:

• military zones, assets, or personnel
• transport facilities
• government buildings

Some Australian criminal laws still apply when you're overseas. If you break these laws, you may face prosecution in Australia.

More information:

• Staying within the law and respecting customs

Tajikistan doesn't recognise dual nationality.

If you're a dual citizen, this limits the consular services we can give if you're arrested or detained.

Tajik authorities may insist you enter Tajikistan on your Tajik passport. If they don't, always travel on your Australian passport.

More information:

• Dual nationals

Tajikistan has conservative and traditional standards of dress and behaviour.

Public displays of affection may offend locals.

If in doubt, dress conservatively and seek local advice.

Same-sex relationships are legal in Tajikistan, but they're not widely accepted. Avoid public displays of affection.

More information:

• LGBTI travellers

Ramadan

The Islamic holiday month of Ramadan is observed in Tajikistan. Respect religious and cultural customs and laws at this time.

During Ramadan, eating, drinking, or smoking may be illegal in public during the day. If you're not fasting, avoid these activities around people who are. Seek local advice to avoid offence.

Explore our Ramadan page to learn more, including dates for Ramadan.

Visas

Australians can enter Tajikistan under a visa-free arrangement. The arrangement covers single-entry stays of up to 30 days.

You'll still need a visa for the following:

• stays of more than 30 days
• multiple entries.

Tajik visas specify validity, the number of entries and length of stay. Check your visa details are correct when you get it.

The length of stay on your visa may differ from the length of your application.

Ensure you have the correct visa type and leave the country before your visa expires.

Entry and exit conditions can change at short notice. For details about visas, customs and quarantine rules, contact:

• an embassy or consulate of Tajikistan
• the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Tajikistan, Consular Service Section

Registration

You must register with the local authorities within 10 working days of arrival.

Hotels will only register you for the duration of your hotel stay. If you change accommodation, you will need to register again.

Travellers visiting Tajikistan for more than 90 days must do a health test.

More information:

• Embassies and consulates of Tajikistan

Permits

You need a permit to visit Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Oblast (GBAO).

Tajik embassies and consulates issue this permit. The permit is subject to the security situation in the neighbouring regions.

Apply at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or Passport-Registration Service of the Ministry of Interior of Tajikistan.

Border crossings

Tajikistan's borders can close without notice.

Some border crossings may only be open to locals.

Ask local authorities which border crossings are open and if you can use them.

Validity

Some countries won't let you enter unless your passport is valid for 6 months after you plan to leave that country. This can apply even if you're just transiting or stopping over.

For Tajikistan, ensure your passport is valid for at least 6 months and has 2 empty pages.

Some foreign governments and airlines apply the rule inconsistently. Travellers can receive conflicting advice from different sources.

You can end up stranded if your passport is not valid for more than 6 months.

The Australian Government does not set these rules. Check your passport's expiry date before you travel. If you're not sure it'll be valid for long enough, consider getting a new passport.

Lost or stolen passport

Your passport is a valuable document. It's attractive to people who may try to use your identity to commit crimes.

Some people may try to trick you into giving them your passport. Always keep it in a safe place.

If your passport is lost or stolen, tell the Australian Government as soon as possible:

• In Australia, contact the Australian Passport Information Service.
• If you're overseas, contact the nearest Australian embassy or consulate.

Passport with ‘X’ gender identifier

Although Australian passports comply with international standards for sex and gender, we can’t guarantee that a passport showing 'X' in the sex field will be accepted for entry or transit by another country. Contact the nearest embassy, high commission or consulate of your destination before you arrive at the border to confirm if authorities will accept passports with 'X' gender markers. 

More information:  

• LGBTI travellers 

The official currency is the Tajik Somoni (TJS). US dollars and euros are readily accepted.

You can't exchange US banknotes issued before 1996.

You'll need to declare any money you bring into Tajikistan on arrival. Immigration officers will check your customs declaration form when you leave to make sure you're not taking more money out than you brought in.

The Tajik economy is largely cash-based. Traveller's cheques aren't accepted. Very few places accept credit cards.

International banking services are limited.

You'll find several ATMs in Dushanbe and larger cities, but not in some rural areas.

Driving permit

To drive in Tajikistan, you need both:

• a valid Australian driver's licence
• a valid International Driving Permit (IDP)

Get your IDP before you leave Australia. Driving without it could void your insurance.

Road travel

Road conditions and driving standards are poor.

Driving at night is dangerous.

It's illegal to drive with a blood alcohol level above zero.

Police and military checkpoints are common. You may need to provide identification documents at checkpoints.

Avalanches and landslides can occur in winter and spring. Road conditions can be unpredictable during this time.

Many interior roads are open only in the summer, including the main road from Dushanbe to Khujand.

Service stations are limited in rural areas.

To stay safe when driving:

• understand local traffic laws and practices
• avoid driving at night
• ask locals for advice on road conditions
• make sure you have enough petrol when travelling in rural areas

More information:

• Driving or riding

Motorcycles

Check if your travel insurance covers you when riding a motorbike.

Always wear a helmet.

Taxis

Only use licensed taxis and limousines. Arrange these through your hotel.

Public transport

Public transport in the city is often overcrowded and unsafe.

Bus services between major cities are unreliable.

Rail travel

Rail travel can be unreliable. It can also be dangerous due to criminal activity.

Air travel

Flight cancellations and delays at Dushanbe International Airport are common.

If you need to leave Tajikistan quickly, you may need valid entry visas for alternative destinations.

In April 2022, the EU announced that 21 Russian-owned airlines were banned from flying in EU airspace due to safety concerns.

DFAT doesn't provide information on the safety of individual commercial airlines or flight paths.

Check Tajikistan's air safety profile with the Aviation Safety Network.

More information:

• Air travel

Depending on what you need, contact your:

• family and friends
• travel agent
• insurance provider
• employer
• airline

Fire and rescue services

Call 01

Medical emergencies

Call 03 or go to the hospital.

Police

Call 02 or go to the local police station.

Always get a police report when you report a crime.

Your insurer should have a 24-hour emergency number.

Read the Consular Services Charter. It details what the Australian Government can and can't do to help you overseas.

Australia doesn't have an embassy in Tajikistan. You can contact the Australian Embassy in Russia for consular assistance.

Australian Embassy, Moscow

13 Kropotkinsky Pereulok
Moscow 119034
Russia
Phone: (+7 495) 956-6070
Fax: (+7 495) 956-6170
Website: russia.embassy.gov.au
Twitter: @PosolAustralia

Check the Embassy website for details about opening hours and any temporary closures.

24-hour Consular Emergency Centre

In a consular emergency, if you can't contact an embassy, call the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on:

• +61 2 6261 3305 from overseas
• 1300 555 135 in Australia