Tajikistan
Summary
The land border between Tajikistan and Afghanistan currently remains closed.
COVID-19 entry restrictions for Tajikistan
Before you travel, check the ‘Entry requirements’ section for Tajikistan’s current entry restrictions and requirements. These may change with little warning. Monitor this advice for the latest updates and stay in contact with your travel provider.
Travelling from and returning to the UK
Check what you must do to travel abroad and return to England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland.
If you plan to pass through another country to return to the UK, check the travel advice for the country you’re transiting.
ItIf you’re planning travel to Tajikistan, find out what you need to know about coronavirus there in the Coronavirus section.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, it is more important than ever to get travel insurance and check it provides sufficient cover. See the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO)’s guidance on foreign travel insurance.
For information about COVID-19 vaccines, see the Coronavirus page.
Terrorists are likely to try and carry out attacks in Tajikistan.
You should exercise caution and vigilance, particularly if travelling near or across the Tajik/Uzbek border. See Local travel and Terrorism.
On 29 July 2018, 4 tourists were killed in a deliberate attack while cycling in the south of the country. You should exercise extreme caution and vigilance, particularly if hiking or cycling in the countryside. See Terrorism.
Caution should be exercised along and close to the border with Afghanistan where armed clashes can erupt without notice. This border is also known to be used by drug smugglers and there have been reports of armed clashes with Tajik security forces.
Check local advice before travelling to the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Oblast in the East, as the area may be closed to visitors at short notice. Tensions in the regional capital, Khorog, have risen since September 2018, and there have been violent clashes in this area in May 2022. See Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Oblast.
SkirmishesThere regularlyare occuroccasional skirmishes along the disputed Tajik-KyrgyzTajik/Kyrgyz borderborder. and previous incidents have involved both civilians and border guards with the use of firearms and sometimes heavy artillery. On 14-16 September clashes escalated into armed conflict between the Tajik and Kyrgyz military which resulted in over 100 dead, including civilians, and significant destruction of civilian property and infrastructure. There is a risk of further risk of further violence and border closures at any time. You should remain vigilant in border areas and check local media reports before you travel.
See Border areas.
Tourism, health and transport infrastructure is poor and travel requires careful planning. See Local travel
If you’re abroad and you need emergency help from the UK government, contact the nearest British embassy, consulate or high commission.
Update history
2025-03-26 10:28
This travel advice has been reviewed for accuracy and updated with information on the Tajikistan-Kyrgyzstan border (‘Regional risks’ page).
2025-03-24 12:30
Removal of information about the US embassy in Tajikistan having issued an alert ahead of the Navruz celebrations, which took place over the extended holiday weekend (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
2025-03-19 18:24
(New information that the US embassy in Tajikistan have issued an alert ahead of the Navruz celebrations, which will take place over the extended holiday weekend (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
2024-09-20 15:22
Information on the risks of terrorism in Tajikistan (‘Safety and security’ page).’
2024-09-17 13:41
Removal of the US embassy alert (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
2024-09-08 12:18
Information on a US Embassy alert (‘Safety and Security’ page)
2024-09-06 18:41
Information on a US Embassy alert (‘Warnings and insurance’)
2024-08-13 11:52
Information on terrorism in Tajikistan (‘Safety and security’ page).
2024-06-11 15:49
New information on passport validity and visa requirements before entering the country, and travel permits for the Khatlon Region (‘Entry requirements’ page). New information on drone usage (‘Safety and security’ page). New information on trekking and mountaineering (‘Safety and security’ page).
2024-03-27 16:56
Removal of US embassy alert about attacks in Tajikistan (‘Warnings and Insurance’) page.
2024-03-20 15:38
Information on a US embassy alert and updated assessment that Terrorists are very likely to try and carry out attacks in Tajikistan (‘Warnings and insurance’ and ‘safety and security’ pages).
2023-12-18 15:52
This travel advice has been rewritten to make it easier to read and understand.
2023-06-22 09:57
Information about the global terrorism risks to British nationals abroad on all FCDO travel advice pages
2022-09-27 10:56
Updated information on skirmishes along the Tajik-Kyrgyz border (‘Summary’ and ‘Safety and Security’ pages).
2022-09-05 09:49
Addition of information on checking the UK Air Safety List when flying with foreign air carriers (‘Safety and Security’ page).
2022-07-22 15:42
Updated information on entry rules in relation to COVID-19 and removal of information on an armed attack in November 2019 (‘Coronavirus’, ‘Safety and security’ and ‘Entry requirements’ pages)
2022-05-19 16:36
Updated with information in Air Travel about how UK sanctions affect purchases of flight tickets on Russian owned airlines (‘Safety and security’ page)
2022-05-18 16:44
Updated information on unrest in the Gorno-Badakshan Autonomous Region (‘Summary’ and ‘Safety and security’ pages)
2022-04-28 15:12
Updated information on terrorist threat (‘Terrorism’ page)
2022-03-25 17:21
Updated information on COVID-related arrival procedures and land border crossings (‘Entry requirements’ page)
2022-02-21 13:18
Republished with stylistic edits to the ‘Entry requirements’ section.