Risk level

Safety and security

Borders with Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan

The security situation along the border with Afghanistan remains unstable, as this area is used as a transit point for drugs and other forms of illegal trafficking.

Marked and unmarked minefields are present in areas bordering Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan. Exercise extreme caution when travelling to these areas.

Some border crossings are not properly marked, especially in the Fergana Valley, where the Tajik border meets eastern Uzbekistan and southern Kyrgyzstan.

Neighbouring countries may close their borders without notice.

Crime

Petty crime, such as pickpocketing and mugging, occurs; criminals target foreigners.

• Ensure that your personal belongings, including your passport and other travel documents, are secure at all times.
• Don’t show signs of affluence or carry large sums of money.
• Exercise caution, particularly in tourist areas, commercial and public establishments frequented by foreigners (e.g. markets, hotels, clubs, restaurants, bars, schools and places of worship) and at outdoor recreation events.

Ensure that your passport and visa are in order when travelling to and from Dushanbe International Airport. Officials have claimed travel documents to be invalid in order to extort payments from travellers. Report any case of harassment or intimidation to the Embassy of Canada to Kazakhstan, in Nur-Sultan.

Women’s safety

Women travelling alone may be subject to some forms of harassment and verbal abuse. Travel in groups and in daylight.

Safe-travel guide for women

Terrorism

There is a threat of terrorism. Even though terrorist groups are known to operate in the country, attacks are infrequent and mostly target Government of Tajikistan installations, including law enforcement and military facilities.

Terrorist attacks could occur at any time. Targets could include:

• government buildings, including schools
• police and military installations and personnel
• places of worship
• airports and other transportation hubs and networks
• public areas such as tourist attractions, restaurants, bars, coffee shops, shopping centres, markets, hotels and other sites frequented by foreigners

Always be aware of your surroundings.

Attack on foreigners

On July 29, 2018, foreigners cycling near Dangara in southern Tajikistan were attacked by a group of local men. The vehicle-ramming and subsequent knife attacks resulted in deaths and injuries. Be vigilant if hiking or cycling in the countryside, especially in areas near the border with Afghanistan.

Demonstrations

Demonstrations may occur. Even peaceful demonstrations can turn violent at any time. They can also lead to disruptions to traffic and public transportation.

• Avoid areas where demonstrations and large gatherings are taking place
• Follow the instructions of local authorities
• Monitor local media for information on ongoing demonstrations

More about mass gatherings (large-scale events)

Road safety

Roads outside of large towns are poorly maintained and often inaccessible to vehicles that are not equipped with 4-wheel-drive.

A new tunnel links Dushanbe and Khujand, but this road is particularly dangerous in the winter due to icy conditions.

In the spring, avalanches and landslides may block roads, and travellers may be trapped for long periods waiting for emergency services, which are slow to respond in remote areas. There are no roadside assistance companies. Many roads in the interior of the country are only open during the summer.

Gas stations are rare outside of towns. If you drive to or through remote areas, ensure that you are well equipped: bring supplies that could last you for several days and a satellite phone.

Driving practices differ greatly from those in Canada and local vehicles are poorly maintained.

There are many checkpoints, and security forces may fire at vehicles that don’t stop. Exercise caution when travelling east of Dushanbe, as armed groups have established checkpoints and targeted foreigners.

Rail travel

Rail service is unreliable and underdeveloped.

Air travel

We do not make assessments on the compliance of foreign domestic airlines with international safety standards.

General information about foreign domestic airlines

Air travel is limited. In winter, poor weather conditions commonly cause sudden flight delays and cancellations. Reservations on regional airlines are not always honoured, and overcrowding on flights is common. Flights may be cancelled or significantly delayed on short notice.

Trekking

If you intend on trekking:

• never do so alone and always hire an experienced guide from a reputable company
• buy travel insurance that includes helicopter rescue and medical evacuation
• ensure that your physical condition is good enough to meet the challenges of your activity
• ensure that you’re properly equipped and well informed about weather and other conditions that may pose a hazard
• inform a family member or friend of your itinerary, including when you expect to be back to camp
• know the symptoms of acute altitude sickness, which can be fatal
• obtain detailed information on trekking routes or ski slopes before setting out and do not venture off marked trails or slopes
• Register your trip with the Committee of Emergency Situations and Civil Defence (CESCD)
• Book your travel through an accredited travel agency, who will register you with the CESCD

Committee of Emergency Situations and Civil Defence - Government of Tajikistan (in Tajik and Russian only)

General safety information

Tourist facilities are very limited. Wireless service is unreliable in less populated areas.

Energy, water and food shortages as well as power outages are common throughout Tajikistan, especially in winter and spring.

Maintain a stock of emergency items at your hotel/residence. If you intend to remain in Tajikistan for extended periods, prepare and review personal emergency plans with your family.

Entry and exit requirements

Every country or territory decides who can enter or exit through its borders. The Government of Canada cannot intervene on your behalf if you do not meet your destination’s entry or exit requirements.

We have obtained the information on this page from the Tajik authorities. It can, however, change at any time.

Verify this information with the Foreign Representatives in Canada.

Passport

Entry requirements vary depending on the type of passport you use for travel.

Before you travel, check with your transportation company about passport requirements. Its rules on passport validity may be more stringent than the country’s entry rules.

Regular Canadian passport

Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months following the issuance of the visa, and for 60 days beyond the date of entry into Tajikistan.

Passport for official travel

Different entry rules may apply.

Official travel

Passport with “X” gender identifier

While the Government of Canada issues passports with an “X” gender identifier, it cannot guarantee your entry or transit through other countries. You might face entry restrictions in countries that do not recognize the “X” gender identifier. Before you leave, check with the closest foreign representative for your destination.

Other travel documents

Different entry rules may apply when travelling with a temporary passport or an emergency travel document. Before you leave, check with the closest foreign representative for your destination.

Useful links

• Foreign Representatives in Canada
• Canadian passports

Visas

You must have a visa to visit Tajikistan.

Tourist visa: Required
Business visa: Required
Student visa: Required

You may obtain a visa valid for a 45-day visit within 90 days of issuance from the Tajikistan Visa Electronic Application Center.

Tajikistan Visa Electronic Application Center

Restricted areas

You must obtain a permit from Tajik authorities to visit the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Oblast. You may require a permit for other high risk and closed areas.

Health entry requirements

You must be tested for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) if you are planning to reside in Tajikistan for more than three months.

Yellow fever

Learn about potential entry requirements related to yellow fever (vaccines section).

Children and travel

Learn about travel with children.

Health

Routine Vaccines

Be sure that your routine vaccines, as per your province or territory, are up-to-date regardless of your travel destination.

Some of these vaccines include: measles-mumps-rubella (MMR), diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, varicella (chickenpox), influenza and others.

Pre-travel vaccines and medications

You may be at risk for preventable diseases while travelling in this destination. Talk to a travel health professional about which medications or vaccines are right for you.

Food and Water-borne Diseases

Travellers to any destination in the world can develop travellers' diarrhea from consuming contaminated water or food.

In some areas in Central Asia, food and water can also carry diseases like hepatitis A and typhoid. Practise safe food and water precautions while travelling in Central Asia. Remember: Boil it, cook it, peel it, or leave it!

Insects and Illness

In some areas in Central Asia, certain insects carry and spread diseases like Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever, leishmaniasis, Lyme disease, malaria, and tick-borne encephalitis.

Travellers are advised to take precautions against bites.

Animals and Illness

Travellers are cautioned to avoid contact with animals, including dogs, monkeys, snakes, rodents, birds, and bats. Certain infections found in Central Asia, like rabies, can be shared between humans and animals.

Person-to-Person Infections

Crowded conditions can increase your risk of certain illnesses. Remember to wash your hands often and practice proper cough and sneeze etiquette to avoid colds, the flu and other illnesses.

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV are spread through blood and bodily fluids; practise safer sex.

Medical services and facilities

Health care is inadequate. Frequent shortages of energy and water can interrupt or impede the provision of medical services. There is also a severe shortage of basic medical supplies.

You will likely need medical evacuation in case of serious illness or injury.

Make sure you get travel insurance that includes coverage for medical evacuation and hospital stays.

Travel health and safety

Keep in Mind...

The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller. The traveller is also responsible for his or her own personal safety.

Be prepared. Do not expect medical services to be the same as in Canada. Pack a travel health kit, especially if you will be travelling away from major city centres.

Laws and culture

You must abide by local laws.

Learn about what you should do and how we can help if you are arrested or detained abroad.

Drugs

Penalties for possession, use or trafficking of illegal drugs are severe. Convicted offenders can expect jail sentences and heavy fines. The Tajik government is stepping up its raids to counter narcotics trafficking.

Although rarely enforced, smoking while walking on the street is illegal and punishable by a fine.

• Alcohol, drugs and travel
• Cannabis and international travel

Driving

You must carry an international driving permit.

More about the International Driving Permit

Penalties for drinking and driving are strict.

Identification

Carry a copy of your passport at all times. Individuals are frequently required by the police to produce identification.

LGBTQ2 travellers

The laws of Tajikistan don’t prohibit sexual acts between individuals of the same sex. However, homosexuality is not widely socially accepted. LGBTQ2 travellers should carefully consider the risks of travelling to Tajikistan.

Travel and your sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and sex characteristics

Dual citizenship

Dual citizenship is not legally recognized in Tajikistan.

If local authorities consider you a citizen of Tajikistan, they may refuse to grant you access to Canadian consular services. This will prevent us from providing you with those services.

General information for travellers with dual citizenship

International Child Abduction

The Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction is an international treaty. It can help parents with the return of children who have been removed to or retained in certain countries in violation of custody rights. It does not apply between Canada and Tajikistan.

If your child was wrongfully taken to, or is being held in Tajikistan by an abducting parent:

• act as quickly as you can
• consult a lawyer in Canada and in Tajikistan to explore all the legal options for the return of your child
• report the situation to the nearest Canadian government office abroad or to the Vulnerable Children’s Consular Unit at Global Affairs Canada by calling the Emergency Watch and Response Centre.

If your child was removed from a country other than Canada, consult a lawyer to determine if The Hague Convention applies.

Be aware that Canadian consular officials cannot interfere in private legal matters or in another country’s judicial affairs.

Useful links

• International Child Abduction: A Guidebook for Left-Behind Parents
• Travelling with children
• Canadian embassies and consulates by destination
• Emergency Watch and Response Centre

Culture

Although Tajikistan is a secular country, Islamic practices and beliefs are closely adhered to, particularly in conservative rural areas. Dress conservatively, behave discreetly and respect religious and social traditions to avoid offending local sensitivities.

Money

The currency is the Tajik Somoni. The economy is primarily cash-based. U.S. dollars are widely accepted. Few international banking services are available, although an increasing number of ATMs can now be found in Dushanbe. Credit cards are accepted in major hotels, some restaurants and most banks.

Natural disasters and climate

Tajikistan is located in an active seismic zone.

In higher-altitude areas, there is a significant danger of floods, avalanches and landslides, especially in the spring.