Morocco Visa for Turkmenistan

For travellers from Turkmenistan, the idea of a trip to Morocco—from the ancient Silk Road to the sands of the Sahara—is the adventure of a lifetime. Swapping the grandeur of Ashgabat for the vibrant chaos of a Marrakesh souk is an incredible experience. The good news is that Morocco's modern e-Visa system can make this dream much easier to achieve.

However, for Turkmen passport holders, the e-Visa is conditional. This single rule is the most important part of your entire application, and understanding it is the key to a successful trip.

This guide will walk you through this critical conditional rule, the only three documents you need to upload for the Morocco eVisa for Turkmenistan and the essential travel tips you'll need—from managing your flights to the only way to handle your money.

Do Turkmen Citizens Need a Visa for Morocco?

Yes, absolutely. A visa is mandatory for all citizens of Turkmenistan.

Morocco does not offer visa-free travel or a visa-on-arrival service for Turkmen passports. You must secure either an e-Visa or a traditional embassy visa before you fly. Attempting to travel without one will result in being denied boarding your flight from Ashgabat or your connecting airport.

The 'Conditional' Rule: Can Turkmen Citizens Use the Morocco e-Visa?

This is the most important question. Turkmenistan is on Morocco's "Group B" e-Visa list. This means you are only eligible for the simple online e-Visa if you hold a valid, pre-existing document from a specific list of developed countries.

You can apply for the e-Visa if and only if you have one of the following:

• A valid residence permit from the USA, UK, Australia, Canada, Japan, Norway, New Zealand, Switzerland, or a Schengen Area country.
• A valid multiple-entry visa from the USA, UK, Schengen Area, Australia, Canada, Japan, Ireland, or New Zealand.

If you have one of these, you are in luck! This document is your "key" to the easy online portal.

My US/Schengen Visa: Does it Meet the 90-Day and Multi-Entry Rules?

Holding one of those "key" documents isn't quite enough. It must meet two hidden rules or your application will be refused, and your fee will not be refunded.

1. It MUST Be Multiple-Entry: A single-entry US or Schengen visa is not valid for this process. The system needs to see that you are a trusted traveller who has passed the high-bar security checks for a multiple-entry visa.
2. It MUST Be Valid for 90+ Days: Your supporting visa or residence permit must be valid for more than 90 days from the day you submit your e-Visa application. An expired permit or a visa that expires in 60 days will be automatically rejected.

Morocco Visa Document Requirement: What You Actually Need to Submit

This is the simple part. The online Morocco E-visa application is fast because it only requires you to upload three files. All other items are "immigration requirements" that you show at the airport, not upload.

Your 3-File Upload Checklist:

1. Your Turkmen Passport: A clear, high-quality color scan of the main biography page. Make sure it's not blurry and all four corners are visible.
2. Your "Key" (Supporting Doc): A clear scan of your valid, multi-entry US/UK/Schengen visa or your valid residence permit. This is the document that proves your eligibility.
3. Your Photo: A recent 4x3 cm color passport-style photo. A plain white background is best.

You do not upload flight bookings, hotel reservations, bank statements, or travel insurance during this online application. You simply click a checkbox to certify that you have them.

What If I Don't Have a Supporting Visa for Morocco? (The Embassy Problem)

This is a major "real problem" for many Turkmen citizens. If you do not have one of the required supporting documents, you are not eligible for Morocco e-Visa.

Your only option is to apply for a traditional "sticker visa" in your passport. This is difficult, as Morocco does not have an embassy in Ashgabat.

You will need to contact the Moroccan embassy that is accredited to Turkmenistan, which is typically in a neighboring country like Ankara, Turkey, or Tashkent, Uzbekistan. This process is much longer, more expensive, and more complex. You will need to contact that specific embassy for their checklist, which will require your physical passport, bank statements, proof of employment, a detailed day-by-day itinerary, and more.

Morocco e-Visa vs. Embassy Visa: Why Are the Document Requirements So Different?

This is an excellent question and it addresses your "three-document" concern. The requirements are different because the visas are verifying different things.

• The e-Visa (3 Documents): The e-Visa is a system based on trust. Morocco is not vetting you from scratch. They are trusting the vetting that the US, UK, or Schengen Area already did. By proving you have their multi-entry visa, you are proving you are a low-risk, trusted traveler. Morocco simply verifies that "key" document, your passport, and your photo.
• The Embassy Visa (Many Documents): With this visa, the Moroccan embassy must vet you from scratch. They have no "key" document to trust, so you must provide your entire file: bank statements (to prove you can afford the trip), a letter from your employer (to prove you have a job to return to), flight bookings (to prove you plan to leave), etc.

This is why you must follow the 3-document rule for the e-Visa. Adding extra documents like bank statements will confuse the system and can lead to rejection.

How Long is the Morocco e-Visa Wait? 

Morocco offers three processing speeds, based on their business days (which do not include weekends or Moroccan public holidays).

• Normal Processing: 3 - 6 Days
• Rush Processing: 2 - 4 Days
• Super Rush Processing: 1 - 2 Days (often within 24 hours)

Given the complexity and cost of flights from Ashgabat, do not take any chances. Apply at least three weeks before your travel date. This gives you a safe buffer for any unexpected delays.

I Have My Morocco e-Visa... What Happens When I Land in Casablanca?

Your approved e-Visa gets you on the plane, but the immigration officer in Morocco (likely at Casablanca) makes the final decision. You must have this "arrival pack" in your hand luggage (never in your checked baggage).

• Your Printed e-Visa: A paper copy is mandatory. Do not rely on your phone.
• Your Turkmen Passport.
• Your "Key" Document: The original US/UK/Schengen visa or residence permit you used to apply. The officer will check it.
• Your Confirmed Return Flight Ticket: Proof you intend to leave Morocco within 30 days.
• Your Hotel/Riad Reservations: Confirmation for at least your first few nights.
• Proof of Travel Insurance: Highly recommended.
• Proof of Sufficient Funds: You must be able to prove you can support yourself (the official minimum is ~70 EUR per day). A credit card or access to your bank app is often fine.

My Approved Morocco e-Visa Has a Typo in My Name!

This is a critical "travel time problem." An e-Visa with an error (e.g., wrong passport number, misspelled name) is invalid. The airline may deny you boarding, or immigration in Morocco may refuse you entry.

You cannot edit an e-Visa after it has been issued. If you find a mistake, your only option is to apply for a new e-Visa immediately and pay the fee again. This is why you must double-check every single letter and number on your application form before you click "submit."

Flights from Ashgabat: Will I Need a Transit Visa in Istanbul or Dubai?

This is a key logistical question. There are no direct flights. Your most common and easiest routes from Ashgabat (ASB) will be:

1. Via Istanbul (IST): On Turkish Airlines.
2. Via Dubai (DXB): On Emirates or flydubai.

For Turkmen citizens, transiting through these major hubs is usually seamless as long as you do not leave the international transit area of the airport and your luggage is checked through to your final destination (Casablanca). However, you must confirm this with your airline when booking. Do not book separate tickets, as this would require you to exit, collect bags, and re-check in, which would require a transit visa.

A Critical Money Warning: TMT vs. MAD (Don't Bring Manat!)

This is perhaps the most important practical tip for a Turkmen traveler.

The Turkmen Manat (TMT) is a closed currency, just like the Moroccan Dirham (MAD). You cannot exchange TMT in Morocco. No bank or exchange bureau will accept it.

Your Money Strategy Must Be:

1. Bring USD or Euros: Before you leave Turkmenistan, acquire a sufficient amount of cash in USD or EUR. These are the only two currencies you should bring.
2. Exchange at the Airport: When you land in Morocco (e.g., Casablanca), go to one of the official "Bureau de Change" counters and exchange a small amount of your USD/EUR into Moroccan Dirhams to pay for your taxi and first-day expenses.
3. Notify Your Bank: If you have a Turkmen bank card (Visa/Mastercard) authorized for international use, you must notify your bank of your travel dates and destinations (Morocco, and any transit countries) to prevent it from being blocked.

How to Pay in Morocco: Why Cash is Still King

• Cash is Essential: Morocco is a cash-based society. You will need Moroccan Dirhams (MAD) for all taxis, for bargaining in the souks (markets), and for most small cafes and shops.
• Cards are for Big Bills: Credit cards (Visa/Mastercard) are perfectly fine for large, modern businesses: big hotels, upscale restaurants, and major supermarkets.
• Google/Apple Pay: While mobile pay does exist in Morocco, it is not common. You might find it at an international chain hotel or a new mall, but you cannot rely on it. Your plan should be cash for small things, card for big things.

A Rare Bit of Good News: Power Plugs in Morocco

Here is one thing you don't need to worry about!

• Turkmenistan uses the Type C and Type F sockets (the standard two-pin "Europlug").
• Morocco uses the Type C and Type E sockets (which are fully compatible with Type C and F).

This means your standard Turkmen phone charger and other electronics will plug directly into the wall in Morocco. No travel adapter is needed.

What Should I Pack? A Note on Dress Code and Medication

Packing for Morocco involves a mix of practicality and cultural respect.

• Dress Code: Morocco is a Muslim country, but it is very welcoming to tourists. In big cities like Marrakesh and Casablanca, you will see all styles. However, to show respect and avoid unwanted attention (especially in smaller towns or the Medina), it is wise to dress modestly. For both men and women, this means covering your shoulders and knees. Loose-fitting linen pants, t-shirts (not tank tops), and long skirts are perfect. A light scarf is incredibly versatile for women.
• Medication: Bring any prescription medication you need in its original bottle with a copy of your doctor's prescription. While pharmacies (identifiable by a green crescent) are excellent and widespread, having your specific medication with you is essential.
• Essentials: Pack sunscreen, a sun hat, sunglasses (the sun is strong!), comfortable walking shoes (you will walk a lot on uneven cobblestones), and a portable power bank.

Overstaying Your 30-Day Morocco e-Visa: A Serious Warning

This is not a casual matter. Your e-Visa is a single-entry visa valid for a 30-day stay. It cannot be extended online.

If you want to stay longer, you must go to the "Bureau des Étrangers" (Foreigners' Office) at the central police station in a major city at least 15 days before your 30 days are up to apply for an extension. This is a very difficult, bureaucratic, and slow process that is not guaranteed.

Do not overstay your visa. If you overstay, you cannot simply go to the airport and pay a fine. You will be stopped, detained, and must go through a court process to get an "exit visa," which involves fines and legal trouble. It is the worst possible way to end your trip.

Morocco eVisa for Turkmenistan : Checklist for a Smooth Trip

• Step 1: Check your "Key." Do you have a valid, multiple-entry visa or residence permit from the US, UK, Schengen, etc.?
• Step 2: Check that this supporting doc is valid for 90+ days.
• Step 3: If "Yes" to both, apply online with your 3 core documents (Passport, Photo, Supporting Doc).
• Step 4: If "No" to either, immediately contact the Moroccan Embassy (e.g., in Ankara or Tashkent) to start the long process for a traditional visa.
• Step 5: Book your flights (e.g., via IST or DXB) and confirm transit rules with the airline.
• Step 6: Book your hotels and get travel insurance.
• Step 7: Acquire clean USD or EUR cash (not TMT).
• Step 8: Print your approved e-Visa and pack it in your hand luggage with your passport, original supporting document, and all booking confirmations.

Have a safe and incredible journey from Central Asia to the magic of Morocco!