This is another detailed, but important guide: visas and entrance requirements when visiting Central Asia.
We've boiled the details down below – you can also read our in-depth guide here.
The good news for visitors from most countries is you don't need a visa to enter Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan, with one important exception: UK citizens need an electronic visa for Tajikistan.
For Turkmenistan, you can get the visa directly at the border with a pre-approved letter of invitation.
That means you can easily enter all five countries without ever having to contact or visit an Embassy.
For stays of up to 30 days, citizens of the following countries need no visa to enter Kazakhstan: All European Union countries, Argentina, Azerbaijan, Australia, Bahrain, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Iceland, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Kuwait, Liechtenstein, Malaysia, Mexico, Monaco, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Philippines, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Korea, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Thailand, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Uzbekistan, Vatican City, Vietnam.
Visitors from other countries should check our detailed guide here.
Citizens of the following countries do not need a visa to visit Kyrgyzstan for up to 60 days (longer for some nationalities):
European Union citizens, Andorra, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Cuba, Georgia, Iceland, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Liechtenstein, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, New Zealand, North Korea, Norway, Oman, Qatar, Russia, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Korea, Switzerland, Tajikistan, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, and Vatican City. Citizens of Malaysia and Turkey can also visit Kyrgyzstan visa-free for up to 30 days.
Citizens of other countries can get an e-visa here.
Citizens of the following countries do not need a visa to visit Tajikistan for up to 30 days (even longer for some nationalities): Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Belarus, Belgium, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Croatia, Cuba, Czechia, Denmark, Dominicana, Ecuador, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Kuwait, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Maldives, Moldova, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United States of America, Uzbekistan.
UK citizens and others not mentioned above can get an e-visa here.
Citizens of the following countries do not need a visa for up to 30 days: All European Union citizens, Andorra, Antigua & Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Brazil, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Grenada, Guatemala, Honduras, Iceland, Indonesia, Israel, Jamaica, Japan, Liechtenstein, Malaysia, Mexico, Monaco, Mongolia, Montenegro, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Panama, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, San Marino, Serbia, Singapore, South Korea, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, the United Sates, Vatican.
Citizens of all countries need a visa for Turkmenistan. You can only apply for a tourist visa if you're booked onto a guided tour in Turkmenistan and your travel agency will apply on your behalf for an invitation letter from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan.