Turkmenistan Tightens Refugee Registration With Biometrics

Turkmenistan has rolled out a new procedure for registering and monitoring refugees and individuals seeking additional protection, including the creation of a state migration information system that will collect and store personal and biometric data, such as photographs and fingerprints.

The rules were approved by Order No. 128 of the State Migration Service on November 7, 2025, The Caspian Post reports via Kazakh media.

Under the new procedure, foreign nationals must register with migration authorities within three working days of entering the country, either at their place of residence or temporary stay.

Hotels, medical facilities, and other host organizations are now required to notify migration authorities of a foreign citizen’s arrival and departure within 24 hours.

In the event of mass arrivals caused by emergencies, registration may take place at temporary accommodation centers, with migration registration allowed for up to three months.

The new rules were adopted under Turkmenistan’s Law on Refugees and are aimed at strengthening migration control, oversight, and record-keeping across the country.