This advice has been reviewed and reissued. The overall level of the advice has not changed.

Summary

Safety and Security

Terrorism

Terrorism is a threat throughout the world. You can find more information about this threat in our General Advice to Australian Travellers.

We advise you to exercise a high degree of caution in Tajikistan because of the threat of terrorist attack and potential for civil unrest. Pay close attention to your personal security at all times and monitor the media for information about possible new safety or security risks.

Terrorist attacks have occurred in Tajikistan. On 30 July 2009, an explosion near the Korvon Market in Dushanbe injured a police officer. On 25 and 26 July 2009, two explosive devices also detonated near Dushanbe International Airport and Hotel Tajikistan. There were no casualties. No one has claimed responsibility for the blasts.

Civil Unrest/Political Tension

The political situation is currently stable but tensions may still exist. You should avoid any demonstrations and large public gatherings as they may turn violent.

Borders with Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan: We advise you to reconsider your need to travel at this time to the border regions with the Kyrgyz Republic and Uzbekistan due to the risks posed by landmines, inter-clan strife and criminal activity. There have been incidents involving armed clashes between border forces and suspected criminal groups in these border areas.

Border with Afghanistan: We also advise you to reconsider your need to travel to the border regions with Afghanistan due to the hazardous security situation. This region is a transit point for drugs and other smuggled goods.

Crime

Pickpocketing is common in Dushanbe, and on international rail services. Those perceived to have money, including foreigners, may be targeted. Criminal activity increases after dark.

Women can be subjected to verbal and physical harassment. You should take care when travelling alone, particularly at night. Pay attention to your immediate surroundings and exercise judgement.

Local Travel

Road conditions and driving standards are poor. Conditions can be particularly treacherous in winter and spring, when avalanches and landslides occur. Driving at night is dangerous. For further advice, see our bulletin on Overseas Road Safety.

Police or military checkpoints are common. It is recommended you carry a copy of your passport and Tajik visa at all times.

Many interior roads, including the main road from Dushanbe to Khojand, are only open in the summer months.

Access to service stations can be limited in rural areas.

Rail travel can be unreliable and dangerous due to criminal activity.

Energy and heating shortages occur periodically, especially in winter, and may disrupt travel plans.

Neighbouring countries may close their borders with Tajikistan at any time.

Special permits must be obtained from the Tajikistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs for travel to the Gorno-Badakshan Autonomous Region.

Airline Safety

Airline and air charter safety and maintenance standards vary throughout the world. It is not known whether maintenance procedures and safety standards on aircraft used on flights in Tajikistan are always properly observed or whether passengers are covered by airline insurance.

Passengers on international flights to and from Australia are only allowed to carry a small amount of liquids (including aerosols and gels) in their carry-on baggage. You can find out more information at the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government website. Similar restrictions apply to flights in an increasing number of countries. Contact your airline for further information.

If you have concerns about the safety standards of a particular airline or aircraft, we recommend you research the airline or aircraft through organisations such as Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority and the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). The Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government has published fact sheets on security for air travellers. When staff at Australia's overseas missions are advised not to use particular airlines due to safety concerns, this will be included in the travel advisory.

The European Union (EU) has published a list of airlines that are subject to operating bans or restrictions within the EU. The United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) through its foreign assessment program focuses on a country's ability, not the individual airline, to adhere to international standards and recommended practices for aircraft operations and maintenance established by ICAO.

Natural Disasters, Severe Weather and Climate

Tajikistan is located in an earthquake zone. Information on natural disasters can be obtained from the Humanitarian Early Warning Service. If a natural disaster occurs, follow the advice of local authorities.

Avalanches, mudslides and floods occur in mountainous areas.

Wildlife

Australians are advised to respect wildlife laws and to maintain a safe and legal distance when observing wildlife, including marine animals and birds. You should only use reputable and professional guides or tour operators and closely follow park regulations and wardens' advice.

Money and Valuables

Before you go, organise a variety of ways to access your money overseas, such as credit cards, travellers' cheques, cash, debit cards or cash cards. Australian currency and travellers' cheques are not accepted in many countries. Consult with your bank to find out which is the most appropriate currency to carry and whether your ATM card will work overseas. The Tajik economy is cash-based and travellers' cheques are not accepted. International banking services are limited, though several ATM machines have been installed in Dushanbe. The official currency is the Tajik somoni, but US dollars and Euros are readily accepted. US bank notes issued before 1996 are not accepted for currency exchange.

Make two photocopies of valuables such as your passport, tickets, visas and travellers' cheques. Keep one copy with you in a separate place to the original and leave another copy with someone at home.

While travelling, don't carry too much cash and remember that expensive watches, jewellery and cameras may be tempting targets for thieves.

As a sensible precaution against luggage tampering, including theft, lock your luggage. Information on luggage safety is available from Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority.

Your passport is a valuable document that is attractive to criminals who may try to use your identity to commit crimes. It should always be kept in a safe place. You are required by Australian law to report a lost or stolen passport. If your passport is lost or stolen overseas, report it online or contact the nearest Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate as soon as possible.

You are required to pay an additional fee to have a lost or stolen passport replaced. In some cases, the Government may also restrict the length of validity or type of replacement passports.

For Parents

For general information and tips on travelling with children see our Travelling Parents brochure.

Adults travelling with children, particularly dual nationals, may be required to show evidence of parental, custodial and/or access rights.

If you are planning on placing your children in schools or childcare facilities overseas we encourage you to research the standards of security, care and staff training within those establishments. You should exercise the same precautions you would take before placing children into schools or childcare facilities in Australia.

Ideas on how to select childcare providers are available from the smartraveller Children's Issues page, Child Wise and the National Childcare Accreditation Council.

Local Laws

When you are in Tajikistan, be aware that local laws and penalties, including ones that appear harsh by Australian standards, do apply to you. If you are arrested or jailed, the Australian Government will do what it can to help you but we can't get you out of trouble or out of jail.

Information on what Australian consular officers can and cannot do to help Australians in trouble overseas is available from the Consular Services Charter.

Foreigners are required by Tajikistan law to carry a copy of their current passport and visa with them at all times.

Penalties for drug offences in Tajikistan are severe and include lengthy imprisonment in local jails.

There is zero tolerance for driving under the influence of alcohol. Driving with a blood alcohol level greater than zero is an offence.

Consensual homosexual activity is not illegal in Tajikistan, although it is not considered socially acceptable or discussed in public.

Photography around sensitive sites such as military zones, military assets and/or military personnel, transportation facilities and government buildings is illegal.

Permission from the government of Tajikistan is required if artefacts or cultural items are to be taken out of the country.

Some Australian criminal laws, such as those relating to money laundering, bribery of foreign public officials, terrorism and child sex tourism, apply to Australians overseas. Australians who commit these offences while overseas may be prosecuted in Australia.

Australian authorities are committed to combating sexual exploitation of children by Australians overseas. Australians may be prosecuted at home under Australian child sex tourism laws. These laws provide severe penalties of up to 17 years imprisonment for Australians who engage in sexual activity with children under 16 while outside of Australia.

Local Customs

There are strong Islamic codes of dress and behaviour in Tajikistan. You should take care not to offend. If in doubt, seek local advice.

Public displays of affection may cause offence.

During Ramadan, eating, drinking and smoking between sunrise and sunset is forbidden for Muslims.

Information for Dual Nationals

Tajikistan does not recognise dual nationality. This may limit the ability of the Australian Government to provide consular assistance to Australian/Tajikistan dual nationals who are arrested or detained. We recommend you travel on your Australian passport at all times.

Our Travel Information for Dual Nationals brochure provides further information for dual nationals.

Entry and Exit Requirements

Australians need a visa to visit Tajikistan. As visa and other entry and exit conditions (such as currency, customs and quarantine regulations) change regularly, you should contact the nearest Embassy or Consulate of Tajikistan for the most up to date information.

All visitors intending to stay for three or more days in Tajikistan are required to register with the local Visa and Registration Office (OVIR). Most hotels undertake visa registration on behalf of guests. If you are not staying at a hotel, you are required to visit the OVIR within three days of your arrival in Tajikistan.

The Tajikistan Government has special health test requirements for travellers intending to visit Tajikistan for more than 90 days. Contact the nearest Embassy or Consulate of Tajikistan for the most up to date information on these requirements.

Customs declaration forms filled out on arrival must be presented upon departure to demonstrate that more money is not being taken out of Tajikistan than was brought in.

There are frequent flight cancellations and delays at Tajikistan international airport. Holding valid entry visas for countries of alternate flight destinations may be useful if you need to depart Tajikistan quickly.

Make sure your passport has at least six months' validity from your planned date of return to Australia. You should carry copies of a recent passport photo with you in case you need a replacement passport while overseas.

Health Issues

Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 has spread throughout the world. The World Health Organisation (WHO) provides useful information for individuals and travellers on its website. For further information and advice to Australians, including on possible quarantine measures overseas, see our travel bulletin on Pandemic (H1N1) 2009.

We strongly recommend that you take out comprehensive travel insurance that will cover any overseas medical costs, before you depart. Confirm that your insurance covers you for the whole time you'll be away and check what circumstances and activities are not included in your policy. Remember, regardless of how healthy and fit you are, if you can't afford travel insurance, you can't afford to travel.

Your doctor or travel clinic is the best source of information about preventive measures, immunisations (including booster doses of childhood vaccinations) and disease outbreaks overseas. The World Health Organization (WHO) provides information for travellers and our 'Travelling Well' brochure also provides useful tips for travelling with medicines and staying healthy while overseas.

Medical facilities are scarce in Tajikistan and the standard of services is very limited. There is a shortage of medical equipment and pharmaceuticals, and hygiene conditions are poor. Doctors will require up-front payment before commencing treatment. The Australian Embassy in Moscow (see contact details below) can provide a list of medical facilities in Tajikistan. In the event of a serious illness or accident, medical evacuation to a destination with appropriate facilities would be necessary. Costs for a medical evacuation could be considerable.

Travel in forested areas brings the risk of exposure to tick-borne diseases. Ticks are very common in country areas and are active from spring to autumn.

Malaria is a risk in the southern border areas (particularly around the Khatlon region) and some central (Dushanbe), western (Gorno-Badakhshan) and northern (Leninabad) areas. We encourage you to consider having vaccinations before travelling, taking prophylaxis against malaria where necessary and using an insect repellent.

Water-borne, food-borne, parasitic and other infectious diseases (including tuberculosis, cholera, typhoid, brucellosis, hepatitis and rabies) are prevalent with more serious outbreaks occurring from time to time. We advise you to boil all drinking water or drink bottled water, and avoid ice cubes, raw and undercooked food, and unpasteurised dairy products. Seek medical advice if you have a fever or are suffering from diarrhoea.

The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) has confirmed cases of avian influenza in birds in a number of countries throughout the world. For a list of these countries, visit the OIE website. For information on our advice to Australians on how to reduce the risk of infection and on Australian Government precautions see our travel bulletin on avian influenza.

Where to Get Help

Australia does not have an Embassy or Consulate in Tajikistan. You can obtain consular assistance from the nearest Australian Embassy which is in Russia:

Australian Embassy
10a/2 Podkolokolny Pereulok
Moscow, Russia
Telephone +7 (495) 956-6070
Facsimile +7 (495 ) 956-6170
Website: www.russia.embassy.gov.au

In an emergency, you can obtain consular assistance (except the issue of passports) and advice from the:

British Embassy
65 Mirzo Tirsunzade Street
Dushanbe, TAJIKISTAN
Telephone (+992 372) 24 22 21
Facsimile (+992 372) 27 17 26
E-mail: dushanbe.reception@fco.gov.uk

If you are travelling to Tajikistan, whatever the reason and however long you'll be there, we encourage you to register with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. You can register online or in person at any Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate. The information you provide will help us to contact you in an emergency - whether it is a natural disaster, civil disturbance or a family issue.

In a consular emergency if you are unable to contact the Australian or British Embassies, you can contact the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on +61 2 6261 3305 or 1300 555 135 within Australia.

In Australia, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Canberra may be contacted on (02) 6261 3305.