I was in Baku about 3 weeks ago and I picked up a couple of visas there. Baku is a fantastic place to get Central Asian visas. Here are the details (I am fairly sure this information is accurate for Swedes, but as I am British and did not take the time to note the requirements for Swedes, I cannot be 100% sure):
1. Kazakhstan - For 20 USD, the embassy will issue you with a one month visa in about 2 days. There is no hassle involved and you don't need an LOI. The embassy has recently moved - it is no longer near Genelik Metro station, but is now a couple of kilometers north of Nizami Metro station. I can give you directions should you require them. Important note - the visa is issued with fixed dates.
2. Kyrgyzstan - For a further 20 USD, the KAZAKHSTAN embassy will also issue you with a 1 month Kyrgyz visa. They can process the Kyrgyz visa at the same time as they process your Kazakh visa. Again, the visa comes with fixed dates.
3. Uzbekistan - This embassy is not only hassle free, but has one of the friendliest, most charming consulates I have ever met, and he even speaks a bit of English. Compared to other Uzbek embassies in the region (at least in Central Asia itself), this place is heaven. As a British citizen, I did not require an LOI to make a visa application, though as a Swede you might well need one. But it's certainly worth asking at the embassy if you arrive in Baku without an LOI. Once you have submitted your application, it is forwarded to Tashkent for approval (this takes about 3 working days, and the embassy does not hold onto your passport during this time). If approval comes through, you make a payment into a bank and pick up your visa. Costs vary depending on length of time and number of entries - it's 75 USD for a one month single entry visa.
Iran on the other hand is a pain in the ass, at least depending on your nationality. I don't know what Sweden's relationship with Iran is like - this will be the biggest factor in determining how easy it is to get a visa. But Iranian embassies in the region (including Baku) frequently reject visa applictions for no reason - I have heard of French and Canadian travellers recently who had this problem, and my application on a British passport in neighboring Armenia was also rejected. On the other hand, for citizens of Holland, Germany, and Switzerland (which have better relations with Iran), I believe it is fairly straightforward to get a visa. But at any rate, you are probably better off applying for this one at home.
I know little about Turkmen transit visas, but travelling this way from Baku to Turkmenbashi by ferry can cause you BIG headaches because of delays with the ferry.
1. Kazakhstan - For 20 USD, the embassy will issue you with a one month visa in about 2 days. There is no hassle involved and you don't need an LOI. The embassy has recently moved - it is no longer near Genelik Metro station, but is now a couple of kilometers north of Nizami Metro station. I can give you directions should you require them. Important note - the visa is issued with fixed dates.
2. Kyrgyzstan - For a further 20 USD, the KAZAKHSTAN embassy will also issue you with a 1 month Kyrgyz visa. They can process the Kyrgyz visa at the same time as they process your Kazakh visa. Again, the visa comes with fixed dates.
3. Uzbekistan - This embassy is not only hassle free, but has one of the friendliest, most charming consulates I have ever met, and he even speaks a bit of English. Compared to other Uzbek embassies in the region (at least in Central Asia itself), this place is heaven. As a British citizen, I did not require an LOI to make a visa application, though as a Swede you might well need one. But it's certainly worth asking at the embassy if you arrive in Baku without an LOI. Once you have submitted your application, it is forwarded to Tashkent for approval (this takes about 3 working days, and the embassy does not hold onto your passport during this time). If approval comes through, you make a payment into a bank and pick up your visa. Costs vary depending on length of time and number of entries - it's 75 USD for a one month single entry visa.
Iran on the other hand is a pain in the ass, at least depending on your nationality. I don't know what Sweden's relationship with Iran is like - this will be the biggest factor in determining how easy it is to get a visa. But Iranian embassies in the region (including Baku) frequently reject visa applictions for no reason - I have heard of French and Canadian travellers recently who had this problem, and my application on a British passport in neighboring Armenia was also rejected. On the other hand, for citizens of Holland, Germany, and Switzerland (which have better relations with Iran), I believe it is fairly straightforward to get a visa. But at any rate, you are probably better off applying for this one at home.
I know little about Turkmen transit visas, but travelling this way from Baku to Turkmenbashi by ferry can cause you BIG headaches because of delays with the ferry.
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