Travel Advisory:  On March 19, the Department of State issued a global Level 4 – Do Not Travel advisory, advising U.S. citizens to avoid all international travel. In countries where commercial departure options remain available, U.S. citizens who live in the United States should arrange for immediate return to the United States, unless they are prepared to remain abroad for an indefinite period. U.S. citizens who live abroad should avoid international travel.

Waitlist for the Flight:  If you would like to take this flight to Frankfurt, please contact the U.S. Embassy at DushanbeConsular@state.gov to be added to the waitlist no later than 12pm (noon) on Thursday, July 23.  Seats are limited and on a first-come, first-served basis.  The U.S. Embassy will send information on how to purchase tickets only to passengers who have confirmed seats.  The cost of the flight has not yet been determined, and travelers will be required to show evidence of a connecting flight from Frankfurt to the United States before purchasing tickets.  Passengers may want consider traveling with only hand luggage instead of checked bags, as there is no baggage transfer agreement for onward flights.

Current Travel Restrictions: The Dushanbe International Airport remains closed to most commercial flights.  Various travel restrictions worldwide make traveling at this time challenging.  Connecting flights may be unreliable and cancelled at the last minute.  For the upcoming flight to Frankfurt, it is important to note that many foreign citizens may not enter the European Union (EU) due to pandemic related travel restrictions.  Travelers are required to remain in transit, which means that cancelled international connections may leave passengers stranded at the airport.  Travel restrictions and regulations are subject to change.

The United States is restricting non-U.S. citizens and non-U.S. legal permanent residents (LPRs) who have been physically present in or transited though Germany within the last 14 days from entering the United States.  Spouses and minor children of U.S. citizens or U.S. LPRs are exempted from these restrictions.  Only U.S. citizens and LPRs should consider the flight for travel to the United States.  Immigrant visa and non-immigrant visa holders should consider their visa category and current restrictions on travel to the U.S.

The government of Tajikistan currently has a travel restriction for Tajik nationals and foreigners, including U.S. citizens, from entering or exiting Tajikistan.  Travelers who wish to leave Tajikistan will require permission from the government of Tajikistan to exit the country.  The U.S. Embassy is prepared to assist U.S. citizens and U.S. LPRs file an official request to depart on the flight to Frankfurt.  Please notify the U.S. Embassy at DushanbeConsular@state.gov no later than 12pm (noon) on Thursday, July 23, if you would like to be added to the waitlist for this flight.  

U.S. Passport and Tajik Visa:  Travelers will not be permitted to leave the country if their visas have expired. Please take this time to check your travel documents to ensure that your U.S. passport and Tajik visa are valid. If you need assistance with obtaining a new U.S. passport or a Tajik visa to facilitate travel for the this flight, please contact DushanbeConsular@state.gov immediately.

Visa issues not related to the flight may be referred directly to the Main Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at 227-6363 or 227-3838 located on 34 Pushkin Street, Dushanbe.

Please note:  Tajikistan does not recognize dual nationality.  All U.S. citizens, even if they entered Tajikistan on their Tajik passport, are required to have a valid Tajik visa to exit the country.

Actions to Take:

• Contact the U.S. Embassy at DushanbeConsular@state.gov no later than 12pm (noon) on Thursday, July 23, to request to be added to wait list for the outbound flight to Frankfurt.
• Confirm Tajik visa is valid prior to traveling. Contact the Tajik Main Consular Department at 227-6363 or 227-3838 to resolve visa issues.
•  Prepare to shelter-in-place for an extended period of time if remaining in Tajikistan.
•  Consult the CDC website for the most up-to-date information.
•  For the most recent information on what you can do to reduce your risk of contracting COVID-19 please see the CDC’s latest recommendations.
•  Visit the COVID-19 crisis page on travel.state.gov for the latest information.
•  Visit the Department of Homeland Security’s website on the latest travel restrictions to the U.S.

Assistance:

• U.S. Embassy Dushanbe
  109 A Ismoili Somoni Ave.
  Dushanbe, Tajikistan
  +992 (37) 229 20 00, +98 580 0307
  +992 (37) 229 20 50, 236 04 30
  DushanbeConsular@state.gov
• State Department – Bureau of Consular Affairs 
  +1-888-407-4747 (toll-free in the United States and Canada)
  +1-202-501-4444 (from other countries)
• Tajikistan Country Specific Information
•  Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive security updates
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