GBAO Permit
A separate permit for entering and travelling within the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region — required for all foreign tourists, regardless of visa type.
What it is and who needs it
The GBAO permit is issued by the Department of Visas and Registration for Foreign Citizens (OVIR) under the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Tajikistan. The permit does not replace a visa and is not replaced by one — it is an additional document checked at checkpoints when entering the region and along the Pamir Highway. It is required for all foreign tourists visiting GBAO (the Pamir Highway, Khorog, Ishkashim, Murghab, the Wakhan Valley, Bartang, Lake Karakul).
How to apply
| Method | Where | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Online with the visa | Tajikistan's e-visa portal (e-visa.tj) | Available only to those who need a visa to enter; the visa and permit arrive as a single document by email |
| In person at OVIR | Dushanbe, Khorog, Murghab | Applied for in person, a passport is required |
| Through an embassy/consulate | abroad, when applying for a regular visa | Not all missions offer this service |
| Through a tour agency | — | The agency applies on the tourist's behalf |
Cost
| Method | Approximate cost |
|---|---|
| Through a tour agency | ~$20 USD |
| In person at OVIR (independently) | ~65 TJS (to be confirmed, range 50–150 TJS) |
| Online via e-visa.tj | ~$20–30 USD on top of the visa fee |
Additional permits (beyond the base permit)
| Area | Cost | Where to get it |
|---|---|---|
| Zorkul Nature Reserve | 117 TJS/person/day (+117 TJS/day for a 4×4 vehicle, 234 TJS/day for a motorhome; motorcycle/bicycle — free) | PECTA office in Khorog |
| Tajik National Park | 117 TJS/person/day | At any point within the park |
| Lake Sarez | to be confirmed | Only the Committee for Emergency Situations in Dushanbe; registration required 2 weeks before the trip |
How the application works — step by step
Option A — online via e-visa.tj (with the visa)
1. Fill in the application on the portal, choose your country and visa type. 2. On a separate step, tick the option to add a GBAO permit to the application. 3. Pay the fee online by card. 4. Wait for processing — sources vary, from 1 to 10 business days — and receive the document by email as a PDF.
Option B — in person at OVIR (Dushanbe, Khorog, Murghab)
1. Pay the fee at a bank (one source mentions "Amonatbonk") and get a receipt. 2. Submit the receipt together with your passport (and a copy of the visa, if applicable) at OVIR. 3. Receive the finished document — timelines vary between sources: one says that if submitted before noon, the permit is ready by 16:00 the same day; another says the process takes 5–7 days. Both are given as-is — check the exact timeline with the center before your trip.
Border crossing into China (Kulma Pass)
Open to tourists who already hold a Chinese visa arranged in advance (not issued at the border). Operates on weekdays only (Mon–Fri).