Investor Visa (Category C)

Tajikistan's Investor Visa (Category C) is a multi-year residence visa for foreign nationals who make significant capital investments in the Tajik economy. Established under Government Resolution No. 31 of January 25, 2017, and reinforced by the Law on Capital and Promotion of Investment Activity (No. 2173 of May 14, 2025), the program targets heads and senior managers of foreign companies actively investing in Tajikistan, as well as investors registered in the country's five Free Economic Zones. The visa is administered by the Main Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, with applications also accepted by Tajik consular institutions abroad. Tajikistan does not operate a formal golden visa or residence-by-investment scheme, but the Category C investor visa provides the closest pathway for foreign investors to obtain multi-year residence in the country tied to qualifying capital investment.

• Minimum capital investment of USD 500,000 in the Tajik economy, documented through one of four official channels
• Must be a head or senior manager of a foreign company actively participating in investment in Tajikistan, or registered as a subject of a Free Economic Zone
• Investment must be confirmed by one of: the Statistics Agency (direct foreign investment inflows of at least USD 500,000), the Free Economic Zone administration (if registered as an FEZ subject), the National Bank of Tajikistan (account opening of at least USD 500,000), or the Tax Committee (authorized capital of at least USD 500,000)
• A letter-petition from the relevant major foreign company or the State Committee on Investment and State Property Management of the Republic of Tajikistan
• For the 5-year visa, the investment threshold rises to USD 1,000,000
• A clear business plan with capital expenditure and job creation targets may also be required
• Background checks are conducted on the company, the person(s) representing the company, and identification of the financial source to comply with anti-money laundering regulations

• Letter-petition from a major foreign company or the State Committee on Investment and State Property Management
• One of the following investment confirmations:
  • Certificate from the Statistics Agency under the President confirming direct foreign investment inflows of at least USD 500,000
  • Confirmation from the Free Economic Zone administration of registration as an FEZ subject
  • Certificate from the National Bank of Tajikistan confirming account opening of at least USD 500,000
  • Certificate from the Tax Committee under the Government confirming authorized capital of at least USD 500,000
• Valid passport
• Completed visa application form
• Standard visa application fees apply (for reference, e-visa fees for other categories are USD 30 for single entry and USD 50 for multiple entry)

When issued by the Main Consular Department of the MFA in Dushanbe, the visa is valid for up to 3 years for investments of at least USD 500,000, or up to 5 years for investments of at least USD 1,000,000. When issued by Tajik consular institutions abroad, the maximum duration is 2 years. The investor visa itself is a multi-year residence visa; temporary residence permits may also be obtained separately, though the program does not offer a direct pathway to permanent residency or citizenship.

Renewal applications are submitted to the Main Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the Representative Office of the MFA in the Sughd Region. Decisions on extension are made within 10 working days from submission of required documents.

Immediate family members including spouse and children may be included on the same investor visa application and receive the same visa category. The Law on Capital and Promotion of Investment Activity (Article 11(3)(11)) provides for favorable conditions for education and other necessary services for investor family members. Specific documentation requirements or separate fees for dependants are not listed in official sources.

Tax residency in Tajikistan is triggered by presence of more than 182 days in a consecutive 12-month period. The corporate income tax rate is 14% (flat rate), and personal income tax for foreign investors is up to 13% on Tajikistan-sourced income. Investors with more than USD 500,000 in investments are exempt from work permit requirements for one year from the date of state registration. Investment agreements may also provide exemptions from foreign worker quotas.

The applicant must first obtain a letter-petition from either the relevant major foreign company or the State Committee on Investment and State Property Management (27 Shotemur Street, Dushanbe, phone: +992 37 221 76 44). The application along with the qualifying investment documentation is then submitted to the Main Consular Department of the MFA in Dushanbe or to a Tajik consular institution abroad. When issued by consular institutions abroad, the MFA must be notified within 24 hours.

Processing takes no more than 20 working days from the date of submission of all required documents, with a possible extension of up to 10 additional working days if more detailed review is necessary.

Foreign citizens staying in Tajikistan for 10 or more days must register with the nearest Ministry of Internal Affairs Department of Visas and Registration (OVIR) within 10 days of arrival. Registration fees are 175 Tajik somoni for stays up to 3 months and 265 Tajik somoni for stays up to 1 year, with processing taking up to 3 business days. E-visa holders are exempt from registration, but investor visa holders are not, as they hold standard visas. Multiple registrations are needed when changing addresses within Tajikistan.

• The investor visa targets active business investors, not passive portfolio investors. Applicants must be company heads or senior managers genuinely participating in investment in the Tajik economy.
• Priority investment sectors include energy and hydropower, mining, agriculture, and textiles. The State Committee on Investment and State Property Management screens inbound foreign investments involving government interests, including investments into the country's five Free Economic Zones.
• The Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region and areas within 20 km of the Afghanistan border in the Khatlon Region require separate travel permits.
• Overstaying a visa results in fines and the requirement to obtain an exit visa from the MFA's Main Consular Department before departure. Exit visas are valid for up to 7 days.
• Maximum currency export upon departure is USD 3,000.
• The investor visa differs from the business visa in that it requires a minimum capital investment of USD 500,000 and offers durations of up to 3-5 years, compared to shorter durations for business visas. It also differs from labour visas, which require a separate work permit.
• The Law on Capital and Promotion of Investment Activity (No. 2173) was signed on May 14, 2025, replacing the earlier Law on Investments (No. 1299 of March 15, 2016), maintaining the right of investors to obtain a Category C visa and adding provisions for preferential long-term residence regimes.