Turkmen Migrants Turn to Uzbekistan, Belarus, and Kazakhstan as Turkey Becomes Less Accessible

Facing tightening restrictions and growing pressure in Turkey, Turkmen labor migrants are increasingly seeking work opportunities in Uzbekistan, Belarus, and Kazakhstan, according to recent reports from RFE/RL and Chronicles of Turkmenistan.

For years, Turkey was the preferred destination for Turkmen seeking to escape high unemployment and economic stagnation in their resource-rich but underdeveloped homeland. However, coordinated efforts by Turkmen and Turkish officials to curb migration flows are reshaping regional labor dynamics.

Turkey Cracks Down on Turkmen Migrants

More than 200,000 Turkmen nationals currently reside in Turkey legally, according to the Turkish migration authority, with many more believed to be undocumented. Since 2018, Turkey has detained over 70,000 illegal Turkmen migrants, following a visa-free regime cancellation in 2022 at Ashgabat’s request and tighter immigration controls implemented in 2023.

Adding to the pressure, Turkmenistan has reportedly refused to renew or replace passports for its citizens living in Turkey, effectively stranding many in legal limbo. Rights groups, including Human Rights Watch, have documented these restrictive policies, which have split families and made reintegration difficult.

Turkey has also deported Turkmen opposition figures, including the arrest of two dissident bloggers this year, as reported by Turkmen.News. In some cases, Turkmen women have been denied reentry to Turkey after visiting family in Turkmenistan.

Uzbekistan and Belarus Gain Favor

With the Turkish door closing, Uzbekistan has emerged as a leading destination for Turkmen workers. Between January and October 2024, Turkmen citizens accounted for two-thirds of all cross-border travel to Uzbekistan for commerce and labor, amounting to 89,000 visits.

Once viewed as an economically struggling country, Uzbekistan has undergone reforms and now attracts many female workers from Turkmenistan who find jobs in Tashkent’s growing service sector.

Similarly, Belarus has seen an eightfold increase in Turkmen migration. In 2024, 16,300 Turkmen entered Belarus, a surge attributed to migration policy reforms in 2023 that made it easier to obtain legal residency and employment.

Kazakhstan and Russia: Rising but Unstable Options

Anecdotal evidence suggests that Kazakhstan is also becoming a preferred choice for Turkmen migrants. One migrant quoted by Chronicles said, “Turkmen authorities, despite the country’s vast resources, can’t provide for their people even to the level of neighboring states.”

Russia, while historically a common destination, presents a more complex picture. Tens of thousands of Turkmen travel there annually, but recent crackdowns on foreign labor and rising reports of discrimination have led some to return home.

Strategic Tensions Beneath Economic Ties

Despite the deteriorating conditions for Turkmen migrants, Ankara and Ashgabat continue to deepen economic cooperation. In March 2024, the two nations signed a natural gas deal that will send 2 billion cubic meters of Turkmen gas to Turkey annually, further aligning their strategic interests.

This contradiction—growing economic ties but shrinking humanitarian space—is now reshaping migration routes across Central Asia and Eastern Europe.