Tajikistan: all programs

Tajikistan at a glance

Tajikistan is a mountainous country in Central Asia bordering Afghanistan, China, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan, with more than 10 million residents. Mountains cover over 90% of the territory, including the Pamirs. The capital is Dushanbe, the state language is Tajik, and Russian is widely understood in cities. The currency is the somoni, about 9.2 somoni per dollar on 6 October 2026.

The economy rests on hydropower, aluminium, cotton, mining and remittances from migrant workers, mainly from Russia: by their share of the economy Tajikistan is among the top countries in the world. Living is cheap, while infrastructure and the job market are limited.

Who the move suits

• Russian citizens who need an affordable visa-free country where Russian is widely understood;
• entrepreneurs working with Central Asia, construction, energy and trade;
• staff of international organisations and projects;
• families with Tajik roots.

It is harder for those seeking high salaries, advanced healthcare and strong banks: these are still weaker than in neighbouring Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.

Entry rules and visas

Russian citizens enter visa-free and can stay up to 90 days. Within 10 working days of arrival they must register at their place of stay: a hotel does this for guests, and for a flat the landlord registers with the local interior affairs office. A separate permit is needed to travel to the Gorno-Badakhshan region in the Pamirs.

Residence options

• Work and residence permits through an employer, issued to foreigners within quotas;
• residence through family or marriage to a Tajik citizen;
• your own business - a company and a residence permit for its director.

To register a company, a foreign director needs a document allowing them to stay and work in the country: a visa, a registration card or a residence permit for at least three months. We choose the basis, register the company and arrange the permits.

Taxes

VAT is 14% in 2026 and will fall to 13% from 1 January 2027. A resident pays 12% income tax on salary from the main job and 15% on other income, and a non-resident pays 20%. Corporate tax for most companies is 18%. Property tax on a house depends on floor area, and car tax on engine power, about 15.6 somoni per horsepower a year. More in taxes in Tajikistan.

Cost of living in Dushanbe

Groceries, taxis and café meals are cheap, while imported goods cost more. In winter the regions face power restrictions, while the capital's supply is more stable.

Where to live in Dushanbe

• The centre along Rudaki Avenue - the Ismoili Somoni district: ministries, parks, cafés and new high-rises.
• Sino district - the largest residential district in the west, with markets, schools and moderate prices.
• Firdavsi district - a residential area in the north-west with new buildings.
• Shohmansur district - the east of the city, the railway station, markets and older neighbourhoods.

The city is compact and taxis are cheap, so many foreigners rent in the centre.

Property for foreigners

All land in Tajikistan is exclusively state-owned, and foreigners' ability to register property in their own name is seriously limited. In practice, deals for non-residents are structured through a local company or long-term use rights. There are no residence or citizenship programmes for buying property. We work out the available form of ownership and check the property and its title history.

Companies and banks

Company registration is free and by law takes 24 hours, and the minimum share capital is 500 somoni, about $55, payable within a year. The banking sector is small, transfers from Russia work, but banks check the source of funds. We help with company registration, a business account and a personal account.

Climate and daily life

The climate is sharply continental: Dushanbe summers are 35-40°C and dry, winters are mild and rainy, with snow in the mountains. The country is seismically active. Tajik is the language of government, but in Dushanbe most daily matters can be handled in Russian. Healthcare is basic, and complex cases are treated in Moscow, Almaty or Tashkent.