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| Constitution |
 Abkhaziaportal |
Visitors to the Republic of Abkhazia must obtain an entry permit unless they are citizens of one of the visa-exempt countries.
All visitors must have a passport valid for at least 6 months.
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If Georgian border guards find an Abkhazian visa, Abkhazian stamps or a Russian checkpoint stamp on the border with Abkhazia in your passport when you enter Georgia (by land, air or sea), you are very likely to be fined and often not allowed to enter the country additionally. [1]
Sometimes, in addition to a fine, some foreigners who have the above mentioned stamps in their passports or stamps from the checkpoint at the Russian-Abkhazian border are prosecuted for illegal border crossing under the laws of Georgia, as Georgia considers Abkhazia its territory. [1]
In this case, in addition to a fine and deportation from Georgia, you may even face imprisonment or a larger fine in rare cases.
Citizens of third countries (all except Georgian citizens) can cross the border from Georgia to Abkhazia and vice versa, as there is border control in the Zugdidi area ("Ingur" checkpoint). Nevertheless, the departure from Georgia to Abkhazia is de facto free, since Georgia considers Abkhazia to be its part, however, it will be necessary to return from Abkhazia only through Georgia, otherwise the Georgian side will consider that you left the country illegally. [2]
Despite the presence of seaports and several airports and airfields, there is no sea or air passenger communication with the outside world (even with Russia) in Abkhazia, the railway network though, has been repaired and is currently running services from Sukhumi to Sochi and seasonal summer services connect sometimes Moscow to Sukhumi. The territory of Abkhazia has not been controlled by the Georgian authorities since 1992, since the beginning of the war between these countries.
 | This section's factual accuracy may be compromised due to out-of-date information. The reason given is: The visa policy map needs to be updated, as there are no countries whose citizens are visa-exempt for 7 days.(May 2024) |
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Abkhazia, citizens of the following countries (including citizens belonging to the members of the Community for Democracy and Rights of Nations) may enter Abkhazia without a visa for the following period: [3]
90 days
30 days 2 weeks |
ID – May enter with an ID card in lieu of a passport.
IP – May enter with an internal passport in lieu of a passport.
In addition, children aged 14 and below may enter Abkhazia without a visa, regardless of nationality. [3]
As part of organized tour groups from travel companies registered in Abkhazia or in Russia, tourists from all countries (except Georgia) can visit Abkhazia without an Abkhazian visa by land officially through Russia and it's also possible to enter through Georgia with a free electronic authorization, for a period of no more than 24 hours. [3]
For an extension of stay in Abkhazia, an extension is required for an additional fee or a requirement to leave Abkhazia under the threat of deportation to Russia and a fine to compensate for the costs of transportation during deportation.
Citizens of other countries need to obtain an entry permit. Below are the requirements for receiving an entry permit to the Republic of Abkhazia: [5]
1. Copy of passport (sent by e-mail or by fax). Please make sure that your passport is valid for at least 6 months after your planned entry to Abkhazia.
2. Completed application. You should complete all sections of the application. If any necessary information is missing, the application will not be considered.
An entry permit letter to enter the Republic of Abkhazia will be sent to the email address from which the application was sent or to the fax number stated in the application. This letter can be printed be printed and shown at the Georgian-Abkhazian border.
Upon arrival, foreign citizens must visit the Consulate within three working days in order to receive the visa of the Republic of Abkhazia.
The Republic of Abkhazia is one of the most visited partially recognized countries by tourists in the world.
The majority of foreigners visiting Abkhazia are from the Post-Soviet space. They visit Abkhazia as it is an affordable destination for beach and mountain tourism. The country also has developed tourism in caves and gorges, for urban exploration in abandoned and destroyed objects.
Citizens of the Russian Federation [6]
| Country | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Russia |  5,177,816 |  2,824,631 | 4,902,475 | 4,520,750 | 4,357,973 | 4,274,549 | 3,833,802 | 3,285,377 | 3,359,453 | 3,367,243 | 3,072,517 | 2,804,505 | 2,503,898 | 1,930,302 |
Border control comprises measures taken by governments to monitor and regulate the movement of people, animals, and goods across land, air, and maritime borders. While border control is typically associated with international borders, it also encompasses controls imposed on internal borders within a single state.
A visa is a conditional authorization granted by a polity to a foreigner that allows them to enter, remain within, or leave its territory. Visas typically include limits on the duration of the foreigner's stay, areas within the country they may enter, the dates they may enter, the number of permitted visits, or if the individual can work in the country in question. Visas are associated with the request for permission to enter a territory and thus are, in most countries, distinct from actual formal permission for an alien to enter and remain in the country. In each instance, a visa is subject to entry permission by an immigration official at the time of actual entry and can be revoked at any time. Visa evidence most commonly takes the form of a sticker endorsed in the applicant's passport or other travel document but may also exist electronically. Some countries no longer issue physical visa evidence, instead recording details only in immigration databases.
A travel document is an identity document issued by a government or international entity pursuant to international agreements to enable individuals to clear border control measures. Travel documents usually assure other governments that the bearer may return to the issuing country, and are often issued in booklet form to allow other governments to place visas as well as entry and exit stamps into them.
The economy of Abkhazia is heavily integrated with the economy of Russia and uses the Russian ruble as its currency.
Abkhazia, officially the Republic of Abkhazia, is a partially recognised state in the South Caucasus, on the eastern coast of the Black Sea, at the intersection of Eastern Europe and Western Asia. It covers 8,665 square kilometres (3,346 sq mi) and has a population of around 245,000. Its capital and largest city is Sukhumi.
The visa policy of mainland China deals with the requirements which a foreign national wishing to enter the mainland of the People's Republic of China must meet to obtain a visa from one of the Chinese diplomatic missions, which is a permit to travel to, enter, and remain in the country. Visa exemptions are based on bilateral agreements and unilateral decisions. The residents of Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan with Chinese nationality may stay in Mainland indefinitely as long as their travel documents are valid.
Operation Golden Fleece is a codename given to the non-combatant evacuation operation of ethnic Greeks from the port of Sukhumi, Abkhazia. On 14 August 1992, Georgian troops entered Abkhazia in order to crush its separatist movement. The ongoing War in Abkhazia created an atmosphere of lawlessness in the region, resulting in dozens of deaths of Greek civilians. The Greek state decided to intervene in order to evacuate members of the Greek minority in Abkhazia. The operation was carried out by the Hellenic Navy between 15–18 August 1993. It resulted in the evacuation of 1,013 civilians to Alexandroupolis, Greece.
The visa policy of Russia requires that any foreign citizen wishing to enter the Russian Federation must obtain a visa, which is a permit to enter and stay in the country.
Visitors to Armenia must obtain a visa from one of the Armenian diplomatic missions unless they are citizens of one of the visa-exempt countries, or citizens who may obtain a visa on arrival, or citizens eligible for an e-Visa. Citizens of the Commonwealth of Independent States and citizens of all Eurasian Economic Union and European Union member states may enter Armenia without a visa.
Visa requirements for Turkish citizens are administrative entry obligations by the authorities of other states placed on Turkey.
Visa requirements for Swedish citizens are administrative entry restrictions by the authorities of other states placed on citizens of Sweden.
Visa requirements for Brazilian citizens are administrative entry restrictions by the authorities of other states placed on citizens of Brazil.
Visa requirements for Dutch citizens are administrative entry restrictions by the authorities of other states placed on citizens of the Netherlands, the joint nationality of the four countries within the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
Visa requirements for Spanish citizens are administrative entry restrictions by the authorities of other states placed on citizens of Spain.
Visitors to Georgia must obtain a visa from Georgian diplomatic missions unless they are citizens of one of the visa-exempt countries or one of the countries whose citizens may obtain an e-Visa.
The visa policy of Singapore deals with the requirements a traveller must meet to enter Singapore. A foreign national, depending on their country of origin, must meet certain requirements to obtain a visa, which is a permit to travel, to enter and remain in the country. A visa may also entitle the visa holder to other privileges, such as a right to work, study, etc. and may be subject to conditions.
Tourism in Abkhazia has been an important part of its economy. Visiting Abkhazia is technically illegal under the Georgian law, by which the Georgian government prohibits foreigners from entering the disputed territory. Abkhazia continues to be accessible for tourists coming from the Russian side of the Abkhazia–Russia border which is not under Georgian control. Low prices and an absence of any visa requirements attracts Russian tourists especially those who can not afford the vacations in Turkey, Egypt, Bulgaria and other popular Russian touristic directions.
South Ossetia does not issue visas. However, visitors are required to receive approval from the South Ossetian government in advance of their visit unless they are citizens of exempt country. South Ossetia may only be entered through Russia. Visitors are required to hold a valid Russian visa that permits them to return to Russia unless they are Russian citizens or citizens of countries that are exempt from Russian visa requirements.
Visa requirements for Maltese citizens are administrative entry restrictions imposed by the authorities of foreign states on citizens of Malta. As of January 2024, Maltese citizens had visa-free or visa on arrival access to 190 countries and territories, ranking the Maltese passport 5th in the world (tied with Greek, and Swiss passports in terms of travel freedom according to the Henley Passport Index.
Since Abkhazia is only recognised as a sovereign state by a handful of nations, most countries do not accept Abkhaz passports and impose administrative entry restrictions on citizens of Abkhazia.
