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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. [1]
Citizens of the following country and citizens belonging to the members of the Community for Democracy and Rights of Nations may enter South Ossetia without a visa:
Indefinite period |
These citizens can also enter using an internal passport in lieu of a passport.
A visa exemption agreement between South Ossetia and Nauru was signed on February 3, 2018, that would allow citizens of Nauru to travel to South Ossetia without prior approval and for citizens of South Ossetia to travel to Nauru without a visa, both for up to 90 days within any 180 day period. However, the agreement has yet to be ratified. [2]
All visitors, except for citizens of exempt countries, must be invited by a party in South Ossetia (a private citizen or a South Ossetian organization, such as a government department or business) prior to their arrival. Inviting parties must submit their invitation letters to the Immigration Control Office of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, which takes up to 30 calendar days to process invitations. Tourists must obtain an invitation from the Committee on Youth Policy, Sports, and Tourism. In addition to an invitation, journalists must receive approval from the State Committee on Information and Press prior to arrival. All visitors must register with the Immigration Control Office of the Ministry of Internal Affairs within three days after their arrival. [3]
Approximately 95% [4] of the population of South Ossetia has (in addition to citizenship of the Republic of South Ossetia — State of Alania), citizenship of the Russian Federation, and many of them leave the territory of South Ossetia and enter it with Russian passports, and almost half of them permanently reside in Russia. During the year, most of them leave South Ossetia for Russia many times for various purposes and enter back. Even from Russian citizens by birth, South Ossetia is mostly visited by Russian citizens living mainly in Republic of North Ossetia–Alania (part of the Russian Federation). From the rest of the Russian Federation, an extremely small number of citizens of the Russian Federation visit South Ossetia.
Citizens of the Russian Federation [5]
| Country | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Russia |  381,473 |  206,260 | 407,694 | 443,646 | 451,918 | 450,753 | 472,443 | 502,108 | 500,682 | 511,715 | 528,223 | 537,080 |
The visa policy of Russia deals with the requirements which a foreign national wishing to enter the Russian Federation must meet to obtain a visa, which is a permit to travel to, enter, and remain in the country. Visa exemptions are based on bilateral or multilateral agreements.
Russia has agreements with scores of countries whose citizens are either exempt from visas or can apply for an electronic visa (e-Visa).
Citizens of countries without such an agreement with Russia must obtain a visa in advance from a Russian diplomatic mission or visa centre.
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 Angolan citizens are administrative entry restrictions by the authorities of other states placed on citizens of Angola. As of 09 October 2023, Angolan citizens had visa-free or visa on arrival access to 62 countries and territories, ranking the Angolan passport 75th in terms of travel freedom according to the Henley Passport Index.
Visa requirements for Burundian citizens are administrative entry restrictions by the authorities of other states placed on citizens of Burundi. As of 11 January 2022, Burundian citizens had visa-free or visa on arrival access to 51 countries and territories, ranking the Burundian passport 92nd in terms of travel freedom according to the Henley & Partners Passport Index.
Visa requirements for Democratic Republic of the Congo citizens are administrative entry restrictions by the authorities of other states placed on citizens of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Visa requirements for Nauruan citizens are administrative entry restrictions by the authorities of other states placed on citizens of Nauru. As of 2 July 2019, Nauruan citizens had visa-free or visa on arrival access to 85 countries and territories, ranking the Nauruan passport 61st in terms of travel freedom according to the Henley Passport Index.
Visa requirements for Tongan citizens are administrative entry restrictions by the authorities of other states placed on citizens of Tonga. As of 2 July 2019, Tongan citizens had visa-free or visa on arrival access to 123 countries and territories, ranking the Tongan passport 46th in terms of travel freedom according to the Henley Passport Index.
Visitors to Georgia must obtain a visa from Georgian diplomatic missions unless they come from one of the visa exempt countries or one of the countries whose citizens can obtain an e-Visa. Visitors must hold a passport valid for the period of intended stay, while Georgian citizens can enter with a valid or expired passport or identity card.
South Ossetian passports are issued to inhabitants of South Ossetia for the purpose of international travel and for the purpose of legal identification within South Ossetia. They were first issued on August 15, 2006. Since South Ossetia is only recognised by Russia, Venezuela, Nicaragua, Nauru, and Syria, many South Ossetians also have Russian passports, which are more practical for international travel.
Visitors to Azerbaijan must obtain a visa from one of the Azerbaijani diplomatic missions unless they are citizens of one of the visa-exempt countries, or citizens eligible for an electronic visa on arrival, or citizens eligible for an electronic visa.
Citizens of specific countries and territories are eligible to visit Bolivia for tourism or business purposes without having to obtain a visa.
Visitors to Tajikistan must obtain a visa 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.
Visa requirements for Zimbabwean citizens are administrative entry restrictions by the authorities of other states placed on citizens of Zimbabwe. As of 2 July 2019, Zimbabwean citizens had visa-free or visa on arrival access to 64 countries and territories, ranking the Zimbabwean passport 80th in terms of travel freedom according to the Henley Passport Index.
Visitors to Nauru must obtain a visa unless they come from one of the countries eligible for free visa on arrival. All visitors must hold a passport valid for 3 months. Transit visas are not required if the connecting flight leaves within three hours of arrival in Nauru. Business visitors must have a local sponsor.
Visitors to the Republic of Abkhazia must obtain an entry permit unless they are citizens of one of the visa-exempt countries.
Visitors to Syria must obtain a visa from one of the Syrian diplomatic missions unless they are citizens of one of the visa-exempt countries, or citizens who may obtain a visa on arrival.
Visa requirements for Fijian citizens are administrative entry restrictions by the authorities of other states placed on citizens of Fiji. As of 13 October 2020, Fijian citizens had visa-free or visa on arrival access to 88 countries and territories, ranking the Fijian passport 57th in terms of travel freedom according to the Henley Passport Index.
Visa requirements for South Ossetian citizens are administrative entry restrictions imposed on citizens of South Ossetia by the authorities of other states.
South Ossetia–Transnistria relations Russian: Приднестровско-югоосетинские отношения) is the bilateral relationship between South Ossetia and the Pridnestrovian Moldovan Republic (Transnistria). South Ossetia is recognized by five United Nations member states and Transnistria by none. The bilateral relations are mostly symbolic.
Tourism in the breakaway state of the Republic of South Ossetia – the State of Alania, widely recognised internationally as being part of Georgia, is rare. It is illegal to enter South Ossetia under Georgian law. However, South Ossetia remains accessible through Russia via the South Ossetia–Russia border. Non-Russian citizens are required to hold a valid Russian visa that permits them to return to Russia, unless they are citizens of countries that are exempt from Russian visa requirements. Visitors, unless they hold a South Ossetian passport or are from an exempt country, such as Russia, are required to receive approval from the South Ossetian government in advance of their visit.
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