Visa policy of Abkhazia

Abkhazia visa.

Passport stamp of Abkhazia.

Citizens of the following countries and territories can visit Abkhazia without a visa:[1][2]

In the simplified visa regime, citizens of the following countries have a visa (tourist or business visa only) Abkhazia is issued quickly and without unnecessary questions, with the exception of some countries, such as Syria or Venezuela. For countries such as Syria or Venezuela, a de jure simplified visa was introduced to maintain good bilateral relations, and for other countries for the possible subsequent recognition of Abkhazia's independence on their part. De facto citizens of, for example, Syria or Venezuela have some special questions to the authorities of Abkhazia before issuing them a visa. The visa of Abkhazia is paid.

Tourism groups

Tourists from all countries (except Georgia) can visit Abkhazia for a period not exceeding 24 hours as part of an organized tourist group.

If, when entering Georgia (by land, by air or by sea), Georgian border guards find an Abkhazian visa, Abzakh stamps or a stamp of Russian checkpoints on the border with Abkhazia in your passport, you are very likely to be fined, and often will not be allowed into the country additionally. Sometimes, in addition to a fine, criminal proceedings are initiated against some foreigners who have the above stamps or marks from checkpoints on the Abkhaz-Russian border on their passport, for illegal border crossing under the laws of Georgia. Since Georgia considers Abkhazia its territory. Then, in addition to a fine and deportation from Georgia, you may even face imprisonment or a larger fine in rare cases.

It is possible for nationals of third-countries (all except Georgian citizens) to cross from Georgia to Abkhazia and vice versa, as a border control is present in the Zugdidi area ("Ingur" checkpoint). In order to do so, one must simply apply online for an e-permit that can be printed and shown at the Georgian-Abkhazian border.[3] 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.

Abkhazia can otherwise only be reached by land through Russia. 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 Sokhumi to Sochi and seasonal summer services connect sporadically Moscow to Sokhumi.[4] The territory of Abkhazia has not been controlled by the Georgian authorities since 1992, since the beginning of the war between these countries.

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 former republics of the USSR (modern Post-Soviet space). They visit Abkhazia, as it is a cheap country for beach and mountain tourism and with subtropical nature. The country also has developed tourism in caves and gorges, for urban exploration in abandoned and destroyed objects, as well as sex tourism (de jure illegal in Abkhazia).

For example, by the end of 2021, Abkhazia was visited by over 5 million 177 thousand Russian citizens, not counting other foreigners.

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

• Visa requirements for Abkhaz citizens
• Visa policy of Georgia
• Visa policy of Artsakh
• Visa policy of Russia
• Visa policy of South Ossetia
• Visa policy of Transnistria