# Visa policy of Abkhazia

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. When entering and exiting Abkhazia through Russia, visa policy of Russia also applies.

## Overview

If Georgian border guards find an Abkhazian visa, Abkhazian stamps or a Russian checkpoint stamp on the border with Abkhazia in a passport while entering Georgia (by land, air or sea), one is very likely to be fined and often not allowed to enter the country additionally. Sometimes, in addition to a fine, 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 and requires visitors to comply with visa policy of Georgia.
Citizens of third countries (all except Georgian citizens) can cross the border from Georgia into 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.
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 Abkhazian Railways and Russian Railways operate 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.

## Visa exemption

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:
| Nicaragua$^{ID}$  Russia$^{IP}$  South Ossetia$^{IP}$ | Transnistria$^{IP}$  Tuvalu$^{ID}$ |
$_{ID–MayenterwithanIDcardinlieuofapassportforupto90days,PassportforInternationaltravelrequiredbeyond90days.}$ $_{IP–Mayenterwithaninternalpassportinlieuofapassportforupto90days,PassportforInternationaltravelrequiredbeyond90days.}$
In addition, children aged 14 and below may enter Abkhazia without a visa, regardless of nationality.

### Tour groups

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.

### Entry Permit

Citizens of other countries need to obtain an entry permit. Below are the requirements for receiving an entry permit to the Republic of Abkhazia:
* Copy of passport (sent by e-mail or by fax), valid for at least 6 months after planned entry to Abkhazia.
* Completed application.

## Visitors statistics

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
| 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 |