Many Russians fear independent travel to Abkhazia due to the country's uncertain international status. In fact, crossing the border into a country recognized by Russia as an independent state is extremely simple and does not require specific documents.
When do Russians not need a passport?
To cross the Russian-Abkhaz border, Russian tourists only need a civil passport of the Russian Federation. Additional documents are not required.
An ordinary passport can be replaced:
- Overseas;
- Diplomatic passport;
- Seaman's passport (with an extract from the crew list).
If you have two passports (civil and foreign), it is better to use an internal document that does not stamp the border crossing. A mark in the passport about visiting Abkhazia may complicate subsequent trips to Georgia (arrest and trial are possible). When traveling to other states that have not recognized the country's independence, problems can also arise.
The visa-free regime is valid for any travel of up to three months:
- Relaxation;
- Excursions;
- Treatment;
- Visiting relatives.
When entering the country for trade, for commercial purposes, for a long time, you must apply for a visa and obtain a special permit.
The natural border between Russia and Abkhazia runs along the Psou River, the mountain ranges of the Caucasus. The only border crossing point operates on both sides of the bridges (road and pedestrian) across the river. To cross the border, tourists first go through document checks and personal belongings at Russian border guards. After crossing the bridge, a check by the Abkhaz border services is carried out on the second bank of the river.
The formalities for border checks are minimal:
- On the Russian side, troubles (refusal to leave) are possible only in case of problems with tax services, bailiffs. Checking passports against computer databases is carried out carefully, takes 20-30 minutes;
- Abkhazian border guards are loyal to Russian tourists, check and search will take 5-10 minutes.
The procedure for independent border crossing may be delayed due to the low traffic capacity of the pedestrian bridge across Psou. Regular traffic jams in 2021 occur with a large influx of tourist buses with excursions to Lake Ritsa, Gagra, Sukhumi. All sightseers need to get off the buses, cross the bridge, and go through checks at the Russian and Abkhazian checkpoints. Passengers of private cars do the same.
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The transfer offered by health resorts, hotels in Sukhum, Pitsunda does not facilitate border crossing procedures. Passengers of minibuses are in a general queue, crossing the bridge on foot. It is rational to order a transfer only with a large amount of luggage.
Passengers of trains to Sukhum, Novy Afon pass border control in carriages. There is no air connection with Abkhazia due to the lack of international airports.
On the territory of the country, only a visit to the Gali region is limited, where the Inguri checkpoint is located on the Abkhaz-Georgian border. Russian tourists also need a special permit to enter the Kodori Gorge. In the upper reaches of the gorge, the Abkhaz-Georgian border runs along the southern spurs of the Kodori Range with simple passes, which are controlled by border guards.
Groups of sports mountain tourists to pass the Klukhor, Damkhurts, Labinsky, Marukh, Sanchar passes on the Russian border need to obtain permits from the Russian and Abkhaz border services in advance.
When a passport is required
A foreign passport at the border without a visa is presented by citizens of the states that have recognized Abkhazia:
- Nicaragua;
- Nauru;
- Venezuela;
- Vanuatu;
- Tuvalu.
For all other tourists wishing to cross the border from Russia, you need to apply for a visa and present a passport. An application for a visa permit is sent to the RA Ministry of Foreign Affairs (electronic form is possible). This procedure is obligatory for Ukrainians, Belarusians, citizens of other CIS states.
Under the simplified visa regime, a single-entry tourist visa can be bought at the Psou border post.
Additional documents when entering Abkhazia
Additional documents will be required when entering Abkhazia with a child, in a private car. There is no Russian health insurance in the country.
Medical insurance
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The only additional document that the Abkhaz authorities insist on is medical insurance. Insurance policy worth 30,000 rubles required. This does not become a problem, the insurance is issued right at the border.
Temporary insurance costs from 15 rubles (upon arrival for a day) up to 250 rubles (with a monthly visit to the country). For tours, vouchers to a sanatorium, the host party is responsible for arranging insurance, its price is included in the price of the tour.
It is better not to travel to Abkhazia with pets. To transport a cat or dog, you will need a full package of veterinary documents:
- The passport;
- Special certificate;
- Vaccination certificates.
When visiting a country with a child
Children and minor adolescents (up to 14 years old) to enter Abkhazia, you only need to have a birth certificate with you. There are no difficulties with documents issued in the Russian Federation. If the certificate is issued in another country, it must have a mark (stamp or insert) on the citizenship of the Russian Federation.
When traveling with one of the parents, no additional permits are required. There are no difficulties for children's excursions with accompanying persons. When minors cross the border, accompanied by strangers, a notarized power of attorney is drawn up on the parents' consent to the child's departure from the Russian Federation. For children under 6 years of age, no insurance is required. For other ages, a standard insurance policy is purchased.
When entering the country by private vehicle
Drivers of private cars to enter through the Psou checkpoint must present to the border guards:
- Passport;
- Driver's license;
- PTS;
- Registration certificate.
If a motorist drives a car under a general power of attorney, it must be notarized with the right to leave Russia.
Passengers pass the border river on the pedestrian bridge. The driver crosses the road bridge while driving, undergoes a document check and vehicle inspection at the Russian and Abkhazian checkpoints.
The entry fee for a car is 150 rubles. The Russian OSAGO policy is not valid on the territory of Abkhazia. The Abkhazian analogue of OSAGO can be issued at the border or ordered on the Abkhazgosstrakh website.
When is it necessary to fill out a customs declaration
When going through the Russian and Abkhazian customs, there are standard customs bans on the import of weapons, drugs, restrictions on the amount of alcohol and tobacco. When exporting from Russia, you need to declare currency (amounts over $ 3000)... The main currency in Abkhazia is the Russian ruble, so it is not necessary to take foreign money with you.
More than 20 liters of gasoline in cans cannot be imported into Abkhazia.
Export from the country is prohibited:
- Propolis;
- Boxwood;
- Eucalyptus.
Abkhazian customs officers treat body searches formally. A few extra bottles of wine are ignored. Trouble is possible only when exporting wine, fruits, local delicacies in commercial volumes.
Difficulties entering Abkhazia from Georgia and vice versa
Relations between the countries remain tense. Georgia continues to consider Abkhazia its territory, considers it illegal to enter the country through Russian checkpoints.It is better not to plan to enter Abkhazia through the Inguri border checkpoint.
For citizens of European states, CIS countries, only the Inguri checkpoint can mark entry and exit in the passport. A stamp on crossing the Abkhaz border through the Psou checkpoint becomes a reason for detention, trial, large fine (up to 5000 GEL).
Considering that there are no practical restrictions on traveling to a close foreign country, the fears of Russian holidaymakers can be considered unfounded. To travel to any coastal area of the country, a valid Russian passport is enough. Neither a foreigner, nor a visa, nor a currency exchange is needed.
