Practical travel information on Visas in Abkhazia - Lonely Planet Travel Information

Visas

The first step if you want to go to Abkhazia is to apply for a visa. The best first move is to telephone the English-speaking Abkhazia Foreign Ministry (442-63948/65792/70044; www.mfaabkhazia.org; fax 442-63445/65792; ulitsa Lakoba 21, Sukhumi; 9.30am-6pm Mon-Fri). At the time of research you could apply for the visa by email or fax using a form available on the ministry’s website. Supposedly within five days you will then receive a permit to cross the border on a specific date.

In practice you will probably have to make follow-up phone calls to the Foreign Ministry. If you plan to visit in busy July or August, make first contact a month ahead.

Once inside the country you have to collect your visa (US$20 for 30 days) from the Foreign Ministry in Sukhumi. You will need this when you leave Abkhazia.

If you are entering Abkhazia from Russia (at the Psou border point, considered illegal by Georgia while it is not controlled by Georgia) you will need to have a double-entry Russian visa.