As you know, for citizens of the CIS countries a visa to travel to sunny Abkhazia is not required. However, many are interested in another question: is a passport needed in Abkhazia? For citizens of Russia, it is enough to have a general passport with you, and for citizens of Tajikistan, Ukraine, Kazakhstan and other CIS countries, entry into Abkhazia is allowed only if you have a foreign passport.
How to enter Abkhazia with children?
A large influx of tourists in the country is not observed, but the country is quite famous for its favorable climatic conditions. The main bet that Abkhazia has made is rest. Do we need a passport to this country for adults, we already agreed. But if you plan to go on vacation with your child, then you need to prepare such documents:
- Birth certificate of a child (for children from 14 to 18 years of age, following to the country unaccompanied by parents or other adults), where his citizenship is indicated. In the event that the child travels with both parents, a birth certificate is not required; instead, the mother and father may present an internal or international passport.
- After reaching the age of 14, the child must take with him a national or international passport. If he goes by himself, then a notarized power of attorney is required for the child to leave. If one of the parents is absent, is a passport for a child needed in Abkhazia ? In such a situation, a foreign passport is not required, but the parent traveling with the child must be provided with supporting documents: death certificate, single mother’s book, court decision on the deprivation of the rights to the child or a police certificate that the other parent was missing.
Entry into Abkhazia of foreign citizens
Tourists from other countries (not including Russia and the CIS countries) should be aware that Abkhazia is a self-proclaimed republic, its independence from Georgia was not recognized by the world community. In connection with this fact, Abkhazia has no consulates or embassies abroad. But is it possible for foreigners to enter the country and do they need a passport to Abkhazia for them? You can enter the state, for this you need a permit or an entry visa from the Consular Service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
To do this, send the following documents by fax or e-mail to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the country:
- a copy of the passport with personal data and the applicant’s signature (the passport must be valid for 6 months before the intended departure from Abkhazia);
- scanned photo;
- completed questionnaire in Russian.
Consideration of the application takes approximately 5-7 days. If the answer is yes, the applicant will receive a corresponding email. So, do you need a passport to Abkhazia or is it enough to present a permit? Foreigners at the border must present a passport and entry permit.
What is important to remember?
For foreign citizens (not including residents of the CIS) who travel through Russia to Abkhazia, you will need a transit, double or multiple entry visa. Leaving Abkhazia, you must have the right to enter the Russian Federation.
If necessary, a visa can be extended while already in Abkhazia. To do this, you need to contact the Consular Service, where the relevant documents are filled out and a certain fee is paid.
As we found out, for citizens of the CIS and other countries, a passport is needed in Abkhazia. 2013-2014 was no exception, and so far this procedure continues to operate.