Do Russians need a visa to Georgia?

Asia

The absence of official diplomatic relations between Georgia and the Russian Federation is not an obstacle for Russians to visit this country. Any citizen of Russia can travel here on a foreign passport without obtaining a visa.

Diplomatic issues

After the armed conflict between the countries and the rupture of diplomatic relations, it became possible that Georgia would cancel the visa-free regime. However, a complete abolition did not occur, the Russians were given a long stay in the country. A visa is required for Russian citizens who wish to stay in the country for more than one year. Permission will have to be obtained in advance in Russia.

In Russia, the visa regime with Georgia was discussed, but was not adopted. Therefore, to answer the question of whether a visa is needed from Georgia to Russia can be answered in the negative.

Visa-free entry

A visa is not required for Russian citizens who come to Georgia for a short visit. Those who do not intend to study or work here do not have to worry about violating visa laws. The visa-free regime is valid for any type of transport by which foreigners enter the country. In pursuance of the established procedure, at the time of entry and exit, dated stamps are affixed in the passport to control the length of stay in the country.

Entry documents

An internal Russian passport is not enough to enter Georgia; for this, it is necessary to present a passport of a citizen of the Russian Federation. If a foreigner decides to cross the state border by car, in addition to the international passport, a certificate for the right to drive a motor vehicle will be required. In addition, you will need to show:

Documents proving the right to own a car;
Power of attorney, confirmed by a notary from the owner of the car for the right to leave the territory of Russia.

These documents are usually sufficient for travel.

You can get to Georgia from the Russian Federation only through the Upper Lars checkpoint. At this stage, due to political circumstances, this is the only land border point from where you can enter Georgia without violating the law. Other options are considered illegal, but it is possible to enter the country through Azerbaijan, which is quite far away.

The border checkpoint is open 24/7, but travel through it may be restricted due to bad weather conditions. Therefore, it is necessary to clarify before the trip whether the checkpoint is open and whether it is planned to be closed. Checkpoint "Upper Lars" is open to all ground vehicles. Crossing the checkpoint on foot is prohibited, but it can be crossed by bicycle.

Extension of stay

It is not possible to extend the period of stay without a visa for more than a year. For further stay in Georgia, you will need to officially obtain a visa or apply for a residence permit.

Transit travel

Due to the sufficient period of visa-free stay, a transit visa is not required. To cross Georgia to enter the territory of a third state, it will be enough to present a passport. It should be taken into account that transit passengers have the same obligations as visitors to the country.

Trip to Georgia after South Ossetia or Abkhazia

Territorial conflicts that arose after the collapse of the USSR on ethnic grounds caused the emergence of hostile relations between these countries. Many Russian citizens visited Abkhazia or South Ossetia, which separated from Georgia, for tourism purposes. Such tourists should not have problems in the absence of information about this from the Georgian authorities. Such information can be obtained when making marks in the passport.

Visiting Georgia with minors

Families traveling with children are subject to the normal rules for visiting the country. The parent's passport must contain an entry about the child, or the minor must have his own passport. It is advisable to carry a child's birth certificate with you, which will not be superfluous on any trip.

Obtaining a visa

For those who wish to stay on the territory of Georgia for more than a year, it is necessary to apply in advance to the Georgian Interests Department at the diplomatic mission of Switzerland in Moscow. These circumstances may arise when studying or working on the territory of Georgia. It should be borne in mind that a prerequisite for issuing a visa permit is the need to obtain citizenship.

Documents to receive

Georgia (Georgia) shows a desire to integrate into Europe and become a member of the Schengen zone, therefore, it makes appropriate changes to the legislation. To obtain a permit, you must provide the following documents:

A valid foreign passport, the period of validity of which will not end during the stay in the country, without damaged pages and a place for affixing a visa.
Questionnaire filled in the prescribed manner and in the official form.
Photo 35x45 mm on a light background, not edited using computer programs. Children, regardless of age, must be photographed separately.
Documents confirming the availability of financial income or an extract from a personal bank account.
Health insurance policy valid in Georgia.
A rental agreement or confirmation of a paid hotel room.
For a work visa, you need an invitation issued by a Georgian employer or documents confirming business motives for staying in the country.
Applicants for a study visa must provide an invitation from an educational institution and confirmation of enrollment in it.
For the reunification of relatives, it is necessary to document the existence of family relations and the legality of the residence of relatives in Georgia.
Confirmation of payment of the consular fee.

Applying for a visa yourself

A visa for a long stay in Georgia, as well as a residence permit, can be obtained independently. In this case, it is necessary to determine the type of permit, collect the required set of documents and submit along with the application to the Georgian Interests Section at the Embassy of Switzerland. The cost of obtaining an urgent visa can be clarified on the official website.

Processing time

Georgia is a visa country, but due to the increase in the period of stay in the country without special permission, the number of people wishing to obtain a visa is minimal. Therefore, in order to apply for a visa, you will not have to stand in a long queue, but you will need to receive it within a few days.

Visa refusal

The possibility of refusal for citizens of the Russian Federation is primarily associated with visiting the territories that independently separated from Georgia. These are Abkhazia and South Ossetia. Penalties await those who crossed the border through border posts that are currently closed. Severe sanctions, up to and including imprisonment, can be applied to persons who repeatedly violate the visa regime.

Customs regulations

Customs inspection when crossing the state border is carried out carefully. Therefore, it is necessary to carefully study the current customs legislation. It is especially necessary to pay attention to the list of items prohibited and restricted from entering the country. Restricted for import:

Tobacco products - maximum 2 blocks.
Alcoholic drinks - maximum 4 liters.
Personal property exceeding 100 kg.
Cash in excess of the equivalent of 2,000 North American dollars must be declared.
The importation of animals can only be allowed if there is a certificate of the absence of diseases in the pet issued by a veterinarian.
Medicines can only be imported with a prescription from a doctor.

Literature condemning the state system and the political system, and materials that pose a threat to life and health are prohibited from being imported into the country.

findings

Tourists are attracted by Tbilisi, Batumi, excursions to the Alazani Valley and numerous other sights of Georgia. But the question of whether Russians need a visa to Georgia in 2018 should be decided on an individual basis and depends on how many people are going to stay in this country. For a tourist trip, the visa-free period provided for a year is more than enough, but a visa is required for a longer stay in the country.

For auto travelers, especially during the tourist season, it is necessary to prepare for a long wait to pass through the border posts. Entry into Georgia and crossing the border are carried out on the basis of documents that have not expired.

The termination of diplomatic relations between our countries and, as a result, the absence of the Russian embassy in Georgia also requires attention. Tourists visiting Georgia should never advertise the fact of their stay in Abkhazia and South Ossetia. For Georgians, this issue is very painful and this circumstance can be used to refuse to visit the country.