Rules for crossing the Georgian border. Visa to Georgia, entry with a stamp of Abkhazia Entry to Georgia with a stamp of Abkhazia

There are a lot of "horror stories" on the Internet about how tourists were deployed at the border of a state due to the presence in the passport of a stamp on entry into another, "unfriendly" state. For example, the neighbors of acquaintances once spent a wonderful vacation in Abkhazia, and then went to Georgia, and they were deployed at the Tbilisi airport. And vacation, of course, "covered." Or how a young couple who had previously visited Israel flew to honeymoon trip to the Maldives, but they were not allowed there. Most of these stories, fortunately, turn out to be just horror stories. And yet, let's figure out which of all this is true. Because it is still worth considering the simplest rules of "visa hygiene", regardless of whether you are an independent traveler or prefer traveling as part of groups organized through a travel agency.

Georgia

Many, for sure, are aware of the Georgian law on the occupied territories adopted after the conflict in August 2008 (establishes a special legal regime in the territories of Abkhazia and South Ossetia). In 2012, there was a high-profile incident with the Russian Konstantin Rodionov: Konstantin was detained at the Tbilisi airport on suspicion of illegally visiting the “occupied territories” (actually, Abkhazia). Rodionov spent about a month and a half in a pre-trial detention center and was eventually released on bail. This incident is one of the most sensational in the press, but, unfortunately, by no means the only one.

Representatives of Georgian travel companies who specifically consulted with the Georgian Foreign Ministry, on condition of anonymity, give Russian tourists the following recommendations:

“We recommend our tourists not to enter Georgia through the Abkhaz checkpoints, because we are practically in a state of war. Georgia does not recognize Abkhazia as a separate state, considers it its original territory and does not have a checkpoint there. Understand, you can't cross the border if it doesn't exist! It is easier to leave through Abkhazia, but again, if there are no problems on our part, then we are not responsible for the Abkhazian. In principle, everything is not so difficult, they pump more.

I would advise you to follow a simple rule: to Abkhazia and Transnistria (and now also to the DPR and LPR) - we go with a Russian passport. Passport - burn and eat (just kidding, of course!). Better to leave at home. If the labels on entry into the territory of Abkhazia / South Ossetia / Transnistria / DPR / LPR are already in your passport, the law on the second passport comes to the rescue.

In this article I will talk about a visa to Georgia for Russians, Belarusians and Ukrainians, as well as about the features of entering Georgia if your passport has stamps about visiting Abkhazia. Is it possible to enter or leave Georgia through Abkhazia.

Visa to Georgia

For Russians and Ukrainians. A visa is not needed if the period of stay in Georgia does not exceed 1 year. The passport must be valid for the entire stay.

If the validity of the passport expires soon, at the border at the entrance they may be asked to present return ticket as proof that you will leave Georgia before the visa expires.

The child must have his own passport, or the child must be entered in the passport of one of the parents. Additional documents for the child do not need to be issued.

For Belarusians. A visa is not needed if the period of stay in Georgia does not exceed 1 year. The general passport must be valid for the entire stay.

Minors under 15 traveling to Georgia unaccompanied by adults must present a passport or a letter of permission from their parents.

An entry stamp is placed at the border. Is free.

Auto insurance

There is no compulsory insurance in Georgia, so there is no need to take out additional car insurance to enter Georgia.

Travel insurance to Georgia

Insurance for Georgia is not required - you will be allowed into the country without it. However, medicine in Georgia is paid and expensive, especially for foreigners, so it is advisable to take out an insurance policy in advance. You can read about

Entry into Georgia with a stamp of Abkhazia

If you have been to Abkhazia before your trip to Georgia, and there are Adler checkpoint stamps in foreign countries, you will have problems entering Georgia if the stamps are noticed. Thus, you have violated the LAW OF GEORGIA on the occupied territories

The least that can be is that you will be denied entry, but they can also put you in jail. Better change your passport. The forums advise you to wipe the stamp, especially if you have a lot of Russian stamps, but that's up to you. If they notice the damage to the document, there will be even bigger problems. It's better not to joke with such things.

For the future. It is better for Russians to travel to Abkhazia on a civil passport. We went back and forth to Abkhazia using an ordinary passport, hid it at home and flew to Georgia abroad - this is the best option that will not cause problems and additional questions.

Belarusians Those wishing to travel to Abkhazia can only beg the border guards not to put a stamp if a trip to Georgia is planned in the future. Well, or the passport will have to be changed.

To Georgia from Sochi via Abkhazia

You can legally get into Georgia by land only through the Upper Lars checkpoint, which is on. You can also get to Batumi by sea on the ship "Kometa" from Sochi (goes once a week, costs about $ 100, 5 hours on the way)

By trying to penetrate through Abkhazia, you are violating the Law of Georgia on the occupied territories. Why is that?

1. From the point of view of Georgia, Abkhazia is part of Georgia

2. Accordingly, as soon as your foot steps on the territory of Abkhazia, the stamp of Georgia should materialize in the passport, because this is how the legal border crossing takes place.

3. Due to the fact that there are no Georgian border guards on the border of Russia and Abkhazia, there is no one to put a Georgian stamp on you

4. Accordingly, your entry into the territory of Georgia from the point of view of the Georgians is illegal.

From Georgia to Abkhazia, the requirements of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs:

After that, in order to comply with the law, you will need to return to Georgia again and leave it either by land through the Upper Lars checkpoint or through Tbilisi Airport, Kutaisi.

From Georgia to Abkhazia, and then to Sochi

Such a trip can be made only once, after which you can forget about visiting Georgia once and for all.
If you want to visit Abkhazia from the Georgian side, then you need to notify the Abkhaz side of your trip from the Georgian side, get permission by email, print it, show it on the Abkhaz side. After that, you leave for Russia.

Everything. They will not let you into Georgia anymore, even if you change your passport (the border guards have a face scanning program, your data will be in the system)

If you have questions regarding a visa to Georgia or entry to Georgia through Abkhazia, please ask them in the comments to this article.

Have a magical trip to Georgia! Sincerely,

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Continuation. Part 2.

Day 9

May 7th
Vladikavkaz-Vedeno-o.KezenoyAm-Botlikh-Buinaksk
Mileage 370km

In the morning, Igor prepared a chic breakfast - stew with potatoes. It turned out just lick your fingers! After breakfast, I go to the welder to repair the fastening of the case, which I bent as a result of yesterday's fall. Everything is OK, the mount is fixed and put in place. Today we have plans to travel through the gorges of Chechnya and Dagestan. We are slowly getting ready, warmly saying goodbye to Alan and on our way ...

We drive towards Grozny, then we turn onto Vedeno. On the way we buy a kilo of strawberries ... How delicious it is to stand in the shade in the heat and enjoy the taste of fresh, freshly picked strawberries ...


The road, meanwhile, rises into the mountains, offering stunning views. We drive through the mountains towards Lake Kezenoyam - one of the most beautiful lakes in the North Caucasus.


Approaching the lake, each of us in our hearts hoped to eat local trout baked on coals, or, in extreme cases, fried in a pan. However, the dreams were not destined to come true - the locals said that, alas, there are no trout, only perch and chub are found in the lake. Obloms.


There is active development near the lake - a clear sign that in a couple of years it will not be crowded with tourists and vacationers. On the way back we get caught in the rain. Still, raincoats are a thing! Once again I am convinced of this) Next - we leave through the ridge to the village of Botlikh.


On the way, they stop us at a checkpoint, rewrite our passport data. The descent is quite steep - I manage to boil the rear brake. As a result, part of the descent has to be braked by the box and the front ones. Descending from the ridge we pass a serpentine of 14 turns. No joke, there are actually 14 real studs!


To put it mildly, we are tired of descending)) In Botlikh we dine with local dumplings and cakes with cheese (chudU) - an analogue of Balkar khychins. Our motes at the cafe become the center of everyone's attention. Locals approach, approvingly click their tongues). “Now, if you had arrived yesterday, we would have found wives for you,” says the owner of the cafe. Apparently yesterday was either a day off or a holiday, a lot of young people gathered in the village.


Satisfied and satisfied, we continue on our way. Checkpoints are becoming more and more common - we are stopped at every checkpoint, documents and the route of movement in Dagestan are being rewritten. At one of the checkpoints, it is strongly recommended not to drive into Khasavyurt, because there is a counter-terrorist operation going on. Yes, it is felt that we are not going through the most peaceful region of the country. We're back in the rain again. We are moving towards Buynaksk through the village of Tlokh and the village of Gimry through the Gimrinsky tunnel (4300m).


The tunnel is impressive. Immediately after the tunnel, the weather changes - the rain remains behind the ridge, there is not a cloud in the sky. We famously fly to Buynaksk, where we stop for the night at the Mika Hotel. We are met by the owner Mika. We park moty, a hot shower perfectly restores strength. In a cafe at dinner, we get acquainted with a local noisy company - a Dagestani guide accompanies a delegation of Chinese. We had a great conversation and drank for the unity of peoples and cultures)

Day 10

May 8
Buynaksk-Levashi-Derbent.
Mileage 260km

Today we are going to Derbent, but first we decide to ride to the Chirkeyskaya GRES, to look at the Sulak Canyon.


Only 50 kilometers from Buynaksk. The canyon is amazing! We decide not to go along the federal highway, and go back through Buynaksk, towards Levashy. Dear, very beautiful) It seems that the mountains are the same mountains, but still it doesn’t look like everything we have seen before.


Almost everywhere asphalt, but of varying quality. In Levashy we eat delicious khinkal (these are dumplings and meat) and a miracle with pumpkin and cottage cheese.


Delicious coffee, which the hostess treated us to, turns out to be Armenian). We praised it so much that she gave us a whole pack for the trip. Then we go to Serkala and jump out on the Makhachkala - Derbent highway. In 40 minutes we are in Derbent.


We are staying at the Fregat Hotel on the shores of the Caspian Sea. Local driver Ruslan agreed to take us around the city. We went to the Naryn-Kala Fortress, took a walk.


On the way back, we drove along the fortress wall, which runs through the whole city, stopped at a store, bought Derbent cognac and wine.


Tomorrow we have to go to Azerbaijan, in connection with which Igor decided to wash his motorcycle in order to enter the shining city on a shiny horse)). In the evening we met with our friends from
Yekaterinburg, with whom they hung out in Nalchik. We sat in the courtyard of the hotel, then went to finish drinking cognac on the shore of the Caspian Sea. Romantic)))

Day 11

9th May.
Derbent-Khinalug-Baku
Mileage 360km

Today we are going to Azerbaijan. We got up, brewed coffee, lubricated the motors and set off. 60km to the border, before the border we decided to refuel, because we were told that gasoline in Azerbaijan is more expensive than ours.


Filled full tanks. We passed our border without any problems. On the border of Azerbaijan, Dimon and I were thwarted for an hour and a half (we were in Armenia last year). The shift supervisor came, spoke with someone for a long time on the phone, took pictures of our passports, after which the border guard filled out a questionnaire for each of us. Finally, they let us through, but they warned us that if we went to Armenia again, they would not let us into Azerbaijan again. Hooray, we are in Azerbaijan. On the advice of our friend Aydin, whom we met on a previous motorcycle trip, we are going to the highland village of Khinalyg.


It is about 50 km from the Kuba-Baku highway. Half of the road is asphalt with rare exceptions, the second half is not a bad gravel road, very narrow in places and with steep ascents / descents. The road itself goes through the mountains, the views are just mind-blowing. The hairpins, ups and downs are also very impressive. In the rain it will be very difficult here, because on some slopes there is loose soil.


On one of these rises, we come across a passenger car, I slow down to stop and let it through (there is only room for one car) - the car stops and ... starts to roll back slowly, but with acceleration. The front brake doesn't help, it just doesn't hold the bike on such a steep hill. I'm trying to press the rear, but it doesn't work, because. I hold the mot with my feet ...


As a result, I roll back about 5 meters and run into Dimon's mot. We both roll over to the side. Yes, a fun sight for the passengers of the oncoming car). We raise the moths, everything is ok. In hindsight, I understand that it was just necessary to put the motor into gear))).

We reach the highest point of the route (height is about 3000m) - a wild gusty wind covers us. Around the corner we meet a scooter driver (also going to Khinalig), he does not dare to go further because he is REALLY blown off the road. The wind is so strong that it can overwhelm a moto standing on the side stand. We decide to move on. We get into a sandstorm. The sand is black, visibility is 10 meters. In the helmet you can hear the sand hitting the visor. We reach Khinalyg.


People who consider themselves direct descendants of Noah live in the village. Due to the transport inaccessibility of these places, they were isolated from civilization for a long time, their language has nothing to do with known languages. In general, a great place! We looked at the village and on the way back. On the way back we stopped for lunch. Further to Baku. On the way, Igor reports that his motorcycle does not pull when accelerating sharply, dips (“troit”) occur. Igor believes that he poured some kind of g ... oh, he pours 95, we are 92, we have no problems.

We decide to drain the gas. Drained, filled with new. Problem still exists. By the way, gasoline turned out to be cheaper in Azerbaijan than in our country, it costs about 28 rubles per liter of the 92nd. We stop at the next gas station, try to figure it out, change the coils on the candles in places.


Does not help. It seems to me that someone didn’t have to wash the Karcher mot in Derbent)) We reach Baku, check into the Highpick Hotel hostel.


The owner (also a motobrother) helps Igor find a similar moto, so that, if necessary, he can use it as a donor to identify the problem. As a result, Igor decides that he will definitely reach Tbilisi, and then it will be seen.


We walk around Baku. Beer and gatherings outside in the park. Baku at night is beautiful as always) Before going to bed, a couple of sips of Arakh and sleep))

Day 12

May 10.
Baku-Sighnaghi
Mileage 470km

Today there will be another attempt to break into Georgia. We were told from several sources that Georgia would begin to let in on May 10th. On the way to the border, we plan to stop by the village of Lahych - the Azerbaijani village of metal and chasing craftsmen. Igor stops several times and tries to somehow identify the problem - does not work.
Almost at all gas stations, locals offer us to stop, drink tea, relax ... Oncoming and passing cars honk, wave their hands ... Very hospitable people! Igor periodically monitors messages from a group of motorcycle tourists in WhatsApp. And here comes the message "... we passed!" it means someone was allowed into Georgia today! Excellent! Full of optimism we go to the border. We go to Lahich. The road is much easier than to Khinalig.


At the entrance to the village, we ask the locals where to eat. We are escorted to a picturesque lawn, where they are sooo tasty fed with some kind of rich soup, cheese, tomatoes and tea.


After - we walk around the village, along the way stocking up on local products.


Although there is only one street, there are so many interesting workshops and shops with local products along it ...





It took us an hour or an hour and a half to see it all. Yes, there is an ATM in the village) Many do not speak Russian, as well as English.


We're going to the border. Azerbaijan missed without problems. True, Igor had to leave and enter 3 times, for some reason the border camera at the entrance to the checkpoint did not record him)). We ask the border guard about motorcyclists today. Yes, he says, they did. Excellent! Then another border guard comes up, says that 3 moths were turned back from Georgia. Tightened up. We are approaching Georgia, it starts to rain. The border guards look at us sternly, we try to behave at ease, we talk with them on abstract topics (weather, wine, the beauty of Georgia). The chief took our passports from us, went somewhere to call. After 30 minutes, we were asked for certificates of motes. Another 30 minutes later, Sasha was invited to the border guard and ... MISSED! Wow!!! Then we were all driven out one by one, and here we are in Georgia! We were followed by a group of three motorcycles on geese. Guys from Tambov. “But we can not let these people in,” the customs officer quietly says to the border guard. In general, the Georgians have a strange approach to who to let in and who not to let through. Clearly, according to some subjective criteria, they evaluate. Satisfied, we exchange manats for lari and go to Singnaghi. We stopped at the first hotel we came across, didn’t like the price tag ($ 50 from the nose), but there we were offered to check into one hostel. The girl at the reception called somewhere, and here we are met by Irakli in a white old Mercedes. We check in to him for 80 GEL (20 GEL per person). Excellent hostel, beautiful view of the Alazani valley. It's late, but I really want khinkali and wine. Irakli arranges for us to be fed in one of the restaurants, where they agreed to cook khinkali for us. We eat khinkali and drink wine - local kindzmarauli and saperavi. Saperavi is great! We order another liter))) Cheese, tortillas, wine and khinkali - and now the tension from a hard day subsides and we feel completely in Georgia) Full and satisfied, we go to the hostel, before going to bed with Sanya we drink another can of beer, discuss plans and upcoming travels.

Day 13

May 11th.
Sighnaghi-Kutaisi-Sarpi
Mileage 510km

Today our team is divided. Igor decides to stay and ride around Georgia, but we need to catch up on the schedule - we go through Georgia in transit to Sarpi (border with Turkey). We have a Schengen visa open until May 20, so we need to hurry ...

We say goodbye to Igor, and go. Because Dimon and I were already in Georgia last year, we fly quickly over Tbilisi, Gori, Kutaisi and go to the track to Batumi. Memories from last year's trip cover me - Tbilisi, meeting with Mika, night rides around Tbilisi, a trip to Svaneti and Ushguli, a hostel in Batumi and a three-time punctured wheel ... Still, Georgia is a country where you want to return, even despite the difficulties that we overcame the border on this journey. Just before Batumi, we were stopped for the first time by Georgian policemen. It turns out that we violated the lane when passing through an unregulated intersection. Yes, this time there is special attention to motorcyclists. We were told that in Sarpi, on the border itself, there is a bank where fines can be paid. 10 minutes and the three of us receive a fine of 20 GEL with a recommendation to pay before leaving the country. We drive through Batumi for a long time, a solid traffic jam, plus it’s still raining.

By 19 o'clock we reach Sarpi to the place of spending the night.

After a snack in a cafe, we return to the hostel, where a welcome drink awaits us in the form of 2 liters of local red wine with cheese)).

The day went well as usual

Day 14

12 May.
Sarpi-Tosya
Mileage 770km

Early in the morning, having gathered and checked the motors, we moved to Turkey. I looked out into the street - the sun, the blue sky. Sarpi was directly transformed, nothing like yesterday's dull and rainy look ...

Today, ideally, you need to have time to get to Istanbul, and this is almost 1300 km. The border was crossed in 20 minutes. On the Turkish side, for the first time in the entire trip, they were asked to show insurance for motes (Green Card). In the nearest more or less large town on the Turkish side, we exchange dollars for Turkish liras. Lira can be withdrawn from an ATM using our Russian card.

We roll slowly along the Turkish roads along the Black Sea coast towards Trabzon. The roads are great! Smooth, wide, with a bunch of different signs and road markings. For lunch, we get up in a roadside cafe, where we eat deliciously something Turkish)) Sanya complains about a sluggish front brake - after lunch we quickly pump it over. The weather is just fire! 28 degrees above zero. It's getting really hot. In places the road runs straight through settlements where you have to stand in traffic jams. Motes are heated, but not critical, which cannot be said about their owners.

It is very hot to stand in such a sun in full gear. In one of these towns, I slow down and stop at a traffic light in front of an intersection, after 3-4 seconds I hear a Russian exclamation "% fuck ..." after which I get a noticeable blow to the rear wheel of the motorcycle. From the impact, I fall on my side and turns me across the road. The right pannier rips off the mounts. I get up, a cursory examination showed that I did not receive any damage, it seems like the mot too. Sanya drove into the back of the mota, who either did not calculate the braking distance, or the asphalt became especially slippery from the heat. And finally - Dimon, who was driving third (closing) from what he saw, came into a state close to catharsis and decided that he didn’t need to stand out from the crowd - as a result, he also collapsed in front of Sanya’s mot))). I can imagine how it looked from the outside))) We quickly check that everyone is alive and well, raise the motes, local onlookers actively help us and show with gestures that we should get off the road, otherwise the police will come ... Having rolled the motes to the parking lot before refueling, we begin the analysis flights. As a result, Sanya gets it, because. he didn't keep his distance. But I must admit, the asphalt was really very slippery. Of the damage - my wardrobe trunk was torn off (5 minutes and the mount was restored) and Sanya's plastic cracked. We believe that the road taught us a lesson - relax! which we (I hope) learned.

Slowly we go further, observing all precautionary measures. At the next gas station, we estimate the distance traveled and understand that we can’t get to Istanbul today. By the way, almost all gas stations in Turkey serve free tea. As we have a water cooler in public places, in Turkey there is a kettle (like a large thermos) with hot tea. There are also glasses and sugar with spoons.

Pleasantly and very much recuperates after another 200 kilometers. The staff does not understand Russian or English, we communicate with gestures and inscriptions on paper. We throw moty right in front of the windows of the room, have a quick dinner at the nearest cafe and sleep. And, well, yes, before going to bed - 50g of magical arakh)

Day 15

may 13.
Tosya-Istanbul
Mileage 530km

What could be better than strong morning coffee? Only strong Turkish morning coffee in Turkey))

Light breakfast, a cup of Turkish coffee and go. Today we definitely have to get to Istanbul.

The road to the shrine of the Byzantine Empire and the cradle of civilization passed without much adventure, except for the fact that I got lost (not for a long time) at one of the junctions, having gone the wrong way, and Dimon collapsed at one of the turns. The most memorable was the approach to Istanbul, when an already wide road of 3-4 lanes in one direction, with a speed limit of 130 km, turns into an 8-10 lane road with the same speed limit.

Moving in the 4th-5th lane, cars fly past you to the left and right, and you really do not have time to track the change in the situation from front-to-rear-to-right-to-left. In general, it was really uncomfortable and stressful.

When entering the city, you need to cross the Bosphorus. This can be done either through the bridge over it, or through the tunnel under it. The navigator led us to the road through the tunnel. A guard stops us in front of the tunnel, and we are trying to tell us something in Turkish-English. From the foregoing, it becomes clear that motorcyclists are prohibited from passing through the tunnel, because. it has a high concentration of carbon dioxide. A Turkish motorcyclist, who drove up behind us, looked at us and exchanged a couple of phrases with the guard, showing us with a gesture that you can go, everything is normal. We drove through the tunnel. For me, duck in the tunnel is excellent ventilation, and the air is better than in some cities of our country). After wandering through traffic jams and narrow streets of the old city, we get to the hostel.

The owner offers to leave the motorcycles in a paid parking lot in a neighboring yard. Shower, snack with a local shawarma and forward to explore the city.

Our hostel is 300m from the Ayasofya and the Blue Mosque. We walk until late in the evening, after which we catch a taxi and go to the bridge over the Bosphorus.

at 12 at night the streets are full of cars. For 40 minutes of movement, we did not go even half the way, and then only 6 kilometers to go !!! We turn around and go back to the hostel. All sleep. Tomorrow we say goodbye to Turkey and go to Bulgaria.

Day 16

May 14.
Istanbul-Veliko Tarnovo
Mileage 500km

After breakfast at the hostel, we gathered and moved from Istanbul towards Bulgaria. Today we are waiting ancient capital Bulgaria - the city of Veliko Tarnovo. On the way, we plan to stop by the Shipka Pass, where the decisive battle of the Russian-Bulgarian troops with the Turks took place, which became a turning point in the Russian-Turkish war, after which the Turks were forced to retreat.

On the way to the border, we see a motobrother standing by the side of the road on some kind of sportbike. The dude is clearly trying to do something to the bike. We stop, it turns out the motor is dry, we need benzyl. We have it in cans, we fill it with 92, which is probably coming from the Russian Federation. This is how the Russian Federation helps Turkey with gasoline, albeit in small volumes)). In general, the dude is happy and happy, he gives us a bunch of Turkish liras for help.

No, why, today we helped you, tomorrow you will help someone ... Having written down +1 to karma, we go to the border. We passed without problems, both the Turkish and Bulgarian sides. Bulgaria - just like our Krasnodar Territory - warm, green, many fields. Most of the adult (40+) population understands and can speak Russian normally. Everyone who is younger understands English. They are very friendly, in some village the local grandfather wanted to give us something to drink.

At first, beer, but we refused, pointing to the spendthrifts, which led my grandfather to some kind of frustration and misunderstanding of the situation, after which he brought 2 liters of Coca-Cola and flatly refused to take the bottle. I had to take.

Slowly, admiring the beauty, we reach the Shipka pass. Outstanding place. Very interesting museum in the tower, I recommend it.

From the pass there is a direct road to Veliko Tarnovo. We find a hostel, it turns out that it has a rating of 9.6 on Bookingcom. Wow, we haven't lived in one of these yet. The good-natured hostess speaks excellent Russian and English. Her son Evgen comes, seeing us, leaves and returns with 4 bottles of local cold beer. Now that's hospitality! The rating of the hostel is definitely deserved!)) After drinking a beer and putting the bikes in the garage, we agree with Evgen that he will take us to a local tavern and to a light show, which today (yes, today!) is taking place on the territory of the historical quarter of the city - in the old castle. It's drizzling, but the local beer bar is close by, and we're having a great time chatting and tasting local beers.

Evgen takes us to some hill, from where a stunning view of the light extravaganza opens. In the dark, the old castle shimmers with all colors according to some unknown law. Beauty, breathtaking.

Having absorbed the cultural life of the city, we go to try Bulgarian cuisine in one of the restaurants. Shopska salad is good, you can't say anything. But the wine is quite ordinary as it seemed to me. Full and satisfied we reach the hostel. All. Sleep.

To be continued (Part 3)…

If you are planning to spend your vacation in Georgia, then you should prepare for it in advance so that you do not have any problems or surprises when crossing the border. It doesn’t matter how you get to your vacation spot, be it by plane, ferry or car, you still have to go through a checkpoint and in order not to overshadow the upcoming days of your vacation, you should take care of some things in advance.

Especially for this, this article was written, it contains the main points and rules for crossing the Georgian border, the observance of which will allow you to spend one of the best holidays in life. The information is current for 2019.

Entry to Georgia

For Russians, Ukrainians and many other foreign citizens, visa-free entry to the territory of Georgia is open. You should not think that the rules for entering the country for citizens of the Russian Federation are somehow special - no one will honor you with close attention, check suitcases with passion or be rude behind your back - all these are prejudices and invented stereotypes. Any person who wants to enter the country legally is a tourist first and foremost, so sit back and leave the political squabbling to specially trained people. This has been understood here for a long time and therefore, with equal joy, Russians, Belarusians and Ukrainians are welcome to visit us, with truly Georgian cordiality and hospitality.

As mentioned above, the visa regime in Georgia was simplified - visas were canceled for citizens of 94 states, including the Russian Federation, Ukraine and Belarus. Now the Georgian border can be crossed without unnecessary problems and stay on its territory for a whole year without the need to travel outside it.

What documents are needed to enter Georgia?

Citizens of Russia and other foreign citizens

Of the documents, without fail, only a passport is needed.

Many do not know how long a passport should be valid - in principle, it should be valid at the time of entry into the territory of Georgia.

This rule has been significantly simplified and now it is not required that the document be valid for another 3 months from the day you leave the country.

For kids

If you are taking a child with you, then you need to issue a passport for him or enter it in yours. Children under 14 years of age can be entered in their own document, while a photograph of the child must be pasted, which must bear the stamp of the passport and visa service.

It is not necessary to have a birth certificate on hand, but it is better to take it, especially if a minor has a different surname or travels in a separate foreign country - theoretically it may be necessary to confirm kinship.

Children cannot be entered in a biometric passport, in which case you will have to draw up a separate document for each family member.

Does a child need permission from the second parent to travel to Georgia?

Since 2015, there has been no need to make a power of attorney (to obtain permission or consent from the second parent) to take children abroad if they are traveling with only one of them. The exception is cases when one of the spouses has imposed a ban on taking the child abroad, then you will have to obtain his written consent or seek judicial annulment of this ban.

Federal Law of August 15, 1996 N 114-FZ (as amended on May 23, 2015)

"On the procedure for leaving the Russian Federation and entering the Russian Federation"

Chapter III. ORDER OF THE CITIZEN'S DEPARTURE

OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION FROM THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION

Article 20. A minor citizen of the Russian Federation, as a rule, leaves the Russian Federation together with at least one of the parents, adoptive parents, guardians or trustees. In the event that a minor citizen of the Russian Federation leaves the Russian Federation unaccompanied, he must have, in addition to his passport, the notarized consent of the named persons for the departure of a minor citizen of the Russian Federation, indicating the date of departure and the state (states), which (which) he intends to visit .

(as amended by federal laws of 24.06.1999 N 118-FZ, of 10.01.2003 N 7-FZ)

Article 21. In the event that one of the parents, adoptive parents, guardians or trustees declares his disagreement with the departure from the Russian Federation of a minor citizen of the Russian Federation, the question of the possibility of his departure from the Russian Federation shall be resolved in court.

For dogs

Do not know what documents are needed for a dog to travel to Georgia? Along with standard vaccinations, the international veterinary passport of the animal must contain a mandatory mark of rabies vaccination, made to the dog a maximum of a year and at least a month before visiting Georgia. In any municipal veterinary clinic in your city, issue a "Certificate of Form No. 1" no later than 5 days (120 hours) before the intended trip, otherwise it will be invalid.

For auto

The legal owner of the car must have the usual set of documents with him, the same as he carries with him at home.

A power of attorney for a car is not needed at a Russian checkpoint, while Georgian border guards are mainly interested in having it if the car is fresh (up to 3 years old) or in a company / leased. This has been happening more and more often since the fall of 2018, and now there is about a 50-60% chance that they will ask about it, this can be provoked by the high cost of the vehicle, the emergence of suspicion about you or the documents for the car, or the shift will come across so picky. In the absence of a permit document, the border guards can call the authorities and ask you clarifying questions regarding the car and its owner, warn that this is in last time and then skip... or not. There have already been cases when Georgians turned tourists away due to the lack of a power of attorney, this is especially noticeable in the autumn-spring period, when the flow is not so large and there is more time to check. If, for your own peace of mind, you decide to issue a power of attorney for a car for a trip to Georgia, then you can draw it up yourself in Russian, and just notarize it, most importantly, do not forget to indicate that you are allowed to export this car outside Russia. If the vehicle is leased, then obtain a permit certificate from the leasing company.

If you decide to visit Turkey, then if you are not the title owner of the car, the Turkish border guards will ask you to present the STS and a power of attorney certified by a notary, which says that you have the right to export this vehicle outside the Russian Federation and must need to translate the document into English language. If you are going to cross the Georgian-Turkish border in a car registered as an LLC, the director of which is one of the passengers, then a hand-written power of attorney translated into English will be enough, in which there is the phrase "with the right to export the car outside the Russian Federation and the seal of the organization.

For Georgian border guards, it is enough for the driver to present only CTC and VU.

An international driver's license is not required - you can drive with the rights of the old model.

Cars registered in the Crimea or having numbers of the 82nd and 92nd regions are not allowed into Georgia.

If you are stopped on the territory of Georgia, then you must have a driver's license, STS and a passport with you.

Search for affordable housing in Georgia

Border crossing procedure

Russian customs

After passing the barrier, you drive up to the border control and drive into any free corridor, unless the border guard himself indicates the direction. There is a hole under the car through which you can see your bottom, but they can also check with mirrors. As soon as you stop at the end of the corridor - all passengers should get out of the vehicle, immediately open the trunk and all doors - customs officers can visually inspect the contents of the passenger compartment and trunk, or may require you to pull out all bags for a thorough inspection. If your behavior arouses suspicion, then the car can be sent for X-ray scanning. At the exit from the corridor there is a passport control booth - you should get a stamp on crossing the border in it.

Similar procedures will need to go through on the way back. A thorough inspection of things is not often carried out, but in the car behind me they asked me to pull out all the things for inspection, though they didn’t wool them, but at random they told me to open 2 bags - they looked into them and that’s it.

The procedure itself is not long - 15 minutes, but the queues, especially during the tourist season, make you wait for several hours.

Georgian customs

When you drive up to it, the border guard will indicate the stop and ask all passengers to go to the neighboring building to go through passport control. Drivers, on the other hand, may not even leave the interior of the car - a passport, in order to receive a stamp, can be stretched through the window of the booth and so on. After driving a couple of meters, you will need to stop, open the trunk and cabin windows - they will be visually inspected and let through. There will be a large parking lot where drivers are waiting for their passengers.

But here, too, they may be asked to get all the bags and trunks. Near us stood a mikrik, stuffed with bales inside and out, in which the gypsies rode. A cart was brought to them and asked to transfer all the trunks to it, the women lamented for a long time and clutched their heads, but in the end they had to unload.

It takes 8-10 minutes for everything about everything - this side works quickly and does not create a queue artificially.

What can be imported and exported?

Check out the list of things that you must declare when entering and leaving Georgia:

• jewelry: stones, metals, jewelry, as well as antiques and art objects: icons, paintings, sculptures, which are artistic values ​​- a special permit is required to move them, which is issued by the Ministry of Culture of Georgia;
• plants and animals (their parts or products derived from them);
• radio electronic devices of high frequencies or means of communication;
• some office equipment more expensive than $300 requires customs clearance at 18% of its value, for this you should have a check;
• cash, securities and traveler's checks in the amount equivalent to 30,000 GEL. When entering Russia, amounts over $ 10,000 per person are subject to mandatory declaration, i.е. if there is a father and a child in the car, then you can safely have $ 20,000 with you.

It is forbidden to transport: weapons, explosive and flammable substances, cartridges, narcotic and psychotropic substances without the permission of the relevant government agencies; milk and dairy products, meat and meat products without presenting an appropriate veterinary certificate, goods intended for commercial activities, agricultural products (especially flowers and potatoes, the rest in small quantities), fuels and lubricants and spare parts for cars, radioactive, toxic substances and some medicines.

An individual can fill out a customs declaration in Russian, Georgian or English.

The list of things that are not subject to declaration, if they are imported into Georgia by an individual. face 1 time in 24 hours:

• jewelry and jewelry for personal use;
• food products with a total weight of up to 30 kg and a value of up to 500 lari - vegetables, fruits, dried fruits, pasta and similar prepared products, nuts, sugar, sweets and various types of confectionery;
• alcohol and cigarettes - for one adult you can bring 200 cigarettes or 25 cigarillos, or 25 cigars, or 125 grams of tobacco, 1 liter of strong alcoholic beverages (vodka, cognac) or 4 liters of something lighter (wine, beer). For excess threatens a fine "for illegal transportation of commercial cargo";
• other products and goods worth up to 1,000 GEL and indivisible weight up to 20 kg, and upon arrival by plane, not more than 3,000 GEL and weighing up to 50 kg. Exceeding the weight limit entails the payment of a fee of 1 GEL per 1 kg.

Goods for personal use that are not subject to declaration when entering the territory of Russia (Customs Union (EAEU)):

• by car: their weight should not exceed 50 kg, and the customs value of 1.500 euros per passenger;
• by plane: no more than 50 kg, with a total cost of up to 10,000 euros;
• the total weight of nuts, fruits, vegetables, legumes, berries and mushrooms should not exceed 5 kg, otherwise grab a phytosanitary certificate issued by the service of the country in which the products were purchased or grown;
• alcohol and cigarettes - for one adult you can spend 200 cigarettes or 50 cigarillos, or 50 cigars, or 250 grams of tobacco, or the specified tobacco products in the range with a total weight of up to 250 grams, 3 liters of any alcoholic product;
• 3 bouquets, each with no more than 15 plants / stems / blades of grass, including dried ones, otherwise they will ask for a phytosanitary certificate;
• things inherited, as well as one car and a trailer, if there is documentary evidence of their inheritance.
• a complete list of permitted and prohibited goods for the transport of physical. persons can be found at.

Import restrictions apply to agricultural products, pay special attention to cheeses and honey, may be withdrawn; goods for sale; spare parts for cars; new electrical equipment is more expensive than $ 500 (to have a receipt for confirmation).

To import pets, you need a veterinary passport with a mark from the veterinary service of your country that the animal is healthy.

Transportation of medicines

Georgian border guards may not let a tourist in or let him in only after lengthy proceedings if he carries with him a medicine that is freely available in Russia, for example, most antibiotics or afabazole, and is prohibited in Georgia or sold only by prescription. Therefore, it is recommended to hide them out of sight and not overdo it with the amount of medication taken with you on vacation. It is advisable to have a prescription or a certificate certified by a doctor on hand.

How much alcohol can be exported from Georgia to Russia?

It is allowed to import 3 liters of alcohol duty-free into the territory of the Russian Federation, if you pay a fee (€ 10 per 1 liter), then the limit can be extended to a maximum of 5 liters per adult passenger. If they find undeclared alcoholic products transported in excess of the norm, then this will entail the imposition of an administrative fine in the amount of 0.5 to 2 times its value, with or without confiscation of wine and chacha, or they can simply confiscate without imposing a fine.

The amount of alcohol exported from Georgia, by any transport (car, plane or floating vessel), is not of interest to local customs officers.

International checkpoints

You need to understand that you need to cross the border of Georgia not where it is convenient for you, but where it is allowed. If you do not pass the border control, then a fine of 400 GEL awaits you, in case of repeated violation, the fine increases at least 2 times. If there are aggravating circumstances, for example, crossing the border by a group of people, you can get off with a large fine, or you can be imprisoned for up to 2.5 years. Do you need it?

List of checkpoints:

1. The border of Russia and Georgia is the automobile checkpoint "Kazbegi - Upper Lars".
2. Border of Azerbaijan and Georgia - automobile checkpoint "Vakhtangisi", "Red Bridge", "Tsodna"; railway checkpoint "Gardabani".
3. Border of Armenia and Georgia - automobile checkpoint "Ninotsminda", "Akhkerpi", "Guguti", "Sadakhlo"; railway checkpoint "Sadakhlo".
4. The border between Turkey and Georgia is the automobile checkpoint "Sarpi" and "Vale".
5. International airports are "Shota Rustaveli" in Tbilisi, "Chorokh" in Batumi and "Kopitnari" in Kutaisi.
6. Sea ports - port in Poti and Batumi.

On this map, with a yellow circle, the only place through which you can absolutely legally enter Georgia from the territory of Russia is circled. The checkpoints marked on the map to the left of the circle will only allow you to enter and exit Abkhazia and South Ossetia. In Georgia, through these unrecognized republics, you will not legally get in any way. The remaining icons indicate border checkpoints from the territories of other countries, through which you can freely move on any transport.

Is it possible to travel through Abkhazia to Georgia?

It is impossible to legally get from Russia to Georgia or vice versa, in transit through the territory of Abkhazia or South Ossetia - when caught, an article on illegal border crossing is charged, which will entail the imposition of an administrative penalty, and maybe even a criminal one. More about fines mentioned above.

If there is a mark in the passport about visiting South Ossetia or Abkhazia, then entry into Georgia will be closed for you until you change your passport. If you have previously entered / flown into South Ossetia or Abkhazia from Russia and you do not have any stamps of the corresponding checkpoints in your passport, then 99.9% that the Georgians will not know about this and will let you in without any problems.

If you want to visit, for example, Sukhumi, you drive through Adler, relax, and then leave the same way - there should be no other options. Visa and passport, citizens of the Russian Federation, in this case are not needed.

From April 1, 2016, only citizens of those countries with which it has signed intergovernmental agreements on mutual visa-free trips can enter the Republic of Abkhazia without a visa: the Russian Federation, the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic, Nicaragua, South Ossetia and the Republic of Tuvalu. Citizens of the Republic of Belarus and Kazakhstan also do not require a visa for tourist and business trips for a period not exceeding two weeks.

How to get permission to travel through the checkpoint "Ingur"?

No way. On the border of Georgia and Abkhazia, there is a checkpoint "Ingur", through which it is theoretically possible to travel in one direction or another, but for this it is necessary to obtain a bunch of permits from the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of both countries, which in practice makes this idea guaranteed to be impossible.

This checkpoint is used only for the movement of citizens living on the demarcation line. It's not that tourists are not allowed in there, but even residents of Abkhazia living far from it. There are no privileges, concessions or exceptions.

You can legally enter and exit Georgia from the Russian Federation exclusively through Upper Lars, and there are no other direct overland routes to Abkhazia through Adler.

Summary

Perhaps, after reading everything that is written above, with all these restrictions and prohibitions, the thought may creep into your head: “Maybe well, what the hell, I’d better go to the village.” But do not worry, this information is given for review, as they say "He who is warned is armed." Based on it, you can avoid some mistakes and do everything wisely.

In fact, crossing the border between Russia and Georgia is not at all difficult. The only trouble is the queue for several hours, but sometimes they give orders "from above" and the customs officers start moving, though not for long, very soon kilometer-long queues form again.

Learn the basic rules:

1. No matter which side of the border you are on, you don’t need to be nervous and worried either in line or at the checkpoint.
2. Do not put alcohol in a conspicuous place - hide it deeper in different parts of not only the trunk, but also the cabin.
3. Do not leave things in a conspicuous place that can provoke a more in-depth inspection.

TBILISI, September 4 - RIA Novosti. Three Russians, including a TASS journalist, were not allowed into Georgia, RIA Novosti was told in the country's Ministry of Internal Affairs.

The press service of the department noted that the Russians violated the law "On the occupied territories."

Among those denied entry are TASS war correspondent Viktor Litovkin, president of the board of the International Research Association Gennady Bordiogusov, and Alexander Tokarev.

The department reported that Tokarev is a journalist for NTV. However, the channel's press service said that the correspondent "has not been working with us for a long time."

According to media reports, the delegation arrived in Tbilisi to participate in a media conference.

TACC confirmed the information, noting that they are looking into the situation, "including through diplomatic channels."

"Occupied Territories"

In 2008, Georgian troops attacked South Ossetia and destroyed part of its capital, Tskhinval. Moscow, protecting the inhabitants of the republic, many of whom took Russian citizenship, sent troops into South Ossetia and ousted the Georgian military from the region. In August 2008, Russia recognized the sovereignty of Abkhazia and South Ossetia.

Moscow has repeatedly stated that the recognition of the independence of the two former autonomies reflects the realities and is not subject to revision. However, Abkhazia and South Ossetia are declared occupied by Georgia.

According to the law "On the occupied territories", visiting these regions without the permission of official Tbilisi is illegal and is punishable by a large fine or imprisonment for up to four years.