Visiting both Abkhazia and Georgia

Reading up about Georgia I found out through the UK travel advisory that it's illegal under Georgian law to travel to Abkhazia from Georgia.

Does this restriction extend to all travel to Abkhazia, that is, would someone not be able to visit Georgia anymore because of a past trip to Abkhazia, regardless of how they got there ?

Is the situation reciprocal, would Abkhazia turn you back if they know you've been to Georgia ?

Note: This is different from this question which seeks to enter from Georgia by land and predates a legal amendment

Best Answer

I doubt that you'd have problems, provided you don't do anything suspicious. I've lived in Georgia all my life and have yet to hear of anyone, especially a tourist, being caught for that. Having said that, you should definitely be on your guard in Abkhazia. Although a place of untold beauty and definitely worth a visit, it's a militarized territory with non-authorized armed mercenaries freely roaming.

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Visiting both Abkhazia and Georgia - Women Travelers Visiting City with Backpacks Using Smart Phone

Visiting both Abkhazia and Georgia - Medieval church on grassy hilltop surrounded by majestic mountains

Visiting both Abkhazia and Georgia - Lake Surrounded With Mountains

Can I enter Abkhazia from Georgia?

Before you can head out to Abkhazia from Georgia, you have to get an entry permit from the Abkhazian government. To do so, go to the website of the Abkhazian foreign affairs and fill out the form. Make sure to put enough time under the \u201cperiod of stay\u201d option.

Can foreigners go to Abkhazia?

Visitors to the defacto Republic of Abkhazia must obtain a visa unless they come from one of the visa exempt countries. In addition, citizens belonging to members of the Community for Democracy and Rights of Nations may visit Abkhazia without a visa.

Does Georgia control Abkhazia?

The Georgian "Law on Occupied Territories of Georgia", adopted in 2008, criminalizes and prosecutes entry into Abkhazia and South Ossetia from the Russian side without special permission and allows only economic activity in the two territories that are in accordance with it.

Is it safe to go to Abkhazia?

In the past, Abkhazia has witnessed military confrontations between Georgian armed forces and the Russian-supported local independence groups. For the common traveller the country is relatively safe, but you should make sure to avoid any place near the border to Georgia.

Is Abkhazia Independent, Part of Georgia Or Russia?

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