Traveling to Abkhazia requires a little advance planning if your nationality requires a visa. Before your trip, you must first apply for an Abkhazia entry permit (approval letter) from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. After entering Abkhazia, you then need to obtain the actual Abkhazia visa in Sukhum within three working days.
I traveled to Abkhazia in 2026 via the Psou border crossing from Sochi, Russia, and this guide explains the entire process step by step—including how to apply for the entry permit, what happens at the border, where to find the visa office in Sukhum, its opening hours, visa fees, and what happens with passport stamps.
Do You Need a Visa to Visit Abkhazia?
The Abkhaz MFA currently lists Russia, Nicaragua, Transnistria/PMR, Tuvalu and South Ossetia among visa-free nationalities.
Applying for an Abkhazia Entry Permit
Before traveling to Abkhazia, you will need to obtain an entry permit/approval letter from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Abkhazia.
You can submit the application online here:
Abkhazia Entry Permit
After successfully submitting the application, email a copy of your passport to visa@mfaapsny.org and mention that you have already submitted your online application.
It is best to apply at least 10 days before your planned arrival. The Ministry states that processing can take around 7 working days. Once approved, you will receive your entry permit as a PDF by email.
Print or save this document on your phone, as it will be checked when you enter Abkhazia.
Entering Abkhazia at the Psou Border
I entered Abkhazia through the Psou border crossing from Sochi, Russia. At the border, officials checked my approval letter and informed me that I needed to visit the visa office in Sukhum within three days of arrival to obtain the actual Abkhazia visa.
Where to Get the Abkhazia Visa in Sukhum
The visa office is located at:
9 Zvanba Street, Sukhum
The building can be surprisingly difficult to locate using Google Maps or Maps.me, so using GPS coordinates is much easier.
Abkhazia Visa Office Sukhum GPS Coordinates: 43°00’07.6″N 41°01’40.7″E
Look for a large white government building (shown in the image).
Once inside, walk straight ahead to the door directly opposite the main entrance. Depending on how busy the office is, you may need to wait for your turn. Present your approval letter to the staff, and they will process your Abkhazia visa.
Visa Office Opening Hours
The office is generally open: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Lunch break: 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
It is worth avoiding the lunch period, as the office closes during that time.
Visa Fee and Passport Stamp
Interestingly, the authorities do not normally stick the Abkhazia visa into your passport. I was told this is done to avoid potential complications when entering Georgia in the future. Instead, the visa is issued as a separate document.
Keep this visa safe throughout your stay, as you will need to present it when leaving Abkhazia.
Entry and Exit Immigration Stamps in Abkhazia
Abkhazia does not stamp your passport upon entering the country, and during exit. They stamp a separate piece of paper on exit that must be submitted to the border authorities.
Important: Georgia entry rules
Georgia considers Abkhazia part of its territory. Under Georgian law, foreign nationals generally must enter Abkhazia from the Georgian-controlled side via Zugdidi. Entering Abkhazia from Russia through Psou may therefore create legal issues if you subsequently travel to Georgia. Check current Georgian government guidance before planning your route.