A trip to Georgia: do Russians and Ukrainians need a visa?

Among other post-Soviet countries, Georgia is the most popular tourist destination, attracting many foreigners with its natural beauties and architectural landmarks, unique cuisine, and various resort options. It is not surprising that many of our compatriots are wondering if citizens of Ukraine and Russia need a visa to Georgia? We will not torment you with a long wait and immediately answer no! But how you can make this trip, how long you may stay there, and what documents you need to take with you to Georgia in this publication?

Visa-free regime with Georgia

First, we want to note that not only the residents of Ukraine and Russia are so lucky. Citizens from about 94 countries of the world may visa-free entry to Georgia and stay in its territory for one year. Among them are neighboring countries, Belarus, Moldova, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan. Also on this list are several EU states and even many overseas countries, such as Argentina, Barbados, Canada, Australia, Japan, Malaysia, the USA, Mexico, South Africa, Colombia, New Zealand, Dominican Republic, and many others.

Residents of these states can enter Georgia under a simplified scheme thanks to the Law on the visa regime of Georgia, which entered into force on June 9, 2015. Foreigners can visit it for tourism and to buy real estate in Georgia, do business, or work part-time. The owner of an apartment worth over 30 thousand € can apply for a residence permit in Georgia. On average, one square meter in a new building will cost about €423 if we talk about the capital or resort towns.

The Law allows foreigners to live in the named country. The main thing is not to forget to cross its border every year; otherwise, after 365 days, a fine of 180 lari (55.€8) will be charged, which will increase every three months.

It is also essential to consider the geopolitical features of the local region. Persons who have marks in their foreign passports about visiting Abkhazia or South Ossetia may experience difficulties crossing the border with Georgia. Therefore, if you decide to see all the Caucasian countries, including the regions above, it is better to plan a route after that visiting Georgia; otherwise, the "land of eternal spring" will remain an unrealizable dream. There are no other prohibitions related to visiting neighbors for entering this country.

How to get to Georgia?

Because of the significant tourist activity of this country, there are many original connections with it, both air and land.

So from Ukraine to Georgia, a direct flight can only be reached by plane to one of the country's major airports, in Tbilisi, Kutaisi, and Batumi. The average price of a flight will be about €180. If you approach this issue in advance, you can save a lot and buy tickets from €80 to €150. You can fly from Kyiv, Kharkov, Odesa, Dnepropetrovsk, and Lviv.

From Russia to Georgia can be reached by various transport links, both by air and by land. The fastest option is to fly to Georgia by plane. A ticket from Moscow to Tbilisi and back costs about €160. By train, the same journey in both directions will cost about €93. You can also get with transfers, for example, to Vladikavkaz, and take a taxi to Tbilisi. They will take about €21 or about €84 for renting an entire minibus from one person.

We strongly recommend not to succumb to the temptation of trying to cross the Georgian border by sea because sailing past Abkhazia, for the Georgian border guards, the traveler automatically becomes a suspect of all the mortal sins of humanity.

What documents are needed to travel to Georgia?

As already noted at the beginning of the article, there is a visa-free regime for citizens of our countries; therefore, for a trip to Georgia, residents of the CIS need only have a valid passport with them. Medical insurance, hotel reservation confirmation, and other documents are not required.

If you decide to travel to Georgia with a child, you will need to take his passport, and if there is none, enter it in your passport with the mark from the passport and visa service. It is allowed until the age of 14. There are no strict requirements for the mandatory presence of a birth certificate, but it is better to have it with you just in case. The procedure for entering Georgia with children accompanied by the father or mother has also been simplified. No power of attorney from the other parent is required.

Also, many are interested in the question, what documents are needed to travel to Georgia with a dog? It's a little more complicated here. Besides the standard list of vaccinations, the international passport of the animal must contain a mark on the prevention of rabies. This vaccination must be done no earlier than a year before the trip or no later than a month before it.

No less often on the forums, there is a question on the topic: what documents are needed to travel to Georgia in your car? It's much easier here. All you need to do is bring your driver's license and registration certificate.

At the end of this publication, we note Georgians are very respectful of their guests, especially if they feel mutual respect and goodwill. Still, their people are fraternal. Therefore, Ukrainians and Russians do not need a visa in Georgia. There are also no strict bureaucratic red tapes on the border with the state. Apart from the obligatory presence of a foreign passport, you will not feel any other differences from your native country while staying in Georgia. And the mild warm climate, the sea, and the abundance of sights will only strengthen your love for their fertile land and friendly people.