Abkhazia-Georgia (Inguri) border crossing Q&A

[Renangreinert]

I tried to cross the border yesterday (27/02/2020). It was closed due the Coronavirus.

[yuri90]

Any updates to this border crossing with COVID? Really hoping to visit in the next 2-3 months if able. I've tried to find any news on it and seems to be non-existent.

[Milad]

It's still closed for tourists and even for locals the border only opens every few weeks for a few days (so-called humanitarian corridors). As Enguri had a reputation for closing on any minor occasion that could mean a little trouble already a long time before the pandemic, I would not count on it opening for tourists any time soon.

[golden_retriever]

FYI: On 20.07.2021 I applied for an Abkhazian visa and wanted to enter Abkhazia through the Enguri border crossing. After a second email I finally got a reply from the consular department:

Good Day!

We inform you that due to the ongoing influenza epidemic, crossing of the state border is temporarily limited. Therefore, there will be no possibility to cross it.
At the moment we do not accept any applications.

Sincerely, CD MFA RA.

Hope that the situation changes soon.

[Qwasrb2]

Is the border open now?

[Milad]

Not for tourists. The situation still stands that the border opens from time to time for "humanitarian" reasons for (some) locals, and there have been numerous tragic incidents with people who tried to cross secretly and drowned in the river in the past months.

[adi]

As of March 17, 2022:

Although the application form works, I did receive the same message as golden retriver last August one day later.

Thus still no go from Georgia proper, even if vaccinated.

[AdventureAttitude]

Same here. Tried three times between December

Upon filling in the form you receive this hopeful message

“ Your application form has been received. You can expect the Clearance letter after 7 working days.

We also strongly recommend you to have Russian double or multiple entry visa. “

But then soon afterwards this message returns

“Good Day!
We inform you that due to the ongoing influenza epidemic, crossing of the state border is temporarily limited. Therefore, there will be no possibility to cross it.
At the moment we do not accept any applications.

Sincerely, CD MFA RA

--
Consular Department
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Republic of Abkhazia”

Also when trying to reply to the message the same reply about the pandemic will be answered regardless of the content of your mail.

[Boobaa]

We received the same message („Good Day!
We inform you that due to the ongoing influenza epidemic, crossing of the state border is temporarily limited. Therefore, there will be no possibility to cross it. At the moment we do not accept any applications.“) but still went to Enguri border on May 03 - just to be sure. We spoke to numerous people on- and offline and got very different information before.

Georgian border police was very nice, but wouldn’t let us pass. Even after long conversations the reason remained unclear. Security seemed to be the main issue, as „Russian soldiers would kidnap us“.

Good luck for everyone trying in the future!

[Indorus]

I want to do Tranzon-Batumi-Enguri on Russian passport in October 2022
Do Georgian authorities allow Russian passport holder to cross this border? Or going through Kazbegi border crossing is the only option I have ?
Of course, this question arise only if they open the border at all