Who does Russia border on in the south? There are a number of countries that are located next to the Russian Federation in this area: one of these states is Georgia. For many centuries they were friendly countries, but certain events have made adjustments to their strong connection, practically terminating diplomatic relations. Despite political differences, entry for residents of the Russian Federation into this country is still simplified.
Recently, Russian-Georgian relations have begun to improve. For example, back in that year, Georgia made changes regarding the stay of Russian tourists in the country: now you can safely use visa-free entry. Many who wish to visit here are wondering: "what is the situation on the border of Georgia with Russia at the present time"? It is worth noting that the situation is calm, everything is going on as usual: the main thing is to follow certain rules of travel.
Territorial neighbors
Russia and Georgia areneighboring states: the southern border of the Russian Federation with Georgia runs through the mountains of the Caucasus from the Black Sea to the Caspian Sea. With whom does Russia border on this side? For example, with South Ossetia, Abkhazia and Azerbaijan. But here we will talk in more detail about the land border between Russia and Georgia, about the rules that must be observed when crossing it and certain nuances.
Border
The land Russian-Georgian border passes through the Verkhny Lars checkpoint, which is located 50 km from Vladikavkaz, as for the rest of the checkpoints, they are now closed. The length of the state border of Georgia is 2148 km. The country is located next to such states as Russia, Azerbaijan, Armenia and Turkey. The border between Georgia and Russia is about 900 km long.
Contact details
I. about. head of the post - Lieutenant Colonel of the Customs Service Tsoraev Oleg Ibragimovich. Emergency service phone: +7-8672-252-753. Opening hours of the checkpoint at the moment: from 04:30 to 17:30. During this period, the registration of cars and trucks takes place. The schedule is subject to change depending on the circumstances, so check this information in advance.
Road to Georgia: live webcams
Online webcams broadcast entry to Russia and exit to Georgia in real time. With the help of them, you can assess the current situation, for example, determine how long the queue is at the entrance to the checkpoint and plan your actions based on this. The picture on them changes every 15-20 minutes. Situation onThe border between Georgia and Russia is now calm, but due to the summer season there is a large flow of traffic through the crossing.
Border of Russia and Georgia: "Upper Lars"
Regardless of the method of crossing the border of Georgia, you will need to go through the checkpoint anyway, so take care of a few things in advance so that your trip is not overshadowed by trouble. It is not possible to cross the border on foot, however, it is allowed to do so by bicycle.
The checkpoint is the only land border crossing through which you can get from Russia to Georgia. In 2009, the solemn completion of the construction of a multilateral automobile checkpoint "Upper Lars - Stepantsminda" took place. Everyone who wants to get to Armenia or Georgia by car or bus passes through this place. The Russian-Georgian border passes through this area. The checkpoint in normal mode, on both sides, as a rule, should work around the clock, however, its work schedule may vary depending on natural disasters and other circumstances. For this reason, before leaving, it is better to check whether Upper Lars is open for travel.
In summer, the number of people wishing to cross the border becomes significantly larger, so the load on the checkpoint increases significantly. However, despite this, the Georgian side made a decision on the operation of the checkpoint not around the clock, but only for the period from 4:30 am to 5:30 pm. According to the project, the throughputthe capacity of Upper Lars is 400 transport units per day, but in July 2016 a significant excess of this indicator was recorded: sometimes, more than 2,000 vehicles pass through the checkpoint per day.
It is noted that the border of Georgia and Russia is now not available for pedestrians to cross: foreign citizens must be in a car or bus. If the checkpoint is operating normally, then the main traffic flows between 6 am and 10 am, and also after 6 pm.
Village Upper Lars
This is a Russian, Ossetian village, which simultaneously acts as a checkpoint. It is located in North Ossetia on the Georgian Military Highway near the border of two states. It belongs to the urban district of the city of Vladikavkaz. The road to Georgia runs through this settlement. The village is located in a mountainous area on the coast of the Terek River. Since 2009, a checkpoint has been placed here. The settlement is located 30 km south of Vladikavkaz towards the Dariali checkpoint, located on the territory of Georgia. Currently, most of the population of Upper Lars has moved to live in neighboring villages and Vladikavkaz.
Visa
Since June last year, new rules have been in effect, according to which citizens of 93 countries, including Russians, no longer need a visa if their stay in the country lasts less than one year. The border of Georgia and Russia is thus open to everyone: crossing it does not require an entry document. In the event that a Russian citizen decides to stay in the country for a longer period, he will need to obtain a visafor residence. An entry document is important for those who decide to stay in Georgia for a long time in order to get an education or a job. To apply for a visa, contact the Section of Interests at the Embassy of Switzerland in Moscow (we do not have a Georgian diplomatic mission).
Crossing Georgia by car: list of documents
When crossing the border, you will need to pass through the Upper Lars checkpoint - this is the only legal way to enter the country by land. Here is the border between Russia and Georgia. By car, you can drive through the checkpoint without any problems, observing certain rules.
The main document is a passport. It should contain two blank pages, while the document should not contain any notes about visiting South Ossetia and Abkhazia. A foreign passport must be valid after the completion of the trip for more than 3 months. In addition to the main document, the driver will have to present a registration certificate for the car (certificate of registration of the vehicle). The rightful owner must carry the usual set of documents for the car. Also - a driver's license with duplication of data in Latin.
In the event that the car does not belong to you, and the owner remains in Russia, you must have a power of attorney in your hands, which confirms the right to drive this car abroad. The document must be certified by a notary. It should be noted that Georgia does not require compulsory car insurance, but it is still better to have it, it is not necessary to have an international driver's license. There is such a feature: cars registered in Crimea are not allowed into Georgia.
The route of travel by car when crossing the border starts from the Georgian Military Highway. You will see Kazbek, Terek, Darial Gorge, temples and the Arch of Friendship of Peoples. Basically, first everyone goes to the capital - Tbilisi. Tourists then go to Mtskheta, Ananuri, Telavi, Gremi and other cities. From Tbilisi they also go to Batumi and Borjomi. The most popular resorts here are Gonio, Sarpi, Kobuleti and Kvariati.
Violation while crossing the border
In connection with the armed conflicts that were associated with South Ossetia and Abkhazia, Georgia introduced a rule according to which the passport of those entering the country should not contain any marks about visiting these republics. Checkpoints located on the border with them are closed, so such entry is considered illegal. As a result of such a violation, travelers may be charged with a fine of 400 to 800 Georgian lari, in some cases - imprisonment.
How to get to Georgia from Moscow?
In this case, the path will run along the M-4 "Don" highway, bypassing Voronezh. You need to go to Rostov-on-Don. The distance to this point will be approximately 1100 km. Further, the road will go through Oktyabrskaya and Kushchevskaya, then - the intersection with the R-217 "Kavkaz" highway. The path follows through Kropotkin, Armavir, Nevinnomyssk and Vladikavkaz. Next, you need to move along the A-161 "Vladikavkaz-Georgia" highway. The next point will be the passage through the border: here begins the mountainterrain with dangerous sections, descents and ascents. The path as a whole is about 2000 km, then there is another 200 km to Tbilisi.
Customs control
Crossing the border between Russia and Georgia must comply with certain rules. Border control and customs inspection procedures are not subject to any taxes and fees. Filling in the customs declaration is allowed in Russian. On the Georgian side, much attention is paid to checking things. You will need to declare certain things that you intend to transport abroad. It is forbidden to take with you: explosives and narcotic substances, extremist literature, weapons and pornographic materials.
It will be necessary to declare items of historical and cultural value. There are certain rules in relation to money: this year the maximum amount should not exceed 30 thousand lari, there are no restrictions on other currencies. In case of transportation of a larger amount, it is necessary to have up-to-date documents confirming their origin. You can take out of the country up to 3000 GEL. Note: in order to avoid difficulties when leaving Georgia, it is recommended to declare imported cash if its amount exceeds $2,000.
You do not need to pay duty if the weight of personal items does not exceed 100 kg, the number of cigarettes is up to 200 pieces, alcohol - up to 10 liters of beer and up to 3 liters of wine, food products weighing no more than 5 kg, and there are also jewelry for personal use.
Documents required for child passengers
Children must be entered in the parents' passport or have their own passport. In addition, it is important to have a birth certificate of the child. If the child travels without parents - with third parties (close relatives), you must have written permission from one of the parents or guardian, which will be certified by a notary.
Responsibility for illegal border crossing
Crossing between Russia and Georgia is currently open only one, namely the checkpoint "Kazbegi / Upper Lars" on the highway Vladikavkaz - Tbilisi. As we noted earlier, the border cannot be crossed through Abkhazia and South Ossetia, since in this case entry will be considered illegal. In this case, you will end up in a bullpen in Georgia, after which you will need to pay a fine equal to approximately 1150 US dollars. The border of Georgia and Russia, therefore, should only be crossed through this checkpoint.
There have been cases when foreign citizens entered Georgia through the Gantiadi-Adler checkpoint from Abkhazia and from Tskhinvali at the Rock-Nizhniy Zaramag checkpoint. When entering the country without going through border control, citizens who violate the rules are punished with a fine of about $ 230, and even imprisonment for a period of 3 to 5 years. In the future, the fine will be at least doubled. If the illegal border crossing was committed by a group of persons, then in this case the violators are punished with imprisonment for a term of 4 to 5 years.
What is the procedure for passing the border with the Russianhand?
It is necessary to drive up to the barrier at the entrance to the checkpoint, and then get a control ticket in the booth. Then, after passing it, go to the border control. You drive into any free corridor, or the border guard himself shows you the direction. The next step is to inspect the vehicle. A pit will be located under the car, through which the bottom of the car is visible, if necessary, mirrors can be used during the check.
After that stop at the end of the corridor, passengers will need to get out of the car, open all doors and trunk. Customs officers will inspect the contents of the cabin, they can also check all bags. After this procedure, citizens in a car or bus go through passport control, and also receive a stamp confirming the legal border crossing.
You must go through similar procedures when you leave Georgia. In terms of time, registration can take about 2-3 hours, the procedure for passing the border from Georgia is much easier, taking no more than 10-15 minutes.
What is subject to the declaration procedure?
This list includes: live animals, birds, plants, communications and high-frequency equipment, securities, medicines, jewelry, stones, jewelry, art, antiques, poisonous and radioactive substances, cash and securities on the amount of more than 30 thousand lari, as well as goods intended for commercial activities. Moving jewelry, for example, requires a special permit, which must be issuedMinistry of Culture of Georgia.
An individual has the right to fill out a customs declaration both in Russian and in Georgian or English.
Note
If you carry medicines with you, then there may be problems when entering Georgia. For example, drugs such as antibiotics and afobazole, which are freely available in our country, can only be purchased with a prescription in this country. For this reason, a tourist may not be allowed in, or they may be given permission to enter after lengthy proceedings. It is best not to keep them in plain sight, and at least not to carry them around in large numbers. The restrictions apply to agricultural products, which may also be seized, especially cheese.
Animal regulations
Pets you are traveling with must have a veterinary passport with you. If, for example, there is a dog with you, you must have a record of standard vaccinations in the international veterinary passport of the animal, in particular, there must be a mark on the rabies vaccination, which was made to the pet a maximum of a year before visiting the country, and also at least a month. 3-5 days before the trip, issue a certificate of form No. 1 at the veterinary clinic.
Transit
In order to travel through the territory of Georgia to another country, for example, Armenia, you can also use visa-free entry by presenting a passport. Transit passengers are subject to the same rules as those who decide to stay in Georgia.
Getting a visa
A visa to Georgia is required for those Russians who plan to stay in the country for more than a year. Previously, the maximum time during which one could stay abroad was three months. In the event that a tourist or your private visit should be delayed for a long time, or if you plan to work or study in Georgia, then you will need to obtain a visa in advance in Russia. To clarify the details on this issue, you need to contact the Georgian Interests Section at the Embassy of Switzerland.
Visa-free entry
Russian citizens who are going to make a short trip to Georgia do not have to worry about the presence of a visa and other documents that would need to be specially collected for travel. The visa-free regime of entry is valid for all modes of transport. Upon entry and exit, stamps with dates will be affixed, respectively, based on the information that is available in these marks, control over compliance with the period of stay in the country will be carried out.
To cross the border by air, it will be enough to have only one document - a passport. If there is a need to stay in the state for more than a year, then it will be necessary to apply for a residence permit.
