Direct flights to Georgia will resume following the adoption on May 10, 2023, of the Presidential Executive Order Declaring Null and Void the Presidential Executive Order No. 287 On Measures to Ensure the National Security of the Russian Federation and to Protect Citizens of the Russian Federation from Criminal and Other Illegal Actions, signed on June 21, 2019. A comment to this effect will be issued shortly by the Transport Ministry of Russia. In addition, the Foreign Ministry’s recommendation, dated June 21, 2019, that Russian citizens refrain from travelling to Georgia will be cancelled as well. On the other hand, Russian citizens should bear in mind all aspects of security and exercise caution when in Georgia. Additional information for Russian citizens is available on the official webpage of the Russian Federation Interests Section at the Embassy of Switzerland in Georgia at georgia.mid.ru.
We would also like to provide clarification regarding the Presidential Executive Order on Regulating the Entry to and the Exit from the Russian Federation for the Citizens of Georgia, which comes into effect on May 15, 2023. From that date, the citizens of Georgia will be able to enter the Russian Federation via border checkpoints that are open to visa-free international passenger transportation and stay in Russia for 90 days in any 180-day period for diplomatic, official, private, business, tourist and humanitarian purposes, as well as for short-term training. At the same time, citizens of Georgia who intend to study at Russian educational establishments for more than 90 days, or to work or live in the Russian Federation on a temporary or permanent basis are required to enter and exit the country on an entry/exit visa.
In addition, citizens of Georgia can now use a 72-hour visa waiver if they enter Russia on board cruise ships that hold a passenger transportation licence and enter the country via international passenger sea and river ports or enter Russia for tourism on ferry vessels that hold a passenger transportation licence and enter ports mentioned in the relevant resolutions of the Government of the Russian Federation.
The presidential decisions to resume flights and introduce a short-term visa-free regime for the citizens of Georgia are in line with our principled approach to gradually improving conditions for communication and contacts between the citizens of Russia and Georgia in the absence of diplomatic relations.