Russian citizens travel more to Georgia after abolition of visas for NCFD residents

Since Georgia had introduced a visa-free entry regime for residents of the North-Caucasian Federal District (NCFD), the number of people wanting to visit Georgia has increased considerably, say those who cross the border.

Most people go to Georgia to visit their families and friends.

Let us remind you that, in accordance with the Georgian President's Decree, starting from October 13, 2010, residents of the North-Caucasian republics – Dagestan, Chechnya, Ingushetia, North Ossetia, Kabardino-Balkaria, Karachay-Cherkessia and Adygea – obtained a right to visit Georgia without visas. In early July of this year all Russian citizens obtained the right to get visas when crossing the Russian-Georgian border at the checkpoint of Kazbegi – Verkhni Lars.

The Border Service of the Russian FSB and the Customs Service of North Ossetia do not keep statistics on the number of people leaving Russia. However, at the checkpoint "Verkhni Lars", which connects Russia and Transcaucasia, there is a large number of Russian citizens, and not only from the NCFD.

According to the story of Ruslan Kochiev, a resident of the city of Vladikavkaz, since introduction of the entry regime without visas, he visits Georgia almost every day. "I go to Georgia to see interesting places, to meet my close friends, relatives and acquaintances. Now travelling became much easier. Earlier I used to fly to Georgia by plane via Armenia," he said.

Yaroslav Sugarov, another resident of North Ossetia, goes to Georgia to visit his relatives at least twice per month. He noted that thanks to the new checkpoint "Verkhni Lars" the way to Georgia became easier and faster.

Apart from the residents of the NCFD, residents of other regions of Russia and of Ukraine also came to the border. Khatiya Iobidze, who was met by the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent at the checkpoint, was travelling by car from Moscow to stay with her relatives in Georgia to have a rest. She said that she obtained her visa in Moscow to cross the border. Last time she visited Georgia two years ago, at that time she flew by plane via Belarus.

Oleg Gusov, Chief of the Special Customs Procedures Department of the customs terminal of the multilane vehicle checkpoint "Verkhni Lars" reported that Armenian imports and exports comprise 90 percent of the total trade flow.