Russian internal passport issuance offices temporarily suspend operations in Abkhazia

In order to create the most comfortable conditions for citizens of the Republic of Abkhazia, in accordance with the intergovernmental Agreement on the Settlement of Dual Citizenship Issues, signed by the parties on  27 September 2022, ratified by the People's Assembly – Parliament of the Republic on 29 December 2022, and entered into force on 25 April 2025, Russian internal passport issuance offices were opened in Abkhazia in January 2026 pursuant to a decision by the President of the Russian Federation and in coordination with the country's authorities.      

In addition, offices for issuing Russian driver's licenses were also opened in Abkhazia in 2025.

Comments from the Embassy:

At the same time, since Abkhaz political figures, including members of the People's Assembly, are calling into question the legality of the operation of the aforementioned offices, the Russian side, which respects the sovereignty of the independent Republic of Abkhazia, will be compelled to decide to suspend their operations.

In this connection, the issuance of the aforementioned documents to citizens of the Republic of Abkhazia will be moved to the territory of the Russian Federation.