The Visa Regime of Nagorno-Karabakh Republic: Which Countries have Privileges?

• 02.23.2016, 19:04
•  World,  NKR

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Abkhazia is preparing an agreement with the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic on mutual visa-free travel. As the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Abkhazia Kan Taniya informed the agreement is being prepared in regard with the Law "On procedure of exit from the Republic of Abkhazia and the entry into the Republic of Abkhazia" that will enter into force on April 1, 2016, according to which only those citizens of the countries that have recognized the independence of Abkhazia and have an agreement on mutual visa-free travel, can go to Abkhazia without visa.

 It should be noted that the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic has a visa-free regime with all CIS countries, including Armenia, the Consular Service of the NKR MFA told "Armedia" IAA. At the same time citizens of the CIS countries must be registered in the Consular Service of the NKR MFA. Entry to the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic is allowed only with valid foreign passports or other documents replacing them, if there is an accreditation card. This does not apply only to the citizens of Turkmenistan. Visa-free regime of NKR refers only to those citizens of Turkmenistan, who are ethnic Armenians and have Armenian surnames, the website of the NKR MFA writes. It should be noted that Armenians of Syria also get use of  visa-free regime of NKR. In addition to citizens of the CIS, all Argentine citizens without exception can enter NKR without visa.

For citizens of other countries the entry to the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic is allowed on valid foreign passports or other documents replacing them, with the presence of the NKR visa, with the payment of the corresponding state fee. The NKR entrance visas are granted to foreign citizens by the NKR Permanent Mission to the Republic of Armenia. In exceptional cases, the entrance visa can be granted at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the NKR in Stepanakert.  

It should be noted that the tourist entrance visa to Karabakh for 21 days costs 3,000 drams (about $ 7), and long-term multiple entry visa for up to 3 months costs 44,000 drams (about $ 100).