Turkmen Citizens Stranded in Abkhazia: Visa Renewal Issues Leave Thousands Trapped
Turkem students are stranded in the partially-recognized Republic of Abkhazia, where many renew their Russian visas (Flickr).
Thousands of Turkmen citizens remain stranded in the partially-recognized Republic of Abkhazia following Turkmenistan’s crackdown on Russian visa renewals last fall, reported Turkmen.news. These individuals mainly consist of students who, upon entering Russian universities on student visas, were later expelled for failing to meet academic standards. While those with considerable funds could return to Turkmenistan to reapply for their visas, students unable to afford the trip have had no choice but to stay in Abkhazia.
Due to the difficulty Turkmen citizens face in obtaining Russian work, business, and tourist visas, many opt to apply for student visas to access employment opportunities in neighboring countries. Without these visas, they risk classification as illegal immigrants, complicating the process of crossing borders and potentially leading to deportation.
Turkmen workers traditionally process their Russian visa renewal requests at the Russian consulate in Sokhumi, the capital of Abkhazia. Many prefer this option to flying back to Ashgabat, the capital of Turkmenistan, as Sokhumi is much easier to access when traveling through the Krasnodar Region, the southernmost krai (federal subject) of Russia. According to Mediazona, however, last September, the Turkmen government requested that the Russian embassy stop issuing these documents, urging their citizens to apply for new visas in their home country instead. This move left many Turkmens trapped in the partially-recognized state.
Despite declaring independence from Georgia in 1999 following a separatist rebellion, only Russia, Venezuela, Nicaragua, Nauru, and Syria recognize the Republic of Abkhazia as a sovereign state. Georgia, along with other UN member states, considers it to be Georgian territory. As a result, Turkmen citizens stuck in Abkhazia are largely unable to leave the region. Individuals cannot cross into Russian territory without a valid visa; furthermore, due to its contentious relationship with Abkhazia, Georgia considers any entry into the state from Russia to be in violation of its border laws.
Turkmen.news reports that many of these students fall victim to visa scammers who exploit their vulnerable situations. These individuals also often live in miserable conditions; a report by Cronos Central Asia states that they have taken to residing in large groups in abandoned buildings, to the dismay of locals living in these areas. Others have turned to crime, forming gangs that prey on weaker Turkmens to extort their funds. The end of the tourist season has also resulted in a decline in job opportunities in the region, according to Yeni Şafak.
The consequences of student visa misuse have been severe: certain Russian universities have begun withdrawing first-year acceptances from Turkmen students. According to Turkmen.news, two universities in St. Petersburg recently notified newly admitted Turkmen students that their acceptances had been rescinded. Cronos Central Asia also reports that Russian universities have started barring older students from applying, likely due to the higher probability that they are entering the country seeking employment.
Turkmen authorities have similarly taken measures to address these fictitious applicants. An insider for Turkmen.news revealed that many jobseekers circumvent admission tests for Russian universities by hiring intermediaries to take the exams on their behalf. These fraudulent admissions have prompted the Turkmen government to plan the implementation of a centralized system to manage the admission process to foreign universities by the 2025-2026 academic year, which will require a formal list of documentation, bureaucratic approvals, and an added fee.
Pursuing an education overseas is popular in Turkmenistan, where gaining admission to the country’s universities has become fiercely competitive. Many parents resort to bribery to secure their children’s entry into these higher institutions of education, but, according to Fergana.news, the costs associated with studying abroad are comparable to the bribes paid for admission to local universities. Consequently, many parents choose to send their children abroad in pursuit of a better future.