Over Four Thousand Work Visas Issued in Abkhazia in First Half of 2023
From January 1 to July 1, the State Migration Service processed a total of 4,061 work visa applications.
SUKHUM / AQW'A — In the first half of 2023, the activities of the State Migration Service contributed more than 44.5 million rubles (around $493,000) to the budget. This figure marks an increase of over 12 million rubles (around $133,000) compared to the same period in the previous year.
From January 1 to July 1, the State Migration Service processed a total of 4,061 work visa applications, according to Ramin Gablaya, the head of the the State Migration Service, in a report to Prime Minister Alexander Ankvab. This is reported by the press service of the Cabinet of Ministers.
Within the same period, 2,430 foreign nationals were registered for migration. Additionally, the State Migration Service received 3,717 applications for work permits and patents and an additional 400 applications from employers.
It is currently reported that Abkhazia employs foreign workers from a diverse pool of 28 countries.
The Republic's budget was bolstered during the first half of 2023 by income from various sources. This included over 17.5 million rubles (around $194,000) collected from issuing work visas, 15.8 million rubles (around $175,000) from granting work permits, and 4.4 million rubles (around $48,000) from providing patents. Employers utilising foreign labor also contributed an additional 6.8 million rubles (around $75,000).
Furthermore, during the first half of 2023, the State Migration Service forwarded 55 cases to the courts for administrative processing.