| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Entry visa requirement (from EU) | No |
Entry visa requirement (outside EU) | Yes, depending on nationality |
Types of visas available | Diplomatic Special Ordinary Immigration Transit |
| Time frame for obtaining work visa (approx.) | 30 calendar days |
| Validity of the temporary residence permit | 1 year |
| Time frame for obtaining permanent residence (approx.) | 10 – 30 calendar days |
| Investor Visa Availability | Yes |
| Sponsorship requirement | No |
| Time frame for obtaining citizenship | 10 years under the ordinary procedure |
| Citizenship/Residency by investment scheme availability | Yes |
| Tax benefits for expats | A special tax regime for individuals (not exclusively expats) can apply in some cases. |
| Georgian authority that processes residence permit applications | The Public Service Development Agency |
Changing the residence permit type | Possible, if the applicant meets the conditions for the new type of permit. |
Conditions for renewing temporary residence permit | Renewal is possible when the initial conditions for the permit continue to be observed. |
| Restrictions on foreign investors | Not applicable |
| Types of investments for the investor residence permit | Immovable property, entrepreneurial activities. |
| Minimum investment amount for the investor’s residence permit | USD 300,000 (the equivalent in GEL) for immovable property. |
| Conditions for citizenship by naturalization | Lawful residence for at least 10 consecutive years in Georgia; knowledge of Georgian language, history and law; proof of doing business or having a job in Georgia |
| Dual citizenship | Yes. Can be subject to approval in some cases. |
| Advantages for those who immigrate to Georgia | Low living costs, work opportunities, the possibility to start one’s own business, etc. |
| How we can help you | Our immigration lawyers in Georgia assist with a wide range of issues, from residence permit/ citizenship applications to appeals, and other matters of interest for immigrants. |
| When to reach out to us | As soon as you decide to apply for a temporary residence permit. |
What are the types of visas available in Georgia?
The types of visas that can be applied for in Georgia are the following:
- Short-term visas: these can be single or multiple-entry ones and for the first type, maximum stay is for no more than 30 days;
- Diplomatic visa: for foreign officials and executive as well as legislative authorities, for members of high-level delegations;
- Special visa: for working visits, accompanying family members, for personnel of foreign diplomatic missions, for individuals who arrive in the country under a treaty or for military contingents;
- Ordinary visa: for business meetings and negotiations, for offering humanitarian assistance or for people arriving in the country for treatment;
- Immigration visa: for work purposes, for scientific, sports, cultural activities as well as for freelancers and investors (Georgia Golden visa) or those interested in family reunification;
- Transit visa: for a maximum period of ten days, only for those transiting the country for the purpose of entering another state.
What are the steps for moving to Georgia?
Below, we list some of the most important things to consider for those who move to Georgia:
- Work: employment is one of the main reasons why many foreign nationals choose to move to Georgia; in most cases, they enter into a work agreement or a business venture before they make their move permanent;
- Accommodation: looking for accommodation, namely renting or purchasing property can also take place before arriving in the country, unless other options are possible (such as temporarily living with a Georgian resident);
- Location: choosing where one will live in Georgia can influence existing employment or business opportunities; Tbilisi is a city of choice for many expats;
- Language: learning to speak Georgian is mandatory for those who wish to emigrate to Georgia; a language test is taken when applying for citizenship.
What are the types of residence permits in Georgia?
We can help you apply for the following types of residence permits:
- Work residence permit: issued for foreign nationals who will work in the country as employees, freelancers, or entrepreneurs;
- Study residence permit: for foreign nationals who have been accepted at a Georgian University or another recognized educational institution;
- Residence permit for family reunification: when the applicant is the relative of a foreign citizen who has a residence permit; included family members are the spouse, children, parents, underage or incapacitated persons who are in the care of the Georgian residence permit holder;
- Investment residence permit: for those who invested at least 300,000 USD (the equivalent in GEL) in the country; the family members of the investor also receive residence permits in this case;
- Special residence permit: for individuals who can bring forward proof beyond any reasonable doubt that they are the victim of human trafficking.
Which documents are needed in order to obtain a residence permit in Georgia?
The necessary documents can differ depending on the type of residence permit being applied for. Generally, the following documents may be required:
- a valid passport along with photocopies of identity pages;
- evidence of legal presence in Georgia;
- documents confirming the objective of stay like work contracts, invitations to universities or investments, etc.;
- documents evidencing accommodation in Georgia;
- photographs in passport size;
- documents evidencing financial capability;
- health insurance, where applicable.
Is assistance possible for special situations?
Yes, our team of immigration lawyers can also help individuals who wish to return to the country. More specifically, we offer assistance as needed for reintegration purposes. The Georgian state supports the return of former Georgian nationals and has implemented a set of programmes that help assist them. The following categories of individuals are concerned: former Georgian citizens or stateless persons (who have a permanent residence permit) who have unlawfully resided abroad for more than one year and have applied for or received asylum there as well as those individuals who wish to be included in the State Programme for Reintegration of Returned Migrants (a process that is to take place within one year of their return to the country).
Can I have assistance for obtaining Georgia citizenship?
Yes, an individual may acquire Georgian citizenship in several manners, however, only some of these are suitable for foreign nationals who have been living in the country lawfully under a residence permit in Georgia. We present these below:
- The ordinary procedure: for a foreign national who has been lawfully living in the country for ten years;
- The simplified procedure: for an individual married to a Georgian citizen who has been lawfully living in the country for five years prior to the application;
- Through exception: for foreign nationals who have made exceptional contributions to the country;
- Through restoration: for those whose citizenship was wrongfully terminated (based on the parent’s decision or due to renunciation of citizenship).
What are the key benefits that come with obtaining residence in Georgia?
There are a number of advantages which foreign individuals who move to Georgia might benefit from when obtaining residence in Georgia or working there. The most significant advantages include:
- rather easy procedures for getting residence permits than those required in many other states;
- favorable taxation system for businessmen and investors;
- low living costs than in a number of European countries;
- ability to get temporary or permanent residence due to investments;
- access to banking and business opportunities in Georgia.
Georgia has gained popularity as the place of choice for entrepreneurs, freelancers, remote workers, and other people who wish to permanently move there.
Our team can help you get settled in Georgia if you are interested in a long-term stay or in moving here and can also help you if you are temporarily in the country for employment or business reasons and require assistance with transiting or short-stay visas. Contact us for more information on Georgia immigration.