Although you cannot obtain citizenship by investing in Georgia directly, you can achieve citizenship after you obtain residency by investment and follow the required steps. This scheme allows foreign individuals to obtain a residence permit by making specific investments in the country. After maintaining residency for five years, you may become eligible to apply for Georgian citizenship through naturalization.
| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Who can obtain residency by investment in Georgia? | Individuals who are willing to make a financial investment in the country through property purchase or other investment options. |
|
Minimum investment in a business for residency by investment |
300,000 GEL |
|
Minimum market price value for the immovable property for residency by investment |
11,252 GEL (except for agricultural land) |
| Validity period for investment residence permit | 6 months – 1 year, it can be extended for up to 5 years |
| Investments eligible for consideration for residency by investment |
In different fields, such as energy, hospitality (hotels and resorts), real estate, logistics, manufacturing and services. |
| Required documents for obtaining residency by investment |
– a certificate confirming legal stay in the country, – documents verifying the business investment, – proof of payment for the fees, – a certified copy of the passport, etc. |
| Short-term residence permit in Georgia for investors |
The short-term residency permit in Georgia is issued to the applicant and family members. |
| Obtaining permanent residency permit in Georgia |
A permanent residence permit in Georgia can be issued to a foreign citizen who has held a temporary residence permit in Georgia for the preceding six years. It can be issued to the spouse, parent, or child of a Georgian citizen. |
| Requirements for obtaining citizenship in Georgia |
Citizenship in Georgia can be acquired through various means, including birth, naturalization, and exceptional circumstances. |
| Obtaining Georgian citizenship through naturalization | Acquiring citizenship in Georgia through naturalization includes uninterrupted residency for at least 10 years, knowledge of the Georgian language and history, legal status of employment or ownership of real estate, entrepreneurial activity or ownership of interest or shares in a Georgian company. |
| Dual citizenship |
Georgia does not recognize dual citizenship, individuals seeking citizenship must renounce to their previous nationality. The only exception to this rule is through a special Presidential Decree. Please contact our specialist for more details regarding immigration in Georiga. |
| Nationalities with limited eligibility |
None |
| Advantages of obtaining citizenship in Georgia |
– visa-free travel, – affordable cost of living, – favorable tax system, – strategic location |
| Main taxes in Georgia |
– personal income tax, – capital gains tax, – rental property tax, – corporate tax, – VAT, etc. |
| Time frame for obtaining citizenship in Georgia | One month (approx.) |
These particular cases can be further discussed with our team of Georgian immigration agents.
Our team is ready to assist foreign entrepreneurs who are interested in making the minimum real estate or corporate investment in the country. The process is not a complicated one, however, in order to ensure its success, it is recommended to work with a team of local agents, such as our specialists, who can help coordinate the process and provide information about the mandatory submissions with the Georgian authorities.
Investing in real estate is a convenient manner in which a qualifying foreign national can obtain a residence permit in Georgia. As highlighted below in this article, conditions apply in terms of the minimum investment amount, however, foreign nationals who have the capital to buy property will enjoy one of the fastest routes to becoming permanent residents.
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Residency status for investors in Georgia
Acquiring citizenship through an investment starts with obtaining the investment residence permit. This permit is granted to those who are interested in acquiring Georgian residency by investment in the form of permanent residence following the purchase of property, as detailed below by our agents. It is important to note that a separate, short-term residence permit in Georgia can be issued to the applicant and his or her family members who have the right to immovable property.
We present you a few details about the minimum investment and the permit validity:
- 300,000 USD is the minimum amount for the investment residence permit for foreign investors, as per the Law on Promotion and Guarantees of Investment;
- 100,000 USD equivalent in GEL is the minimum market price value for the immovable property (except agricultural land) for those who apply for the short-term residence permit;
- both of these permits for investment in Georgia are issued with validity periods between 6 months and 1 year;
- the permits can be extended for up to 5 years, after which the holder can apply for Georgian citizenship based on the residence permit he held for investment purposes.
Entrepreneurs who choose to purchase real estate or, as an alternative, open a company can only obtain the residency by investment permit. They cannot directly obtain citizenship by investment in Georgia. Both options are valid for the residency by investment permit, however, the minimum investment must be observed and, when corporate incorporation is chosen, the business owner will also need to observe certain requirements for the annual turnover. The company must also be registered with the National Agency of Public Registry. With the residency permit and by following the necessary steps, investors can acquire citizenship in the country. One of our agents who specializes in Georgia immigration can provide more details on these criteria.
It is important to note that the holder of a residence permit in Georgia is required to apply for the Residence Card with a territorial office of the Public Service Development Agency, failure to do so within six months can result in the termination of the permit.
Interested individuals should note that the investment residence permit is also awarded to the investor’s family members (spouse, dependent underage children, or dependent incapacitated persons). You can reach out to our Georgian permanent residence specialists for more information on the conditions that should be fulfilled when also applying for family members.
Investment through real estate
As mentioned above, you can obtain residency by investment in Georgia through real estate. It is possible to purchase multiple apartments as long as their combined value meets the minimum sum.
To apply for this residence permit in Georgia, you need to register the apartment in your name at the Public Services Hall and have it evaluated by a certified appraiser to ensure its value exceeds the minimum requirement. You can only apply for the scheme once the property is completed and you officially become the owner.
Documents needed include: the property appraisal, documents from the property registration, your passport with entry stamps, and two passport photos. Additionally, you will need three Georgian citizens to recommend your application.
It is important to note that you can only obtain residency by investment in the country, and cannot get direct citizenship by investment in Georgia. Contact us for more details regarding immigration to Georgia.
Permanent residency in Georgia
After obtaining the temporary residency permit from the residency by investment scheme, you need to apply for permanent residency in order to finally obtain citizenship. We remind you cannot obtain direct citizenship by investment in Georgia, but you can obtain the residency permit by investment and later apply for permanent residency.
To be eligible for permanent residency, applicants must have resided in Georgia for six years while holding a temporary residency permit. The six-year period specifically excludes time spent in Georgia under a visa for educational purposes, diplomatic activities, or medical treatment.
If your family members are also considering immigration to Georgia, they can also be granted permanent residency, but this is only possible if the permit holder has acquired citizenship through naturalization.
Some of the documents needed for permanent residency in Georgia include:
- the application form, completed;
- a copy of the applicant’s passport;
- a document confirming the applicant’s legal residence for the past six years, typically a copy of the temporary residency permit in Georgia;
- a document demonstrating the applicant’s legal income in Georgia.
If you are interested in making an investment in the country, you can obtain a residence permit, but cannot obtain citizenship by investment in Georgia. Our team can provide you with more details and requirements in the procedure of obtaining permanent residency and migration from other countries to Georgia.
Tax residency
Tax residency in Georgia is considered after spending 183 days or more in Georgia within any continuous 12-calendar-month period ending in the tax year. There’s no need to provide additional proof such as rental agreements or utility bills, the passport stamp indicating the duration of stay is sufficient. Once the requirement is met, one can request a tax residency certificate from the Revenue Services of Georgia. This is an important aspect of the residency by investment program because individuals can enjoy the associated tax benefits and privileges. Note that meeting the criteria for tax residency does not grant citizenship in Georgia.
Alternatively, tax residency can be granted to high net worth individuals who meet specific financial criteria. A high net worth Individual is someone with either:
- proven wealth of minimum GEL 3,000,000 (approximately EUR 750,000);
- annual income exceeding GEL 200,000 (EUR 50,000) over the previous three years.
Additionally, a high net worth individual must either:
- have a Georgian work permit,
- have a yearly income from Georgian sources of at least GEL 25,000.
It is important to remember that citizenship by investment in Georgia is not possible. While residency can be obtained through investment, citizenship requires a separate and more comprehensive process.
Acquiring citizenship in Georgia
If you are looking to obtain citizenship in Georgia, it is possible by following the naturalization procedure.
The ordinary procedure for acquiring citizenship in Georgia through naturalization includes the following conditions:
1. Residency: uninterrupted residency for at least 10 years is a prerequisite for application;
2. Language knowledge: all applicants should know the language at a pre-defined level and this is subject to examination;
3. History and law knowledge: a special examination also takes place for basic Georgian history and law knowledge.
4. Status: the applicant should be employed or, in the investment case, own real estate, be engaged in an entrepreneurial activity or own interest or shares in a Georgian company.
The simplified citizenship process may take place when the applicant has been married to a Georgian citizen for five years (and they have lived together uninterruptedly for this time).
You can obtain Georgian citizenship through these methods, but not through investments in the country. These investments grant you a residence permit, and you do not obtain citizenship by investment in Georgia.
Exceptional citizenship in Georgia
It is possible to obtain citizenship in Georgia under some exceptional circumstances. However, getting Georgian citizenship by investment is not typically an available option, unless the investment in the country’s economy contributes substantially to its development.
The President can grant citizenship by way of exception to individuals who have made outstanding contributions to Georgia or based on the country’s state interests. The decision to grant citizenship under these circumstances is at the discretion of the President and may consider factors such as residency in occupied territories or exceptional achievements in fields like sports, science, or art.
How can our immigration lawyers help?
Our Georgian immigration lawyers can provide full assistance throughout the relocation process. While Georgian citizenship by investment is not possible, we can help interested individuals obtain residency through the residency by investment program. Additionally, we offer support for those who wish to obtain citizenship through other means, such as naturalization.
We can help prepare and submit all necessary documentation and forms for residency or citizenship applications. We will ensure that applications are completed accurately and in compliance with relevant laws and regulations.
Our team will develop personalized strategies tailored to the individual circumstances of each case. Although citizenship by investment in Georgia is not possible, we can advise on the most effective pathways to achieve citizenship based on factors such as employment, family ties, or other criteria.
If complications or obstacles arise during the application process, our Georgian immigration lawyers will assist in resolving these issues efficiently.
Immigration laws and regulations can change frequently. We are updated on changes in the law and will advise interested individuals accordingly, ensuring that everything complies with current requirements.
Advantages of investing in Georgia
Investing in Georgia is a very advantageous route to obtaining full Georgian citizenship. By making a qualifying investment, you can obtain residency in a relatively short period.
While the investment schemes do not directly mean that you obtain citizenship in Georgia, they can serve as a pathway toward eligibility for naturalization in the future.
Through the investment schemes, you can enjoy the rights and benefits of residency in Georgia, such as access to healthcare, education, and social services. This can be particularly beneficial for individuals looking to establish a new lifestyle or expand their international presence.
Investing in a Georgian company also grants you access to its growing market and business opportunities. You can establish or expand your business presence, benefiting from the favorable business climate.
Another reason and advantage of immigrating to Georgia is that properties, such as apartments or commercial spaces in major cities like Tbilisi, have the potential to generate significant income for investors. When rented out, these properties can provide a steady stream of rental income. Additionally, when sold after a few years of ownership, the property value may appreciate, allowing investors to potentially earn a substantial return on their initial investment.
Investing in Georgia can be a suitable option for those who wish to remain in the country permanently. While it is not always the wish of all who become permanent residents, acquiring Georgian citizenship is possible under the ordinary procedure for many of those who remain to reside in the country after having made an investment. Our team can give you more details and assist you with the application.
Statistics about Georgian immigration
If you wish to discover more facts about the Georgian immigration trends, we invite you to take a look at these statistics provided by the National Statistics Office for the year 2022:
- 151,487 immigrants were aged between 15-64 years old;
- Only 7,326 immigrants were aged 65+ years;
- 62,302 immigrants were Russian citizens;
- The net migration in Georgia in 2022 was 54,509 persons, indicating a positive influx of individuals into the country.
Although obtaining citizenship by investment in Georgia is not directly possible, you can contact our team for further assistance regarding the residency program and how to benefit from it.
