Obtaining a Residency Card in Georgia

A residency authorization in Georgia is an official document provided to foreign nationals, permitting them to live and work in the country for extended periods. It allows non-citizens to legally stay in Georgia long-term and access many social and economic benefits available to Georgian citizens.

Residency authorizations are granted based on various reasons, such as economic investments, family connections, employment, or education. Georgia offers a simplified application process, especially for citizens of certain nations.

The authorization is valid for a specific duration and can be extended. After residing in Georgia for a designated period, a foreign national may qualify to apply for Georgian citizenship.

Types of Residency Authorizations in Georgia

It’s recommended to review the Law of Georgia on the Legal Status of Aliens and Stateless Persons, available at matsne.gov.ge, particularly Article 15, which details the types of residency authorizations.

Below is an in-depth look at each residency authorization category:

I. Work-Related Residency Authorization

This authorization is issued to individuals employed in Georgia, self-employed professionals, or registered entrepreneurs.

Required Documents:

Copy of the applicant’s passport.

Copy of a document proving legal presence in Georgia.

Evidence of employment or business activity (e.g., work contract). If income cannot be verified, a bank statement showing sufficient funds may be used, with a monthly balance at least five times the subsistence minimum for an average consumer in Georgia.

A certificate confirming monthly income from work or business in Georgia, at least five times the subsistence minimum. Additionally, a Revenue Service document verifying that the annual turnover of the employing or founding enterprise (excluding educational/medical institutions) is at least GEL 50,000 per applicant, or GEL 35,000 for educational/medical institutions.

Photograph, 3×4 cm.

Processing Times and Fees:

30 days: GEL 300

20 days: GEL 450

10 days: GEL 600

II. Education-Based Residency Authorization

This is granted to students enrolled at accredited Georgian educational institutions.

Required Documents:

Copy of the applicant’s passport.

Copy of a document confirming legal stay in Georgia.

A certificate from a Georgian educational institution, stating the expected study duration.

Proof of legal income in Georgia from a relative (foreign national, Georgian citizen, or permit holder) or funds in the applicant’s bank account, at least twice the subsistence minimum for an average consumer in Georgia.

Photograph, 3×4 cm.

Processing Times and Fees:

30 days: GEL 300

20 days: GEL 450

10 days: GEL 600

III. Family Reunification Authorization

This is issued to family members of a foreign national with a residency authorization.

Required Documents:

Copy of the applicant’s passport.

Copy of a document verifying legal stay in Georgia.

Proof of family relationship.

Evidence of legal income in Georgia from a relative or funds in the applicant’s bank account, at least twice the subsistence minimum for an average consumer in Georgia.

Photograph, 3×4 cm.

Processing Times and Fees:

30 days: GEL 300

20 days: GEL 450

10 days: GEL 600

IV. Authorization for Former Georgian Citizens

This is granted to individuals whose Georgian citizenship was terminated.

Required Documents:

Copy of the applicant’s passport.

Copy of a document proving legal stay in Georgia (not required if the applicant remained in Georgia post-citizenship termination).

Copy of the document confirming citizenship termination.

Photograph, 3×4 cm.

Processing Times and Fees:

30 days: GEL 300

20 days: GEL 450

10 days: GEL 600

V. Stateless Persons Authorization

This is issued to individuals recognized as stateless in Georgia.

Required Documents and Fees:

To be specified.

VI. Special Authorization

This is granted to specific groups, such as suspected human trafficking victims under Georgia’s anti-trafficking law, individuals recommended by a government member, or compatriots abroad per Article 60.

Required Documents (Government Recommendation):

Copy of the applicant’s passport.

Written recommendation from a government member.

Copy of a document confirming legal stay in Georgia.

Photograph, 3×4 cm.

Fee: Free.

Required Documents (Human Trafficking):

To be specified.

VII. Permanent Residency Authorization

his is issued to spouses, parents, or children of Georgian citizens, or foreigners with 10 years of temporary residency (excluding study, medical treatment, or diplomatic work periods).

Required Documents:

For spouses, minor children, or parents of a minor Georgian citizen:

Copy of the applicant’s passport.

Copy of a document proving legal stay in Georgia.

Proof of kinship with a Georgian citizen.

Evidence of legal income in Georgia from a relative or applicant’s bank account. For Georgian pensioners or social assistance recipients, proof of benefits is acceptable.

Photograph, 3×4 cm.

For foreigners with 10 years of temporary residency:

Copy of the applicant’s passport.

Copy of temporary residency permits for the past 10 years.

Proof of legal income (as above).

Photograph, 3×4 cm.

Processing Times and Fees:

30 days: GEL 350

20 days: GEL 500

VIII. Investment-Based Authorization

This is granted to foreigners and their family members investing at least USD 300,000 equivalent in GEL or owning non-agricultural property valued over USD 300,000 equivalent in GEL, verified by a certified appraiser. Family members include spouses, minor children, or fully dependent/disabled persons.

Required Documents:

For investors:

Copy of the applicant’s passport.

Copy of a document verifying legal stay in Georgia.

Proof of investment (audit report for USD 300,000) or property ownership (certified appraisal over USD 300,000 equivalent in GEL).

Recommendation from three Georgian business representatives or a government member.

Photograph, 3×4 cm.

For family members:

Copy of the applicant’s passport.

Copy of a document proving legal stay in Georgia.

Copy of the investor’s authorization.

Proof of family ties.

Photograph, 3×4 cm.

Processing Times and Fees:

30 days: GEL 300

20 days: GEL 450

10 days: GEL 600

IX. Temporary Authorization for Domestic Violence Victims

This is issued to foreigners recognized as victims under Georgia’s law on violence against women and/or domestic violence, with restraining/protection orders or using shelter/crisis services.

Required Documents and Fees:

To be specified.

X. Temporary Authorization for Property Ownership (USD 100,000+)

This is granted to foreigners owning non-agricultural property valued over USD 100,000 equivalent in GEL, verified by a certified appraiser, and their family members.

Required Documents:

For property owners:

Copy of the applicant’s passport.

Copy of a document confirming legal stay in Georgia.

Proof of property ownership (value over USD 100,000 equivalent in GEL).

Certified appraisal of the property’s value.

Photograph, 3×4 cm.

For family members:

Copy of the applicant’s passport.

Copy of a document verifying legal stay in Georgia.

Copy of the property owner’s temporary authorization.

Proof of family ties.

Photograph, 3×4 cm.

Processing Times and Fees:

30 days: GEL 300

20 days: GEL 450

10 days: GEL 600

XI. Unlimited Authorization After 5 Years of Investment-Based Residency

This is issued to foreigners and their family members with a 5-year investment-based authorization, with either: (1) a USD 300,000 equivalent in GEL investment and annual turnover of USD 50,000 (Year 1), USD 100,000 (Year 2), USD 120,000 (Years 3–5); or (2) ownership of non-agricultural property worth over USD 300,000 equivalent in GEL for 5 years. Family members include spouses, minor children, or fully dependent/disabled persons.

Required Documents and Fees:

To be specified.

Visa-Free Stay in Georgia

Per Government Decree No. 255 (June 5, 2015), citizens of the following countries can enter Georgia without a visa and stay for one year (except Ukraine, which allows two years per Decree No. 81, February 24, 2023):

Australia

Austria

Azerbaijan

Albania

United States

Andorra

Antigua and Barbuda

United Arab Emirates

Argentina

New Zealand

Barbados

Bahrain

Bahamas

Belarus

Belgium

Belize

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Botswana

Brazil

Brunei Darussalam

Bulgaria

Germany

Denmark

Faroe Islands

Greenland

United Kingdom

Bermuda Islands

Cayman Islands

British Virgin Islands

Falkland Islands

Turks and Caicos Islands

Gibraltar

Jersey

Guernsey

Isle of Man

Dominican Republic

El Salvador

Ecuador

Spain

Estonia

Turkey

Turkmenistan

Japan

Ireland

Iceland

Israel

Italy

Canada

Qatar

Cyprus

Colombia

Korea

Costa Rica

Latvia

Lithuania

Lebanon

Liechtenstein

Luxembourg

Mauritius

Malaysia

Malta

Mexico

Monaco

Moldova

Montenegro

Netherlands

Aruba

Netherlands Antilles

Norway

Oman

Panama

Poland

Portugal

Romania

Russia

Greece

South Africa

San Marino

Saudi Arabia

France

French Polynesia

New Caledonia

Seychelles

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Serbia

Singapore

Slovakia

Slovenia

Armenia

Thailand

Tajikistan

Uzbekistan

Ukraine

Hungary

Finland

Kuwait

Kyrgyzstan

Kazakhstan

Sweden

Switzerland

Czech Republic

Holy See

Croatia

Honduras

Where to Apply for a Residency Authorization

Georgia’s transparent public service system, primarily through Houses of Justice, handles residency applications efficiently. In 2012, the House of Justice won a UN award for enhancing government service delivery. Services are available in cities like Tbilisi, Batumi, Rustavi, Kutaisi, and others, covering identity documents, marriage/birth registration, property rights, and residency/business applications.

The Tbilisi House of Justice is located at: https://goo.gl/maps/raCA7bgW4ory2ZtP7.

Authorizations are also processed at Territorial Services of the State Service Development Agency.

Advantages of a Residency Authorization

Foreign nationals with a residency authorization benefit from:

Staying in Georgia beyond one year without exiting.

Obtaining authorizations for family members.

Applying for visas at foreign consulates in Georgia.

Potential eligibility for permanent residency and citizenship, if requirements are met.

Application Process for a Residency Authorization

Applicants must be in Georgia for the initial application but can renew remotely. Applications can be submitted at the House of Justice or State Service Development Agency:

a) In person,

b) Online via the government portal,

c) Through a representative.

For remote applications:

Watch the instructional video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bFIo7fkLpVE.

Fill out the online form.

Upload document scans.

Schedule a Skype interview (in Georgian, English, or Russian).

Register the application and track status at: sda.gov.ge.

Pay the state fee at a bank or online.

Submit physical document copies within 10 days of registration.

Note: Most applications are approved, but denials occur, and some have been successfully appealed in court.

Post-Approval Steps

Upon approval, applicants receive a “binadroba” document, valid for the authorization’s duration. Requirements include:

Registering residence with the property owner’s consent, title deed, or two witnesses confirming one month of residency.

Providing a photograph (available on-site).

Paying the state fee based on processing time.

Submitting the authorization approval or refugee/stateless status decision.

Providing identification.

Note: Issue the Binadroba within 6 months, or the authorization will be canceled.