Despite the Eurasian location, according to many conventions, it belongs to Europe in cultural, historical and political terms. In recent decades, it has been actively striving to join the European Union and NATO. In 2022, it sent official requests and is currently in the status of a candidate country for EU membership.
He is a member of many international organizations: the Council of Europe, the European Organization for the Safety of Air Navigation, the WTO, the Organization for Democracy and Economic Development (GUAM), the Black Sea Economic Cooperation, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe.
Visa
Georgia's visa policy is characterized by high loyalty. Citizens of more than 90 countries can enter the country without a visa and stay in the territory for up to 1 year. At the same time, if you check out and re-enter, then the allowed period is updated.
If the current citizenship of the arriving foreigner does not allow you to enter the Republic without a visa, then you can pre-issue a permit, including an eVisa. Depending on the purpose and duration of the visit, you can get one of the following types of visas:
- Tourist.
- For freelancers and remote workers.
- Working.
- Business.
- Student's room.
- Special for family reunion.
Every program has its own nuances and limitations. For example, some of them prohibit commercial and labor activities without additional approvals.
To learn more about all types of visas, requirements for obtaining, deadlines and restrictions, study the profile article prepared by our experts.
Residence permit
If the valid period of validity of the visa is not enough, then foreign citizens can request a residence permit in Georgia. An application can be sent for a temporary or permanent residence card. Obtaining a residence permit becomes the first step towards permanent residence and opens up a number of advantages provided by the government of the country.
Persons can use the right if the purpose of their stay corresponds to one of the goals:
- Purchase of real estate.
- Long-term training.
- Remote employment.
- Marriage with a citizen.
- Family reunion.
- Employment.
- Doing business.
It is in each case that the validity period of the issued residence permit will vary. The right to extend the permit is granted if there are appropriate justifications. However, the total term may not exceed 12 years.
You can learn more about all the prospects of a Georgian residence permit right now, the possibilities of obtaining it, and the conditions for granting it, if you read the article completely devoted to Georgian residence permits.
Citizenship
Permanent residence in Georgia opens up many prospects and opportunities, including high global mobility, optimization of personal tax base and socio-economic security. In accordance with the Georgian Law "On Citizenship", foreigners can use the right to obtain the status of a citizen if they meet the criteria of one of the following programs:
- The right of birth.
- Repatriation.
- Marriage with a citizen.
- Naturalization.
- Restoration of lost citizenship.
- Through investments.
Georgian legislation does not allow dual and multiple citizenship. When requesting residency, the initial one must be waived and documentary evidence must be provided.
Read more about the terms of each program, the terms of compliance and the required package of documents in the corresponding article.
Passport
A national identity card is issued to citizens of the country who have a status from birth or acquired under one of the existing programs. The application for residency is accepted by the Agency for the Development of Public Services, and the final verdict is made by the President of Georgia. If there are appropriate grounds, a passport can be obtained using a standard or expedited procedure. Currently, foreign persons can exercise the right through:
- Naturalization programs.
- Marriage with a citizen.
- The right of birth.
- Recovery.
- Repatriation.
- Investment.
Among the standard procedures, simplified options are available to reduce the list of mandatory conditions and the minimum period of residence in the country.
Get more information about the process of obtaining a Georgian passport, the requirements for the applicant, the cost of procedures and possible restrictions.
Climatic conditions
Even with its small size, the country has a diverse climate, which can be divided into 2 zones – the eastern and western part of the country. The climatic zones are divided into a temperate continental climate in the east and a subtropical one in the west. The Great Caucasian Ridge plays a significant role in climate formation, cutting off most of the cold streams from the north. At the same time, warm air masses from the Black Sea are warming the country.
The average air temperature ranges from -2°C to +32°C, rarely falls below -7°C or rises above +36°C. The average annual precipitation ranges from 400 mm in the east of the country to 3000 mm in the west.
Summer (the period from June to September) is often very hot. The hottest month is July, when the temperature reaches +32°C, and the minimum is +19°C. The cold period (the period from November to March) is sparsely snowy (high-altitude areas are prone to more abundant precipitation in the form of snow). The average daily temperatures reach +12 °C. The coldest month is January, in which the minimum temperature can drop to -2°C, and the maximum can rise to +7°C.
Demographics
According to unofficial data, 3.8 million people lived in Georgia in 2023. The population density is 54 people per km2. According to available information, the population decreased by almost 47,000 people in 2023. Population growth has a negative balance (-1.1% per year).
Statistically, there are 2 children per woman. The average age is 38.3 years. Just over 20% of the population is under the age of 15, and people over the age of 60 make up almost 15%. The average life expectancy is 72.8 years – 77.9 years for women and 67.7 years for men.
Ethnic Georgians make up the bulk of the population – almost 84%. The largest diasporas include Azerbaijanis (6.5%), Armenians (5.7%), and Russians (1.5%). Abkhazians and South Ossetians live in republics unrecognized by the Government. The country is also home to many small peoples – Greeks, Kurds, Jews, Turks, Tatars.
Georgian is recognized as the official language. It prevails throughout the territory of Georgia. According to statistical surveys, more than 85% of the population considers Georgian as their native language. The Russian language (due to the influence of the USSR period) is also widely represented. More than 50% of the population speaks Russian.
The Georgian Orthodox and Apostolic Church is the predominant religion in the country. More than 84% of the population considers themselves to this religious movement. The religious minority is Islam (7%), the Armenian Apostolic Church (4%), and Catholicism (0.8%). Almost 8% of the population considers themselves atheists.
Economy
Tourism and the service sector (almost 60% of GDP), the cultivation of citrus fruits, tea, grapes (6% of GDP) are traditionally the predominant sectors of the economy. Manganese and copper predominate in the mining industry. In the industrial sector, there are industries producing wine, metals, chemicals, and textiles. Most of the energy resources are imported from neighboring countries.
According to the World Bank, almost 20% of Georgians live below the poverty line. Many working professions assume earnings of less than 200 euros per month, and the unemployment rate traditionally hovers around 20%. The situation is aggravated by the low level of social protection and provision.
As of 2023, Georgia ranked 35th in the world in terms of economic freedom. According to the human Development index, it is ranked 60th among 193 countries and territories.
Freedom of movement (visa-free countries)
High global mobility is available to holders of a Georgian passport. In general, Georgian citizens can visit 129 countries without a visa. In the world ranking, Georgia's passport is ranked 37th along with Dominica. El Salvador is in the position below, and Taiwan is a step above.
Each host country has its own visa requirements and arrival conditions. You can enter a number of countries without obtaining any permits at all (80 destinations), some of them involve obtaining a pre-visa (65), on arrival (49 countries) or an electronic entry permit (4 states). The period of free stay varies from 30 to 180 days.