Despite Georgia's loyal visa policy and the possibility of free stay in the Republic for up to 1 year, foreigners may have circumstances that force them to request a residence permit. A valid residence permit allows the holder to freely travel and return to the country, find a job, study, and enjoy a number of state privileges. In addition, the process becomes the first step towards obtaining permanent residence and citizenship.
A residence permit in Georgia is provided for a period of 6 to 12 months. Subsequently, the applicant can apply for an extension and extend the validity period from 1 year to 11 years. The new period of validity of the permit is determined by the Agency for the Development of Public Services, which is considering the application.
One of the important innovations of recent years has been the change in the minimum period of residence, after which the right to apply for permanent residence came. Now it's 10 years instead of 6 years. The request for the initial granting of a residence permit should be made only on the territory of Georgia in the relevant branch of the House of Justice.
Types of residence permit
The legislative regulation of the process of granting a residence permit is carried out by the Law "On the Legal Status of Foreigners and Stateless Persons" and Resolution No. 250 "On Approval of procedures for reviewing and making decisions on granting residence permits in Georgia".
In general, the Government of Georgia is ready to provide 2 types of residence permits – a temporary and permanent residence card. The right to receive comes depending on the purpose and duration of stay in the country – employment, education, family reunification, purchase of real estate, etc. In each specific case, it is necessary to lay the foundation for obtaining and collect a package of necessary documents.
Residence permit for the purchase of real estate
A short-term residence permit issued to persons legally owning an object (or group of objects) of real estate located in Georgia. Together with the main candidate, members of his family or persons who are completely financially dependent on him can be included in the application.
The advantage of the program is that the residence permit is issued automatically, but it is important to renew the right at the end of each year. After 6 years, a foreigner can request permanent residence and citizen status.
Necessary justifications
Foreigners and their family members who own real estate with a market value of $100,000 or more (equivalent in lari) have the right to obtain a residence permit. The exception is agricultural land. These can be either individual objects or a group of objects with a declared value.
List of documents
- A valid passport.
- A passport-sized photo.
- Documents confirming the right of legal residence in the country.
- Confirmation of ownership of real estate.
- Assessment of the market value of the object.
- Receipts for payment of state duties.
- Documents for family members and relevant evidence of the degree of kinship.
Student residence permits
If the current citizenship allows visa-free entry to Georgia, then a foreigner can stay and study in the country without obtaining additional permits. Otherwise, it is necessary to apply for a student visa – category D3. The permit is issued for 3 months and becomes a prerequisite for obtaining a student residence permit.
To obtain an appropriate residence permit, a prospective student must apply to the Agency for the Development of Public Services (SDA) within the first 45 days of the visa validity.
Necessary justifications
The main criteria for compliance are enrollment in an educational institution and the right to obtain a primary visa. As a justification for obtaining a residence permit, it is necessary to provide a certificate from the university, which must specify the period of the intended study. In addition, a foreigner must have the financial opportunity to support himself during his studies.
List of documents
- A valid international passport.
- A passport-sized photo.
- A D3 visa.
- A certificate from the educational institution confirming the enrollment status.
- Evidence of financial stability (from GEL 550 per month).
- Confirmation of payment of state duties and fees.
Residence permit for financially independent (freelance, digital nomad)
Georgia provides ample opportunities for digital nomads. The current visa policy allows you to come and stay freely in the country for up to 1 year. After this period, the foreigner may extend his right of stay for a similar period.
The residence permit of a digital nomad is based on a similar visa – a special permit that allows you to work remotely and live in the Republic.
Necessary justifications
To obtain such a residence permit, the candidate must fulfill several simple conditions:
- Confirm the remote employment status.
- To prove financial stability. Regular income should be at least $2,000 per month. The evidence may be the presence of an amount of $24,000 in a bank account.
- Provide medical insurance.
List of documents
- A valid passport.
- A valid visa.
- Confirmation of remote employment – an employment contract, a certificate of registration.
- International medical insurance.
- Confirmation of the availability of funds – bank statements.
Residence permit by marriage
One of the easiest ways to obtain a residence permit in Georgia. The right applies to all persons who marry a citizen of the Republic. The exception is persons with refugee status.
In practice, for women marrying Georgians, a residence permit is issued faster. This is due to the fact that there are many formal marriages registered by foreign men. Therefore, for men, the process can be delayed up to 1 year due to additional checks being carried out.
Necessary justifications
To obtain a residence permit, a foreigner must submit an appropriate package of documents to the Agency for the Development of Public Services no later than one month after marriage. It is important to understand that marrying a Georgian citizen does not automatically give permanent residence. To do this, you will have to fulfill a number of other conditions, including a minimum period of residence in the country and knowledge of the language.
List of documents
- A valid ID card.
- The photo is 3x4.
- Documents confirming the legality of being in the country.
- The marriage certificate.
- Receipts for payment of state duties.
Family reunion
This long-term permit is issued to family members of a foreigner who has already received a corresponding residence permit or dependents of a resident of the Republic. A parent for minor children, a child or a spouse of the applicant may be declared as a family member. At the same time, a person with a valid residence permit /citizenship will act as a sponsor of the arrivals.
Necessary justifications
A request can be sent by a foreigner who has a family member who holds a long-term or permanent residence permit in Georgia. If the application is submitted for the first time, then all applicants and the receiving person must be in the country. An extension request can be submitted online.
List of required documents
- A valid passport.
- A recent passport-size photo.
- Documents confirming the legal presence in the host country.
- Documents confirming the relationship.
- Proof of income or savings. The sponsor or applicant must have an income of at least GEL 550 per month or savings in a Georgian bank of at least GEL 6500.
- Receipts for payment of state duties.
Work permit
A residence permit issued to foreign citizens for employment. In each case, the candidate has their own requirements and corresponding advantages. One of the main conditions is the minimum threshold of personal monthly income. It should not be less than GEL 1,250/month.
The application for a residence permit must be submitted no later than 40 days before the expiration of the current visa or the right of visa-free entry. The validity period is from 6 to 12 months with the right to extend up to 11 years.
Necessary justifications
In order to obtain a residence permit as an employee, a foreigner must provide a valid employment contract or other documents confirming the employment status in a Georgian company. At the same time, the employer must provide a certificate of the availability of a monthly salary of at least 1137.5 lari (equivalent to $454).
Package of documents
- A valid passport.
- Passport-sized photos.
- An employment contract with a validity period of at least 6 months.
- Confirmation of financial viability (for self-support during the validity period of the residence permit).
- Receipts for payment of public services.
Residence permit for business and sole proprietor
A residence permit as an individual entrepreneur allows you to permanently reside in the Republic, conduct commercial activities and use public services. Persons legally residing in the country can apply. At the same time, the remaining validity period of the current visa /visa-free entry right should not be less than 40 days.
Necessary justifications
To send a request, the candidate must be registered as an individual entrepreneur (or LLC) and have the status of a small business enterprise. In this case, the company's turnover/The individual entrepreneur should not exceed GEL 50,000 per year. At the same time, it is not necessary to be a tax resident of Georgia.
List of documents
- A valid ID card.
- Recent passport-sized photos.
- Documents confirming the legality of being in the country.
- Confirmation of doing business with a monthly income of at least 5 times the subsistence minimum.
- Information about the number of foreigners working in an individual entrepreneur/LLC.
- Receipts for payment of state duties.
Extension of a residence permit
Renewal requests can be multiple, but in total, a residence permit cannot be valid for more than 12 years. As a rule, after 10 years of residence in the country, most foreigners apply for permanent residence.
An additional restriction applies to the process of extending all types of residence permits. The application cannot be submitted earlier than 90 days before the expiration of the current residence permit. The initial request for an extension must be sent personally to the Agency for the Development of Public Services. Repeat payments can be made online from abroad.