Once you have established that you actually need a Georgian visa — many nationalities do not, thanks to the country’s wide visa-free regime — the next question is which one. Georgia organises its visas into a short-stay category and a long-stay category, with an online e-visa available to many applicants. Get the category right and the process is straightforward; get it wrong and you can be refused or end up with a permission that doesn’t match your plans. This guide explains the e-visa, the difference between the C and D categories, and the point at which a visa is no longer the right tool and you need a residence permit.

As of 2026 the categories, sub-types, fees and validity periods are set by the Georgian authorities and can change. The structure below is described in general terms — always confirm the current sub-types and conditions on the official portal at evisa.gov.ge (and geoconsul.gov.ge for policy) before you apply.

The Georgian e-visa

For nationalities that require a visa but are eligible to apply online, the Georgian e-visa is the simplest route. You apply through the official portal at evisa.gov.ge, fill in the application form, upload your supporting documents and passport photo, and pay the fee online. There is no need to visit an embassy in person for an eligible e-visa application. Once approved, the e-visa is issued electronically and you present it on arrival.

The e-visa is typically used for short-stay (C-category) purposes such as tourism, business and family visits. Eligibility, validity and the permitted length of stay depend on your nationality and the visa type, so the portal is the place to confirm exactly what you can get. As of 2026 the e-visa system runs alongside the visa-free regime and embassy-issued visas, not as a replacement for them.

Category C: the short-stay visa

The C category is Georgia’s ordinary short-stay visa. It covers the kinds of visits most travellers make: tourism, business meetings, attending cultural or sporting events, scientific and research activity, short-term family visits, journalism and similar purposes. It is short-term by design — typically allowing a stay measured in days within a defined window rather than long-term living — and for many nationalities it is exactly what the e-visa delivers. If your plan is to visit, attend something, or do business for a limited period, the C category is usually the right fit.

Category D: the long-stay (immigration) visa

The D category is the long-stay, immigration-oriented visa for people who intend to stay in Georgia for an extended period — to work, study, join family or otherwise build a life. It is the gateway category for most people who go on to apply for a residence permit. The D category is divided into several sub-types according to the purpose of the stay. Stated in general terms, these commonly include:

• D1 — immigration / work. For people coming to Georgia for contracted employment or to carry out entrepreneurial activity.
• D2 — professional / freelance. For certain scientific, cultural, sporting, educational, freelance, intern, volunteer or press-related activity.
• D3 — study. For those enrolling in an accredited educational programme or institution, or coming for research.
• D4 — family reunification. For joining family members who are in Georgia on a lawful basis.
• Further sub-types may exist (for example tied to property ownership). The exact list and lettering can be revised, so confirm the current sub-types on the official portal.

Because the sub-types map onto purpose, choosing the wrong one is a common reason applications stall. If you are coming to work, the difference between a D1 visa and full work authorisation matters — our explainer on how work permit, residence permit and D1 visa differ is worth reading before you file.

C vs D at a glance

	Category C (short-stay)	Category D (long-stay)
Purpose	Tourism, business, events, short visits	Work, study, family, long-term stay
Typical duration	Short-term, days within a defined window	Long-term; gateway to residence
Often issued as e-visa?	Commonly, for eligible nationalities	Usually a more documented application
Leads to a residence permit?	Not the usual route	Yes — the typical immigration path
Documentation	Lighter	Heavier (purpose-specific evidence)

When you need a residence permit, not just a visa

A visa governs your entry and stay for a defined period; a residence permit governs your right to actually live in Georgia long-term. A D visa is often the first step that gets you in lawfully for a long-stay purpose, but if your intention is to settle — to live, work and renew your status year after year — you will move on to a residence permit for longer stays. If your purpose is local employment specifically, you may also need a Georgian work permit. The general rule of thumb: a visa gets you through the door; a residence permit lets you stay.

Note too that many people never reach the D-visa stage at all, because they qualify for visa-free entry or work remotely for foreign clients. If that might be you, check the digital-nomad guide first. Indian citizens in particular should read the visa rules for Indian citizens, since their entry options differ from the open visa-free list.

How Georgiafy can help

Picking the right category and assembling a clean file is exactly where applications succeed or fail. We assess which visa you need, prepare and check your e-visa or D-visa application, and advise when a residence permit is the smarter route. Our visa services in Georgia page sets out everything we handle.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a C and a D visa?

A category C visa is for short stays — tourism, business, events and brief visits. A category D visa is for long-term, immigration-oriented purposes such as work, study or joining family, and it is the usual gateway to a residence permit.

How do I apply for a Georgian e-visa?

Eligible nationalities apply online at evisa.gov.ge: complete the form, upload supporting documents and a photo, and pay the fee. The approved e-visa is issued electronically. Confirm your eligibility and the current requirements on the official portal.

Which D sub-type do I need?

It depends on your purpose: generally D1 for work/entrepreneurial activity, D2 for professional or freelance activity, D3 for study, and D4 for family reunification, with possible further sub-types. The exact lettering can change, so verify the current sub-types on evisa.gov.ge.

Do I need a D visa or a residence permit?

A D visa gets you into Georgia lawfully for a long-stay purpose; a residence permit lets you actually live there long-term and renew your status. Most long-term movers use the D visa as a first step and then apply for a residence permit.

This article is general information, not legal or immigration advice. Visa categories and rules change — verify the current sub-types and conditions officially at evisa.gov.ge and geoconsul.gov.ge before you apply.