Residence Permit Georgia
What are the benefits?
- Unrestricted stay in a friendly and low-cost nation
- Easy application process
- Simplified access to key services
Georgia is a modern and rapidly developing country with a rich history and traditions, gorgeous landscape, superb food, low taxes, a low cost of living, and one of the world’s lowest crime rates. It is strategically located in the Caucasus area and serves as a hub for businesses seeking to reach both European and Asian markets (Including free trade regimes)
Georgia has one of the world’s most permissive visa policies for expats, digital nomads, and freelancers. There are relatively few nations whose representatives require a visa to visit Georgia. Most countries are exempt from visa requirements.
The following nations’ residents have the right to enter and remain in Georgia without a visa for a full year. Furthermore, holders of visas or resident permits from following countries may come and remain in Georgia without a visa for 90 calendar days in any 180-day period, according to Governmental Ordinance #256. Even if a visa is required, the process is fairly straightforward and takes very little time.
However, if you intend to stay in this welcoming nation for an extended period of time, a need for residency permit may arise. Below you will find detailed information, including the pros and cons.
A Georgian residence permit entitles you to the following benefits:
- Right to unrestricted stay in the beautiful, welcoming and affordable country (See Numbeo ranking)
- Without work permits or other paperwork, you have the right to engage in any legitimate activity, such as doing business, working, learning, or just retiring.
- Path to citizenship — with a Georgian passport, you can freely travel to the EU (As of 2025, the Georgian passport ranks 31th in the world and permits visa-free travel to 134 countries and territories, including the EU (Schengen) nations, the majority of CIS countries, Iran, and Turkey.)
- Residents of Georgia have easier access to the Georgian banking system since the procedure of interacting with banks is simplified.
- Legal home – For individuals from nations without a double taxation treaty with Georgia, both legal residency and tax residency play a crucial role in showing Georgia as their home and reducing taxes from their country of origin.
- Access to some key services – For example, if you apply for a visa in Georgia for many countries, being a resident or citizen of Georgia is a requirement..
- Furthermore, Georgian residents are not required to serve in the military.
Obtaining a residency permit often takes less than a month. Once your petition is granted, you will be able to obtain your Georgian residency permit within a few days. Only the bare minimum of documentation is necessary. There is no need to give police certificates, proof of address, tax records, or other documentation.
The Ministry of Justice of Georgia issues a residency card to the applicant, which, if temporary, must be renewed on a regular basis. Permanent residence is not up to renewal. A residence permit can also be provided to family members of a resident.
The residency permit is provided after 30 working days if all of the documentation is in order. A special residency permit is provided after 10 working days. If you need your permission as soon as possible, you must pay an additional fee for expedited processing.
Document submission is only permitted in Georgian, with translations notarized.
Important Details
- You must apply for a residence permit at least 40 days before your permitted stay in Georgia expires. The same rules apply to extending a residence permit.
- All first applications must be submitted from within Georgia. Renewals of existing permits can be made online from outside of Georgia, as long as the previous permit is still valid at the time of application.
- Individuals who need a visa to enter Georgia and come with a C-1 (tourist) visa or those who arrive based on a visa or residency permit from a designated country are not eligible to apply for residency while holding such a visa.
Please keep in mind that acquiring a Georgian residence permit does not imply gaining Georgian tax residence status, which requires spending at least 183 days in Georgia or obtaining tax residence under the High Net Worth Individual program. Georgia’s preferential taxation of persons based on territory, as well as foreign-sourced income not being taxable in Georgia even for tax residents, do not apply automatically in this scenario.
Obtaining the Residence Permit Is Easy
Let us guide you through the process
Type of Residence Permits in Georgia
Work – a foreign person who comes to Georgia to engage in business or labor operations. You can apply with an employment agreement, as an LLC owner, or as a sole entrepreneur (See more on how to register an individual entrepreneur in Georgia here). The firm for which you work must have had a revenue of at least 50,000 GEL in the previous 12 months per foreigner in the company. Exceptions apply to educational and medical establishments.
Short-term, dependent on property ownership – Get residence if you own property worth $100,000 USD or more. The application may contain family residency (spouse and dependents).
Investment – If you invest $300,000 in Georgia real estate, company, or other investments (excluding agricultural land), you and your family can apply for 5 years of temporary residency. If additional conditions based on the type of investment have been satisfied, you can transfer that to permanent residency after 5 years of keeping that investment.
For family reunification (through marriage or kinship) – You can sponsor your spouse or dependent if you hold a Georgian residence card or citizenship. Apostilled birth or marriage certificates are necessary.
Educational – You need a statement of enrollment from a Georgia-accredited educational institution.
Permanent – A Permanent Residence Permit is valid for an infinite period of time. It is issued to a foreigner who has had a temporary residence permit in Georgia for the previous six years. It is also given to people who have had the previously described Investment Residence Permit for five years. Only after this 5-year term may the investor apply for this form of residency visa.
Special and other cases – a) for a former Georgian citizen b) For foreign citizen who might be a victim of human trafficking c) for an officially proclaimed stateless person d) For a foreigner when a member of the Georgian government presents a written initiative for the issue of a temporary residency permit
Frequently Asked Questions About Residence Permit in Georgia
How can I get a residence permit in Georgia?
A Georgian residence permit can be obtained on several grounds: employment (work or own business/IE), study at a Georgian university, family reunification, purchase of real estate worth at least 150,000 USD, or investments of 300,000 USD or more in the country’s economy. The most popular route is registering an IE or company followed by applying for a work-based residence permit.
How long does it take to process a residence permit in Georgia?
The standard processing time for a residence permit application is 30 calendar days. Expedited processing is available in 10 or 20 business days for an additional fee. After approval, it takes up to 10 additional days for ID card production (can be expedited to same-day issuance). Applications are submitted at the Civil Registry Agency (Public Service Hall) or through their online portal.
How much money do I need in my account for a Georgian residence permit?
For a work-based residence permit through a business (IE or company), there are no formal minimum balance requirements. However, it is recommended to have at least 20,000 USD in your account — this confirms financial stability and can compensate for other weaker aspects of your application. For a real estate-based permit, the property must be worth at least 150,000 USD.
How long can I stay in Georgia without a residence permit?
Citizens of most CIS and EU countries can stay in Georgia for up to 1 year without a visa or residence permit. Citizens of Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and other CIS countries enjoy a visa-free regime for 365 days. After expiration, you can leave and re-enter. However, for legal employment and business activities, obtaining a residence permit is recommended.
Can I get a residence permit in Georgia by buying property?
Yes, purchasing real estate worth at least 150,000 USD entitles you to a Georgian residence permit. The property must be residential or commercial real estate located in Georgia. A property-based residence permit is issued for 1 year with the possibility of renewal. Ownership must be registered in the Public Registry.
Can I buy an apartment in Georgia without a residence permit?
Yes, foreign citizens can freely buy apartments and commercial real estate in Georgia without a residence permit and without any restrictions. The only exception is agricultural land, which foreigners cannot purchase. The buying process is straightforward: the sale agreement is registered at the Public Registry (or notarized).
Advantages of Opening an IE in Georgia
Opening an IE in Georgia opens up numerous advantages and opportunities for foreigners. Here are just a few of them:
- Simplified Registration Process. The process of registering an IE in Georgia is streamlined and takes only a few days. You won’t have to overcome bureaucratic barriers, as is often the case in other countries.
- Low Taxes. Georgia is renowned for its favorable tax system. The income tax rate for small business IEs is just 1%, which is one of the lowest in the world. The 18% VAT is not charged for services provided to foreign clients electronically.
- Opportunity to Obtain a Residence Permit. After registering an IE in Georgia, foreigners are eligible to obtain a residence permit valid for one year. This allows them to legally reside and work in the country.
- Convenient Geographic Location. Georgia is situated at the crossroads of trade routes between Europe and Asia, making it an ideal location for conducting business with international partners.
- Favorable Investment Climate. The Georgian government actively supports foreign investors and entrepreneurs by creating favorable conditions for doing business.
Process of Opening an IE in Georgia and Obtaining a Residence Permit
To open an IE in Georgia and obtain a residence permit through IE, you need to follow these main steps:
It should be noted that the process of opening an IE and obtaining a residence permit in Georgia may vary slightly depending on the specific circumstances and requirements at the time of application. Therefore, it is recommended to seek the assistance of professional lawyers or consultants who can guide you through all stages and help avoid potential problems.
- Prepare Documents. You will need to gather the required set of documents, including a completed application form, a copy of your passport, a criminal record certificate, and other papers.
- Register the IE. This process can be done independently or with the assistance of a professional legal company. Registration takes a few days and requires the payment of a state fee.
- Achieve an Annual Turnover of GEL 50,000. To obtain a residence permit, you must demonstrate an annual turnover of at least GEL 50,000 from your IE.
- Submit Documents in Person in Georgia. You must submit the documents for a residence permit in person while you are in Georgia, no later than 40 days before the expiration of your visa or visa-free period.
- Wait for a Decision. The consideration of the residence permit application can take from one to several months. If the decision is positive, you will be issued a residence permit valid for one year.
Living and Working in Georgia with a Residence Permit through IE
After obtaining a Georgia residence permit through opening an IE, foreigners can enjoy all the advantages of living in this hospitable country. Georgia offers a unique combination of ancient culture, stunning nature, and modern infrastructure.
IE owners have the opportunity not only to run their businesses in Georgia but also to work as employees in local companies. Many foreigners also choose Georgia as a base for remote work or freelancing, enjoying the low cost of living and excellent climate.
It’s worth noting that the residence permit in Georgia through IE needs to be renewed annually. However, as long as all requirements are met and necessary fees are paid on time, this process should not cause any difficulties.
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