Have you ever pictured wrapping up your workday with a glass of fine wine on a cozy street in Tbilisi, or spending your weekend exploring the ancient cave ruins of Vardzia or soaking up the sun on a Batumi beach? Hold on a second before you pack your bags and book those flights to Georgia, let’s navigate the legal landscape.
Who needs a Visa to enter Georgia?
Citizens of over 90 countries, including the United States, Australia, and several European nations, enjoy visa-free entry to Georgia and unrestricted stay in the country for up to one year. So, if you’re a citizen of one of the countries on the list, you can stay in Georgia without any additional restrictions.
Crucial Legislative Update: Previously, a visa-free stay permitted foreign nationals to work freely. Today, visa-free entry no longer grants an automatic right to engage in employment or business activities. Legally working for a local entity or operating a business now requires official work authorization and an appropriate legal status.
List of Visa-free countries
Here is the list of countries which citizens can enter Georgia visa-free.
Visa Types
For foreign nationals who require an entry visa or those applying for specific residence permit grounds, Georgia provides several visa classifications:
- Diplomatic (A)
- Special (B)
- Ordinary / Short-Term (C)
- Immigration / Long-Term (D)
- Transit (T)
Ordinary Visas (Category C)
Category C visas are short-term ordinary visas issued for tourism, business meetings, family visits, or medical treatment. Unlike Category D visas, Category C visas do not serve as a direct pathway to a Residence Permit (with rare exceptions based on independent legal grounds).
Category C is divided into five subcategories based on the purpose of travel. The most notable addition for remote workers and expats is the C5 Visa:
- Category C5 — Special Visa for Remote Workers (New Category):
- Target Audience: Issued to foreign nationals visiting Georgia as tourists who work remotely exclusively for non-resident entities (foreign employers or clients). It is also issued to their spouses and minor dependent children.
- Key Feature: Unlike standard short-term C visas, the C5 visa permits continuous legal stay in Georgia for up to 1 full year.
- Application Process: Ordinary visas are issued via Georgian embassies and consulates abroad, or online through the government’s official e-Visa Portal for eligible nationalities. The e-Visa application fee is 20 USD. As a general rule, Category C visas cannot be extended within Georgia.
Immigration (D-category) Visa
Category D long-term immigration visas are mandatory for foreign employees, business owners, and entrepreneurs seeking to operate in Georgia, as well as those applying for a Temporary Residence Permit.
- Category D1 — Employment & Business Activity: The primary visa type for individuals intending to work under an employment contract, engage in entrepreneurial activity (individual entrepreneurs/business owners under the Law of Georgia “On Entrepreneurs”), or represent international firms. Note: Obtaining a D1 visa requires prior approval of a Work Authorization.
- Category D2 — Professional Activity: Designed for specialists in sports, science, culture, and education, as well as independent freelancers, volunteers, interns, and accredited media personnel.
- Category D3 — Higher Education & Research: Issued to adult students pursuing higher education, research, or academic exchange programs at authorized Georgian institutions.
- Category D4 — Family Reunification: Designed for adults arriving in Georgia for family reunification purposes.
- Category D5 — Real Estate Ownership: Granted to foreign nationals who own real estate in Georgia (excluding agricultural land) and their family members.
- Threshold: The property’s market value must exceed 150,000 USD (converted into Georgian Lari – GEL).
- Verification: Market value must be certified by an accredited independent appraiser in Georgia.
- Category D6 — Minor Student Visa (New Category): Introduced to replace D3 and D4 visas for minor school students, covering foreign minors enrolled in primary/secondary education and their accompanying family members.
⚠️ CRITICAL UPDATE: In-Country D1 Visa Applications Discontinued
Previously, foreign nationals residing legally in Georgia (such as those under the 365-day visa-free regime) could apply for a D1 immigration visa directly at the Public Service Hall (PSH) without leaving the country. Pursuant to Government Resolution No. 280, this practice has been completely abolished.
It is now impossible to apply for or obtain a D1 visa within Georgia. All D1 visa applications must be submitted exclusively through Georgian diplomatic missions or consular posts abroad prior to entering the country.
How to Apply for a Visa
Securing a Georgian visa requires careful planning and step-by-step execution:
Consular Fees: Fees vary depending on citizenship and visa category.
Application Submission: Complete the online application via the official VISA PORTAL. Physical copies of the application and supporting documents must be presented to a Georgian diplomatic mission or consulate abroad. (Reminder: In-country applications via the Public Service Hall are no longer permitted).
Required Documentation: Review the specific decree for your visa category. Standard requirements include a valid passport, proof of accommodation, travel itinerary, financial statements, notarized Georgian translations of documents, and an employment contract (for D1) or certified property appraisal (for D5).
Consular Interview: Be prepared for a potential interview with a consular officer.
Invitation / Contract: Certain categories require an official invitation from a Georgian resident entity or a registered employment agreement.
Processing Time: Short-term visas take 5 to 10 calendar days (5 business days via the e-VISA Portal). Long-term Category D visas take up to 30 calendar days (except for the D5 Real Estate visa, which is processed within 10 days).
Who needs a Residence Permit in Georgia?
Visas grant entry, but what about long-term legal residency?
Under Government Decree No. 255, citizens and permanent residents of eligible visa-free countries can enter and remain in Georgia without a visa for up to 1 full year. Eligible foreign nationals residing in Georgia legally may apply for a Residence Permit through a Legal Entity of Public Law under the Ministry of Justice such as the Public Service Hall or the Public Service Development Agency.
While a visa-free year provides flexibility, expats historically relied on “visa runs” (crossing borders into neighboring Armenia, Turkey, or Azerbaijan to reset the 365-day clock). However, because working or conducting business without official registration and work authorization is prohibited, relying on visa runs is no longer a viable legal strategy for working expats. To avoid administrative fines, border re-entry refusals, and potential deportation, obtaining an official Residence Permit is the recommended solution.
Types of Residence Permits in Georgia
1. Work Residence Permit (Employment TRC)
The requirements for obtaining a Work Residence Permit have been substantially tightened:
- Work Authorization: Employers must officially register foreign employees and secure formal employment authorization from the State Employment Agency.
- Company Turnover Threshold: The employing company (or individual entrepreneur’s business) must demonstrate a minimum annual turnover of 50,000 GEL per foreign employee.
- Sufficient Income: The applicant’s monthly salary must meet or exceed the state-mandated minimum threshold.
2. Short-Term Residence Permit (Real Estate TRC)
Issued to individuals owning residential or commercial real estate in Georgia (excluding agricultural land) valued at over 150,000 USD (equivalent in GEL), as well as their immediate family members. Market value must be verified by an accredited independent appraiser.
3. Investment Residence Permit
Granted to foreign nationals who invest a minimum of 300,000 USD (equivalent in GEL) into the Georgian economy or purchase qualifying real estate meeting this value. The Investment TRC is issued directly for a 5-year term, establishing a pathway toward Permanent Residence (PRC). Qualified family members include spouses, dependent children, and incapacitated dependents.
4. Permanent Residence Permit (PRC)
Issued to foreign investors who maintain their investment or business turnover over a 5-year period under the Investment TRC, as well as spouses, parents, and children of Georgian citizens. It is also available to foreign nationals who have legally resided in Georgia on a temporary residence permit for 6 consecutive years (excluding study, medical treatment, or diplomatic stays).
Additional Residence Permit Categories:
Former Citizen Residence Permit: Issued to individuals who previously held Georgian citizenship.
Study Residence Permit: Granted for higher education studies at accredited Georgian institutions (adult students only).
Family Reunification Residence Permit: Issued to family members of foreign nationals holding a valid Georgian TRC.
Wrapping Up
Summary & Final Takeaways
While immigration laws may appear complex, Georgia’s legal procedures remain transparent when supported by up-to-date expertise. Passport holders from over 90 visa-free countries can enter easily, but living long-term and working legally now requires dedicated legal status either a Category D visa or a Residence Permit.
To ensure full compliance, employers and employees must secure employment contracts, meet company turnover thresholds, and process visa applications through consular channels abroad. Despite these updated compliance standards, Georgia’s warm hospitality, vibrant business ecosystem, and world-class wine await.
At PB Services, our legal and tax advisory team is ready to assist you with every step from company compliance checks and real estate appraisals to complete residence permit application support. Book your 30-minute consultation with our legal experts today!