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Georgia offers visas, residence permits and tax residency status to investors, property owners, entrepreneurs, freelancers, workers and their family members, with a path to citizenship. 

Please note that the Parliament of Georgia is currently debating two bills which aim at increasing the minimum investment requirements. It is not clear when or if these amendments will be enacted. However, we believe there is a high likelihood that they will come into effect by the end of 2019.

To qualify for a permanent (investor) residence permit you will need to invest at least 300,000 laris (around US$ 112,000) in the Georgian economy in the form of capital contribution, loan, purchase of real estate or other assets. The value of the investment has to be verified by an independent auditor. Moreover, the application for a permanent residence permit has to be supported by three business managers who are Georgian citizens (or by a member of the Georgian government). As its name suggests, the permanent residence permit is issued for an indefinite period of time. However, the residence card has to be replaced every five years.

To qualify for a short-term residence permit you will need to become an owner of real estate, such as an apartment, house, development land or any other residential or commercial property (but not agricultural land) worth US$ 35,000 and more. The value of the investment has to be verified by an independent auditor. A short-term residence permit is valid for one year, and can be extended by one-year increments for another 5 years, after which it can be converted into a permanent residence permit, provided that the investment remains in place.

To qualify for a work residence permit as a business manager you will have to produce an employment agreement or a similar document certifying your employment. If this document does not show your monthly income you will have to produce a bank account statement from a local bank confirming a balance of at least  US$1,630.

To qualify for a work residence permit as a freelancer you will have to produce documents certifying your professional qualifications, e.g. diplomas, certificates, other documents showing your education, membership in professional associations etc. In addition, you will need to provide a reference from a Georgian citizen or a Georgian resident and a bank account statement from a local bank confirming a balance of at least  US$1,630.

A work residence permit is issued for a term of up to one year (typically six months), and can be extended by one-year increments for another 5 years, after which it can be converted into a permanent residence permit, provided that the employment continues throughout this period.

If you hold a Georgian residence permit your family members also can apply for "residence permits for family reunification." The following are considered family members:

• Spouse
• Son or daughter (minor and adult)
• Parent
• Minor, supported or incapable person under guardianship/custody of or fully dependent on the main applicant

A residence permit for family reunification is issued if documents are presented showing the kinship (e.g. marriage certificate, birth certificate) and availability of financial means (income or savings) to support the family members.

A residence permit for family reunification is normally issued for a term of up to one year, and can be extended for another 5 years (6 years in total), after which it can be converted into a permanent residence permit.

Please note that if you hold a property ownership (short-term) residence permit your family members qualify for the same type (i.e. short-term) residence status. If you hold an investor (permanent) residence permit only the following family members qualify for the same type (i.e. permanent) residence status: spouse, minor children (under 18), supported on disabled persons fully dependent on you or legally incapable persons fully dependent on you.

A foreigner may be granted tax residency status in Georgia if he qualifies as "high net worth individual":

• The value of his assets is higher than GEL 3,000,000 (US$1,121,500), or
• His annual income exceeded GEL 200,000 (US$74,800) over the last three years

In addition to the above requirements, the applicant must show that he:

• Has a residence permit of Georgia, or
• His annual income from Georgian sources exceeds GEL 25,000 (US$9,300)

The documents are filed with the Revenue Service, which has seven business days to make a determination on the eligibility of the applicant. If the application is erroneous or incomplete the applicant will be given up to 30 days to fix the errors. Once the eligibility is confirmed the case is forwarded to the Ministry of Finance, which issues to the applicant a certificate of tax residency as well as a 9-digit tax identification number. 

The application can be filed in person or through an authorized representative. The tax residency certificate is issued for one tax year. It contains information on the resident's address, tax ID, and a confirmation that he is a resident of Georgia for tax purposes.

Georgian passport ranks 49th in the world (as of 2019) and allows visa-free travel to 114 countries and territories, including EU/Schengen countries, most of CIS countries, Iran and Turkey.

Citizenship by Exception. The President of Georgia may grant Georgian citizenship by way of exception to a foreigner who has made a contribution of exceptional merit to Georgia or based on state interests. Among other things, the following circumstances may be be considered in deciding on a citizenship petition:

• The foreigner has made or is in the process of making an investment in Georgia that has contributed substantially to the development of the economy; or
• The foreigner is successful in sports, science or arts and is willing to represent Georgia; or 
• The foreigner considers Georgia to be his/her homeland.

Citizenship by Residence. You may apply for a Georgian passport after 10 years of residence in the country. The residence must be continuous, meaning that you cannot spend more than 90 days outside Georgia during a year (except when you leave Georgia for up to two years for education or treatment). In addition to the residency requirement, you will have to show basic knowledge of Georgian language, history and law, and that you have a job or own real estate or a business interest in Georgia.

If you are married to a Georgian citizen you may apply for Georgian citizenship after 5 years of continuous residence in the country. You still have to show basic knowledge of Georgian language, history and law. However, there are no requirements to have a job or own real property or business interests in Georgia. 

Georgia restricts the possibility of dual citizenship. You may retain your current citizenship if you are granted Georgian citizenship by exception. However, if you are granted Georgian citizenship on the basis of residency you will have to renounce your current citizenship. 

Please note that, unless you qualify for visa-free travel to Georgia, you must have a long-term visa and at least 45 days before your lawful status in Georgia expires to be able to apply for a residence permit (except for applicants for permanent (investor) residence permits).

​Nationals of almost 100 countries (listed below) can travel to Georgia visa-free. They are allowed to enter Georgia without a visa and stay in the country for one full year. As an exception, nationals of Iran are allowed to stay in the country for up to 45 days during one visit.

Moreover, holders of visas or residence permits of around 50 countries (listed below) can also travel to Georgia visa-free. They are allowed to enter Georgia without a visa and stay in the country for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. 

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