Visa-Free Travel. 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.

List of Countries the Citizens of Which Can Travel to Georgia Visa-Free

E-Visa. For nationals of most countries it is not necessary to deal with embassies as ordinary visas can be obtained electronically (e-visa).

List of Countries the Citizens of Which Qualify for 90-Day (Multiple-Entry) E-Visa

List of Countries the Citizens of Which Qualify for 30-Day (Multiple-Entry) E-Visa

Ordinary Visa (Category C). The nationals of countries that do not qualify for an e-visa must obtain a regular (sticker) visa from a Georgian embassy/consular office abroad. Single-entry visas allow visits to Georgia for a maximum of 30 calendar days. Multiple-entry visas allow visits to Georgia for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. 

List of Countries the Citizens of Which Must Obtain a Regular (Sticker) Visa at Embassy

Please note that it is not generally possible to get a Georgian visa on arrival (at the border). Visas are not subject to extension, unless there are exceptional circumstances. However, it may be possible to defer the obligation to leave Georgia if your visa is still valid for at least 7 days. 

Immigration Visa (Category D). Immigration visas are issued to foreigners coming to Georgia for work and business (D1), freelancing (D2), family reunification (D4) as well as to owners of real estate worth $100,000 and higher (D5).

If you need an immigration visa you can apply for it at Georgian embassies abroad.  It is also possible to obtain an immigration visa in Tbilisi, provided that the applicant has at least 45 days before his/her lawful status expires. You will have to submit documents showing 1) purpose of visit 2) sufficient financial means 3) proof of accommodation 4) travel and health insurance. Owners of real estate do not have to provide these documents. Instead, they must show a certificate of ownership of real estate.

An immigrant visa is normally issued within 30 days. Owners of real estate can get a D5 visas in 10 days. The government fees for obtaining an immigration visa are around $20.

Visa Overstay Penalties. If the overstay is less than 3 months the amount of the fine is GEL 180 (around $71). A longer overstay is punishable by a fine of GEL 360 (around $142).

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

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 $100,000 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 permanent (investor) residence permit you will need to invest at least $300,000 in the Georgian economy - real estate or business. The permit is initially issued for a period of 5 years, after which it becomes permanent, provided that you have maintained your investment throughout this period. 

If you invest in a Georgian business it will also need to meet minimum annual turnover requirements ($50,000 to 120,000) to allow you to maintain your permit and remove the condition after 5 years. Annual reports will have to be filed showing that the minimum turnover requirements have been met. 

If you invest in real estate your residence permit will be revoked if you sell or otherwise dispose of your property during the 5-year conditional period. However, you are allowed to sell the property and acquire another Georgian property of equivalent or greater value. 

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. Although permanent residence permits are issued for an indefinite period of time the residence cards must be replaced every five years. 

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. 

After your residence permit application is approved you will get a residence card within approximately 10 business days if you pay the regular fee of GEL 30 (US$12). It may be possible to speed up the process if you pay a fast-track service fee (in practice, this option is now always available):

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 (around $945,000), or
• His annual income exceeded GEL 200,000 (around $63,000) in each of 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 (around $7,900)

The documents are filed with the Revenue Service, which makes 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.