Georgian citizenship

Who this page is for

For anyone who has lived in Georgia for years and plans to stay for good.

And for anyone with Georgian roots, or whose family lives here.

Our role

The decision to grant citizenship is made by the state, under the procedure set by law.

Together with a licensed lawyer we assess the conditions, prepare the documents, arrange exam preparation and explain every step in your language.

Citizenship and residence

Residence is the right to live here. Citizenship is full membership of the country.

A citizen has a Georgian passport, the right to vote and some obligations that a resident does not have.

For many people permanent residence is enough, and citizenship is only worth it when it meets a real need.

Which routes exist

The most common route is naturalisation: years of lawful residence and an exam.

Other routes: by birth, through marriage to a Georgian citizen, restoration for a former citizen, and the exceptional procedure.

Each route has its own conditions and timing, and we start with the one that is realistic for you.

Naturalisation

Naturalisation usually requires a long period of lawful residence in Georgia, for the number of years set by law.

You need knowledge of the Georgian language, history and the basics of the law, and sometimes proof of income or activity.

The lawyer confirms the exact conditions under the current law, because they change from time to time.

The residence period

What counts is lawful residence - on a residence permit or another lawful basis.

Visa-free tourist stays often do not count towards this period in the same way as residence.

So a citizenship plan often starts with residence, years in advance.

Actually living here

The authority checks whether you actually lived in Georgia, not just on paper.

Long absences from the country can affect this assessment.

If you are planning a long trip, we first check how it will affect your period.

Your residence history

Before applying we put together your full residence history: which card, on what ground and for which dates.

Gaps between cards, even of a few weeks, can affect how the period is counted.

We compare the history with official records, so that your dates and the authority's dates match.

Income and activity

Sometimes you need to show that you have work, a business or property in Georgia.

This shows that you have a real connection with the country.

We gather the documents - a contract, declarations, an extract - in advance.

The Georgian language

The language exam checks whether you can read, write and speak Georgian at an everyday level.

The Georgian alphabet is a system of its own, and learning it is the first step.

Preparation takes months, so we often start it together with residence.

History

The history exam covers the main periods and events of Georgian history.

The questions are often known in advance, and working through the material systematically is enough.

We arrange preparation with a tutor who explains the material in your language.

The basics of the law

The law exam covers the main questions of the constitution and how the state is organised.

A citizen's rights and obligations are its main part.

This part is often the easiest, if the material is learned in a structured way.

Preparing for the exam

We arrange preparation individually: language takes the most time, history and law less.

Practice tests check your level before the exam.

We book the exam only when you pass the practice tests consistently.

Exam day

The exam is held at a state institution on a set day.

You need to bring an identity document.

If you do not pass, you can usually retake it after a certain period.

Spouses

The spouse of a Georgian citizen usually has a shorter route, after a certain number of years of marriage and residence.

The marriage must be genuine, and the authority may check this.

The language and other knowledge requirements often apply here too.

Children

A child with at least one Georgian citizen parent often receives citizenship by birth.

If a parent obtains citizenship later, the child's citizenship is decided separately.

A child's dual citizenship is sometimes governed by different rules, and the lawyer checks this.

Citizenship by birth

If you were born abroad and a parent was a Georgian citizen, you may already be a citizen.

In that case what is needed is not naturalisation but confirmation of citizenship and the paperwork.

We check the parent's documents and the archives in advance.

Restoring citizenship

A former citizen who lost citizenship sometimes has a simplified route to restore it.

Documents proving the previous citizenship are needed: an old passport, a certificate, an archive record.

Archive searches take time, so we start them as the first step.

Emigrants and descendants

Georgians living abroad and their descendants sometimes have a special procedure.

The ancestry must be proven by documents, which often means searching family archives.

We translate and check old documents - in Russian, Georgian or other languages.

The exceptional procedure

The law allows citizenship to be granted by an exceptional procedure, in the interest of the state.

This is a rare route and is usually linked to special merit or interest.

Nobody can promise such an outcome, and we consider this route only after a lawyer's assessment.

Dual citizenship

Georgia, as a rule, allows dual citizenship only in special cases, by a separate decision.

This means that on becoming a Georgian citizen the question of your previous citizenship has to be resolved.

This is the most important question, and you should have the answer before applying.

Giving up your previous citizenship

In some cases keeping Georgian citizenship requires proof that you have given up your previous citizenship, within a set period.

The renunciation procedure runs under your country's law and can take a long time.

So we plan both countries' timelines together, so that you are never left without citizenship.

Your own country's rules

Some countries automatically withdraw citizenship when another is acquired, others do not.

Some countries attach restrictions on property, pensions or inheritance to renunciation.

We compare these consequences with a lawyer from your country before you decide.

Documents

You need a passport, residence documents, a birth certificate, documents on family status and more, depending on the route.

Foreign documents need an apostille and a notarised Georgian translation.

We obtain certificates with a validity limit last, a few days before applying.

Criminal record

A criminal record certificate is usually part of the pack - from Georgia and sometimes from your own country.

Some offences may be grounds for refusing citizenship.

If there is anything in the past, we tell the lawyer in advance, so that the chances are assessed realistically.

Submitting the application

The application is submitted to the state authority, with all the required documents attached.

If a document is missing, the authority often asks for it, with a deadline.

We submit the application with you and keep the receipt and number.

The review

A citizenship review takes much longer than residence, often months.

During it extra documents or information may be requested.

We keep track of the status and answer every request on time.

The decision

The final decision to grant citizenship is made at the highest level of the state.

After a positive decision, citizenship is formally completed.

Nobody can promise you the timing or the outcome - and we do not either.

Passport and ID

After citizenship you receive a Georgian ID card and, on request, a passport.

The residence card then ceases to be valid, and the new document is given to the bank and other services.

The personal number often stays the same, which makes updating your details easier.

Your name in Georgian documents

In a Georgian ID your name is written in the Georgian alphabet and in Latin transliteration.

That form is then used in every document, at the bank and at the border.

So we check it before applying, so that no mismatch arises with earlier documents and your foreign passport.

A citizen's rights

A citizen votes in elections and can work in public service, under the conditions of the law.

Some activities, posts or licences are open only to citizens.

If you need citizenship for a particular activity, we first check that this really is the requirement.

Land and citizenship

Special restrictions apply to foreigners buying agricultural land, while citizens are usually not restricted in the same way.

For some people this is one of the practical reasons for citizenship, for example when buying a farm or a vineyard.

We check land plans with a lawyer, because the rules in this area change especially often.

Refusal

If refused, the authority states the reason, and sometimes a new application is possible after a certain period.

The most common reasons are incomplete documents, too short a period or failing the exam.

The lawyer assesses whether an appeal is possible, within a strict deadline.

Military service

In Georgia male citizens of a certain age may have a military service obligation.

This may also apply to a new citizen, depending on age and other circumstances.

We check this before applying, so that there are no surprises.

Tax

Citizenship does not in itself make you a tax resident - that is determined by the days spent in the country.

But giving up your previous citizenship may affect how you are taxed there.

We check this with accountants in both countries.

Travel

With a Georgian passport, short trips to many countries are possible without a visa.

But if you give up your previous passport, the travel rules for some countries will change.

We compare what each passport allows against the way you travel.

The family plan

If only one family member is obtaining citizenship, the status of the others has to be planned separately.

The route for a spouse and for children is often different and runs on other timelines.

We write the family plan in one document, with each person's steps.

Property and inheritance

Changing citizenship can affect which country's law applies to inheritance.

In some countries giving up citizenship changes the rules on owning property.

We check the will and the ownership structure with this change in mind.

Losing citizenship

Georgian citizenship can end if you acquire another citizenship without permission.

Citizenship obtained with a false document can also be revoked, even years later.

That is why we plan every step - now and in the future - lawfully.

Fake offers

Online you will find offers of "citizenship by investment" or a "fast passport".

Georgia has no official programme for buying citizenship, and such a promise is a warning sign.

A document obtained by a false route creates serious problems for you and your family alike.

Changing rules

The citizenship law and its practice change from time to time.

What worked for a friend a few years ago may be different today.

So for every case the lawyer confirms the current rule.

Timing

The whole route - from residence to citizenship - often takes years.

Preparation, the exam, the documents and the review each need their own time.

We build the plan so that language preparation starts first.

Common mistakes

Applying before the dual citizenship question is settled. Leaving language preparation to the end.

Long absences without checking the effect on the period. An expired certificate.

Believing an offer of a "fast passport".

What we need from you

Your citizenship, your status in Georgia and how long you have lived here.

Your family status and any Georgian ancestry.

How much Georgian you know and what you want to do about your previous citizenship.

Price

State fees are official.

Language preparation, translation, apostilles and the lawyer are separate lines.

Our coordination is agreed in advance, and we add nothing to our partners' prices.