Visa rules: how to enter and how long to stay

Who this is for

Foreigners planning a trip, a work visit or a long stay in Georgia.

And those already here who are unsure how to count their days or what to do when their time runs out.

An important note

Rules change, and on this page we explain general principles rather than decide your particular case.

The final answer always lies with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the border police and other official bodies.

Visa-free travel

Citizens of many countries enter Georgia without a visa, including citizens of EU countries.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs publishes the list of visa-free countries.

Always check the list before you travel, as it can be updated.

Length of stay

Citizens of many visa-free countries can stay in Georgia for a long time, often up to a year.

For some countries the period is shorter, so check your own allowance on the list.

The period does not change the purpose of your trip: entering as a tourist does not in itself give the right to work or reside.

Who needs a visa

Citizens of countries not on the visa-free list need a visa before they arrive.

The type of visa depends on the purpose of the trip: tourism, business, study or other.

Apply in good time, with enough margin before departure.

Types of visa

A short-term visa is for tourism, visiting or a business trip.

An immigration visa is the first step towards a long stay for study, work or family reasons.

Entering on the wrong type of visa makes getting residence harder later.

E-visas

Many nationalities can apply for a visa online, on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' official portal.

You attach a passport scan, a photo and your travel details to the application.

The ministry decides on the visa, and no one can promise the outcome in advance.

Application timing

Processing times vary, so apply several weeks before your trip.

Do not buy non-refundable tickets or bookings before the visa is granted.

Check your application status on the official portal, not on an intermediary's site.

Visas from a consulate

In some cases you apply for a visa at a Georgian embassy or consulate.

The consulate may ask for additional documents or an interview.

Check the list of required documents on the consulate's official page.

Checking an issued visa

As soon as you receive the visa, check the spelling of your name, the passport number and the validity dates.

Also check whether it is single or multiple entry, and how many days it allows.

Correct any mistake before you travel, because at the border it is already too late.

Entering on another country's visa

In some cases, holders of a valid visa or residence permit from certain countries can enter Georgia visa-free for a shorter period.

This rule comes with conditions: the visa type, its validity and your citizenship all matter.

Check your own case with an official source in advance.

Passport validity

Your passport must be valid for the whole of your stay.

Airlines and transit countries often ask for an extra margin, so we recommend a few months to spare.

A damaged passport can cause problems at the border.

Entering with an ID card

Citizens of some countries can also enter Georgia with a national ID card.

This does not apply to every country, and a transit country or airline may still require a passport.

To be safe, we recommend travelling with a passport.

Insurance

Entry conditions may include a requirement for travel insurance.

Check the current requirement with an official source before you arrive.

The policy should cover your whole stay, and keep a copy to hand.

What the border asks

Border police may ask about the purpose and length of your trip and where you are staying.

Answer briefly and honestly.

Have your hotel booking and return ticket ready on your phone.

Refusal of entry

Border police have the right to refuse entry, even to a citizen of a visa-free country.

If that happens, stay calm and ask for the grounds of refusal in writing.

Then think about next steps together with a lawyer or your embassy.

The stamp and the record

On entry, a stamp is placed in your passport or an electronic record is made.

Always check the stamp to make sure the date is correct.

Your entry date is the basis for counting your allowed stay.

Counting your days

Your allowed stay is counted from the day of entry.

To be safe, mark the last day in your calendar and plan to leave a few days earlier.

If the rule counts days within a set period, take every previous visit into account.

Leaving and re-entering

Some people try to renew their stay by leaving the country briefly and coming back.

This does not always work, and you may be asked extra questions at the border.

For a long stay, a proper legal basis is better.

Overstaying

If you realise you will overstay, act immediately.

Consulting the relevant office or a lawyer in advance reduces the problem.

Ignoring it is the worst choice.

Consequences of overstaying

Overstaying may lead to a fine and problems entering in the future.

The outcome depends on how long you overstayed and the circumstances.

A lawyer assesses the specific case.

Children

A child needs their own passport.

If a child travels with one parent or another adult, we recommend carrying the other parent's notarised consent.

Carry a translation of the consent too.

Dual citizenship

If you are also a Georgian citizen, you may be asked to use a Georgian document on entry.

Clarify this with an official source or a lawyer before you travel.

Carry both passports.

Land borders

The busiest land crossings are Sarpi with Turkey, Sadakhlo with Armenia and Red Bridge with Azerbaijan.

Queues are long in summer and on holidays.

Check the crossing's opening arrangements in advance.

Upper Lars

The only operating land crossing with Russia is Upper Lars, on the Kazbegi road.

In winter, closure of the Jvari Pass can temporarily block the road.

Check queues and road conditions before setting off.

Occupied territories

Under Georgian law, Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali region may be entered only from the Georgian side.

Entering from the Russian side is treated as an offence and can have serious consequences.

Before such a trip, check the current rules with an official source.

Arriving by car

When entering in your own car, present your driving licence, the vehicle documents and a power of attorney if the car belongs to someone else.

A foreign car needs local compulsory insurance, which is usually bought at the border.

Check the current requirements with the Revenue Service.

Temporary import of a car

A foreign car enters the country temporarily, for a set period.

Exceeding that period causes customs problems.

Confirm the period at the border and mark it in your calendar.

A rental car at the border

Crossing a border in a rental car requires the rental company's written permission.

Many companies do not allow border crossings at all.

Ask about this before signing the rental agreement.

Arriving by air

The airline may check before boarding that you are entitled to enter.

Sometimes you will also be asked for a return or onward ticket.

Keep your booking confirmation on your phone and on paper.

Tickets and funds

At the border you may be asked whether you have enough funds for your stay.

A bank card and an accommodation booking show this easily.

For a long visit, carry a document showing your financial means.

Transit

When transiting through a Georgian airport without leaving it, you usually do not need a visa.

If you go into the city, the normal entry rules apply.

Check the transit conditions with your airline.

Arriving by sea

At the ports of Batumi and Poti, border control works in the same way as at an airport.

Rules for short visits may differ for cruise passengers.

Your cruise company will give you the details.

Medicines at the border

Some medicines are controlled in Georgia, and bringing them in requires a doctor's document.

Carry medicines in their original packaging with a copy of the prescription.

Before bringing in a strong medicine, check the current rules.

Declaring cash

Bringing in or taking out a large amount of cash requires a declaration.

Check the threshold and the procedure with the Revenue Service's official source.

Carrying money without declaring it can lead to a fine.

Customs limits

Limits apply to bringing in alcohol, tobacco and other goods.

Commercial quantities are usually subject to customs duty.

Check the current limits before you travel.

Arriving with an animal

When entering with a pet, veterinary documents are checked at the border.

Requirements differ from country to country.

Prepare a translation of the animal's documents in advance.

Drones and equipment

Bringing in a drone is usually allowed, but using it is regulated.

Bringing in large amounts of professional equipment may prompt questions from customs.

If you are coming to film, prepare the documents in advance.

Working in Georgia

The rules for foreigners working here have been changing recently, and in some cases you may need a work permit.

Before you start work, check the current requirement with an official source or a lawyer.

Your employer is also an important source of help on this.

Remote work

If you work remotely for a foreign employer, clarify the legal and tax side in advance.

A long stay in the country may make you a tax resident.

Ask an accountant or tax adviser about this.

Study

To study at a Georgian university you often need a study residence permit.

The university usually helps prepare the documents.

Start the recognition of your education documents in good time.

Residence permits

A long stay requires a residence permit, which is issued on various grounds.

The grounds may be work, study, family, business or investment.

Each ground has its own documents and conditions.

Applying for residence

Residence permit applications are usually submitted at a Public Service Hall.

Foreign documents need a translation and often an apostille.

Apply with plenty of time before your allowed stay runs out.

Permanent residence

After several years of lawful residence, you may become eligible to apply for permanent residence.

The conditions are set by law and can change.

Plan this step together with a lawyer.

Family reunification

A family member of a Georgian citizen or resident can apply for residence on family grounds.

Documents proving the family relationship must be translated and certified.

We write about immigration in a separate section.

Marrying in Georgia

Foreigners can register a marriage in Georgia by submitting the required documents.

Foreign documents need a translation and often an apostille.

We write about organising a wedding in the wedding section.

Translating documents

A foreign document is submitted to a Georgian office with a notarised translation.

A proper bureau does the translation, and you pay it directly.

Compare the spelling of names and dates with the original.

Apostille and legalisation

A document from an Apostille Convention country needs an apostille; those from other countries need consular legalisation.

The apostille is added by the country that issued the document.

Do this before you arrive, as it cannot be done here.

Business visits

Attending meetings, conferences and negotiations usually falls within an ordinary visitor entry.

Carrying out work on site, however, may be subject to different rules.

We write about business services in a separate section.

Medical visits

When coming for treatment, carry the clinic's invitation or booking confirmation.

For long treatment, work out your allowed stay in advance.

We write about clinics in the health section.

Group travel

The group leader prepares a list of participants with passport details.

Participants of different nationalities may be subject to different rules.

We check each participant's rules individually.

Losing your passport

If you lose your passport in the country, go to the police and then to your embassy.

When you leave on a new document, your entry record is checked at the border.

We cover this in more detail on the lost documents page.

Extending your stay

A foreigner who entered on a visa cannot always extend it.

A long stay usually requires a residence permit.

Look into the options well before your time runs out.

Official sources

On visas and the visa-free list: the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and its e-visa portal.

On residence: the Public Service Hall and the relevant agencies; on customs, the Revenue Service.

An official source is better than relying on a forum or an old article.

Fraudulent intermediaries

There are websites that look like the official portal and charge extra money.

No one can guarantee you a visa, and such a promise is a warning sign.

Apply only on the official portal.

How we help

We prepare the document list, help fill in forms and arrange translations.

We go with you to the Public Service Hall or another office, with an interpreter.

For complex legal questions, we connect you with a lawyer.

What we do not do

We give no legal advice and promise no visa or residence permit.

We never make or forge documents, and never offer bribes or ways around procedures.

We take no commission from partners.

Common mistakes

Relying on old information and not checking the official list.

Miscalculating the last day of your stay.

Starting to act only after your time has run out.

What we need from you

Your citizenship and passport expiry date.

The purpose of your trip, its likely length and your arrival date.

If you are already in Georgia, the date of your last entry.

Cost

You pay state fees directly to the office concerned, by its rules.

You also pay interpreters, notaries and lawyers directly, and we take no commission from them.

The fee for our services is agreed according to the scope of the work.