Gaining Georgian residency becomes easier, says Minister

Georgia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs today released new information on the changes to residency requirements for foreign citizens.

As of September 1, new rules regarding residency would affect foreigners who wished to invest, work, study or reunite with family, people who formerly had Georgian citizenship or people without any citizenship.

At a special press conference after today’s Governmental meeting, Justice Minister Thea Tsulukiani said procedures for receiving Georgian residency would become more simplified. This included permanent residency permits for people who were Georgian citizens in the past and lost their residency for various reasons.

From next month, another change will concern foreigners who had lived in Georgia for numerous years lawfully. Minister Tsulukiani said foreigners who have lived in Georgia for six years would be granted permanent residency. In addition, permanent residency would also be offered to the parents, children and spouse of a Georgian citizen.

As for people who wish to study in Georgia, if they attended any school, college or University that worked under the license of the Ministry of Education, they could apply for a student residency permit, which would also give them the right to work in Georgia.

In regards to obtaining a temporary residency permit, foreigners can apply for this from within Georgia at the Public Service Development Agency of the Justice Ministry or the Public Service Hall.

Meanwhile another law will come into effect next month to create a more favourable environment for foreign investors. Under the new law, obtaining a permanent residency permit will become more simplified for foreign investors who invest at least 300,000 GEL in Georgia. Investors with any type of visa can apply for an investment residence permit, Minister Tsulukiani said.

In addition, a foreigner who was refused any kind of residency permit – permanent, temporary or otherwise – had the right to reapply for another residency permit but must wait one month before doing so.

Also, when a foreigner was granted a residency permit, that person had one month to pick up their document. If the person did not pick up their approved residency permit within six months, it could be revoked.

On another note, another major change set to come into effect from September 1 under the new visa rules would see Georgian visas no longer issued at Georgian borders. From next month travellers must obtain a visa before entering Georgia from a diplomatic representation office. A visa may be issued at the border only in "special cases” and at the discretion of the Georgian Government.

"Therefore foreigners should get a Georgian visa in advance [before coming to Georgia],” Tsulukiani said.