Georgian Parliament passes legislative package to simplify visas for foreigners
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Georgia’s Parliament has approved a package of legislative amendments to ease the country's visa and immigration regulations, which were tightened nine months ago.
At a special session, Georgia’s Parliament approved the legislative package at its final hearing about the law surrounding 'the legal status of foreigners and stateless persons'.
In Parliament, simplifications to this law were approved following 87 votes in favour and one against by Members of Parliament (MPs).
A draft law has established preferential terms for foreigners living in Georgia to gain a residence permit.
The law change foresees the creation of a new type of residence permit - a short-term residence permit that is issued to a foreigner who owns real estate, except agricultural land, which has a market value that exceeds $35,000 USD on Georgian territory.
The bill defines the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as the visa issuing authority, which is authorised to issue electronic visas.
According to the bill, amendments will go into force after the President signs off on the amendments. Then the Government will adopt a decree listing those countries whose citizens will be eligible to a 360 day visa-free stay in Georgia.
Visa regulations were tightened on September 1 last year. Georgia tightened its visa regime for more than a dozen countries and retained visa free rules with others however citizens of those countries can now stay in Georgia without a visa for a maximum of 90 days in any 180 day period instead of 360 days as it was before tightening of the rules.
Georgia’s Government highlighted that the new type of residence permit will encourage foreigners to enter Georgia with the intention of investing in the real estate sector, and therefore will contribute to development of Georgia's real estate market.