Grounds for a Georgian Residence Permit
Employment. If you have an employment contract with a Georgian company, you can obtain a residence permit on employment grounds. The employer acts as a sponsor and confirms your employment. The permit is issued for the duration of the contract, up to one year, with the option to renew.
Investment or business activity. This ground requires investing at least 300,000 GEL in the Georgian economy or employing at least three Georgian citizens in your company. It is suited to entrepreneurs who have opened an LLC or are operating as a sole proprietor and want to establish resident status.
Property ownership. A foreigner who has purchased property in Georgia worth at least 100,000 USD may apply for a residence permit on this ground. The property must be registered in the applicant's name and confirmed by a registry extract and a valuation.
Marriage to a Georgian citizen. Spouses of Georgian citizens can obtain a residence permit on family grounds. A legalized or apostilled marriage certificate and the Georgian spouse's documents are required.
Family reunification. If a close relative already holds a Georgian residence permit or citizenship, other family members may apply for reunification.
How the Application Process Works
The application is submitted at the Service Development Agency (SDA) or the House of Justice. Required attachments include a foreign passport, documents confirming the grounds, two photographs, and a payment receipt for the state fee. The document list varies by ground.
Processing normally takes 30 business days. An expedited procedure is available for an additional fee. The residence permit is issued as a plastic card with a photograph and biometric data.
A residence permit must be renewed annually. After five years of continuous lawful residence in Georgia, you may apply for permanent residence.
Can I work in Georgia with a residence permit?
Yes, if your permit was issued on employment grounds or if you run your own company. A permit obtained through property ownership or marriage does not itself grant the right to work as an employee, but it does not prohibit running a business.
Can I leave Georgia while holding a residence permit?
Yes. A residence permit does not tie you to the country. However, extended continuous absence (more than six months) may be grounds for renewal refusal, particularly under grounds that require actual residence.
Do I need to live in Georgia permanently?
Requirements depend on the ground. Continuous residence is not required for investment-based or property-based permits. For employment or marriage permits, spending the majority of the year in the country is advisable.
Do I need a lawyer to submit the documents?
Legally, no. In practice, professional assistance speeds up the process and reduces the risk of rejection due to incorrectly prepared documents. This is especially relevant for investment-based applications.
What happens if my residence permit expires and I did not renew it?
Being in the country with an expired permit constitutes unlawful stay and results in a fine. We recommend submitting the renewal application at least 30 days before the expiry date.