Required Documents
The application requires: the application form, a copy of the travel document, a document confirming lawful stay in Georgia, a document evidencing kinship (the marriage certificate), proof of income, a colour 3×4 photo in electronic form and proof of fee payment. If the marriage was registered outside Georgia, the certificate must first be apostilled or legalised in the country of issue, unless an international agreement provides otherwise, and translated into Georgian.
Application Procedure
Applications are filed with the Public Service Development Agency (SDA) through a Public Service Hall. The review period is up to 90 days, and the state fee is GEL 500. Dissolution or suspension of the marriage is grounds for refusal to renew the permit.
What income you need to show
The applicant shows income earned in Georgia by themselves and/or the citizen spouse. Monthly income must be at least twice the subsistence minimum for an average consumer in Georgia. Funds in a personal bank account also count, taking into account the term for which the permit is issued.
If the citizen spouse is of retirement age or receives social assistance, a document on the pension or assistance is attached. Other grounds for a residence permit and the general fees are listed on our residence permit in Georgia page.
How the marriage is verified
Since 1 September 2026, an application for the residence permit for the spouse of a Georgian citizen is reviewed by an interagency commission. It includes representatives of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the State Security Service and the Public Service Development Agency (Article 16¹ of the Law on the Legal Status of Aliens, Resolution No 416).
To confirm that the marriage is genuine and a family has been formed, the commission may:
- interview the spouses separately and together
- request documents and evidence confirming the marriage
- check the place of residence, including by visiting the address, and interview people who know the family
Refusing to appear before the commission, to let it inspect the home or otherwise to cooperate is in itself grounds for refusing the permit. If the commission has sufficient grounds to consider the marriage a sham, it passes the materials to investigators and the Prosecution Service. Once an investigation starts, the review period is suspended until criminal prosecution begins or the investigation is closed.
The Agency's decision can be appealed in court within 10 calendar days of receiving it (Article 17 of the rules as amended by Resolution No 416). A permit holder must promptly inform the Agency of any change of mobile phone number or actual home address.
What happens after 5 years
If the marriage continues, a permanent residence permit is issued after 5 years on the spouse's residence permit (Article 16 of the Law on the Legal Status of Aliens). The documents are: an application, a copy of the passport, the spouse's residence permit for the last 5 years, a document confirming kinship with the Georgian citizen, proof of legal income in Georgia, a photo and the payment receipt (Article 10 of the rules as amended by Resolution No 416). The procedure is described on our permanent residence and citizenship page.
FAQ
Can I apply if the marriage was registered in another country?
Yes. A foreign marriage certificate is accepted with an apostille and a translation into Georgian certified by a Georgian translator or notary.
Do I need to live in Georgia full-time to keep my status?
Georgian law does not set a minimum presence requirement for this type of permit, but extended absence may be considered during renewal review.
Does a residence permit by marriage allow me to work in Georgia?
A residence permit grants the right to live in Georgia. Employment of foreign nationals is regulated separately by labour migration legislation, so before starting work it is worth checking whether you need a work permit in your case. The procedure is described on our work permit page.
Who can get a permanent residence permit?
Under the Law on the Legal Status of Aliens, a permanent residence permit is issued to a minor child of a Georgian citizen, a parent of a minor Georgian citizen, the spouse of a Georgian citizen who has lived in Georgia for the last 5 years on the spouse's residence permit, and a foreign national who has lived in Georgia for the last 10 years on temporary residence permits. Time spent studying, in medical treatment or working at diplomatic missions does not count towards the 10 years. More on permanent residence and citizenship is on our permanent residence and citizenship page.
What happens to my residence permit if I divorce?
Divorce removes the legal basis for renewal. The permit remains valid until its current expiry date, after which it will not be renewed unless another legal ground for residence exists.
How much does a marriage-based permit cost and how long does it take?
The state fee for the residence permit for the spouse of a Georgian citizen is GEL 500, and the decision is made within 90 days. The SDA list does not offer a faster 10 or 20 day review for this permit type, unlike the work or investment permits.
What income is needed for a marriage-based permit?
Monthly income of the applicant and/or the citizen spouse of at least twice the subsistence minimum for an average consumer in Georgia. Income can also be shown through funds in a bank account. If the citizen spouse is retired or receives social assistance, a document confirming this is attached.
For how long is the residence permit for the spouse of a Georgian citizen issued?
First for 1 year. It is then extended by 2 years each time, up to 5 years in total. If the marriage continues after 5 years, the foreign national obtains a permanent residence permit.
What does the commission check in a marriage-based application?
That the marriage is genuine and the spouses live as one family. The commission may interview the spouses separately and together, request documents, visit the home and talk to people who know them. Refusing to cooperate with the commission is grounds for refusing the permit.