Visa formalities

VISA FORMALITIES

FOR FOREIGN CITIZENS VISITING GEORGIA

FOR THE ATTENTION OF ALIENS WHO ENTERED GEORGIAN TERRITORY BEFORE SEPTEMBER 1^st, 2014

Aliens who entered the territory of Georgia before the new law entered into force (September 1st 2014) have the right to stay on the territory of Georgia on the basis of the old rule. However, if they leave the territory of Georgia after the new law enters into force, then, at the time of the next entry the requirements of the new law shall be applied to them. While calculating the period of possible stay according to the new regulations ( 90 days in any 180- day period) days already spent on the territory of Georgia, before new rule entered into force, will not be counted.

FOR THE ATTENTION OF ALIENS WHO ARE PLANNING TO ENTER GEORGIA AFTER SEPTEMBER 1st 2014

Aliens who hold valid Georgian visa obtained before 1 September 2014 have the right to enter Georgian territory during the validity of this visa.

At the time of first entry, after September 1st 2014, days already spent on the territory of Georgia, before new rule entered into force, will not be counted.

Please check „Visa information“ before traveling to Georgia.

For planning visit Georgia you can use "Georgia Visit Planning Calculator".

Visa information:

New visa policy entered in force in Georgia in September 1, 2014.

Georgia has determined the list of countries, see below, citizens (stateless persons) of which will be authorized to enter Georgia without visa for the short-term visits.

Please see other conditions for Georgian visa exemption:

Exemptions from Georgian visa obligations also applies to:

Compatriots residing abroad, who are citizens of the country whose citizens need a visa for entering Georgia, are authorized to cross the state border of Georgia without a visa and stay in Georgia for no more than 30 days;

Foreign nationals who are holders of the UNO's or its specialized agencies travel documents (Laissez-Passer), can enter or stay on the territory of Georgia without visa up to 90 days in any 180-days period;

Aliens holding a Georgian residence permit or a temporary residence permit of a refugee or a person with humanitarian status for the entire period of the above mentioned documents validity.

Following individuals do not require a visa for transit movement in Georgia:
Members of a crew of an international airline, railway, or marine transport and passengers that need an interim change of carrier or means of transport and have a document evidencing the right to enter their country of destination. Period of stay in Georgia does not exceed five days.

Attention!passengers are not allowed to leave an area designated specifically for transit at an airport, a railway station or a seaport.

A foreigner with short-term visa may stay in Georgia for 90 days in any 180-day period. A long-term visa is issued for duration of 90 days and is the precondition of obtaining relevant residence permit.

For calculating the travel days left for short-term visa, please see the days calculator.

According to the new regulations, visa application shall be filled out by a foreign applicant or by his/her legal representative, while submitting e-application for scheduling a visit to consular office. Filled visa application shall be printed out, signed and submitted to the visa issuing authority.

Conditions for inviting a foreigner in Georgia

For detailed information about visa procedures please see “Consular services”:

Procedures for obtaining a Georgian visa

According to the new law Georgian visas will be mainly issued in diplomatic representation or consular posts of Georgia abroad.

Georgian visa can be issued at the state border: to crew members of the ships standing in Georgian harbors; to persons transiting the territory of Georgia in order to enter a third country, not more than for 5 days.

To obtain a Georgian visa an alien shall fill out a visa application form.

A visa application shall be accompanied by documents which confirm the purpose of visit.

When necessary, a visa issuing authority may require additional documents or invite a visa applicant for an interview.

Conditions for inviting a foreigner in Georgia:

Invitation Form - To be issued by a Georgian Citizen and a Person Possessing Residence Permit in Georgia

Invitation Form - To be issued by a Legal Entity Registered in Georgia

A specially determined invitation form should be presented directly to the visa issuing authority (Diplomatic Representation or Consular Posts of Georgia abroad). Notarized Invitation form should be presented either in original form, or as a copy. A copy of invitation might be presented if the invitation was scanned and uploaded in the system while notarizing.

Invitation Form shall be filled out by a Georgian citizen of full legal age and capability, a person possessing residence permit in Georgia, or a representative of the legal entity registered in Georgia, who was residing in Georgia at the time of issuing the invitation.

Invitation form should be filled out in Georgian or English Language. If the Invitation Form is filled out in English Language, English Latin Alphabet shall be used. Visa issuing authority shall be provided with the notarized Georgian translation of the Invitation Form together with the English version. Fields of the First Name, Last Name and Other Names of an Invitee shall be filled out in English Language.

Invitation is required:

1. For persons arriving in Georgia to visit relatives and friends, for freelancers;

2. For persons arriving in Georgia to hold business meetings and negotiations;

3. For participants of scientific workshops, conferences or other research, pedagogical, cultural or sports events;

4. For persons arriving in Georgia to engage in journalistic activity;

5. For persons arriving to carry out charity activities;

6. For persons visiting graves of relatives and friends;

7. For persons arriving for the purpose of pilgrimage and establishing religious contacts; persons arriving on scientific, sports, cultural or educational mission

Attention! The alien does not need an invitation to travel for tourism purposes.

In the case of alien's removal from the territory of Georgia all the costs of the removal execution are to be born by the alien concerned, or by the inviting person.

A decision regarding the issuance of a short-term Georgian visa will be made during 10 calendar days, from the receipt of a visa application and other documents necessary for issuing a visa, if necessary the examination of the visa application may be extended by 30 calendar days orin urgent cases may be reduced till 2 working days or a shorter period,

A decision on issuing a long-term visa will be made within 30 calendar days from receipt of a visa application and other documents necessary for issuing a visa.

Refusal to Georgian visa will be given to applicant in a written form. The consular fee paid for obtaining Georgian visa shall not be refunded.

The present decision may be appealed at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia (Address: Georgia, Tbilisi, 4 Sh. Chitadze, Zip Code: 0114) within 1 (one) month after submitting the decision to the relevant interested party.

For the attention of aliens having entered Georgia until September 1, 2014 please see “Useful information”

For further details about the visa regime for each country nationals and stateless persons residing in the relevant countries, please see the information below.

To find information about visa regime please click on your country:
A

Antigua and Barbuda

Arab Republic of Egypt

Argentine Republic

Barbados

Belize

Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Burkina Faso

Canada

Central African Republic

Commonwealth of Australia