How to get a residence permit in Georgia

The most frequent buyers of Georgian real estate are Russians, followed by citizens of Iran, Ukraine and other former Soviet republics. According to Georgian legislation, the purchase of housing in the country allows you to obtain a residence permit, which greatly inspired Russians - it is among our compatriots that most of the holders of a residence permit issued when buying a home from 100,000 dollars. It should be noted that starting from June 2015, citizens of Russia, Ukraine and Belarus can stay in Georgia without a visa for one year (you can "reset" by leaving the country), but this did not affect the decrease in the flow of people wishing to get a residence permit, even on the contrary, it stimulated - if in 2015 42,767 residence permits were issued, then in 2018, foreigners received 52,167 permits.

Advantages of a residence permit in Georgia

Many foreigners receive a residence permit in Georgia with an eye to the subsequent acquisition of local citizenship, because with a Georgian passport you can visit the Schengen countries without a visa. You can apply for its registration after six years of a regularly renewed residence permit. At the same time, all the processes related to documents for obtaining a residence permit are not as complicated as it happens in many European countries, so this direction is fully justified if a person likes Georgia itself and everyday life in it. A local residence permit allows you to work and get an education in the country, and its owner also has the right to apply for loans in a bank and run a business. Holders of a residence permit can apply for a Schengen visa on the territory of Georgia.

Types of residence permit

A residence permit for foreigners can be temporary or permanent. Temporary residence permit depends on the period of temporary residence: the maximum period for issuing such a permit in Georgia has increased from 6 to 12 years. Foreigners who have already lived here for 6 years can renew their temporary residence permit instead of obtaining a permanent residence permit. As for the period for which the permanent residence is valid, it is 5 years.

Grounds for obtaining a residence permit

In total, ten types of residence permits are issued in Georgia:

1. Labor,
2. Training,
3. For former citizens of the country,
4. In order to restore the family,
5. For stateless persons,
6. Special,
7. Constant,
8. Investment,
9. Temporary
10. Short.

Work

Labor residence permit is issued if a document confirming labor or commercial activity in Georgia is submitted to the Public Services Development Agency. You will also need a certificate of funds in the amount of at least 50,000 lari (about 15,000 dollars) per year. There are exceptions for employees of educational and medical institutions - 35,000 lari ($ 10,500) per year.

Studies

An educational residence permit is issued to a foreigner in case of admission to an educational institution that is accredited in accordance with the legislation of Georgia. The duration of this residence permit corresponds to the duration of the study contract. As a rule, it is issued for a year with subsequent renewal.

Former citizens of Georgia

This type of residence permit is possible for a person who previously had Georgian citizenship, but lost or renounced it.

Family rebuilding

This type of residence permit for the purpose of family reunification is issued to those foreigners who are married by a person who already has a residence permit in Georgia, this also applies to other close family members.

Stateless persons

This residence permit can be obtained by a person who has confirmed on the territory of Georgia that he did not previously have citizenship of any country.

Special residence permit

Its owner can be a foreigner who was able to prove that he was a victim of a crime or human trafficking.

Temporary residence permit

Similar to the previous option for obtaining a residence permit, only this type is issued to a person who has been granted victim status in accordance with the Law of Georgia “On Preventing and Assisting Victims of Domestic Violence”.

Real estate ownership

Until 2019, a residence permit when buying real estate could be issued when purchasing a home worth $ 35,000, but then the government raised the minimum threshold to $ 100,000. The validity of such a permit is 1 year. It can also be renewed annually if the foreigner continues to own the acquired property.

Marriage

This option of a permanent residence permit is issued to a person who is married to a citizen of Georgia, or another family member is a citizen of this country. A permanent residence permit is also granted to a foreigner who has lived in Georgia for more than 6 years on the basis of a temporary residence permit. This period does not take into account the previous residence in Georgia (and the corresponding registration of the type of residence permit) for the purpose of education or treatment, as well as the period of work in a diplomatic mission.

Investment permanent residence permit

It can be issued by a foreigner (and the closest members of his family) who received a residence permit on the basis of investments in the country's economy in the amount of $ 300,000, as well as someone who has, during the first year after investment, a turnover from his own commercial activity of at least $ 50,000 , during the second year - not less than $ 100,000, and in the next 3 years - not less than $ 120,000. An indefinite residence permit is also issued to a foreigner or family member who, within 5 years, after receiving an investment residence permit, owns real estate worth at least $ 300,000.

Documents for obtaining a residence permit

The specific package of documents may vary depending on the basis for applying for a residence permit, as for any of them, it must be provided:

• notarized (translated into Georgian) identity card, on the basis of which a foreigner entered the territory of Georgia, usually a passport
• completed questionnaire of the House of Justice
• photo 3х4 cm.

Reasons for refusal

Usually, refusals occur in cases when an incomplete package of documents is submitted. It also happens when a decision is made for reasons of ensuring the protection of state interests and the interests of public security, but most often it concerns immigrants from Iran and India.

Georgian citizenship

It can be obtained in the case when the father or mother is citizens of Georgia, and the place of birth of the child does not matter. Also, all foreigners who have lived in Georgia for at least 10 years (even without taking into account the received residence permit) have the right to apply for the citizenship of the country. But at the same time, it is necessary to have a good level of the Georgian language, as well as to possess knowledge of the history and basis of the country's law.

Thank you for your help in preparing the material Arkady Milev, an expert of JoinGeorgia