The Georgian government has announced a package of legislative amendments significantly tightening migration policy. The new measures developed by the Ministry of Internal Affairs will affect foreign students, migrant workers and persons marrying Georgian citizens. The authorities call the initiative a response to "modern challenges" and a desire to create a "more transparent and secure system."
The key changes relate to the rules of admission of foreigners to Georgian universities and colleges. Now, to enroll, applicants will need to take an exam in a foreign or Georgian language, organized by the National Assessment and Examination Center, or provide an international certificate. In addition, "maximum quotas" for the number of international students are introduced for each educational institution, and all data on their studies (enrollment, expulsion, academic mobility) must be entered into a single information system with access for government agencies.
Universities will be administratively liable for violations of student registration, up to large fines, restrictions on admission, and even loss of accreditation.The grounds for revoking a student's residence permit will be failure to comply with academic requirements, violation of employment conditions, or prolonged absence of a student in the country.
A separate block of amendments is devoted to the fight against fictitious marriages, which, according to the authorities, are used to obtain citizenship or a residence permit. A new temporary status is being introduced for the spouses of Georgian citizens, which will be issued only after the authenticity of the relationship is verified by a special commission. The conclusion of a fictitious marriage is now criminalized: The foreigner faces deportation and a ban on entry from two to ten years, as well as a fine, house arrest or imprisonment for up to two years.
The amendments also expand the powers of the Migration Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, allowing operational investigative measures to identify and suppress illegal migration. In addition, legal proceedings in migration cases are being simplified and accelerated.
The new rules have become another step in the campaign of the ruling Georgian Dream party to liberate the country from illegal migrants. Earlier, restrictions have already been imposed on the work of foreigners in taxi and courier services, and reforms are also being discussed to restrict access of foreign students to public universities. The bill will be submitted to Parliament in the near future, and is expected to meet with the support of the ruling majority.
Source: Civil.ge
