Work residence permit

A work residence permit shall be issued to an immigrant worker registered in the Ministry of Internally Displaced Persons from the Occupied Territories, Labour, Health and Social Affairs of Georgia or to an alien carrying out entrepreneurial activity in Georgia under the procedure established by the legislation of Georgia. An alien carrying out entrepreneurial activity in Georgia under the procedure established by the legislation of Georgia or an immigrant worker registered in the Ministry of Internally Displaced Persons from the Occupied Territories, Labour, Health and Social Affairs of Georgia shall submit to the Agency a document evidencing entrepreneurial or labour activity carried out in Georgia, and a certificate proving that his/her monthly income/remuneration of labour earned from his/her entrepreneurial or labour activity in Georgia is not less than the fivefold the amount of the minimum subsistence level for the average consumer in Georgia, and the annual turnover of whose employing enterprise/an enterprise he/she has founded (except for an educational or medical institution) per alien applying for a work residence permit is not less than GEL 50 000. The annual turnover of an alien’s employing educational or medical institution/an educational or medical institution an alien has founded is at least GEL 35 000 per alien applying for a work residence permit.

1. In order to obtain a work residence permit, an immigrant worker registered in the Ministry of Internally Displaced Persons from the Occupied Territories, Labour, Health and Social Affairs of Georgia or an alien carrying out entrepreneurial activity in Georgia under the procedure established by the legislation of Georgia shall submit the following documents to the Agency:

a) an application in the established form, which alongside with other data shall include a unique code conferred during registration of an immigrant worker in a dedicated electronic system of the Ministry of Internally Displaced Persons from the Occupied Territories, Labour, Health and Social Affairs of Georgia;

b) a copy of an alien’s travel document;

c) a copy of the document evidencing an alien’s lawful stay in Georgia;

d) a document evidencing employment or business activity (labour contract or any other employment document);

e) a certificate confirming that his/her monthly income/remuneration received from entrepreneurial or labour activities in Georgia is not less than the fivefold the amount of the minimum subsistence level for the average consumer in Georgia. If the legal income of an alien cannot be confirmed with the documents defined in sub-paragraph “d” of paragraph1 of this Article, money in an alien’s personal bank account may also be regarded as income (including a certificate issued by a bank); the monthly amount of that money, taking into account the duration of the work residence permit, shall not be less than fivefold the amount of the minimum subsistence level for the average consumer in Georgia;

f) a document issued by the Legal Entity of Public Law – Revenue Service proving that the annual turnover of the employing enterprise/an enterprise founded by an alien (except for an educational or medical institution) per alien applying for a work residence permit is not less than GEL 50 000, and in case of educational or medical institutions the annual turnover is not less than GEL 35 000 per alien applying for a work residence permit;

g) a certificate regarding the number of aliens applying for a work residence permit working in an aliens’ employing enterprise/an enterprise he/she has founded;

h) a colour photo, 3/4 in size, in electronic form;

i) a receipt evidencing payment of the service fee.

2. (Deleted – 30.07.2019, №352).

2^​1. If it is not possible to verify the fact of registration of an immigrant worker in the dedicated electronic system of the Ministry of Internally Displaced Persons from the Occupied Territories, Labour, Health and Social Affairs of Georgia by the unique code indicated in an application, the Agency may request that the applicant submit a document proving the registration in the same Ministry.

3. If an employing/founded enterprise is not registered as a VAT payer, instead of a certificate referred to in sub-paragraph “f” of paragraph 1 of this Article, an alien shall submit to the Agency an appropriate certificate or certificates issued by a competent authority/person. The said certificate/certificates shall confirm that:

a) an alien’s employing enterprise/ enterprise founded by him/her is not registered as a VAT payer;

b) the turnover for 12 consecutive calendar months prior to the issuance of the certificate is not less than GEL 50 000 per alien applying for a work residence permit, and in the case of an alien’s employing educational or medical institution / educational or medical institution founded by him/her is not less than GEL 35 000.

4. If it is objectively impossible to submit the certificates provided for in paragraphs 1 – 3 of this Article, instead of them an alien may submit to the Agency any other certificate or proof which undoubtedly confirms the existence of conditions defined in sub-paragraph “a” of Article 15 of the Law of Georgia on the Legal Status of Aliens and Stateless Persons.

Service terms and fees

30th calendar day            GEL 300

20th calendar day            GEL 450

10th  calendar day           GEL 600

Residence Permit Application Form

A study residence permit is issued for the purpose of studying at an authorized Georgia educational institution.

To obtain a study residence permit, an alien must submit to the Agency:

A. an application in the established form;
B.a copy of the alien’s travel document;
C.a copy of the document evidencing the alien’s lawful stay in Georgia;
D. a certificate issued by an authorized Georgian educational institution confirming that the alien is studying at that institution (indicating the anticipated duration of the study);
E.  a document evidencing legal income earned in Georgia by the alien and/or by a Georgian citizen or by his/her relative having the right of residence in Georgia and a document confirming kinship with this person; the money in the alien’s personal bank account may also be considered as income; the monthly amount of the money, taking into account the duration of the study residence permit, shall not be less than double the amount of the minimum subsistence level for average consumers in Georgia;
F. a color photo, 3/4 in size, in electronic form;
G. a receipt evidencing payment of the service fee.

Service terms and fees

Residence Permit Application Form

Residence permit for family reunification

A residence permit for family reunification is issued to family members of an alien having a residence permit.

To obtain a residence permit for family reunification, an alien shall submit to the Agency:

an application in the established form;

a copy of the alien’s travel document;

a copy of the document evidencing the alien’s lawful stay in Georgia;

d) a document evidencing kinship;

e) a document evidencing legal income earned in Georgia by the alien and/or by a Georgian citizen or by his/her relative having the right of residence in Georgia, and evidencing the kinship with the mentioned person. The money in the alien’s personal bank account may also be considered as income; the monthly amount of the money, taking into account the duration of the residence permit for family reunification, shall not be less than double the amount of the minimum subsistence level for average consumers in Georgia;

f) a color photo, 3/4 in size, in electronic form;

g) a receipt evidencing payment of the service fee.

Service terms and fees

Residence Permit Application Form

A residence permit of a former Georgian citizen is issued to an alien whose Georgian citizenship has been terminated.

To obtain a residence permit for a former Georgian citizen, an alien, whose citizenship has been terminated, shall submit to the Agency:

an application in the established form;

a copy of the alien’s travel document;

a copy of the document evidencing the alien’s lawful stay in Georgia;

a certificate of termination of Georgian citizenship;

a color photo, 3/4 in size, in electronic form;

a receipt evidencing payment of the service fee.

1. An alien, whose Georgian citizenship has been terminated but who has not left the territory of Georgia is not required to submit a copy of the document evidencing his/her lawful stay in Georgia in order to obtain a residence permit of a former Georgian citizen.

 Service terms and fees

Residence Permit Application Form

A special residence permit is issued to an alien who is reasonably suspected of being a victim or a person affected by human trafficking in cases provided for by the Law of Georgia on Combating Human Trafficking; to an alien upon whom a written initiative to issue a temporary residence permit in Georgia is submitted by a member of the Government of Georgia, to the persons referred to in Article 60 of this Law and to a citizen of another state with the status of a compatriot residing abroad;

To obtain a special residence permit, an alien shall submit to the Agency:

A.When a residence permit is issued to the alien on the initiative of a member of the Government of Georgia:

a.a) an application in the established form;

a.b) a copy of the alien’s travel document;

a.c) a written application of the member of the Government of Georgia;

a.d) a copy of the document evidencing the alien’s lawful stay in Georgia;

a.e) a color photo, 3/4 in size, in electronic form;

B.When issuing a special residence permit to a victim of, or a person affected by, the crime of trading in persons (human trafficking) – a petition from the agency providing services to the victims of trading in persons (human trafficking) or from the authority conducting the proceeding;

C.When issuing a special residence permit to persons referred to in Article 60 of the Law:

c.a) an application in the established form;

c.b) a copy of the alien’s travel document (if any);

c.c) a color photo, 3/4 in size, in electronic form.

D. When issuing a special residence permit to a foreign citizen having the status of compatriot residing abroad:

d.a) an application in the established form;

d.b) a copy of the alien’s travel document;

d.c) a copy of the document evidencing the alien’s lawful stay in Georgia;

d.d) a copy of the document evidencing the status of the compatriot residing abroad;

d.e) a color photo, 3/4 in size, in electronic form.

Residence Permit Application Form

A permanent residence permit is issued to a spouse, a minor child of a citizen of Georgia, or a Residence Permit Application Form a parent of a minor citizen of Georgia. A permanent residence permit is also issued to an alien who has lived in Georgia for the last 10 years on the basis of a temporary residence permit. This term does not include the period of residing in Georgia to get an education or receive medical treatment and to perform activities in diplomatic and other equivalent representative offices.

1.  To obtain a permanent residence permit, an alien shall submit to the Agency:
   A. for issuing a permanent residence permit to a spouse, a minor child of a citizen of Georgia, or a parent of a minor citizen of Georgia:

a.a) an application in the established form;

a.b) a copy of the alien’s travel document;

a.c) a copy of the document evidencing the alien’s lawful stay in Georgia;

a.d) a document certifying kinship with a Georgian citizen;

a.e) a document evidencing legal income earned in Georgia by an alien and/or by a Georgian citizen or his/her relative having the right of residence in Georgia. If the Georgian citizen is of retirement age or receives social security benefits – a document evidencing the receipt of a state pension or social security benefits. The money in the alien’s personal bank account may also be deemed as income;

a.f) a color photo, 3/4 in size, in electronic form;

a.g) a receipt evidencing payment of the service fee.

B. for issuing a permanent residence permit to an alien who has lived in Georgia for the last 10 years on the basis of a temporary residence permit:

b.a) an application in the established form;

b.b) a copy of the alien’s travel document;

b.c) a document evidencing that the alien has lived in Georgia for the last 10 years on the basis of a temporary residence permit (a copy of a temporary Georgian residence card/ residence permit);

b.d) a document evidencing legal income earned in Georgia by the alien and/or by a Georgian citizen or by his/her relative having the right of residence in Georgia and a document confirming kinship with this person. If the Georgian citizen is of retirement age or receives social security benefits – document evidencing the receipt of a state pension or social security benefits; the money in the alien’s personal bank account may also be deemed as income;

b.e) a color photo, 3/4 in size, in electronic form;

b.f) a receipt evidencing payment of the service fee.

Service terms and fees

Residence Permit Application Form

An investment residence permit shall be issued to an alien and his / her family members who, in accordance with the Law of Georgia on Promotion and Guarantees of Investment Activity, have invested at least USD 300 000 equivalent in lari or who have the title to the real thing (except for agricultural land) in the territory of Georgia in accordance with the rules established by the legislation of Georgia, the market value of which exceeds USD 300 000 equivalent in lari.

The market value of a real thing for the issuance of an investment residence permit is determined by a certified appraiser of a body accredited by the Legal Entity of Public Law – Unified National Body of Accreditation – Accreditation Center. For the purposes of this subparagraph, family members of an alien include a spouse, a minor child of an alien, and his/her fully dependent recipient of support or an incapacitated person, as well as an alien’s fully dependent person recognized as incapable in the manner prescribed by the legislation of the relevant country.

To obtain an investment residence permit, an alien shall submit to the Agency:

a) an application in the established form;

b) a copy of the alien’s travel document;

c) a copy of the document evidencing the alien’s lawful stay in Georgia;

d) a document evidencing at least USD 300 000 investment in Georgia (audit report by a certified auditor) or a document certifying title to a real thing (except for agricultural land) in the territory of Georgia, the market value of which exceeds USD 300 000 equivalent in lari;

d.1) a document certifying the market value of a real thing provided for by subparagraph “d” of this paragraph (a report of a certified appraiser accredited by the Legal Entity of Public Law – the Unified National Body of Accreditation – Accreditation Center);

e) a written recommendation is given by a member of the Government of Georgia or by 3 citizens of Georgia having the authority to represent a Georgian-based business entity;

f) a color photo, 3/4 in size, in electronic form;

g) a receipt evidencing payment of the service fee.

1.1. On the basis of the investment in the amount of USD 300 000, in the case of carrying out investment, during the period of an investment residence permit annually, before the expiration of each year of the validity of an investment residence permit, an alien possessing an investment residence permit shall be obliged to submit to the Agency information on the annual turnover of his/her entrepreneurial activities in Georgia issued by the LEPL Revenue Service which certifies the annual turnover for the first year of the investment in Georgia, which is not less than USD 50 000 equivalent in lari, for the second year – not less than USD 100 000 equivalent in lari, and for the third, fourth and fifth year – not less than USD 120 000 equivalent in lari. A person possessing an investment residence permit issued on the basis of a real thing, the market value of which is USD 300 000 equivalent in lari, shall be obliged to retain the ownership of the real thing, on the basis of which the investment residence permit was issued, or of a real thing substituted through the observance of the requirement provided for by Article 21(1) of the Law

2. If a family member of the alien who has an investment residence permit wishes to obtain the same kind of permit, the following documents shall be submitted to the Agency:

a) an application in the established form;

b) a copy of the alien’s travel document;

c) a copy of the document evidencing the alien’s lawful stay in Georgia;

d)a copy of the residence permit of the alien having an investment residence permit;

e)a document evidencing kinship with the alien having an investment residence permit;

f) a color photo, 3/4 in size, in electronic form;

g) a receipt evidencing payment of the service fee.

Service terms and fees

Residence Permit Application Form

A temporary residence permit shall be issued to an alien who has been granted the status of victim under the Law of Georgia on Violence Against Women and/or Elimination of Domestic Violence, Protection and Support of Victims of Violence

A short-term residence permit is issued to an alien who has the title to a real thing (except for agricultural land) in the territory of Georgia in accordance with the rules established by the legislation of Georgia, the market value of which exceeds USD 100 000 equivalent in lari, as well as to his / her spouse and child/children. In order to issue a short-term residence permit, the market value of the real thing is determined by a certified appraiser of the body accredited by the Legal Entity of Public Law – Unified National Body of Accreditation – the Accreditation Center.

1. To obtain a short-term residence permit, an alien shall submit to the Agency:
2. a) an application in the established form;
3. b) a copy of the alien’s travel document;
4. c) a copy of the document evidencing the alien’s lawful stay in Georgia;
5. d) a document certifying the right of the alien’s ownership of a real thing (except for agricultural land) in the territory of Georgia, the market value of which exceeds USD 100 000 equivalent in lari;
6. e) a document evidencing the market value of a real thing referred to in subparagraph “d” of this paragraph (market value established by a certified appraiser of a body accredited by the Legal Entity of Public Law – Unified National Body of Accreditation – Accreditation Center);
7. f) a color photo, 3/4 in size, in electronic form;
8. g) a receipt confirming payment of the service fee.

2. To obtain a short-term residence permit of the same type, a spouse and child / children of an alien having a short-term residence permit shall submit to the Agency:
3. a) an application in the established form;
4. b) a copy of the alien’s travel document;
5. c) a copy of the document evidencing the alien’s lawful stay in Georgia;
6. d) a copy of a residence permit of an alien having a short-term residence permit;
7. e) a document confirming kinship with the alien having a short-term residence permit;
8. f) a color photo, 3/4 in size, in electronic form;
9. g) a receipt confirming payment of the service fee.

 Service terms and fees

Residence Permit Application Form

A lifelong residence permit is given to an alien and his/her family members, who hold an investment residence permit issued on the basis of the investment in the amount of USD 300 000 equivalent in lari, and who have shown an annual turnover earned from his/her entrepreneurial activities for the first year not less than USD 50 000 equivalent in lari, for the second year not less than USD 100 000 equivalent in lari and for the third, fourth and fifth year from the date of receiving an investment residence permit – not less than USD 120 000 equivalent in lari; or to an alien and his/her family members, who hold an investment residence permit issued on the basis of the ownership of the real thing, the value of which exceeds USD 300 000 equivalent in lari and have had a title to this real thing for 5 years since receiving an investment residence permit. For the purposes of this subparagraph, family members of an alien include a spouse, a minor child of an alien, and his/her fully dependent recipient of support or an incapacitated person, as well as an alien’s fully dependent person recognized as incapable in the manner prescribed by the legislation of the relevant country.

1. In order to obtain a lifelong residence permit, an alien shall submit to the Agency:
   a) an application in the established form;
   b) a copy of the alien’s travel document;
   c) a copy of an investment residence card/residence permit issued on the basis of the investment carried out in Georgia in the amount of USD 300 000 equivalent in lari;
   d) information on the turnover of the 5^th year after the issuance of an investment residence permit, certifying the annual turnover of the 5^th year of his/her entrepreneurial activity in Georgia in the amount of not less than USD 120 000 equivalent in lari;
   f) a color photo, 3/4 in size, in electronic form;
   g) a receipt confirming payment of the service fee.

2. In order to obtain a lifelong residence permit, an alien who possessed an investment residence permit for 5 years issued on the basis of the ownership of a real thing in Georgia, the value of which exceeds USD 300 000 equivalent in lari, shall, before the expiration of the 5- year validity period of an investment residence permit, submit to the Agency:
   a) an application in the established form;
   b) a copy of the alien’s travel document;
   c) a copy of an investment residence card/residence permit issued on the basis of the investment made in Georgia in the amount of USD 300 000 equivalent in lari, and a certificate issued by the Legal Entity of Public Law – National Agency of Public Registry (hereinafter – the Public Registry) on the ownership of the real thing during the period of total 5 years from the issuance of the same residence permit, on the basis of the ownership of which he/she obtained an investment residence permit or on the ownership of a real thing substituted through the observance of the requirement provided for by paragraph 1³ of Article 21 of this Law;
   f) a color photo, 3/4 in size, in electronic form;
   g) a receipt confirming payment of the service fee.

3. In order to obtain a lifelong residence permit, a family member of an alien possessing an investment residence permit provided for in paragraphs 1 and 2 of this Article, shall submit to the Agency:
   a) an application in the established form;
   b) a copy of the alien’s travel document;
   c) a copy of the document evidencing the alien’s lawful stay in Georgia;
   d) a copy of a residence permit of an alien having an investment residence permit;
   e) a document confirming kinship with the alien having an investment residence permit;
   f) a color photo, 3/4 in size, in electronic form;
   g) a receipt confirming payment of the service fee.

 Service terms and fees

Residence Permit Application Form

• A legally capable citizen of Georgia of full legal age has the right to apply for an emigration permit.

  The application must be accompanied by:

a) a copy of the passport of Georgian citizen;

b) for persons aged 18 to 27 – a copy of a military service card or a certificate of deferment of conscription, exemption from conscription or exemption from military service;

c) 2 color photos, 3×4 in size.

d) receipt confirming payment of the service fee. A minor under the age of 18 emigrates with his / her legal representative.
In case of issuing an emigration permit to a minor, the application must be accompanied by:

a) a copy of a passport of a citizen of Georgia;

b) a copy of a birth certificate (copy of a birth certificate issued in an alien country shall be duly legalized or apostilled unless otherwise specified in an international treaty or agreement of Georgia);

c) 2 color photos, 3×4 in size;

d) receipt confirming payment of the service fee.
The issuance of an emigration permit to a minor is allowed on the basis of a notarized or expressed in the established electronic form consent of his / her legal representative.  

Service terms and fees

Pursuant to Article 48 of the Law of Georgia on the Legal Status of Aliens and Stateless Persons, an obligation for an alien to leave Georgia may be deferred:

a) if he / she has submitted an application to the Agency for a residence permit or citizenship of Georgia;

b) in case of illness or pregnancy, when, according to the doctor’s opinion, further travel will endanger his/her health. In this case, his/her family members and accompanying persons may stay with him/her;

c) if the proceedings are pending in the Common Court of Georgia with his / her participation and his / her presence in Georgia is essential for the protection of his / her interests;

d) if during the transit through the territory of Georgia he / she is forced to stay on the territory of Georgia for more than 10 days. In this case, the following will be considered forced stay:

d.a) acts of nature that impede the movement of strains, vehicle, ships or airplanes;

d.b) necessary repair of means of transport or traffic accident;

d.c) delays in changing means of transport;

d.d) other cases when it is impossible to move from one place to another without impediment;

e) on the basis of an application of a competent person of the Ministry of Georgia or a state sub-agency.

In exceptional cases, on the basis of a substantiated request, the obligation of an alien to leave Georgia may be deferred once, for a period of up to 3 months, for the same purpose for which he has been granted a residence permit in Georgia.

The application for deferment of the obligation to leave Georgia and the attached documents shall be submitted to the Agency in accordance with the procedure established for submitting an application for a residence permit in Georgia.

Service term and cost:

Within 5 calendar days – GEL 65