Last updated: October 2026
Many foreigners we meet in Batumi tell us a similar story. They came to Georgia, the country in the South Caucasus (not the US state), on a one-year visa-free stay. They loved it, found a flat, started working online or opened a small company. And then someone told them that since March 2026, a visa-free stay no longer lets them work here at all.
If that sounds familiar, don’t worry. The country of Georgia is still one of the safest and most welcoming countries in the region. It has some of the most liberal rules in the world for starting a business, and its tax system is simple, low and fixed. Getting a residence permit is very manageable. You just need to choose the right route and prepare your papers properly the first time.
Here is how to get a residence permit in Georgia (the country), step by step.
Do you really need a Georgia residence permit?
Citizens of many countries can stay in the country of Georgia visa-free for up to a year. For a long holiday, that is enough.
But the rules changed on 1 March 2026. Being here visa-free no longer gives you the right to work or run a business. Labour migrants and self-employed foreigners now need a work permit first.
So if you want to stay long term, work, run a company or bring your family, you need to apply for a residence permit in Georgia. It gives you a clear legal status and saves you a lot of stress later.
Which residence permit in the country of Georgia fits you?
This is the most important decision, and the one people most often get wrong. Here are the main options.
You work for a Georgian company, or for your own
Two numbers matter here. Your monthly income or salary in Georgia must be more than five times the average subsistence minimum. And the company you work for (or the one you founded) needs an annual turnover of at least GEL 50,000 for every foreigner applying for this permit. For schools and medical institutions, the minimum is GEL 35,000 per foreigner.
You work in IT
There is a special IT residence permit. It is for labour migrants and for foreigners registered in Georgia as individual entrepreneurs with Small Business status, who have the right to work and work in IT. Managers and representatives of international IT companies can get it too. Your family members can be included.
You own property in Georgia
If your property is worth more than USD 150,000 (the threshold went up from USD 100,000 in March 2026), you can get a one-year temporary residence permit in Georgia and renew it every year. Your spouse and children can benefit from it too.
One thing surprises many buyers: what counts is the market value set by a certified appraiser, not the price in your contract. Buyers sometimes pay more than USD 150,000 and are still refused because the valuation comes in lower. Get the valuation before you apply.
You are investing
Buy property worth more than USD 300,000, or invest the same amount in a Georgian business that meets its turnover targets, and you can get a Georgia residence permit by investment. The first permit is for 5 years, and after that it can be renewed with no end date.
You are joining your family
Spouses, minor children and some other relatives of Georgian citizens or foreign residents can apply. You will need proof of legal income in Georgia. Savings in a personal bank account count too: for each month of the permit, the amount must be at least twice the average subsistence minimum.
You are studying
Adults studying in a higher education or vocational programme at an authorised institution in Georgia can get a study residence permit.
You want to stay for good
Permanent residence in Georgia usually comes after 10 years on temporary residence permits, with shorter routes for investors and for spouses of Georgian citizens. Time spent here for study or medical treatment, or working at a diplomatic mission, does not count.
How to get a residence permit in Georgia, step by step
- Pick the right permit. Your situation decides the route and the documents.
- Be in Georgia legally. First applications are made from inside the country, visa-free or on a valid visa (usually a D visa).
- Get your work permit first, if you need one. This applies to work and IT permits.
- Prepare your documents. Foreign documents need an apostille or legalization, plus a notarized Georgian translation.
- Apply at the Public Service Hall (House of Justice). Don’t leave it to the last minute: you must apply at least 40 days before your legal stay ends. You go in person, or your representative goes for you with a power of attorney. They take your photo there, and you pay the fee.
- Wait for the decision. Usually 30 calendar days, or 20 or 10 days if you pay more.
- Collect your residence card. Order it within one month of approval. It can be ready the same day or within 10 working days, depending on the fee.
Documents for a Georgia residence permit
- Your passport, with the entry stamp or visa
- A photo (taken at the House of Justice)
- Proof of why you are staying: work contract, company extract, property extract and valuation, marriage or birth certificate, or university letter
- Proof of income or savings
- Your work permit (for work and IT routes)
- Apostilled or legalized foreign documents with a notarized Georgian translation
Our advice: get a criminal record certificate from your home country before you come. The authorities ask for it more and more often, and ordering it from abroad later can take weeks.
How much does a residence permit in Georgia cost?
At the time of writing, the state fee is around GEL 300 for a decision in 30 days, GEL 450 for 20 days and GEL 600 for 10 days. The residence card costs extra, from about GEL 60. Add translations, notary, apostille and, for property routes, the valuation report. Fees change, so check the current price before you apply.
Why residence permit applications in Georgia get refused
In our experience, most refusals come down to small, avoidable mistakes:
- Your name is spelled differently in different documents
- Income or company turnover is just below the required level
- The appraiser values your property below the required amount
- No work permit for a work-based application
- Missing apostille, translation or notarization
- Copies or printouts instead of originals or notarized copies
A refusal is not the end of the road. You can usually reapply or appeal. But it costs time and money, so it is much better to get it right the first time.
Questions we hear every week
Can I apply for a Georgia residence permit from abroad?
Your first application is usually made in person in Georgia. Renewals can often be done online.
Can I work in the country of Georgia on a visa-free stay?
Not anymore. Since 1 March 2026, labour migrants and self-employed foreigners need a work permit, even if they can stay visa-free.
Does buying an apartment give me residency in Georgia?
Yes, if a certified appraiser values it above USD 150,000 (short-term permit) or USD 300,000 (investment permit).
How long does it all take?
The decision usually takes 30 days, or 10 to 20 days with the faster service. Preparing documents can take longer, so start early.
Can my family come with me?
In most cases, yes. Your spouse and minor children can apply for family reunification or be included in some permit types.
Want someone to handle it for you?
We are Adviser, a law firm in Batumi, Georgia (the country), helping foreigners get a residence permit in Georgia, a work permit or a company set up since 2018. We check your documents, choose the right permit with you and deal with the House of Justice, in English or Russian. You can work with us fully online.
Message us on WhatsApp or send us a request to book a consultation.
Note: This article is general information, not legal advice. Immigration rules in Georgia change often, so contact us to check the current requirements for your situation.
