Getting residence in Georgia
Georgia combines often visa-free entry, stay registration and work permits for long stays. Temporary paths and routes toward permanent residence for eligible profiles.
The essentials · reside · July 2026
For comparing a residence title: timeline, cost, limits.
0–1 months
Visa-free entry + registration (1 year)
$0–$200
1–4 months
Work / residence permit
$100–$1,500
3–12 months
Permanent residence
$200–$2,000
The routes
- Visa-free entry + registration (1 year) — One-year stay; renewal or status change before expiry
- Work / residence permit — Renewable residence title
- Permanent residence — Permanent residence permit
Who it fits
- Visa-free entry + registration (1 year) — Eligible nationalities (MFA list) for 365-day stay
- Work / residence permit — Local employment, registered activity or investment per category
- Permanent residence — Extended legal stay, investment, Georgian family or special criteria
The limits
- Small business status is tax, not a visa. Check nationality for entry rights.
Before you start
Many nationalities enter visa-free for one year. Beyond that, registration or residence permit. Permanent residence possible after years of legal stay per route.
Paths by category
Indicative thresholds, timelines and fees. Verify with official sources and local counsel.
Work / employment
Work / residence permit
Process steps
- Secure contract or register activity/company
- Gather translated documents
- File at House of Justice / Public Service Development
- Receive residence card
- Renew while maintaining activity
Sources: house.gov.ge
Naturalisation / long stay
Permanent residence
Process steps
- Document legal years or investment/family route
- File complete dossier (record, income, housing)
- Interview / administration decision
- Receive permanent title
Sources: mfa.gov.ge
Other
Visa-free entry + registration (1 year)
Process steps
- Check visa-free eligibility on mfa.gov.ge
- Enter Georgia (valid passport)
- Find housing and open bank account (on-ground KYC)
- Register with authorities if planning stay > 1 year (House of Justice)
- Before stay ends, apply for permit or exit/re-enter per rules
Sources: mfa.gov.ge
How to read the paths
Each card combines a category (how you qualify), an outcome (what you get) and duration (renewable title or permanent). RBI ≠ CBI: the first grants residence, the second a passport.
- EU free movement : EU/EEA citizens register their stay. A consular visa is a different route.
- Work / employment : Status tied to a local employer or qualifying contract.
- Entrepreneur / company : Activity or company setup: the visa follows the project. A passport is a different outcome.
- Passive income / retirement : Stable income (pension, dividends, rent) without local employment.
- Nomad / remote : Remote work for an employer or clients outside the country.
- Residence by investment : Investment or financial threshold leads to residence. A passport is a different outcome.
- Citizenship by investment : Investment or contribution → passport (programmes often restricted).
- Naturalisation / long stay : After years of legal stay: PR, ILR, C permit, etc.
- Other : Visit, transit or routes outside the frames above.