Visa to Georgia

Georgia is actively developing tourism, so a visa to this country is not needed not only for Russians, but also for citizens of many other countries. When crossing the border, a visa stamp is put, and the tourist can stay on Georgian territory for a full ninety days.

Who needs a visa to Georgia

In 2021, a whole list of countries has a visa-free regime with Georgia. It's easier to list the states whose citizens still need a visa:

• Iran;
• Jordan;
• Vietnam;
• Syria;
• Egypt;
• Indonesia;
• Afghanistan;
• Turkmenistan;
• Lebanon.

Visa entry is fully valid for them, the consular fee is the equivalent of $ 50, and the process of obtaining an entry permit is a standard consular procedure.

Important! For residents of Russia, the trip can be carried out only with a foreign passport. Permission to cross the border is given directly when this action is taken.

True, in this case we are talking about tourist purposes and about a ninety-day stay. If the tourist intends to stay in the country longer, an extension of the permit on the spot will be required. And if the purpose of the stay is different, a permit obtained in advance is required.

To extend the stay, a foreigner applies to the Civil Registry Agency of the region in which he permanently (or at the moment) resides. Maximum renewal period - 365 days.

In fact, a foreigner from the list of countries that are allowed a visa-free regime can stay in the Georgian territories for a calendar year.

By the way. The “visa-free” rule applies not only to tourists, but also to passengers for whom Georgia is a transit point. They can spend 72 hours in the country without prior permission.

Types of visa permits

If a resident of the Russian Federation, Kazakhstan, Belarusian, Ukrainian and so on does not come here for tourism purposes, or the duration of the planned general stay exceeds twelve months, he will need an immigration visa, which is of the following types:

• For those wishing to study - a student visa;
• For workers - labor;
• For those planning to live for more than a year with relatives, including a husband / wife after marriage - an immigration family visa.

Any of these permits must be obtained in advance according to all registration rules.

Advice. When a person has already entered the territory of Georgia without a visa, but the visit has been delayed, or his purpose has changed (he was going to be a tourist, but unexpectedly found a job), after ninety days, the issue of legality of residence must be immediately resolved with the local authorities.

You can enter the country by any type of transport, having with you a foreign passport, in which a mark of entry will be put. It is necessary in order to control the length of stay and not exceed it.

By the way. Any foreigner who is not a Georgian must have medical insurance upon entry. She may not be checked, but she is often asked directly at the border control.

The application takes place by prior telephone or online appointment at the established consular reception hours.

Visa application

The cancellation of the consular fee applies only to tourists. If you still need to make a long-term stay permit that does not fit within 365 days or pursuing non-tourist goals, for this you will need to go to the embassy.

Important! There is no Georgian Embassy in Moscow. Its mission has been delegated to the Georgian Interests Section, which operates at the Swiss Embassy. It is there that you need to apply, having on hand a standard package of documents.

Self-application for a visa

Table: Places of visa processing

List of documents

Basic documents:

• 

  Original foreign passport and copy;

• Copy of a civil passport;
• Application form, the form of which must be taken when contacting the section and filled in personally;
• Two color photographs 3x4 cm;
• Medical insurance;
• Receipt of payment of the consular fee.

By the way. The Swiss Embassy in the capital of Georgia has also opened a similar Section of Russia, which deals with all visa issues. In addition, the Russian Visa Application Center has opened in Tbilisi.

How to fill out the application form

The form is filled in in English or in Russian, but in Latin.

The form looks like this. You can download a sample questionnaire at this link.

Additional documents

You will also need documents confirming the need to obtain a long-term visa:

• An invitation from an educational institution and a study contract;
• An invitation from the place of work and an employment contract;
• Confirmation of family or marital ties and the legality of relatives living in Georgia.

Entry with a child

If Russians, Kazakhstanis, residents of Ukraine and other CIS countries travel to Georgia with a child, they will need (even if there is no need for a visa) to have certain documents with them:

1. Parents' passports, which contain information about the child;
2. Official permission to leave if the young tourist is accompanied by one parent or a confidant;
3. The child's foreign passport, if he has it issued and has reached the age of 14;
4. A document confirming the fact of birth and parental status.

Entry by private vehicle

If the entry is by plane, a passport is sufficient. When using vehicles, you will need additional documents:

• Transport registration certificate;
• Driver's license;
• Proof of vehicle ownership or power of attorney for driving, if the driver is not the owner of the car.

Fingerprinting

At the moment, it is not required to submit biometrics from applicants applying for a Georgian visa.

Terms of registration

Long-term is issued within thirty days.

A passport cannot be valid for more than 10 years. Also, it must be valid three months after leaving Georgia. If a passport for a visa is handed over to the embassy and consular service, it must be returned there, personally to the applicant.

How to check readiness

If after the expiration of the deadline for receiving no messages have been received, and the permit is not ready, you should seek clarification from the appropriate consular authority.

How to get a

An applicant can pick up a passport with a long-term visa only on his own where he handed over it. He will be notified of the timing and methods of receipt at the time of delivery.

Price

Long-term visa costs 100 GEL... They are paid in cash in Russian rubles directly upon submission of documentation at the embassy

How long is the visa valid

The terms of a long-term entry permit depend on the purpose of stay in the country:

• Workers are usually given permission for the duration of the contract;
• Students receive it for the entire period of study.

In parallel with a visa, a residence permit is required.

Features of entry, or why they may refuse

Entry can be canceled only in exceptional cases, one of which is penetration into the country through Abkhazia and Ossetia.

Important! Penetration into the country through Abkhazia and Ossetia is considered illegal. If the border guards detect such penetration, the tourist can be arrested, expelled from the country and banned from entering its territory for a year.

According to the law, travelers are not even allowed to apply for a visa or cross the border without a visa if they have previously visited South Ossetia or have been to Abkhazia. If the passport contains stamps on entry / exit from these countries, entry into Georgia is unfeasible.

When crossing the border from the side of these states by car or in another way (if it is found out), the tourist receives fine 180 lari and may be imprisoned and then expelled from the country.

There is an option for Russians to travel to these "forbidden" countries through Adler on a civil passport, without presenting a foreign passport. You can also go to Georgia first, and then to Abkhazia or Ossetia. In this case, there will be no problems.

Important! Cars with license plates 82 of the region (Crimea) and 92 (Sevastopol) will not be allowed into the territory of Georgia.

Also fine 180 lari will be charged from a traveler who has stayed in Georgia for more than a year without a long-term visa or residence permit.

Reviews

Alexandra, Russia.We decided to go on vacation to Georgia, since a visa is not needed. The journey went well. No problems arose either when crossing the border or when traveling within the country. After Georgia, the next year they visited Abkhazia. The comparison is not in favor of the latter in terms of recreation, but the border was crossed with a civil passport, so no marks appeared in the foreign countries. You can go to Georgia again.

Ksenia, Belarus.My husband and I have dreamed of going to Georgia for a long time. The absence of a visa played a decisive role. We went for the first time two years ago. Since then, we regularly go there two or three times a year. Georgia is beautiful. And no problems with entry / exit.

Alina, Ukraine.I went to Georgia to work. Found a job in the tourism business. I love this wonderful, beautiful and hospitable country very much. I was sent an invitation from a travel agency with which I signed a contract. It was possible to travel without a visa and receive a residence permit on the spot, but at the embassy in Kiev I issued a work visa C just in case. Paid GEL 100. I have already issued a residence permit in Batumi.

The visa regime in Georgia is unprecedented. Stay on its territory for residents of many countries is allowed without a visa. Therefore, the country is favorable for tourism, as well as for temporary residence.