Georgia is one of the promising "neighbors" that has made a giant leap forward in economic and political development over the past ten years. And if quite recently it was not often possible to meet a Russian who was going to obtain Georgian citizenship, today the situation has changed dramatically. The Georgian passport opens the way to more than 50 countries without a visa, and every day it becomes more and more valuable.
Applicants by law
According to the Citizenship Law, this privilege can be claimed by birth or by naturalization.
By the way. The amendments to the law, adopted in August 2018, introduced clauses on children who appeared on the territory of Georgia as a result of in vitro fertilization, which, regardless of the citizenship of biological parents, acquire Georgian citizenship. Other exceptional circumstances and conditions are also mentioned.
In case of naturalization, permission to become a citizen is granted exclusively by the President. This event can occur:
- In the usual way;
- Simplified;
- In exceptional;
- In order to recover.
Ban on citizenship
They can be deprived of a Georgian passport:
- International criminals;
- Citizens who have violated or endangered state security;
- Members of terrorist organizations;
- Foreign intelligence agents;
- Those who do business on drugs and human trafficking.
How to become a Georgian with a passport
Compared to other countries that are popular for emigration, there are much fewer ways to legally settle in Georgia.
You can become a citizen:
- By birth or descent;
- As a result of marriage;
- By naturalization.
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Acquisition and return of citizenship
Those who were Georgian before 1993 and permanently lived in the country for at least five years can automatically regain their citizenship, lost for any reason.
If a child was born of two citizens of Georgia, he is a citizen, regardless of the place of birth.
If only one parent is Georgian, the child must be born on Georgian territory.
Marriage and Citizenship
Until recently, a foreigner who married a citizen of Georgia could apply for citizenship in two years. According to the updated law, this period has been increased to five years.
In this case, it is necessary to submit:
- Marriage certificate;
- Certificate of permanent residence;
- Application in Georgian;
- A copy of the Georgian spouse's passport.
Naturalization methods
In order to naturalize in this country, you will have to meet a number of conditions.
- Have a reason for naturalization;
- Live in the country for five years;
- Know the state language;
- Know the history of the country;
- Know the legislation;
- Pass a comprehensive examination in language, law and history, having received the assessment of a special commission;
- Have income double the average minimum wage;
- Have a job or business (except for cases that do not provide for compulsory employment - investment, marriage);
- Own real estate or rented accommodation.
Other methods
As for economic citizenship by investment or starting a business, the state does not yet have such programs. They are being considered and, possibly, will be introduced in the near future as regular amendments to the law or as independent acts.
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Investment schemes will allow becoming a citizen when buying real estate, creating investment funds, and so on, and will be taken from European counterparts. In particular, the economic citizenship of Austria is taken as a basis. But it is too early to talk about the exact conditions.
Dual and Second Citizenship
Until this year, persons who obtained citizenship of another country were automatically deprived of their Georgian passports. According to the updated law, the Georgians received the right to dual citizenship, and now all who were deprived of it, the citizenship of Georgia is returned in a simplified manner.
Important! For Russian citizens seeking to obtain a second Georgian passport, this has become possible. You won't have to give up anything. Dual citizenship, as both countries now allow it.
Receiving procedure
According to Georgian laws, everything is strictly regulated. A request for citizenship is addressed to the President (an application is written in his name) through the Ministry of Justice.
By the way. The appeal to the House of Justice can be carried out both in person and on the Internet. Also, the issue of citizenship at the stage of accepting documents and applications can be resolved by any diplomatic institution of Georgia.
Documents for Georgian citizenship
Table. Lists of documents for different categories of applicants.
| Citizenship on a general basis | Exceptional grounds (special conditions) | Citizenship by marriage | Minors |
| In addition to the main package, a document is submitted that gives the right to use an exclusive basis. This could be:
| In addition to the main package (except for a certificate of income confirmation) - a marriage certificate. You will also need a photocopy of the passport of a spouse who is a citizen of Georgia. | The passport is included in the package of documents only for those minors who have turned 14 years old. All applicants must also present a birth certificate. Guardianship, adoption and other conditions require appropriate supporting documents. |
Important! Even with citizenship by marriage or for special merit, naturalization presupposes compulsory knowledge of the state language, which is confirmed by examination. The conclusion of the commission is also given on the level of knowledge of the history of Georgia and its legislation.
Applying for citizenship - instructions
As already noted, you can contact the Ministry of Justice or the local Agency of State Services on this matter personally. Diplomatic institutions located outside Georgia are also competent to accept documents. You can solve the issue online on the website of the House of Justice.
Advice. If the appeal takes place in person, a package of documents is collected, all translations, assurances, photos, photocopies are made, certificates are collected. Then you need to make an appointment and submit documents.
When submitted online.
- Go to the official website of the House of Justice http://psh.gov.ge/;
- Register;
- Fill out an application-application;
- Pay the fee;
- Scan all documents and photos, payment receipt;
- Attach documents to the application and send.
Cost and time of registration
Services for the examination of documents on Georgian citizenship have the following fixed price, which varies depending on the processing time:
- Within eighty days, citizenship is issued for 50 GEL;
- If the documents will be considered for two months, the payment will be 100 GEL;
- If the term is reduced to forty days, you will have to pay 200 GEL;
- If the applicant needs an urgent review, it can be done within twenty days, which will cost 300 GEL.
Reasons for refusing citizenship
As well as for deprivation of citizenship, good reasons are needed to refuse it. Will not be allowed to become a citizen:
- An applicant who has committed a serious crime;
- Terrorist;
- Drug dealer;
- Threatening national security;
- Anyone who entered contract service in a foreign military;
- If the documents are falsified or contain false information;
- If the applicant does not have a livelihood, job, housing.
The government website of the Ministry of Justice provides free support and online consultations, including on issues of obtaining citizenship. The authorities are interested in softening the migration policy.
Georgia is becoming more open and welcoming to foreigners who decide to choose this country as their place of permanent residence, to make it their second homeland. Today you can safely add Georgia to the list of favorable countries for emigration.
