Georgian Legal Residence Permit – Guide

TL;DR

• A Georgian residence permit grants you the legal right to live in Georgia beyond the standard visa-free period. It is an immigration document, not a tax document.

• The most common grounds for a temporary residence permit are: company ownership, property ownership, employment, and investment.

• Applications are submitted to the Civil Registry Agency. Standard processing is 30 days; expedited processing takes 10 working days for an additional fee.

• A residence permit does not make you a Georgian tax resident. That status is governed by a separate legal framework.

• Most nationalities can stay in Georgia visa-free for up to 365 days, making a permit optional for shorter stays, but essential for long-term stability.

• Permanent residence is available after five years of continuous lawful residence and carries no renewal requirement.

• Remote registration via power of attorney is possible if you cannot travel to Tbilisi for the application.

Georgia is one of the most accessible countries in the world for foreign nationals who want to establish long-term residence. More than 90 nationalities can enter and remain for up to 365 days without a visa. But staying long-term, opening a bank account with confidence, registering vehicles, enrolling children in school, and building a stable life all benefit from formal legal status.

A Georgian residence permit is the foundation of that stability. This guide covers every aspect of the Georgian legal residence permit in 2026: the permit categories available, the qualifying grounds for each, the application process and documentation requirements, processing times, and what the permit does and does not provide.

If you are also wondering whether a residence permit makes you a tax resident in Georgia, the answer is no, and that distinction is important. This guide addresses it directly.

Types of Georgian residence permit

Georgia issues two primary categories of residence permit relevant to foreign nationals: the temporary residence permit and the permanent residence permit. A short-stay visa is separate and not covered here.

Temporary residence permit

The temporary residence permit is the standard entry point for foreign nationals seeking long-term residence in Georgia. It is valid for one to six years, depending on the grounds and the discretion of the Civil Registry Agency, and is renewable. There is no cap on the number of renewals.

Permanent residence permit

The permanent residence permit is available after five years of continuous lawful residence in Georgia. It carries no renewal requirement and provides indefinite residence rights. It is the equivalent of permanent residency in most jurisdictions, you cannot be required to leave based on immigration grounds, and you can leave and re-enter Georgia freely without jeopardising the status.

Qualifying grounds for a temporary residence permit

The temporary residence permit is granted on specific qualifying grounds. The most relevant for foreign founders and professionals are as follows.

Company ownership and operation

If you own shares in a Georgian LLC or operate as a registered individual entrepreneur in Georgia, you can apply for a residence permit on the basis of company ownership and active operation. There is no minimum share percentage specified, but the company must be actively operating, not dormant. A company that exists on paper but has no activity will not satisfy this ground.

This is the most commonly used ground by foreign founders. The LLC can be registered before or during the permit application. For remote registration of the underlying company, see remote LLC registration in Georgia, the company can be established without travelling to Tbilisi.

Property ownership

Owning real estate in Georgia above a specified value threshold qualifies for a residence permit. The property must be in your name (not a company's name) and registered in the Public Registry. This route is popular among retirees, investors, and those who prefer not to establish a Georgian business entity.

Employment

Being employed by a Georgian-registered legal entity on a formal employment contract qualifies for a residence permit. The employer must be operating in Georgia and the employment must be genuine. A secondment from a foreign employer to a Georgian entity may also qualify, depending on the contractual structure.

Investment

Significant investment in Georgia, either in a Georgian company or in Georgian real estate above defined thresholds, can qualify for a residence permit under the investment category. The thresholds and documentation requirements for this category are more demanding than for company ownership.

Family reunification

Foreign nationals with close family members who are Georgian citizens or lawful Georgian residents can apply for a family reunification permit. Qualifying relationships typically include spouses, children, and parents.

Application process: step by step

Applications for a Georgian residence permit are submitted to the Civil Registry Agency (known as the Public Services Development Agency in some contexts). The process has five stages.

Step 1: Compile documentation

Gather the documents relevant to your qualifying ground (see the documentation section below). All foreign-language documents must be translated into Georgian and notarised. Some documents may require apostille certification depending on the issuing country.

Step 2: Book an appointment

Appointments can be booked at Civil Registry Agency branches. Tbilisi branches have the highest capacity. Walk-in appointments are sometimes available, but booking in advance reduces waiting time.

Step 3: Submit the application

The application is submitted in person at the branch, together with all supporting documentation and the applicable fee. An authorised representative can submit on your behalf under a notarised power of attorney, this is how remote applicants proceed.

Step 4: Biometric data collection

You must appear in person at a Civil Registry Agency branch for biometric data collection (fingerprints and photograph), unless you are applying remotely and have arranged for this step during a visit to Georgia. Biometric collection cannot be done by proxy.

Step 5: Collection

The permit card is collected from the branch where the application was submitted, or can be delivered by courier in some cases. You will receive a notification when the card is ready.

If you are applying remotely via power of attorney, a trusted representative in Georgia can submit the application and documentation on your behalf. However, you will need to travel to Georgia at some point to provide biometric data in person. Plan this visit around the processing window.

Documentation requirements

The required documentation varies by qualifying ground, but the following are required for all applications:

• Valid passport (original and copies of all pages)

• Completed application form

• Proof of address in Georgia (lease agreement, utility bill, or hotel registration)

• Proof of payment of the application fee

• Two passport-sized photographs

In addition to the above, the company-ownership ground requires:

• Extract from the Georgian Registry of Entrepreneurs (not older than 30 days) confirming your shareholder status

• Evidence of active company operations (bank statements, invoices, tax filings)

The property-ownership ground requires:

• Extract from the Georgian Public Registry confirming ownership in your name

• Evidence of property value (purchase agreement, independent valuation)

For apostille and notarisation in Georgia, Gegidze coordinates the process for clients who need foreign-language documents certified.

Processing times and fees

Two processing tracks are available for Georgian residence permit applications.

Processing Track	Timeframe	Fee (approximate)
Standard processing	30 calendar days	GEL 210
Expedited processing	10 working days	GEL 410
Biometric card production	Included in above	Included
Renewal (standard)	30 calendar days	GEL 210
Renewal (expedited)	10 working days	GEL 410

Fees are paid at the branch or through designated payment channels. The amounts above are approximate and subject to change; confirm current fees with the Civil Registry Agency or Gegidze before applying.

Permanent residence permit

The permanent residence permit is available after five years of continuous lawful residence in Georgia. Continuous means without extended absences, typically no single absence of more than 12 months and no aggregate absence that would suggest abandonment of Georgian residence.

The application process for permanent residence is similar to temporary residence: documentation, submission, biometrics, and collection. The required evidence focuses on demonstrating continuity of residence over the five-year period; utility bills, lease agreements, tax filings, bank statements, and travel records are all relevant.

There is no renewal requirement for the permanent residence permit. Once issued, it is valid indefinitely unless you voluntarily surrender it or are deported. It entitles you to reside in Georgia indefinitely, work without a separate work permit, and access most public services on the same basis as Georgian citizens.

The permanent residence permit does not confer Georgian citizenship. Naturalisation is a separate process with different requirements, including language proficiency and an extended period of continuous residence. Gegidze does not advise on citizenship applications but can refer you to appropriate specialists.

What a residence permit does not do

Understanding the limits of the Georgian residence permit is as important as understanding its benefits.

It does not establish Georgia tax residency

A Georgian residence permit is an immigration document. It has no effect on your tax status. Georgia tax residency is a separate legal status determined under the Tax Code of Georgia, primarily by the 183-day physical presence rule. A permit holder who spends fewer than 183 days in Georgia in a given year is not a Georgia tax resident for that year.

It does not terminate your home-country tax residency

Moving to Georgia and obtaining a residence permit does not automatically end your tax residency in your home country. Your home country will apply its own rules to determine whether you remain a tax resident there. Most home-country rules look at factors including days of presence, property ownership, family ties, and economic connections, none of which are changed by obtaining a Georgian permit.

It is not a work permit for specific sectors

While Georgian residence permits generally allow you to work in Georgia, specific regulated sectors (medical practice, legal practice, aviation) may have additional licensing requirements. The permit itself does not satisfy sector-specific licensing rules.

Residence permit vs. tax residency: the critical distinction

If you need to prove Georgia tax residency to a bank, a foreign tax authority, or a counterparty, you need a tax residency certificate issued by the Revenue Service Georgia, not a residence permit. For a full explanation of how to obtain that certificate and when it is required, see Georgia tax residency requirements.

The two documents are not interchangeable. A bank conducting KYC will distinguish between them. A foreign tax authority will not accept a residence permit as evidence of a changed fiscal domicile. A client requesting proof of your Georgian tax status will need to see the certificate, not the permit card.

How Gegidze helps

Gegidze manages residence permit applications for foreign founders, professionals, and investors establishing themselves in Georgia.

• Company-based permit applications: We handle LLC registration and residence permit applications together, ensuring both the underlying company and the permit application are correctly structured. See how to open an LLC in Georgia for the company registration process.

• Remote application management: We submit applications on behalf of clients via power of attorney, coordinate the biometric visit, and collect the permit card, minimising the need for multiple trips to Tbilisi.

• Document preparation and notarisation: We prepare, translate, and notarise the documentation package required for each grounds category.

• Renewal management: We track permit expiry dates and initiate renewal applications in advance to prevent lapses in legal status.

• Permanent residence applications: We compile the five-year evidence package and manage the permanent residence application for clients approaching eligibility.

• Tax residency certificate coordination: Where clients also need formal georgia tax residency, we manage that application separately with the Revenue Service Georgia.

Final thoughts

A Georgian residence permit is a practical and accessible tool for foreign nationals who want to establish long-term legal presence in Georgia. The qualifying grounds are broad, the application process is manageable, and the cost is modest relative to the stability it provides.

The key point to carry from this guide: a residence permit is not a tax document. It does not make you a Georgia tax resident, it does not terminate your home-country tax residency, and it will not satisfy a bank or foreign authority asking for proof of Georgia tax residency. The certificate for that purpose is issued by the Revenue Service Georgia and obtained through a separate process.

Get the permit for what it is, a right to reside. Get the certificate for what it is, proof of fiscal domicile. Use each for the purpose it was designed for.

If you are ready to apply for a Georgian residence permit, or want to understand which grounds apply to your situation, book a free consultation with Gegidze to start the process.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Do I need a Georgian residence permit if I can stay visa-free for 365 days?

Not immediately. Many nationalities can enter Georgia and remain for up to 365 days without a visa or residence permit. However, a residence permit provides long-term legal certainty: it allows you to re-enter Georgia freely without relying on visa-free entitlements, simplifies banking and property transactions, and prevents the risk of losing your long-term residence rights if the visa-free policy changes. For anyone planning to base themselves in georgia country for more than one year, a permit is recommended.

Can I apply for a Georgian residence permit without travelling to Georgia?

The initial application can be submitted through an authorised representative using a notarised power of attorney. However, biometric data, fingerprints and photograph, must be provided in person at a Civil Registry Agency branch in Georgia. This means you will need to travel to Georgia at some point during the process. Gegidze coordinates the timing of the biometric visit to minimise disruption for remote clients.

How long does a company need to be operating before I can use it for a residence permit?

There is no minimum operating period specified in Georgian law, but the Civil Registry Agency requires evidence of active operations. A company registered in the same week as the permit application, with no bank transactions or tax filings, may not satisfy the activity requirement. Gegidze recommends at least one or two months of genuine operational activity, invoices issued, a bank account opened, initial tax declarations filed, before submitting the permit application.

Can I work in Georgia on a residence permit?

Yes. A Georgian temporary or permanent residence permit generally allows you to work in Georgia, including for your own company or as an individual entrepreneur. You do not need a separate work permit. However, certain regulated professions, medicine, law, and others, have licensing requirements that must be satisfied independently of your immigration status.