Relocate as an Individual or with Family

In Georgia, a non-resident natural person can purchase any real estate except agricultural land. The exception is the case of a non-resident natural person who inherited this land. The purchase agreement is registered in the public register.

The following documents should be provided: 

• Application (electronic application is filled in by the receiving operator )
• Identity document      
• Properly certified purchase agreement.

If the non-resident person does not know the Georgian language, in this case the following is needed/required: 

• Bilingual agreement
• Interpreter

 If the parties have a representative, then a duly certified document of representation and an identity document of the representative should be additionally submitted. 

In specific cases, any additional documents or information necessary for a decision may be required.

The fee for receiving the service within 4 working days is approx. USD 25, to get in 1 working day - approx. USD 73, and same-day approx. USD 100. 

How to Obtain Residency – individually & for a  family

A residence permit is a basis for a foreign citizen to enter Georgia and stay legally. A foreign citizen shall be granted a temporary or permanent residence permit, provided that there are grounds for a residence permit. 

Right for temporary residence 

Different types of residence permits are issued. Including:

• Working residence permit – Issued for entrepreneurial or labor activities in Georgia
• Studying residence permit - It is issued for the purpose of studying in an authorized educational institution in Georgia
• Residence permit for family reunification - issued to family members of a foreigner with a residence permit 
• Residence permit of a former citizen of Georgia - issued to a foreigner who has been deprived of Georgian citizenship 
• Residence permit of a stateless person - issued to a person who has been granted the status of a stateless person in Georgia
• Investment Residence Permit - issued to a foreigner who has invested at least the equivalent of USD 300,000 in Georgia, and to his/her family members
• Temporary residence permit - issued to a foreigner who has been granted the status of a victim in accordance with the law of Georgia 
• Short-term residence permit - issued to a foreigner and his/her family members if the foreigner owns real estate on the territory of Georgia (except for agricultural land in accordance with the rules established by the legislation of Georgia), the value of which exceeds 100,000 USD.

For the purpose of family reunification and issuance of investment residence, the following are considered family members: 

• Spouse of a foreigner with a residence permit in Georgia or a stateless person with status in Georgia, a minor child, a minor under guardianship or patronage and/or full custody, receiving support or disabled;
• Parent of a minor foreigner with a residence permit in Georgia or of a minor without citizenship in Georgia

For the purposes of a short-term residence permit, the following are considered family members: 

• Spouse and child/children of a person with a short-term residence permit in Georgia; 

A temporary residence permit in Georgia is issued:

• A temporary residence permit is issued for the first time for not less than 6 months and not more than 1 year. Its validity may be extended provided that the total term of issuance of a temporary residence permit in Georgia does not exceed 12 years; 
• A temporary residence permit of a former citizen of Georgia can be issued for a period of 6 years; 
• An investment residence permit can be issued for a period of 5 years; 
• If a member of the Government of Georgia submits a written initiative to issue a special residence permit to a foreigner in Georgia, it is issued for the first time for a period of up to 5 years; 
• A short-term residence permit is issued each time for a period of 1 year;
• A person who has been granted the status of a stateless person in Georgia will be issued a residence permit for a period of 3 years; 

Right for permanent residence

The following types of residence permits are issued: 

·      Permanent residence permit - issued to the spouse of a Georgian citizen, to a minor child, to the parent of a minor citizen of Georgia. Also for a foreigner who has lived in Georgia based on a temporary residence permit for the last 10 years. This period does not include the period of living in Georgia for study or treatment and working in diplomatic and equivalent missions. 

·      Residence Permit for an indefinite period - issued to a foreigner and his/her family members who have been granted an investment residence permit based on the investment in the amount of USD 300,000 equivalent in GEL on the bases of a proven annual turnover of at least GEL 50,000 equivalent in GEL in the first year received from entrepreneurial activities in Georgia, annual turnover of not less than USD 100,000 equivalent in GEL, and for the third, fourth and fifth years - annual turnover of not less than USD 120,000 equivalent in GEL, or an investment residence permit issued to the foreigner and his/her family members who are the owner of immovable property of the value equal or more than USD 300,000 equivalent in GEL, who holds the ownership rights of the real estate for 5 years after receiving the investment residence permit.

Note: Family members are considered to be the spouse, minor child of a foreigner with an investment residence permit in Georgia, a minor under guardianship or patronage and/or full custody, receiving support or disabled; a parent of a minor foreigner.

Application submission

To obtain a residence permit in Georgia or to extend its validity, a foreigner staying in Georgia will submit an application to the House of Justice. 

And a foreigner residing in another country has the right to submit an application requesting the extension of the validity of a residence permit in Georgia electronically - by filling out an application posted on the Agency's website. https://sda.gov.ge/?page_id=5355

To apply for a residence permit in Georgia or to extend its validity period, an application should be submitted by:

• Personally, by an adult able-bodied foreigner;
• Representative of a minor (under 18) foreigner;
• A foreigner between the ages of 16-18 being in registered marriage;
• Supporter of a person receiving support;
• Representative of the interested person based on a duly certified power of attorney.  

A person should provide:

• Conclusion of the Agency on granting a permanent residence permit and/or assignment of the status of a stateless person;
• Two photos (you can take a photo at the branch of the Service Development Agency or the House of Justice. The photo costs 5 GEL);
• Grounds for registration (a person under the age of 16 registers with a parent, guardian, custodian, or other legal representatives. In this case, a ground for registration is not required) 
• Identity document (identity document of foreigner; birth certificate and other)
• Proof of payment of service fee

Term of service and fee for issuance of a permanent residence permit on the 30th calendar day approx. is USD 115. For issuance within 20 calendar days - approx. USD 165. 

The term of service and fee for issuance of a temporary residence permit on the 30th calendar day is approx. USD 100. For issuance within 20 calendar days - approx. USD 150. For issuance within 10 calendar days - approx. USD 200. 

Recommendation: during the performance of the above-listed procedures, it is reasonable that a person receives qualified legal advice, as the residence permit procedure takes includes individual elements.

How to open a bank account

Opening a bank account for a non-resident individual takes place on the same day, the bank may request the completion of an additional questionnaire (the questionnaire is individual according to the banks). 

Opening a service account is free, and the average account service fee is 1.50 GEL (banks have individual rates). 

Required documents:

• Application for opening a bank account
• Identity document (passport)
• Sample signature

How to take Sim card

If you want to use a Georgian Sim card with your regular phone you’ve brought from home, you’ll need to make sure it’s unlocked.

Tourist packages are available at Kutaisi and Tbilisi airports, but it’s better value to buy a regular sim and data package.

When buying a Georgian Sim card, you’ll need to present your passport for registration. Make sure you’re carrying it with you.

There are three mobile phone operators in Georgia, all of them offering SIM cards with data: Geocell, Beeline, and Magticom.
1. https://www.magticom.ge/en/home
Excellent coverage; fast speed; good in-store service; slightly higher prices.

2. https://beeline.ge/en
Best-value data bundles; good coverage; 

3. https://silk.ge/en
Poor coverage (limited to cities).

For more information regarding Sim card please refer to the following link: https://wander-lush.org/georgian-sim-card-beeline-magti/-

Where to rent a property

If you are looking for a property rental, please refer to the following web pages:
1. https://www.myhome.ge/en/

2.https://www.booking.com/searchresults.en.html?room1=A%2CA&auth_success=1&no_rooms=1&group_adults=2&city=900047975&aid=1505955

3. https://www.airbnb.com/s/Tbilisi--Georgia/homes?c=.pi0.pk1468961681_62676084451&localized_ghost=true&gclid=Cj0KCQjw1ZeUBhDyARIsAOzAqQLXEZeTWfvrfbNasdv9-dYkRDfzOMLB05IvQX9fS12fg1BwEuTaAwkaAr4-EALw_wcB

4. https://www.relocation.ge/

How to rent a car

If you are looking for a car rental, please refer to the following web pages:

1. getrentacar.com

2. kayak.com

3. expedia.com
4. momondo.com
5. localrent.com
 

No matter in which city you decide to rent a car in Georgia, you will need a minimum number of documents such as passport, driver’s license from your country of residence, with a name and surname written in English. You don’t need to have an international driver’s license.
The driver must be at least 21 years old (some companies may require the age of 23 or 25) and you should hold a license for 2-3 years before renting a car. 
 

How to buy a car

Foreigners are allowed to buy, sell, and rent cars in Georgia. Just with your passport you can own your car or sell it in a couple of minutes. In some cases, you might need to translate your passport and notarize it. You don't need to have a residence permit in Georgia to own a car

If you are looking for a car, please refer to the following web pages:

1. https://www.auto.ge/en/
2. https://autopapa.ge/en
3. https://www.myauto.ge/en

Registration for all cars in Tbilisi takes place at the Service Agency for the Ministry of Internal Affairs in Rustavi, 25km south of Tbilisi. When you’re ready to buy a car, you will need to visit the agency with the seller for the registration.

For more information, refer to the blog

Insurance

There are 16 insurance companies operating in Georgia. Out of these companies, Irao, GPI, TBC Insurance and Ardi have special offers from Ukrainian citizens.

Please see the links of these insurance companies below:

1.     https://irao.ge/

2.     https://mygpi.ge/

3.     https://ardi.ge/ge

4.     https://tbcinsurance.ge/en

Children’s schooling
 

There is private as well as public schools in Georgia. In most cases, public schools are fully in Georgian Language.

Currently, there is 1 Ukrainian public school in Tbilisi.

Please see the links of private schools which have English sector:

·       https://www.international-schools-database.com/in/tbilisi

·       http://newton.edu.ge/en/

Other relevant information

112 Emergency Response Center - 112 unifies three different services in Georgia, in particular, these services are: patrol police, fire/rescue and medical services

032 272 22 22 – Tbilisi City Hall’s Emergency Hotline for Ukrainian Citizens

032 2311161 - Ukrainian embassy in Georgia

032 2945000 – Ministry of Foreign Affairs

0322405405 – House of Justice