What You Need to Know About Obtaining a Residence Permit in Georgia
What is a Residence Permit?
A residence permit is an official document that grants a foreign national or stateless person the right to enter and legally stay in Georgia. The permit is issued by the LELP Public Service Development Agency, and there are specific procedures that must be followed to obtain it.
Who Can Apply for a Residence Permit?
A residence permit can be obtained by any foreigner who is legally residing in Georgia, specifically under the following conditions:
o You are registered as a labor immigrant or are engaged in business activities in Georgia.
o You are a former Georgian citizen and wish to restore your citizenship, or you are a stateless person.
o You are an investor and are conducting investment activities in Georgia.
o You wish to continue your studies at an authorized educational institution in Georgia.
o You wish to reunite with your family or are a family member of a citizen of Georgia.
Types of Residence Permits
There are several types of residence permits in Georgia, which are issued based on the applicant’s specific purpose:
◼ A Permanent Residence Permit – Issued to the spouse, minor child, or parent of a Georgian citizen, or to a foreigner who has lived in Georgia for the last 10 years on a basis of a temporary residence permit.
◼ A Work Residence Permit – Issued to foreign labor immigrants or entrepreneurs in Georgia who have a monthly income at least five times the minimum subsistence level, or for whom the employer/business has an annual turnover of no less than 50,000 GEL per foreign employee.
◼ A Study Residence Permit – Issued to foreigners wishing to continue their studies at an authorized educational institution in Georgia.
◼ A Residence Permit for Family Reunification – Issued to the family members of a foreigner who already holds a residence permit.
◼ A Residence Permit of a Former Citizen of Georgia – Issued to a foreigner who has lost Georgian citizenship.
◼ A Residence Permit of a Stateless Person – Issued to a person officially recognized as stateless in Georgia.
◼ A Special Residence Permit – Issued to a foreigner who is a potential victim or has been a victim of human trafficking.
◼ An Investment Residence Permit – Issued to a foreigner and their family members who have made an investment of at least 300,000 USD (or equivalent in GEL) in Georgia or own real estate in Georgia worth more than 300,000 USD (or equivalent in GEL).
◼ A Temporary Residence Permit – Issued to a foreigner who is a victim of domestic violence, is involved in criminal proceedings, or is receiving services at a shelter or crisis center for victims of domestic violence.
◼ A Short-Term Residence Permit – Issued to a foreigner and their spouse or children who own real estate in Georgia worth more than 100,000 USD (or equivalent in GEL).
◼ An Unlimited Residence Permit (Investment-Based) – Issued to a foreigner with an investment residence permit (and their family members) if their annual turnover has been:
o Not less than 50,000 USD in the first year (equivalent in GEL).
o Not less than 100,000 USD in the second year (equivalent in GEL).
o Not less than 120,000 USD in the third, fourth, and fifth years (equivalent in GEL).
Or to a foreigner and their family members who hold property rights over real estate in Georgia for five years after receiving an investment residence permit.
Procedure for Obtaining a Residence Permit
To obtain a residence permit, you must apply to the LELP Public Service Development Agency and submit your application either in paper or electronic form. The application must include the following documents: a completed application form, a copy of the foreigner’s travel document, a copy of the document confirming lawful stay in Georgia, a passport-sized photo (3x4 cm), and a payment receipt for the service fee (if submitting the application in paper form).
In addition to these basic documents, depending on the type of residence permit, you may be required to submit additional documents such as: proof of employment or business activity; confirmation of professional activities; a certificate from an authorized educational institution confirming enrollment; proof of family relations; proof of income in Georgia for the foreigner and/or their relative who holds Georgian citizenship or residence; a document confirming that a Georgian citizen is receiving pension or social assistance; and possibly a bank statement.
The agency usually makes a decision regarding the issuance of a permanent residence permit within 30 calendar days, with a service fee of 350 GEL. If you choose expedited processing, the decision will be made within 20 calendar days, and the service fee will increase to 500 GEL. Please note that processing times and fees may vary depending on the type of residence permit you are applying for.
Keep in mind that if the agency makes an unfavorable decision, you can appeal it in court within one month from the notification of the decision.
Author of the article: Leila Liparteliani
