Obtaining a residence permit, permanent residence or registering a business in Georgia are complex processes that require a professional approach and experience. A special procedure is provided for foreign citizens wishing to obtain Georgian citizenship on an exceptional basis. In this article, we will consider the conditions, necessary documents and stages of obtaining citizenship on an exceptional basis.

Important details of the process

Before starting the process of obtaining Georgian citizenship, you need to be aware of some key points. One of the features is the division of the procedure into three categories depending on the size of the state fee and the review period: standard review within 80 days for 500 GEL, accelerated procedure within 60 days for 700 GEL and especially urgent review within 30 days for 1000 GEL. It is important to note that the speed of review does not affect the result.

Within 5 days after the interview and testing, the Commission and the Agency prepare a conclusion, which is then submitted to the President for consideration. If the President does not issue a decree within 7 days, this is considered a refusal to grant citizenship. In this case, the application can be re-submitted one year after the decree is issued. From 2024, the period will be reduced to six months.

Grounds for obtaining citizenship

Georgian citizenship may be granted to foreign citizens on an exceptional basis for a number of reasons:

• If a foreign citizen considers Georgia to be his/her homeland and he/she or his/her ancestors lived in the occupied territories of Georgia or were forced to emigrate due to political beliefs or difficult socio-economic situation.
• If a citizen of another country is making or has made investments in Georgia and has made a significant contribution to the development of the national economy.
• If a foreign citizen is successful in the field of sports, science and/or art and wishes to continue his/her activities on behalf of Georgia.

Documents and conditions

In order to obtain Georgian citizenship on an exceptional basis, it is necessary to submit certain documents to the House of Justice. Among the main documents:

• International passport;
• A completed application form;
• A notarized birth certificate (if the applicant was not born in Georgia);
• Two recommendations from relatives, family members or friends;
• Documents or information confirming the grounds for obtaining citizenship;
• A 3×4 photograph.

It is also advisable to provide other documents or evidence confirming the connection with Georgia. To obtain citizenship based on investments or achievements in sports, science and/or art, it is necessary to provide recommendations from the Ministry of Economy and the Ministry of Culture of Georgia.

Stages of application review

The procedure for obtaining citizenship by exception includes several stages:

• The Agency sends requests to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Prosecutor's Office and the National Security Service to review the application. If at least one of the specified structures provides a negative conclusion, the Agency prepares a negative conclusion for consideration by the President, who makes the final decision.
• The Citizenship Commission sets the date and time of the test and interview. To pass the test, it is necessary to correctly answer 7 out of 10 questions in each of the three categories: language, history, fundamentals of law. After the test, an interview is held with members of the Commission, during which questions are asked about family, place of residence, activities, connections with Georgia, etc.
• After passing all the stages, the Agency prepares a conclusion for the President. The conclusion may be positive or negative.

Procedure for minors

For minors, the process of obtaining Georgian citizenship by exception is slightly different:

• An application for citizenship may be submitted by the legal representative of the minor.
• The written consent of the second parent is mandatory.
• If the child is 14 years old, his/her consent is also required.

For minors, the Agency does not request information from investigative bodies and special services. However, the legal representative will need to undergo an interview with the Commission.

Obtaining Georgian citizenship by exception is a complex and responsible procedure. To successfully complete all stages, it is recommended to contact professionals with experience in this field. Our company provides services for obtaining temporary residence permits, permanent residence permits and business registration in Georgia, providing you with qualified assistance at all stages of the process.