Georgia’s new C5 visa: what it means for foreigners and who may benefit from it

Georgia is considering introducing a new visa category — the C5. The bill is already undergoing accelerated parliamentary review, which typically means it’s highly likely to be passed soon.

There’s little official information yet, but it’s already possible to understand the general rationale behind the new proposal and who might benefit from it.

What’s currently known about the C5 visa

According to published information, the new C5 visa will be:

• multiple‐entry;
• valid for up to 5 years;
• permitted stay of up to 1 year.

Nominally, this is a short‐term visa, but in reality, it offers significantly more flexibility in staying in the country compared to standard tourist visas.

Who is the C5 visa for?

The main idea is to attract foreigners to Georgia who:

• visit the country regularly;
• spend money within the economy;
• don’t create a burden on the labor market.

This refers to so‐called “long‐term tourists” and mobile professionals:

• expats;
• digital nomads;
• entrepreneurs with international income;
• people with passive income;
• families who want to spend part of the year in Georgia.

It is also expected that spouses and minor children will be able to obtain the visa, making it potentially convenient for family relocation “without immigration.”

Can I work with a C5 visa?

This is one of the key points.

According to preliminary information:

• Working within the Georgian economy is prohibited;
• Working for a non‐resident and outside of Georgia is permitted.

Simply put:

• Freelancing for foreign companies is probably permitted;
• Remote work for a foreign employer is most likely permitted;
• Working for a Georgian company or clients within Georgia is not.

This makes the C5 visa similar to a “legalized residence permit without access to the local labor market.”

What are the practical differences from the visa‐free regime?

Georgia is already known for its liberal stay regime (for example, citizens of some countries can stay for up to one year without a visa). Therefore, the logical question is: why is a new visa needed?

Potential differences may include the following:

• more predictable status (not dependent on visa‐free regulations);
• the possibility of multiple entries without resetting validity periods;
• potentially fewer questions from banks and government agencies;
• a more transparent framework for long‐term stays without a residence permit.

But it’s important to understand: these are just assumptions for now, as official clarifications have not yet been published.

Why would Georgia introduce such a visa?

Judging by the wording, the goal is to attract:

• wealthy foreigners;
• citizens from “safe” countries;
• people who spend money domestically but do not compete in the labor market.

This is a typical strategy for countries developing:

• tourism;
• the real estate rental market;
• a service economy;
• the “life abroad” segment.

Who should consider the C5 visa?

Even with the current level of information, it’s already possible to identify categories of people who might be interested in this visa:

• those living in Georgia visa‐free and seeking a more stable status;
• those who don’t want to apply for a residence permit but spend significant time in the country;
• remote professionals with income outside of Georgia;
• investors and asset owners abroad;
• families considering a “semi‐relocation.”

What questions remain open?

Despite the official announcement, important details are still missing:

• which countries will be included on the “safe” list;
• will there be income or financial status requirements;
• how exactly will “work outside of Georgia” be confirmed;
• will tax filing be required;
• how will the visa be combined with other statuses (e.g., a residence permit or individual entrepreneurship).

As practice shows, it is these details that ultimately determine the real value of the new visa.

Is it worth planning to obtain it now?

For now, it’s more likely no than yes.

At this stage, a reasonable strategy is to:

• monitor the final version of the law;
• wait for official clarifications;
• evaluate the requirements (especially regarding income and sources of funds);
• compare with alternatives (residence permits, individual entrepreneurship, existing visas).

Frequently asked questions

Summary

The C5 visa is a potentially interesting tool for foreigners who want to live in Georgia without full immigration while maintaining an international source of income.

The main idea behind this new measure can be summarized as follows: Georgia is attempting to create a legal format for long‐term residence for wealthy foreigners without integrating them into the local labor market.

However, this is still a “raw” regulation — without any practical experience or detailed rules for its implementation. Therefore, the key recommendation is to refrain from jumping to conclusions and wait for official clarification.