A residence permit in Georgia provides the opportunity to stay in the country for a long time. However, a residence permit should not be confused with citizenship, as it does not oblige you to serve in the army, does not grant the right to vote in elections, and does not allow you to own agricultural land or enter the European Union without a visa. Only citizens of Georgia have these rights. At the same time, foreigners can receive a pension in Georgia if they have been legally residing in the country for at least 10 years.

A residence permit gives citizens of Russia:

• The ability to stay in Georgia without having to leave every year.
• The right to apply for Schengen and other visas at local consulates, which is not available to ordinary tourists who need to apply in Russia.
• The ability to invite relatives who require a visa to enter and subsequently obtain a residence permit for them.
• A chance to obtain a permanent residence permit in Georgia in the future and, if certain conditions are met, citizenship.
• Access to electronic services of government agencies and the ability to remotely issue powers of attorney with Georgian notaries in Georgian and Russian, which will be valid in Russia.

In addition, residence permit holders can sometimes receive discounts on visiting national parks and museums.

The process of obtaining a residence permit in Georgia

An application for a residence permit must be submitted from Georgia, no later than 40 calendar days before the end of the 365-day visa-free period. A residence permit can be extended from any country. If the applicant is under 18, the application is submitted by his/her legal representatives, such as parents.

There are three ways to apply for a residence permit: in person, online, or through a representative.

Required documents for all applicants:

• A completed application form.
• A copy of your passport and a notarized translation into Georgian.
• A copy of a document confirming your legal stay in Georgia (for Russians, a passport page with a border service entry stamp, certification is not required).
• A 3 x 4 color electronic photograph.
• Additional documents depending on the purpose of obtaining a residence permit - details below.

Documents issued in Russia are valid in Georgia without the need for legalization, in accordance with Minsk Convention, but they need to be translated into Georgian and notarized.

The cost of obtaining a residence permit depends on the type and terms of registration:

• Special residence permit: no fees, processing time up to 30 days.
• Permanent and unlimited residence permit: 350 GEL for 30 days, 500 GEL for 20 days.
• For other types of residence permit: 300 GEL for 30 days, 450 GEL for 20 days, 600 GEL for 10 days.

The House of Justice may request additional documents, which may lead to an increase in the processing time of the application.

Submission of documents in person

For personal submission, you must visit the Agency for the Development of public services, the House of Justice or a community center. Fill out the form, submit the documents and pay the fee. All these steps can be done independently or through a trusted person; after that, you will need to wait for a decision on the residence permit.

Submitting documents remotely

You have the option of submitting documents and paying the fee remotely on the website of the Agency for the Development of Public Services or the House of Justice. After that, you will need to provide printed documents to one of these institutions within 10 days. In practice, three days are usually allocated for paying the fee and five days for submitting printed documents.

Stages of remote application submission:

1. Fill out the online form on the website of the House of Justice or the Agency, available in Georgian, English or Russian.
2. Upload the required documents.
3. Have an interview via Skype with a remote service operator (a webcam, headphones and microphone are required). If the operator notices a discrepancy with your identity, your application may be rejected.
4. Receive confirmation of acceptance of your application by e-mail with a number and code to track the status on the House of Justice website.
5. Pay the application fee on the website or at any bank in Georgia.
6. Submit printed documents to the Agency or the House of Justice within the given period.

Actions after approval of a residence permit

Within 30 days of receiving approval, you must obtain an identity card (binadoba). To do this, contact the Agency for the Development of Public Services or the House of Justice, providing:

• Conclusion on the issuance of a residence permit.
• For stateless persons and whether refugees — a conclusion on granting status.
• Photographs, according to the Agency's website, two are required, according to the House of Justice website — one. The photo can be taken at the Agency's branch or the House of Justice for 5 GEL.
• Identity card (usually a passport).

Before obtaining a residence permit, you must register at your place of residence in Georgia. This will require a written consent from the owner of the property and an extract on the right of ownership from the National Agency of Public Registry. An alternative is a written confirmation from two witnesses about the actual residence of the foreigner at the specified address.

Communities may differ on the cost of issuing a binadroba. It is known that a temporary certificate can be issued free of charge, except for stateless persons. The Agency may have reported that everyone must pay a fee. For a temporary residence permit, such as a work permit, the fee is 60 GEL; such applications are processed within 10 working days.

Applicants for a permanent residence permit can also obtain a certificate for 60 GEL in 10 days or urgently receive it for 150 GEL on the same day.

Some categories of citizens are entitled to a discount. Students can expect 10 GEL less on the first application and 5 GEL less on re-application, but this only works if they have proof of student status.

If a foreign citizen does not arrive to collect their residence card within 6 months, their residence permit will be cancelled.

Binadroba processing fee after approval of permanent residence permit

• Same day: 150 GEL.
• 2 days: 120 GEL.
• 3 days: 100 GEL.
• 5 days: 80 GEL.
• 10 days: 60 GEL.

Study residence permit

Who is eligible receiving

Students and schoolchildren studying in educational institutions accredited in Georgia.

Validity

The residence permit is valid for 6 months to 1 year, with the possibility of extension until completion of studies (maximum - up to 12 years).

Required documents

You must provide a certificate of study from the educational institution indicating the period of study. You must also confirm your financial solvency:

• Confirmation of legal income in Georgia (from the foreigner himself or his relative).
• A sufficient amount in the foreigner's bank account, which must be twice the subsistence minimum. In 2024, this will be 455 GEL per month.