Now you can find information that people are appealing residence permit refusals in court. And, supposedly, in the event of a positive decision in court, the Justice Department is obliged to issue a residence permit.

Let's start from the very beginning - the basis for obtaining a residence permit in Georgia is the right that allows a foreigner to apply for a residence permit. But this basis itself is not mandatory for the state of Georgia. That is, if a foreigner came to Georgia, registered an individual entrepreneur and received a turnover of more than 50,000 GEL, this does not mean that the state of Georgia is obliged to issue him a residence permit. This foreigner was given the opportunity to apply to the state on this basis for residence permit for individual entrepreneurship or the so-called labor residence permit. The right to apply and the obligation to issue are different things.

How does it work - refusals and consideration in court?

1. The foreigner receives the basis for applying for a residence permit and submits it to the Justice Department.
2. Refusal is most often made by the Security Service of Georgia. The basis for refusal in this case is not subject to disclosure. That is, the Security Service of Georgia is not obliged to comment on its decision.
3. Let's assume that a foreigner applied to court with a refusal. The trial lasts 2-3 months. The cost of support in court by a Georgian lawyer is on average $700.
4. In case of a positive decision, the case with the residence permit is returned back to the Justice Department for reconsideration "taking into account the new circumstances that were clarified during the trial." This wording does not mean that the Justice Department is obliged to issue a residence permit, but only to re-consider the application without additional payment of the state fee. And the applicant can also receive a residence permit refusal.

The easiest way to get a residence permit for school or children's education is today. The largest number of refusals are for citizens of the Russian Federation, the Republic of Belarus and Iran.

If you need help or advice on residence permit issues, we will be happy to answer these questions.