🇬🇪 Georgia visa requirements

Most passports get you a year in Georgia. Some need a visa. That's the short version.

Who Walks In Visa-Free (And For How Long)

Let's get straight to it. If you hold a passport from the US, EU, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, or the UAE, you can enter Georgia visa-free. That means no applications, no waiting. Just show up. This visa-free status grants you a full 365 days of legal stay. Yes, a whole year. It's one of the most generous tourist policies anywhere.

For citizens of many other countries, including Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, and Turkey, Georgia also offers visa-on-arrival. This usually grants a shorter stay, often 30 to 90 days, but it's still pretty straightforward. You'll typically just need your passport and proof of onward travel. Always double-check the specific duration for your nationality before you fly.

A smaller bloc of nationalities will require a visa in advance. This typically involves an application through the Georgian embassy or consulate in your country. The eVisa portal has also streamlined this for some, though it's not universally available for all visa-required nationalities. Don't assume you're on the visa-free list; a quick check on the Georgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs website is essential if your country isn't listed above.

The 365-Day Gotcha: What They Don't Always Tell You

That 365-day visa-free stay sounds amazing, and it is. But there's a catch many digital nomads discover too late. You cannot simply leave Georgia for a day and re-enter to reset your 365-day clock. This is a common misconception. Georgian immigration rules state that you can only benefit from this visa-free status twice per calendar year. After your second entry within a 12-month period, you'll need to apply for an extension or a different status, like a residence permit. Without doing so, you risk overstaying.

Overstaying isn't usually met with immediate deportation, but it can lead to fines. The typical penalty is 10 GEL (about $3.50 USD) per day of overstay. However, this can escalate, and repeated or prolonged overstays can impact future entries. There's also the issue of exit stamps. While not strictly enforced for everyone, ensure your passport is properly stamped on entry and exit. Missing stamps can sometimes lead to questions from immigration officials on subsequent visits.

For those who plan to stay longer than a year, or who hit the two-entry limit, applying for an extension of stay is possible. This is done through the Public Service Hall. It's not guaranteed, and they look at your reasons. Most people aiming for long-term stays will eventually need to look into specific residency permits rather than relying on tourist visa extensions.

Working Remotely on a Tourist Stamp: Is It Actually Legal?

This is the million-dollar question for digital nomads. Can you work remotely from Georgia on a tourist visa or visa-free entry? The official answer is murky. Georgia doesn't have a specific digital nomad visa like many European countries. Technically, you're entering as a tourist. Working for a foreign company while on a tourist stamp isn't explicitly prohibited in the same way that taking local employment might be.

What does this mean in practice? Most digital nomads do it without issue. You'll see plenty of people working from cafes in Tbilisi and Batumi. The authorities seem to focus more on actual local employment or tax evasion rather than remote work for overseas clients. You're unlikely to be questioned about your laptop in a coffee shop. However, it remains a legal grey area. If you're planning to stay long-term, or if your income is substantial, you might want to explore the different types of residence permits available. These are generally tied to business registration, investment, or marriage, but they offer a more concrete legal status.

What's New? eVisa and Minor Tweaks

Georgia's approach to visas has been relatively stable, but there have been minor adjustments. The eVisa system has been expanded, making it easier for citizens of certain countries who previously required a visa to apply online. The fees for eVisas or standard visa applications can vary, often ranging from $20 to $100 USD, depending on nationality and processing time. It's always best to check the official Ministry of Foreign Affairs website for the most current list of eligible countries and application procedures.

There haven't been any dramatic policy shifts like suspensions or major new visa categories in the last 12-18 months. The core policy of 365-day visa-free entry for many Western nations remains the headline draw. The main "change" for nomads is less about new rules and more about a clearer understanding of the existing ones, particularly the two-entry limit for the 365-day status. Stick to the official channels for the latest updates, as immigration policies can shift.