Country Profile:

Straddling both Europe and Asia, Georgia is culturally identified as a European nation. It is a developing country with a very high Human Development Index. Economic reforms since independence have led to higher levels of economic freedom, as well as reductions in corruption indicators, poverty, and unemployment. It was one of the first countries in the world to legalize cannabis, becoming the only former-socialist state to do so.

Capital: Tbilisi

Population: 4,012,104 (2022, 126th)

Ethnic Groups: 86.8% Georgians, 6.2% Azerbaijanis, 4.5% Armenians, 0.7% Russians

Area: 69,700 km²(119th)

Offical Language: Georgian

Currency: Georgian Lari

GDP per Captial: $22,357 (75th)

How To Immigrate To Georgia:

The main methods for foreigners to move to Georgia are through investment visas, entrepreneurship visas, work visas, and digital nomad visas. Notably, most of these immigrants come from Russia.

Investment Residence Permit:

In Georgia, foreigners investing 300,000 Lari (approximately 125,000 USD, please check the real-time exchange rate) locally can apply for a one-year local investment residence permit, and this investment permit can be renewed indefinitely.

Investors are also eligible for a one-year permit if they own a property valued at over $100,000.

Foreigners investing 300,000 USD in Georgia can apply for a five-year Georgian investment residence permit, which also offers unlimited renewals.

For the 5-year permit:

Business investors need to ensure a turnover of: 50,000 USD (1st year), 100,000 USD (2nd year), and a minimum of 120,000 USD from years 3-5.

Real estate investors must retain their property for over 5 years, or sell and reinvest in another property of equal/higher value.

The general documents required include: an application form, passport, valid Georgian visa, investment proof, relationship proof for dependents, visa fee proof, and recommendation letters either from a government official or three Georgian citizens.

Holders of the 5-year investment visa, upon completion of the 5 years and meeting the business turnover and property holding requirements, can obtain a residence permit for an indefinite stay.

Family members eligible to accompany the main applicant include the spouse, children below 18, and dependents over 18 with physical or mental dependencies.

A notable benefit of the Georgian investment visa is the opportunity for holders to become Georgian High Net Worth Individuals (HNWI) tax residents. This requires either proof of 3 million Lari in global assets or an income exceeding 2 million Lari in any of the past three years. HNWI tax residents enjoy exemptions on taxes for foreign-earned income.

The HNWI program involves a 1,600 USD government fee and mandates a 3-week minimum stay in Georgia annually.

Regular renewals require yearly documentation. Staying in Georgia for more than 183 days allows for automatic tax residency renewal, but HNWIs and regular tax residents have distinct tax criteria.

D1 Visa For Foreigners Coming To Georgia For Work And Investment:

If foreigners opt to start a company or work as self-employed in Georgia, they can obtain a one-year D1 visa by providing a credible business plan, without the need to employ anyone.

For renewals beyond the first year, the applicant’s venture must register a local annual turnover of no less than 50,000 Lari (approximately 16,000 USD). Additionally, they should demonstrate that their business activities for the past year align with or surpass the objectives set in their initial business plan.

Remotely From Georgia Program:

In 2020, in response to the impact of the pandemic, Georgia introduced a digital nomad visa program called “Remotely from Georgia.” Currently, this program is open to 95 countries and regions worldwide. Applicants are required to prove a monthly income of 2,000 USD.

The 95 eligible countries and regions include: Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Albania, Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, the United Arab Emirates, Argentina, New Zealand, Barbados, Bahrain, the Bahamas, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Germany, Denmark, Territories of the Kingdom of Denmark – Faroe Islands and Greenland, the United Kingdom, the Overseas Territories of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland – Bermuda, the Cayman Islands, British Virgin Islands, Falkland Islands, Turks and Caicos Islands, Gibraltar, Isle of Man, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Ecuador, Spain, Estonia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Japan, Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, Ireland, Iceland, State of Israel, Italy, Canada, State of Qatar, Cyprus, Colombia, Korea, Costa Rica, Latvia, Lithuania, Lebanon, Principality of Liechtenstein, Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, Mauritius, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, Moldova, Montenegro, the Netherlands, Territories of the Kingdom of the Netherlands – Aruba and the Netherlands Antilles, Kingdom of Norway, Sultanate of Oman, Panama, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russian Federation, Hellenic Republic, South Africa, San Marino, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, France, Territories of the French Republic – French Polynesia and New Caledonia, Seychelles, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Armenia, Kingdom of Thailand, Tajikistan, the United States, Uzbekistan, Ukraine, Hungary, Finland, State of Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Kingdom of Sweden, Swiss Confederation, Czechia, Holy See, Croatia, and Honduras.

The necessary documents include: a passport with a validity of more than 3 months, proof of remote work, income verification, and proof of health insurance covering Georgia.

The visa processing time is 10 working days, with a validity of one year. Currently, there’s no additional information on renewals. However, digital nomads can opt to convert this visa by establishing a company locally, thus transitioning to an entrepreneurial visa for a more extended stay in Georgia.

Naturalization:

Foreigners who have legally resided in Georgia for a full 6 years, and have stayed within Georgia for at least three-quarters of each year, can apply for permanent residency there.

Foreigners who have continuously lived in Georgia for 10 years and have passed a local language test, as well as demonstrated knowledge of Georgian history and culture, can apply for a Georgian passport.

Passport Power：

Georgia does not recognize dual citizenship. Its passport ranks 49th globally, allowing holders visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 117 countries and regions worldwide, including the Schengen countries, South America, India, and the Indochina Peninsula.

Useful Links:

Georgia Residence Permit And Residence Card：https://migration.commission.ge/index.php?article_id=15&clang=1