Key Takeaways:
- Many nationalities can visit Georgia visa-free, staying up to one year, but some require specific visas.
- Georgia offers different visa types: Diplomatic, Special, Ordinary, Immigration, Transit, and an eVisa for eligible countries.
- Necessary documents for a Georgia visa include a passport, application form, financial proof, travel insurance, and accommodation details.
Do You Need a Georgia Visa?
If you are dreaming about visiting the stunning landscapes and rich cultural heritage of Georgia, you might be thinking about the visa requirements. Luckily, many nationalities can travel to Georgia visa-free, but there are exceptions. Here’s a complete guide detailing everything you need to know about acquiring a Georgia visa, including the necessary documents, visa types, and how to apply.
Which Citizens Are Exempt from Requiring a Georgia Visa?
The Georgian government has a list of countries whose citizens can enter Georgia without a visa. If you belong to one of these countries, you can stay for up to one year without needing a visa or residence permit. The list includes:
- Any European Union country
- Albania
- Andorra
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Argentina
- Armenia
- Australia
- Azerbaijan
- Bahamas
- Bahrain
- Barbados
- Belarus
- Belize
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Botswana
- Brazil
- Brunei
- Canada
- Chile (up to 90 days in a 180-day period)
- Colombia
- Costa Rica
- Dominican Republic
- Ecuador
- El Salvador
- Honduras
- Iceland
- Iran (only up to 45 days)
- Israel
- Japan
- Jordan
- Kazakhstan
- Kuwait
- Kyrgyzstan
- Lebanon
- Liechtenstein
- Malaysia
- Mauritius
- Mexico
- Moldova
- Monaco
- Montenegro
- New Zealand
- Norway
- Oman
- Panama
- Qatar
- Russia
- Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
- San Marino
- Saudi Arabia*
- Serbia
- Seychelles
- Singapore
- South Africa
- South Korea
- Switzerland
- Tajikistan
- Thailand
- Turkey*
- Turkmenistan
- United Arab Emirates
- Ukraine
- The United Kingdom
- British Overseas Territories**
- United States
- Uruguay (only up to 90 days)
- Uzbekistan
- Vatican City
*Citizens from the EU, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia can enter using their ID only.
**Includes Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Falkland Islands, Gibraltar, and Turks, and Caicos Islands.
Are There Any Other Exemptions?
Yes, there are additional Georgia visa exemptions including:
- Holders of a visa or residence permit from an EU, EFTA, or GCC country, as well as Australia, Canada, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, or the United States. You can stay for up to 90 days within a 180-day period.
- Members of the Georgia diaspora with a passport from a visa-required country can stay visa-free for 30 days.
- Individuals with diplomatic or official/service passports from China, Egypt, Guyana, Indonesia, Iran, and Peru.
- United Nations laissez-passer holders can stay for up to one year.
What Types of Georgia Visas Are Available?
Understanding the different types of Georgia visas available can help you choose the one that best fits your travel purpose. The primary categories of Georgia visas are:
- Georgia Diplomatic Visa (Category A)
- Georgia Special Visa (Category B)
- Ordinary Georgia Visa (Category C)
- Georgia Immigration Visa (Category D)
- Georgia Transit Visa (Category T)
- Remotely from Georgia Program
Georgia Diplomatic Visa
This visa is specifically for foreign diplomats visiting Georgia for official diplomatic purposes. The main visa holder’s family members are also included under this category.
Georgia Special Visa
This visa covers:
– Service passport holders and their families who are part of foreign delegations.
– Consular staff, administrative, technical, and service members of international organizations.
– Members of international military missions and humanitarian organizations.
Ordinary Georgia Visa
The Ordinary Georgia Visa, under Category C, includes several sub-types for different purposes:
- Georgia Tourist Visa (C1): For travelers heading to Georgia for tourism.
- Georgia Visitor Visa (C2): For those visiting friends or family.
- Georgia Business Visa (C3): For business purposes, including cultural and sports events, or journalism.
- Georgia Mission Visa (C4): For humanitarian mission participants.
Georgia Immigration Visa
Used for long-term settlement, this visa includes:
– Georgia Work Visa: For those with employment in Georgia.
– Georgia Student Visa: For international students accepted into a Georgian institution.
– Georgia Family Visa: For joining a family member who is a legal resident or citizen.
Georgia Transit Visa
This visa is for those who need to transit through Georgia on their way to a third country.
What Are the Necessary Documents for a Georgia Visa?
When you apply for a Georgia visa, make sure to gather the following documents:
- Georgia Visa Application Form: Complete it online, print, and sign it.
- Passport: It must be issued within the last 10 years, have at least two blank pages, and be valid for at least three months after your intended departure from Georgia.
- Financial Proof such as:
- Bank statements from the past six months
- Salary confirmation letter
- Pay slips
- Confirmed Round-Trip Flight Ticket.
- Travel Health Insurance: Covering the whole duration of your stay.
- Proof of Accommodation: Hotel reservation or rental agreements.
- Visa Fee Payment Proof.
- Passport-Size Pictures: (Dimensions: 5 mm x 4 mm, Resolution: 300 DPI) following specific requirements.
- Additional Purpose-Specific Documents.
Specific Visa Document Requirements
Georgia Tourist Visa (C1)
In addition to the standard documents, you need:
– Accommodation Proof: Hotel or rental agreements.
– Notarized Letter of Invitation: From the host if staying with a friend or relative.
Georgia Business Visa (C3)
Include:
– Notarized Letter of Invitation: From the company you will visit.
– Sufficient Financial Proof: Sponsorship details if applicable.
– Employment Confirmation Letter: From your employer stating the business purpose of your trip.
Georgia Work Visa
You need:
– Employment Contract: Detailing job nature, duration, and salary.
– Academic Certificates or Qualifications.
Georgia Student Visa
Provide:
– Enrollment Letter: From the educational institution.
– Financial Proof: Bank statements, scholarship evidence, or proof of sponsorship.
– Tuition Fee Payment Proof.
– Previous Academic Qualifications.
Georgia Family Visa
Prepare:
– Family Relationship Documents: Marriage certificate or birth certificate.
– Sponsor’s Legal Status Proof: Their ID or Residence Card.
How Can You Apply for a Georgia Visa?
For a Georgia visa, apply at a Georgian diplomatic mission unless you are eligible for an eVisa. Here’s a step-by-step process:
- Submit an Online Application: Through the E-Application System to schedule a document submission appointment at an embassy or consulate. You also need to upload a photo that meets specific size and resolution requirements.
- Gather Required Documents: Collect all necessary documentation supporting your application.
- Pay the Visa Fee: Typically €20 plus potential service fees.
- Submit Documents: In person or by mail at the chosen Georgian diplomatic mission.
- Visa Processing: Your passport will be affixed with the visa and mailed back or picked up in person.
What Are the Fees and Processing Times for a Georgia Visa?
The Georgia visa fee is €20, paid via the consulate/embassy’s bank account. Processing times vary:
- Short-Term Visa: 10 calendar days
- Long-Term Visa: 30 calendar days
- D5 Immigration Visa: 10 calendar days
- eVisa: 5 calendar days
Who Is Eligible for the Georgia eVisa?
If you are eligible for a Georgia eVisa, the entire process is online. Nationals of these countries are eligible for multiple-entry eVisas with stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period:
- Bolivia
- Cuba
- Dominica
- East Timor
- Grenada
- Guatemala
- Kiribati
- Marshall Islands
- Micronesia
- North Macedonia
- Palau
- Paraguay
- Peru
- Saint Kitts and Nevis
- Saint Lucia
- Samoa
- Solomon Islands
- Suriname
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Tuvalu
- Vanuatu
More eligibility includes stays of up to 30 days within a 120-day period for citizens from countries like Angola, Benin, Bhutan, Cambodia, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Jamaica, Hong Kong, etc.
How to Apply for the Georgia eVisa?
- Complete the Online Application: Through the eVisa Portal.
- Attach Documents: Including your passport scans, accommodation proof, travel insurance, financial means, and any other supporting documents.
- Pay the eVisa Fee: $20 via debit or credit card.
- Wait for Processing: Typically five calendar days.
- Receive and Print the eVisa: You will receive an electronic version to present upon entry.
What is the Duration of a Georgia Visa?
A single-entry Georgia visa allows up to a 30-day stay, whereas a multiple-entry visa is valid for up to five years with a maximum stay of 90 days in any 180-day period. For long-term residence, apply for a Georgia Immigration Visa followed by a Residence Permit.
Can You Extend a Georgia Visa?
Extensions are possible for Special and Diplomatic Visas (Categories A and B), as well as Student Visas (D3) and Investor Visas (D5). Extensions must be applied for at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the Public Service Hall.
How to Obtain a Georgia Residence Permit?
If you enter Georgia with an Immigration Visa and wish to stay long-term, you need a Residence Permit. These are issued for one year and can be renewed annually. Apply at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the Public Service Hall.
For more detailed and official information regarding Georgia visa requirements, visit the Georgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Stay informed and prepared for your journey to Georgia by understanding all the necessary visa requirements and processes. According to VisaVerge.com, being well-prepared can ensure a smooth travel experience. Safe travels!
Learn Today:
Glossary
- Visa-Free Entry: The ability of citizens from certain countries to enter Georgia without a visa for a specified period, generally up to one year, without needing a visa or residence permit.
- Georgia Diplomatic Visa (Category A): A visa type designated for foreign diplomats visiting Georgia for official diplomatic activities, including their family members.
- eVisa: An electronic visa that allows eligible nationals to apply for a Georgia visa online, typically granting multiple entries and up to a 90-day stay within a 180-day period.
- Ordinary Georgia Visa (Category C): A classification of visas for various short-term travel purposes, such as tourism (C1), visiting family (C2), business (C3), and participating in humanitarian missions (C4).
- Residence Permit: A legal authorization for long-term stay in Georgia, which can be obtained after entering on an Immigration Visa and is renewable annually for continued residence.
This Article In A Nutshell:
Many countries allow travel to Georgia visa-free for up to one year, including all EU nations, the U.S., Canada, and Australia. However, if your country requires a visa, you’ll need to apply with necessary documents like a passport, financial proof, and travel insurance. Check specific requirements online.
— By VisaVerge.com
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