Information Packs

We also prepare individual immigration information packs to cater to your specific requirements and different nationalities.

When ordering your info-pack, or scheduling a conference call, let us know what your financial and personal circumstances are and we will research and collate the right informational content based on your specific circumstances and requirements.

Contact us to find out more

Dorian Oberholzer

“There are many ways to apply for residency…. many attorneys will prefer one or two particular paths, because they have been successful with those and are comfortable in their experience. However, we use numerous attorneys who specialize in different areas of the law and commerce which provides you with the best and most holistic approach to making a decision of this nature”.

Become A Resident Of Georgia

Work Permit

Apply on the basis of employment or entrepreneurial activity in Georgia (Such as with an employment contract, as an owner of an LLC, or with Individual Entrepreneur status)

The company you work for must have at least 50,000 GEL in turnover in the last 12 months per foreigner in the company.

Residence Permit Based On Real Estate Purchase

Get residency based on ownership of property valued at $100,000 USD or more. Residency for family (spouse & dependents) can be included in the application. The cost is 600 GEL per additional family member beyond the principal applicant. If applying for 4 or more family members, an additional discount may be possible.

Residence Based On $300,000 USD Investment

If investing this amount in real estate, business, or other investments in Georgia, you and your family can apply for 5 years of temporary residency. You can transfer that to permanent residency after 5 years of maintaining that investment. Our pricing is the same as with the $100,000 USD real estate purchase described above.

Family Reunification

Your spouse or dependent (minor) can sponsor you, or be sponsored by you if they possess a Georgian residence card or citizenship. An apostilled birth certificate / marriage certificate is required. The price is 1,100 GEL for the principal applicant and 600 GEL for all additional family members. 

Student Residency

You must have a letter of enrollment from an accredited educational institution in Georgia. Student residency service is discounted by ₾200 GEL.

Notes:

• When applying for residency, it is important to have your financial plan and immigration path working in unison. Our local Georgian legal professionals and immigration attorney partners, can guide you through the temporary and permanent residency permit applications along with your work permits and business registrations.

• There are various different residency pathways available to entrepreneurs based on business activities. These need to be carefully researched and designed, to work for each client individually, then they need to be prepared and presented by a local attorney to the Georgian immigration authorities on your behalf.

• Generally, the costs are low in comparison to other countries, but you still need to show and prove that you have sufficient funds to cover your business plan and living costs during the start-up phase of your business in Georgia.

• Our attorneys will work with you to help you prepare for your immigration/residency application and then design the pathway that best suits your situation best, whether it be for, retirement, investment, business development or marriage.

• We also provide help with purchasing property and its registration in your name, preparing for driver’s licenses, car purchasing, registrations and insurance, medical insurance, banking & accounting services among many others.

• Georgians are careful, considerate people who will look after those who they care about. If you become part of Georgian society and are a benefit to their economy or can create employment, you will have no problems getting permanent residency, as long as you follow the rules and pay your taxes.

• Having “On Call” attorney services, will enable you to make faster, better and safer decisions. These services we provide through our local partners and our Business Club Services…. This will also protect you incase of a motor car accident, or can help you in an emergency situation.

• Georgia-Connect lawyers are all licensed and registered attorneys in Georgia and provide communication in English at very reasonable rates. Many have held positions in the government departments and know their way around many of the processes intimately.

• As our attorneys work for us directly, you get the benefit of our experience and their expert legal advice at discounted rates.

“Testimonials”

Georgia oFFERS South Africans

• Pathway to Settlement and Security.

• Attainable Permanent Residency.

• Direct Investment Residency Programs.

• Government Sponsored Business Development Incentives, Loans and Assistance.

• A No-Visa Requirement Program - Available to South African Citizens for 12 months.

• If you are interested in investing in Georgia we will connect you directly with the relevant government departments.

• Call us to find out more

Georgia Immigration 2021

 Visas & Residence Permits

Although we have provided the basic rules and immigration outlines below, there are always exceptions and special circumstances.

Contact us to find out the latest changes and updates

Georgia-Connect works with its local Georgian attorneys, affiliates and immigration professionals as well as Georgian government departments to help organize and prepare your applications, relocation and set-up in Georgia.

We offer clear “one on one” advice and a no-nonsense approach.

Contact us to find out more.

Pathway to Citizenship

• Becoming a resident of Georgia gives you and your family a path to citizenship.

• Georgian passport ranks 48th in the world (as of 2021) and allows visa-free travel to 116 countries and territories, including EU (Schengen) countries, most of CIS countries, Iran and Turkey.

More Freedom and Options

• Having a residence permit gives you more freedom and options and can serve as a valuable "insurance policy." Georgia is generally considered an exceptionally safe country with one of the lowest crime rates in the world.

• If the economic or political situation in your country gets worse you can use your residence permit to move to Georgia with your family.

• Having a residence permit can help you avoid problems resulting from your country’s foreign policy and domestic regulations (for example, difficulties with banking or increased tax burden). 

Extension of Immigration Benefits to Family Members

• Georgia grants "residence permits for family reunification" to the family members, including the spouse, sons and daughters, parents, minor, supported or incapable persons under guardianship (custody) of or fully dependent on the residence permit holder. 

Fast, Easy and Inexpensive Process

• The process of obtaining a residence permit normally takes less than a month. Once your petition is approved you can get your Georgian residence permit in a matter of days.

• Only minimum documents are required. 

• There is no need to provide police certificates, proof of address, tax returns etc. Government fees are very low even if you use optional fast-track services. 

No Tax on Foreign Income

• Georgia's taxation of individuals is based on territory and foreign-sourced income is not taxable in Georgia even if you become a tax resident of the country.

• Tax residence certificates may be available to those who spend in Georgia more than 183 days in a year or, in certain cases, to high net worth individuals. 

• Obtaining a Georgian residence permit and establishing stronger ties with Georgia can help you to qualify for a non-resident status in your country of origin or other countries and take advantage of the tax benefits available to non-residents. 

Inviting Other Foreigners

• Once you become a resident of Georgia you are allowed to file invitation letters for other foreigners to support their visa applications. 

Government Assistance

• Georgian residents enjoy constitutional rights and freedoms, including rights to work, healthcare, social security, education, property and privacy rights, freedom of speech, conscience, religion and belief.

• Georgia has a number of social programs for its citizens, including government-financed education and medical treatment, welfare benefits for old, disabled and other classes of socially vulnerable people.

Properties Qualifying for Residence

• Owning property will qualify you for residence if the market value of the property, as assessed by a qualified appraiser, exceeds $100,000.

• The average prices in the capital Tbilisi are around US$900 per sq.m., with properties in the center closer to US$1,500. However there are many properties that are far less expensive which would make excellent investments.

• Prices are slightly lower in the second largest city, the seaside resort Batumi. Rental properties are generally more profitable in Tbilisi which hosts tourists all year round, whereas Batumi is popular in summer.

F.A.Q.

on Residence in Georgia

Below is a list of frequently asked questions about residence programs and responses for Georgia. Questions focus on applications that are based on business ownership and investment in real estate. There may be other ways to qualify for residency (work, studies, etc.)

Business Owners and Investors

• Can I obtain a residence permit by setting up a new business or investing in an existing business? Yes

• Are there minimum investment requirements?  No

• No, unless you apply for a permanent permit in which case the minimum investment is $300,000

• Are there minimum income requirements? Yes, around $315 per month per applicant

• Are there minimum sales or turnover requirements? Yes, around $15,000 annually per applicant

• Do I need a work permit? No

• Are there restrictions on the type of business I can do? No

• Do I need to rent office premises or hire local staff? No

• Do I have to register a business and pay business taxes? Yes

• What is the validity of the residence permit?

• Short-term (one year), long-term (five years) or special (ten years), all extendable Up to five years.

Real-Estate - Property Owners

• Can I obtain a residence permit by purchasing real property?

• Yes, provided that you use it as rental property and register a rental business

• Are there minimum investment requirements? No

• $100,000, or if you apply for a permanent permit

General Questions

• Can I apply for residency while I am on regular (tourist) visa? Yes, unless visa is expiring in less than 40 days

• After how many years I can be eligible for a permanent residence permit? …After six years- normally (five years if you invest more than $300,000 and meet certain turnover requirements)

• Is dual citizenship allowed? No

• How much are the government fees for obtaining a residence permit? $70-150

• How long does it take to get a residence permit? 20-40 days

Do I have to provide any of the following?

• Police clearance certificate…No

• Medical check certificate…No

• Bank account statement…No, unless used to prove income

• Proof of address…No

• Proof of source of income…No

• Birth certificate…No

• Military records…No

• Fingerprints…No

Am I required to be physically present in the country to: 

• file the application for residency?…Yes, unless applying for special residence permit

• Obtain the residence permit?… Yes

• Is there normally an interview with the immigration officer?…No

Can family members also qualify for a residence permit?

• Spouse, son or daughter, parent…Yes

• Brother or sister, grandparent or grandchild…Only for long-term and special residents

• Other dependents…Yes

Do I have to pay personal taxes to the country after becoming a resident?…No

• Do I have to serve in the military after becoming a resident?…No

• If my application for residence gets rejected can I reapply?…Yes, anytime

• Can the rejection be appealed in court?…Yes