Residence Permits in Georgia

Question:

What are the procedures of getting residency permission in Georgia?

Short Answer:

Procedures of getting residency permission consists of few interconnected steps. First is a preparational period, when applicant is recommended to collect or create all needed documents or legal grounds for procedure. After that, applicant should address to LEPL  Service Development Agency (SDA) with filled application which will be discussed during certain amount of time (depends on specific case).

Privileges granted to the investor depends completely on amount of investment and its importance for the state. As usual, conditions are negotiable and they include tax exemptions, symbolic price of the land and/or property needed etc.

Legislation

In relation with residency permission and investments in Georgia, there are quite few legislative acts to pay attention to. Most important of them are LAW OF GEORGIA ON THE LEGAL STATUS OF ALIENS AND STATELESS PERSONS (registration code: 010120000.05.001.017356) and LAW OF
GEORGIA ON STATE SUPPORT FOR INVESTMENTS (registration code: 240.090.000.05.001.002.345).

First of these acts regulates the proceedings of the process of issuing residency permission and another declares and regulates especially important rules of investing and state support. Although those acts are very crucial, importance of the other legislative acts, namely Civil Code of Georgia, Tax Code of Georgia and so on.

Procedure

obtaining residency in Georgia is relatively easy, but Applicants need to oversee every detail to avoid technical complications.

Once a person gets a job, makes an investment, or starts an economic activity, he or she can submit an application for a residence permit to any authorized representative, territorial office of the Public Service Development Agency, branch of the Public Service Center or Community Center. The application and required documents can be submitted in Georgian, English and/or Russian. Although Georgian is preferable.

There are several types of residence permits, but the focus here will be on three: the temporary, the investment, and the permanent residence permits:

Temporary Residence Permit is issued to person who is going to carry out business or work, both for their own account and for others. The applicant must certify a minimum 12-month
employment contract with a minimum salary (amount varries) in a Georgian company with an annual turnover of at least GEL 50,000 for each foreigner employed, or an annual turnover of at least USD 20,000 for a company incorporated by themselves. People who have registered a company in
Georgia will also need to place USD 5,000 in the company account prior to the application for temporary residency. The fees will vary depending on the issuing term of the permit. The application can also be made remotely through a Power of Attorney (PoA).

Investment residence permit is issued to a foreign national
(and his/her spouse and dependents) that has invested at least USD 300,000 in the country, in accordance with the Georgia Law on Promotion and Investment Guarantees. A document certifying the investment and criminal record report will be required for the application.

Permanent Residence Permit is issued to a foreign citizen who has a spouse or father or mother of a Georgia citizen or who has resided legally on the territory with a temporary residence permit for 6 years (except for studies, medical treatment or diplomatic issues), may apply for a permanent residence permit. A document certifying the applicant’s legal income will be required.

Please note

All reccomendations and/or opinions reflects legislation at a date of publishing. Do not proceed just based on this blog and have a qualified consultation with a lawyer before taking any legaly relevant steps.