Georgia visa-free stay: 365 days, visa runs, entry refusals

How to live in Georgia visa-free without overstaying

1. 1
   Find out how long you can stay

   It depends on your citizenship:

   Citizens of listed countriesA year without a visa under Government Resolution No. 255 of 5 June 2015. The list has 96 entries: 91 countries and 5 entries for territories of the United Kingdom, Denmark, the Netherlands and France. The exception is China: it was added in 2023, and Chinese citizens can stay in Georgia without a visa for 30 days and only as tourists.

   or

   Ukrainian citizensA year without a visa since 3 April 2025; before that, it was 3 years. Those who entered before 24 February 2025 and are in Georgia can stay until 24 February 2027. The extension was granted by Government Resolution No. 80 of 24 February 2026; you do not need to apply for it.

   or

   Citizens of other countriesIf you do not need a visa, you can stay without one for no more than 90 days in any 180 (Article 10 of the Law on the Legal Status of Aliens). Since 15 April 2026, a C5 visa has been available for tourists who work only for non-residents and on their business abroad, for example remotely for a foreign company, and for their spouses and minor children. A multiple-entry C5 can be issued for 5 years and lets you stay in Georgia for a year. You can only apply online at evisa.gov.ge, and only while you are abroad. The application fee is $300. The decision is made on the 5th working day, or within 10 working days if extra checks are needed (Resolution No. 184). A C5 refusal cannot be appealed, and most types of residence permit are not issued to people staying on a category C visa (Articles 11 and 14 of the law).
2. 2
   Check your documents before you travel

   You need a valid international passport. ID cards are accepted from EU, Swiss and Liechtenstein citizens, and biometric ID cards from Ukrainian and Armenian citizens. Have an insurance policy with you: without one, you may be refused entry (Article 11 of the law). The requirements are in the guide on entry insurance. Do not enter Abkhazia or South Ossetia from Russia: foreigners may only enter them via Zugdidi and Gori (Law on Occupied Territories). Breaking this rule is punishable by a fine or 2 to 4 years' imprisonment (Article 322¹ of the Criminal Code).

3. 3
   Note your entry date

   The year is counted from the date in your entry stamp. Leave at least a day before the anniversary of your entry: even one day's overstay costs 1,000 ₾ and a 6-month entry ban. If you have a residence permit, the visa-free limit does not apply to you: with a residence permit, you enter without a visa for as long as it is valid.

4. 4
   Decide what to do before the year is up

   There are three options:

   Leave and come backThe law does not limit the number of entries, and in practice the year starts again after a new entry. But a border officer can refuse entry on the grounds in Article 11. There have been refusals after visa runs; see the grey areas for details.

   or

   Stay on a residence permitApply no later than 40 days before your visa-free stay ends (Resolution No. 520). The 40-day rule does not apply to real estate, investment and IT residence permits or to a residence permit for indefinite stay. Residence permits are only issued to people who are in Georgia lawfully (Article 14 of the law). While your application is being considered, the Public Service Development Agency may defer your obligation to leave (Article 48). Grounds and documents are in the residence permit guide.

   or

   Need a little more timeThe agency can also defer your departure if you are ill or pregnant and a doctor considers travel dangerous. In exceptional cases, a deferral can be granted once on a reasoned application, for up to 3 months and for the same purpose of stay (Article 48). The decision is made within 5 calendar days. While you are in Georgia on such a deferral, you will not get a residence permit: it is not issued to people who apply during a deferral (Article 14).
5. 5
   Appeal a refusal of entry

   Ask for a written decision. If the refusal is related to an entry ban, an unpaid overstay fine, a threat to security or public order, or foreign policy reasons, the law does not require the reason to be explained (Article 11). From 1 September 2026, a refusal can be appealed to a higher authority within 10 calendar days of the day you receive it. The higher authority's decision can then be challenged in court (Article 21²).

6. 6
   If you have overstayed

   The fine under Article 191 of the Code of Administrative Offences depends on how long you overstayed: up to 3 months, 1,000 ₾ and a 6-month entry ban; up to a year, 2,000 ₾ and 2 years; over a year, 3,000 ₾ and 3 years. You can pay before or after you leave. Until the fine is paid, you will not be issued a visa and will be refused entry (Article 47 of the law). If the Ministry of Internal Affairs decides to expel you, the entry ban will be 2 to 5 years. Since 1 October 2025, it can be imposed even if you leave voluntarily within the time set in the decision (Article 63).