Georgia Visa Requirements – Application, Documentation and Fees

Embarking on a trip to Georgia requires you to have a Georgia Visa. Therefore, you need to know about Georgia visa requirements if this is the case. Georgia may not be the first country on your bucket list whenever you consider taking a trip outside your country. However, Georgia is a country with many beautiful things about it.

Notwithstanding that Georgia is a small European country, it is beginning to gain more international travel publications. Most importantly, Georgia has good culinary services which are starting to get attention on a global scale.

If you plan to take a trip for any reason to Georgia, you must, first of all, obtain a Georgia visa.

However, obtaining a visa is not as hard as it seems because you can register for it online and offline. Knowledge of Georgia visa requirements will guide you, so you don’t make a mistake.

This article will explain everything you need to know about traveling to Georgia, Georgia visa requirements, and other frequently asked questions.

About Georgia

Georgia is a country in Europe. However, historically Georgia is not a European country. This country is between Western Asia and Eastern Europe. The Black sea bounds it to the west. Georgia is well known for its cuisine. And that is what gave it the international recognition that it receives now. Georgia is the place where wine originated, and it has 12 different climate zones.

Georgia has many natural embodiments that serve tourism:

• The deepest cave in the world
• The highest mountain in Europe
• The ancient cultural heritage peculiar to them

In addition, Georgia is home to diverse cultures. It is one of the European countries with the most mixed cultures and races.

What is a Georgia Visa?

A Georgia visa is a document that the Georgian government issues to foreign citizens who plan to travel to Georgia. Therefore, you must be conversant with Georgia Visa requirements before being issued a Georgia Visa. 

A Georgia visa allows you to tour and move around Georgia without risking arrest. And it confirms a foreign citizen’s right to enter, stay or transit the territory of Georgia.

Why do you need this knowledge of Georgia visa requirements?

Somebody residing in Georgia or a Georgian citizen can invite you over. For example, you might secure a job in a Georgian-based company, or you might want to visit Georgian for tourism. However, acquiring a Georgian visa may be challenging with explicit knowledge of what you need to do. 

There are a lot of categories of Georgia Visa. Most times, you need to know which visa you need for a particular trip to Georgia. And also to see the visa requirements you need to put in place.  

Types of Georgia Visa

Any foreign citizen applying for a Georgia Visa must first decide the type of visa they need. However, the purpose of their trip to Georgia influences the type of visa choice they need to apply for. The Georgian immigration law defines the category of visas and the visa requirements of each class that you must obtain. 

If you have a question about the type of Georgia visa you need, below is a list of the different categories of visas the Georgia government issues to foreign nationals.

• Diplomatic Visa (Georgia Visa Category A).
• Special Visa (Georgia Visa Category B).
• Ordinary Visa (Georgia Visa Category C).
• Immigration Visa (Georgia Visa Category D).
• Transit Visa (Georgia Visa Category T).

Diplomatic Visa (Georgia Visa Category A)

The Georgian government issues diplomatic visas to diplomats or ambassadors of foreign nations. It is issued when traveling to Georgia for diplomatic and official assignments. Also, the family members of the diplomats are included in the visa issued.

Special Visa (Georgia Visa Category B)

Special visas are issued to foreign citizens who hold service passports. These passport holders must be delegates sent to Georgia for work reasons.

• Delegates eligible for this type of visa includes;
• Representatives of international humanitarian organizations located in Georgia.
• Foreign citizens who are Consular workers of their countries.
• Administrative, technical, and service staff of foreign embassies.

Ordinary Visa (Georgia Visa Category C)

The ordinary visa, also known as category C visa, is issued to individuals visiting Georgia for short-term ( tourism, visit, business, or mission) purposes.  

It is further divided into;

Tourist Visa (Georgia Visa Category C1):

This visa is available to foreign citizens traveling to Georgia for tourism purposes alone.

Visitor Visa (Georgia Visa Category C2):

The Georgian government issues a visitor’s visa to foreign citizens traveling to Georgia for a visit. Maybe to visit a friend, family, colleague, or fiancé issued to foreigners who are traveling to Georgia to visit friends and family.

Business Visa (Georgia Visa Category C3):

It is issued to foreign citizens traveling to Georgia for business purposes alone. Journalists, athletes, and people going for medical checkups are the set of individuals eligible for this type of visa.

Mission Visa (Georgia Visa Category C4):

Foreign citizens traveling to Georgia to fulfill a mission, particularly humanitarian missions, are the set of people eligible for a mission visa.

Immigration Visa (Georgia Visa Category D)

Immigration Visa is issued to foreigners who seek entry into Georgia for long-term engagement/activities.

People who travel with a long-term settlement purpose include; 

#. Those who secured employment in Georgia.

They are issued Georgia work visas. However, the foreign employee ( Georgian employer) applies for this visa on their behalf.

#. Students admitted into Georgian institutions.

The Georgian student visa is issued to every international student who accepts admission for study in any Georgian University. 

#. Foreign nationals who want to join their family in Georgia.

If you have a family member who is a citizen or legal resident in Georgia and are planning to join them, a Georgia family visa is what you are to request.

Transit Visa (Georgia Visa Category T)

This visa is for foreigners who will travel to Georgia on their destination journey.

Who can obtain a Georgia visa?

People who need to know about the Georgia visa requirements before stepping into Georgia include;

• Foreign citizens who got employment in Georgia
• People who are pursuing advanced education in Georgia.
• Individuals who are members of humanitarian organizations were assigned humanitarian services to carry out.
• People who are researchers
• People who sought asylum in Georgia
• People who are under subsidiary protection of the Georgian government. 
• Individuals traveling to Georgia for medical treatment 
• Non-EU citizens 

Who doesn’t need a Georgia Visa?

Foreign nationals who do not need a Georgia visa include;

• EU citizens.
• Citizens of Schengen Zone members.
• People are holding refugee status in Georgia. 
• Citizens of Georgia.

How long can a Georgia Visa last?

How long a Georgia Visa can last depends on the type of visa. This is always stipulated on the Georgia visa requirements page on the country’s website and the consulate office of every country. Category C can last for 90 days to 180 days. Category T lasts between 24 to 72 hours.

Short-term visas ( business, mission, student) expire on the day you are done with your task or business. So, the holder must exit Georgia within 24 hours from the day of expiration or risk arrest. However, holders of student visas can remain for up to 60 days beyond the day they complete their academic program. But they can stay longer if they get a job appointment. For long-term visas, it can last for 1 to 3 years.

In addition, if you obtain a single-entry visa, you can stay for up to 30 days. But it would help if you left once it approaches expiration. For multiple-entry Georgia visas, the holder can stay in the country for up to 90 days in 180 days. Multiple-entry visas are valid for up to five years.

How much does it cost to acquire a Georgia Visa?

The Georgia visa fee is €20 but does not include fees and payment for other document verification and processing processes.

Also, the applicant makes the payment at the bank account of the Georgia embassy or through the Georgia online payment portal on the Georgia official website. 

You may also have to pay a 2% service fee. But it depends on the embassy or the bank you use their service. 

For sticker visas, applicants can see the amount equivalence in their local currency before proceeding with the payment. Also, they must see the bank account name and where they are to transfer the payment. But this comes after they have filled out the application form. 

Georgia Visa Requirements and Documents.

There are different Georgia visa requirements for different Georgia visas. But in general, the Georgia visa requirements that every foreign Georgia Visa applicant must make available are below.

#1. Georgia Visa Application Form:

The form is filled out online, printed, and signed by the applicant.

#2. A Copy of an International Passport:

The passport must capture the biodata of the applicant. Also, it must have at least two blank pages and validity of about three months more. It must have been issued in the last five to ten years.

#3. Copies of Civil Passport Photographs,

In line with the Georgia Visa requirements for a passport. The passport must be taken within six months and reflect the applicant’s recent appearance. 

While taking the snapshot, the applicant must look directly at the camera. Their whole face must be visible, with no glasses or headgears. Head covering is allowed only for religious purposes; however, it must not cover or cast shadows on the face.

Photo dimension above or below 5 mm length x 4 mm width and a resolution above or below 300 DPI is not acceptable. The background of the image must also be white or off-white. And the image must be of high quality.

#4. Proof of purpose of travel

This is for verification purposes. An invitation letter from the invitee or any other document stating the purpose of the visit is acceptable. It may include, for instance, a letter from the employer indicating the applicant’s position in the company, a letter from the sponsor including their name and relationship with the applicant, as well as the destination and duration of stay.

 #5. Proof of accommodation

 A copy of the rental agreement or hotel booking will serve.

#6. Document of travel and health insurance

This is made available should any travel or health risk occur.

#7. Proof of sufficient financial means:

This is to make sure the applicant can cater to themselves throughout their stay.

#8. Proof of Visa Fee Payment.

This must be made available; otherwise, document processing won’t be commenced.

#9. A confirmed round-trip ticket.

To be certain that the applicant can pay for their flight.

All documents that are to be uploaded to the website must be scanned and presented both in English and Georgian language. Also, additional Georgia Visa requirements may be requested by the embassy. And interviews may be scheduled during the time visa processing is commenced.

How to apply for a Georgia Visa

These are the steps to follow after every document has been made available and all payments made.

#1. Fill out the Visa form online.

But before filling out the form, you must pay an application fee. Go to the official website and register.

#2. Submit the online form. 

But before you submit, make sure to upload other Georgia visa requirements and documents. Then, after submission, download a copy and sign on it too.

#3. Verify email and confirm an application.

After submission, an email will be sent to the email address that the applicant used for their application. The applicant must verify the email within an hour of receiving it.

#4. Then proceed to make the Georgia fee payment.

 After the applicant must have verified their email, they must proceed to make a payment. And this payment must be made within five hours of receiving the notification.

#5. After making the payment, 

The applicant then gathers every other document, including the printed application form that is signed, and submits them to the Georgia embassy in their country. 

Note: You can as well pay for the Georgia visa fees at the embassy.

#6. Then, schedule an appointment and interview. 

The applicant must come by themselves for the interview. But an exception is given if the applicant is a minor.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a Georgian visa to travel to a Schengen Zone?

No, you can’t. Georgia is not part of the Schengen agreement. Notwithstanding, Georgian citizens are granted visa-free travel in Schengen countries, and that’s it. But the Georgia visa is not a Schengen visa.

Does Georgia have a visa waiver program for Schengen visa holders?

No, it doesn’t. The visa waiver is only for Georgians. This visa waiver entitles them to visit any member country of the Schengen Area. But for business purposes only.

How long does it take to process a Georgia Visa?

The processing time for a Georgia visa depends on the type of visa that you have in mind. Within ten calendar days for short-term and FT immigration visas, 30 calendar days for long-term visas, and five calendar days for an e-Visa.

Can I apply for a Georgia Residence Permit using an immigration visa?

Yes, it is possible! However, this must be done before your immigration visa expires. Within one month of your permit issuance, you are expected to apply for a Residence Card. 

Can you Extend a Georgia Visa?

Yes, you can. But this is only available for holders of Category A (diplomatic) visa, B (unique) visa, D3 (student) visa, and D5 (investor) visa, respectively. To know more about visa extensions, click here.

Conclusion

People take a trip to Georgia for so many reasons. But for whatever purpose that prompts your travel to Georgia, you must ensure you submit every visa requirement on time. Filling the wrong information and submitting the false document may cause a delay in processing your visa. It may also cause you to be disqualified from obtaining a visa.