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Georgia
Tbilisi
Georgia requires 20 credits for study-based residence permits
Georgia is tightening residency requirements for foreign students, including a mandatory 20-credit annual academic threshold and language proficiency certification. The new rules also introduce a D6 visa category for minors and stricter monitoring of student absences to prevent permit abuse.
Georgia targets 20,000 removals under new Right to Labour permit rules
The Georgian government is intensifying enforcement to identify and deport approximately 20,000 foreign nationals residing in the country without valid permits. This crackdown follows a year of record-high deportations and signals a stricter environment for expats and travelers overstaying their visa-free periods.
Georgia mandates interviews for foreign spouses under new residency bill
The Georgian Interior Ministry is establishing a special commission to interview foreign nationals applying for residency through marriage. The new measure aims to verify the authenticity of unions and prevent fictitious marriages from being used as a path to legal status.
Georgia mandates language exams for international students applying to university
International students in Georgia must now provide a language certificate or pass a proficiency exam to secure admission. This new requirement applies to all applicants, even those enrolling in university programs taught in languages other than Georgian.
EU suspends visa-free Schengen access for Georgia official passport holders
European Union officials will meet with Georgian counterparts on June 11 to discuss the possible suspension of visa-free access to the Schengen Area. If implemented, Georgian citizens and residents would lose the ability to travel to most of Europe for 90 days without a formal visa application.
Georgia targets D3 and D4 residency fraud with stricter document checks
The Georgian Interior Ministry has proposed legislative amendments to tighten residency requirements for foreign nationals. The changes include mandatory language proficiency for students and stricter verification of marriages to Georgian citizens to prevent fraudulent residency claims.
Georgia visitors pay up to $15,000 under U.S. B-1/B-2 visa bond pilot
The United States has added Georgia to a visa bond pilot program aimed at reducing overstay rates. Selected applicants for B-1 and B-2 visitor visas must now provide a refundable deposit of up to $15,000 to guarantee their departure.
Georgia forgery bust triggers tighter U.S. visa scrutiny for 65 applicants
Georgian authorities and the U.S. Embassy uncovered a criminal group fabricating asylum claims and forging documents for U.S. and Canadian visa applications. Travelers and expats in the region should expect increased scrutiny of migration documentation and stricter verification processes at border crossings.
Georgia adopts C5 visa for remote workers with 365 day stay limit
Starting April 1, Georgia will offer a new C5 visa category providing a five-year residency pathway for foreigners. This update creates a long-term option for digital nomads and expats from countries not covered by the standard one-year visa-free regime.
Georgia requires a Right to Labour Activity permit for work starting March 1
Foreigners without permanent residency must obtain a specific work permit before freelancing or running a business in Georgia. Enforcement for self-employed individuals begins May 1 and includes fines for those working on standard tourist stays or residence cards.