The country of Georgia ends immediate permanent residence for spouses in Sept. 1 rule shift

Georgia tightened documentation requirements for residence permits Sept. 1, ending immediate permanent residence for foreign spouses and mandating verified proof of lawful stay across all major permit tracks.

New income thresholds and lawful stay rules

Foreigners applying for work, study, family reunification or permanent residence must now provide proof of lawful stay alongside evidence of Georgian-sourced legal income or qualifying bank funds.

Work permit applicants must prove local employment or entrepreneurial activity generating monthly income of at least five times the minimum subsistence level or maintain equivalent funds in a personal bank account. Sponsoring employers face turnover minimums of GEL 50,000 ($18,500) per foreign worker, reduced to GEL 35,000 ($12,950) for educational and medical facilities.

Remote workers applying under the IT residence track must show at least two years of tech experience and annual earnings of at least $25,000, backed by payment receipts spaced at least 30 days apart.

Shift for spouses and filing deadlines

Foreign spouses of Georgian citizens no longer receive immediate permanent status upon marriage. Under the amended framework governed by Government Ordinance No. 520, spouses must hold a temporary residence permit for five years before qualifying for permanent residency. Processing for this temporary spouse track costs GEL 500 ($185) under a 90-day review.

Standard processing fees for work, study and family reunification permits run GEL 300 ($111) for 30 days, GEL 450 ($167) for 20 days and GEL 600 ($222) for a 10-day turnaround, the Public Service Development Agency confirmed.

Nomads planning on settling in Georgia must submit their complete permit package at least 40 calendar days before their legal tourist stay expires. Refusal decisions carry a one-month window to file an administrative appeal.