Residence permit in Georgia through business
Nationals of many countries stay in Georgia visa-free for long periods, which creates the illusion that a residence permit is unnecessary. But a visa-free stay confers no resident status: you cannot present it to a bank, it does not accumulate towards permanent residence, and it breaks every time you leave.
Business-based grounds
| Type | Basis |
|---|---|
| Work permit residence | employment with a Georgian company |
| Investment residence | investment into the country's economy |
| Business owner residence | ownership of an operating company |
Formal ownership of a company is not in itself a ground. The business has to be operating: with turnover, filings and signs of genuine activity.
What is required
- a passport and documents evidencing lawful stay;
- company documents: registry extract, charter;
- evidence of activity: filings, turnover, contracts;
- evidence of income or financial standing;
- an address of residence in Georgia.
The procedure
Filing and review
The application is filed at the Public Service Hall with the document package and the fee. The review period depends on the route chosen: the standard one is longer, the expedited one faster and more expensive.
The decision
On a positive decision a residence card is issued. A refusal is possible and is not always reasoned in detail; refiling with a stronger package is not prohibited.
Renewal and permanent status
A temporary permit is issued for a term and is renewable. Continuous residence in status for the period set by law opens the route to permanent residence. The operative word is continuous: breaks reset the accumulated time.
Family
Family members obtain permits on the basis of the principal applicant's status. Their document package is separate, and it is better filed together with the principal one rather than afterwards.
Common mistakes
- filing at the last moment, when the permitted stay is already expiring;
- a company that is registered but has no activity behind it;
- income documents that do not match the declared activity;
- a break in residence resetting the clock for permanent status.
We assess which ground fits your situation, prepare the package and support the filing through to the card being issued.
This material is educational and does not replace individual advice.
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