How to become a citizen of Georgia: requirements and deadlines

Having visited Georgia twice as a tourist, I began to seriously think about moving to the country for permanent residence. The republic offers several ways of emigration - by birth, by origin. You can go through naturalization or take part in improving the country's economy. Having studied all the options in detail, I realized that the best option for me is naturalization - the path is long, but true.

In this article I want to describe in detail each of the immigration routes, I will tell you about all the conditions and secrets of obtaining citizenship in Georgia. The information will be useful to those who strive to live in this republic, unique in its nature and national traditions.

Pros and cons of Georgian citizenship

The government allows citizens of the Russian Federation to stay on the territory of Georgia without any permission for a period of up to one year. This is an ideal opportunity to look around, study the peculiarities of living in the country and decide whether or not you need to apply for Georgian citizenship.

In Georgia, over the past 10 years, there has been an increase in real estate prices and a rapid influx of investment from foreigners.

What attracts citizens of other countries to Georgia? Why are more and more tourists deciding to get a Georgian passport? Among the advantages that permanent residence in Georgia provides are:

• Possibility of visiting EU countries for up to 90 days every six months.
• Lack of bureaucracy - you can get a document or register an enterprise in a minimum amount of time.
• Currently, the republic is in dire need of investment flows, so it is very easy to organize your own business here.
• There are no problems with communication; many residents of the republic speak Russian very well.
• The ideal ecological situation is a very mild climate, clean water bodies and fresh air.
• Ideal road conditions and a developed system of modern public transport.

It is worth noting some disadvantages of living in Georgia. If you do not open your own business in the country, you may experience some shortage of funds. It is not easy for foreigners to get a job, and if they do, the pay will not be very high. Pensions and other social benefits are small, and there are also increased tariffs for heating, electricity and water supply.

Despite such minor negative aspects, there are more and more people wishing to obtain Georgian citizenship. If you want to obtain permanent residence in a country with ideal nature, exquisite cuisine and great prospects, you can start preparing the documents.

Procedure for registration

For residents of the Russian Federation, visa-free entry into Georgia is possible for a period of no more than 3 months . For a longer stay on the territory of the state, you will also need to obtain a residence permit under general conditions.

It can be useful:

Is it allowed to have dual citizenship in Russia?

How to restore Russian citizenship

Residence permit

When thinking about how to obtain Georgian citizenship, first of all you need to understand that visitors who have issued a residence permit have the right to reside in the state for five years without leaving the country .

This document provides the opportunity to permanently reside in the country , enter and exit the country without a visa.

A residence permit is provided for a period of 6 years if the following conditions are met:

• official employment (work visa);
• admission to a higher education institution (student visa);
• registration of guardianship and trusteeship by citizens of the country over a visitor;
• presence of blood relatives - citizens of the country of entry;
• registration of marriage with a Georgian (Georgian);
• creation and registration of a company or business.

To obtain a residence permit you will need the following documents:

• photocopy of passport;
• income certificate;
• a document proving the right to stay in the country (certificate of employment, admission to a university, marriage certificate, etc.);
• a copy of the birth certificate;
• certificate of family composition;
• invitation to enter the country;
• medical examination and insurance policy.

permanent residence

If a person stays legally on the territory of Georgia for a long time, he has legal grounds to obtain citizenship or permanent residence.

Before a Russian citizen obtains Georgian citizenship,
it is necessary to collect a package of documents and submit it to the justice authorities :

• application-appeal;
• photocopy of passport and birth certificate;
• a certificate confirming residence in the country for 5 years or more;
• certificate of income and family composition;
• 2 photos 3x4.

Under the simplified procedure, repatriates and persons married to nationals of the country of entry become citizens. You can confirm your status using photocopies of relevant certificates.

Under special conditions, citizenship is awarded for special services to the country or the whole world . The exclusive right is certified upon presentation of awards, titles, prizes, certificates of investment in the economy, purchase of real estate, diploma of education, scientific degree, petitions from political bodies.

Basic requirements for applicants

To obtain a passport you must meet the following conditions:

1. Fluency in the language, both verbally and in writing.
2. Knowledge of the historical events of the country and its laws.
3. Availability of a source of permanent legal income.
4. Official employment or owning your own enterprise in the state.

There is one more requirement that is not mandatory, but can become a powerful argument when applying for citizenship. We are talking about purchasing your own real estate in the country.

Standard conditions for obtaining citizenship

A person entitled to obtain Georgian citizenship:

1. Has been permanently residing in the territory of the state for the last 5 years, having an issued residence permit (permanent residence or permanent residence);
2. Fluent in Georgian;
3. Knows the history of the country;
4. Knows the basic laws of the state;
5. Officially receives an income sufficient for comfortable living (double the average official income of the population in the country);
6. Owns real estate in Georgia;
7. Owns shares or shares of an enterprise in the territory of the state.

These criteria are outlined in the Law “On Citizenship of Georgia” dated March 25, 1993. There you can also familiarize yourself with the remaining conditions in more detail.

Ways to obtain citizenship

There are different ways to obtain official Georgian citizenship. The most durable is naturalization. The remaining options - investment, marriage, descent and kinship - are much simpler to formalize.

By birth

If a citizen of Georgia has a child, he automatically receives citizenship of the country. Where the woman gave birth does not matter. If the mother or father of the child are foreign citizens, the status can be assigned only if the following rules are observed:

1. Officially registered fact of birth in Georgia and residence of one of the parents here.
2. Mom or dad who are foreigners are considered officially missing.
3. Obtaining consent from the father and mother.

Children born to unknown persons, but on the territory of Georgia, automatically become subjects of the country.

By origin

Citizens born in Georgia during the existence of the USSR and living on its territory for at least 5 years have every right to obtain a passport, becoming an official repatriate. People born in another country, but from citizens of Georgia, can apply for a national passport.

Naturalization

This option for obtaining citizenship is a way to gradually enter official Georgian society. The process of obtaining citizenship begins with obtaining a residence permit. As part of the application process, candidates undergo an oral interview. It is necessary to explain to the immigration officers the rationale for staying in Georgia and the plan for further action.

The package of documents and application are reviewed within 10-30 days. The cost of registration ranges from 210 to 410 Georgian lari. Persons who have problems with the law, as well as foreign civil servants and military personnel can receive a refusal.

The obtained residence permit must be renewed annually!

After three years of residence as a temporary residence permit, you can submit an application and documents for a permanent residence permit. This permit is issued for an unlimited period. But mandatory confirmation of status is established once every 10 years.

If you need to obtain permanent residence, you will have to undergo an interview to determine your knowledge of the language and the characteristics of Georgian culture. The cost of consideration of the application is 550 GEL. The decision-making time is 1 month. The main condition for obtaining permanent residence is continuous residence in Georgia, absence of problems with the law and excellent knowledge of the language.

The country's authorities are very happy to accept those people who do not need social security from the state. It is for this reason that the package of documents must include documentary evidence of the income received.

Other ways to obtain citizenship

Spouses of Georgian citizens have the right to apply for a national passport after 2 years of cohabitation. You need to submit the following documents:

• Georgian civil passport of husband or wife.
• Official marriage certificate.
• The couple has a common house or apartment.

It is possible to obtain official status by depositing 300 thousand euros or more into the treasury. This program can be used by children of investors under 26 years of age and their spouses. This is the fastest option for obtaining citizenship. The decision is made on average within one month.

The country's authorities have the right to issue a Georgian passport regardless of the established requirements. To do this, you need to find certain merits before the state. You can acquire a qualification or specialty that is of interest to the state.

Privileges in obtaining citizenship

Even if the applicant does not meet the criteria above, he can still obtain Georgian citizenship. In this regard, the country's legislation is loyal and suggests possible concessions.

The country's legislation is flexible regarding the issuance of citizenship.

In this case, categories of citizens who can be useful to the state receive a special advantage. These include:

• Highly qualified specialists in an industry that is in demand in the country;
• People who have special services to Georgia;
• Winners of awards in scientific or humanitarian fields, as well as in sports.

Restoration of citizenship status can be obtained by persons who regularly reside in the country, as well as people whose homeland is Georgia:

• Permanently residing in the country for more than 5 years before March 25, 1993, provided that within 6 months he did not have to renounce Georgian citizenship;
• A person who was born in Georgia, but left it after December 21, 1991 and has no other citizenship.

Certain conditions are associated with kinship and family relationships with Georgians.

In relation to a child who was born on the territory of Georgia, but one of the parents is a citizen of the country and the other is not, the child receives citizenship under the following conditions:

• Birth on the territory of Georgia;
• Continuous residence of a parent with Georgian citizenship in the country;
• The given consent of both parents for the child to obtain the status of a citizen of Georgia;
• Lack of information about the second parent, or recognition of him as missing.

When marrying a citizen of Georgia, the second spouse receives the right to become a citizen of the country two years after the wedding, regardless of nationality.

Application Features

According to Georgian legislation, there are three ways to apply for citizenship:

• Personal visit to the migration department or consulate.
• By proxy.
• Online through the official website.

The third option is faster and more convenient. The application can be completed online from anywhere in the world. The document submission operation takes on average one hour. In addition to completing the application, you will need:

1. Fill out the form.
2. Scan documents.
3. Upload a photo.

As soon as the applicant submits a receipt for payment of the state fee to the website, the request is automatically generated and recorded. He will be assigned an individual registration number.

After receiving the serial number, the form is printed. The document will need to be signed and sent within 20 days by registered mail or brought in person to the migration department. If the applicant is outside the country, the required papers can be submitted to the consulate of the republic. There are similar organizations in almost all countries of the world.

Georgian citizenship by birth

10) I am a citizen of the Russian Federation, the father of my child is a citizen of Georgia, we are not officially married and the father is not included in the birth certificate. I want to go to Georgia with my child for more than three months, after three months I (and my child) will need to cross the border with the Russian Federation and only then can I return again? Can my child and I get dual citizenship (Russian Federation and Georgia)? If we sign and he officially adopts his child, are there any privileges?

10.2.

Of course you can get it. Just not dual, but second citizenship. And not so fast. We must first make him the father officially. This can be done in the Russian Federation. (Federal Law dated November 15, 1997 N 143-FZ (as amended on December 27, 2018) “On acts of civil status”, Article 48). After this, it will be easier to prepare documents.

10.3.

There is no agreement on dual citizenship between Georgia and Russia. If you are a Russian citizen, then your child, on the basis of Article 12 of the law below, can acquire Russian citizenship by birth. If you sign, this will not give you any benefits. And you will need to leave Georgia after three months. Federal Law of May 31, 2002 N 62-FZ (as amended on December 27, 2018) “On Citizenship of the Russian Federation” Article 12. Acquisition of citizenship of the Russian Federation by birth 1. A child acquires citizenship of the Russian Federation by birth if, on the child’s birthday: a) both of his parents or his only parent have citizenship of the Russian Federation (regardless of the child’s place of birth); b) one of his parents has citizenship of the Russian Federation, and the other parent is stateless, or is declared missing, or his location is unknown (regardless of the child’s place of birth); c) one of his parents has citizenship of the Russian Federation, and the other parent is a foreign citizen, provided that the child was born on the territory of the Russian Federation or if otherwise he will become stateless; d) both of his parents or his only parent living on the territory of the Russian Federation are foreign citizens or stateless persons, provided that the child was born on the territory of the Russian Federation, and the state of which his parents or his only parent are citizens does not provide the child's citizenship. (clause “g” as amended by Federal Law No. 151-FZ of November 11, 2003) (see text in the previous edition) 2. A child who is on the territory of the Russian Federation and whose parents are unknown becomes a citizen of the Russian Federation in the event if the parents do not show up within six months from the date of its discovery.

10.4.

Hello Anastasia, both you and the child have the right to have dual citizenship (Federal Law “On Citizenship of the Russian Federation”). However, dual citizenship does not give any privileges, moreover, if your child has dual citizenship, and you, God forbid, have a fight with the child’s father, and the father takes the child away, you will not be able to count on the help of the Russian Federation and you will have to solve the problem on your own on the territory of Georgia.

10.6.

Hello. Currently, citizens of the Russian Federation are allowed visa-free entry into Georgia for up to 90 days. If you want to extend your stay in Georgia, you will need to contact the Civil Registry Agency at your place of stay and your residence permit may be extended up to 360 days. In accordance with Article 62 of the Constitution of the Russian Federation, citizens of Russia can have Russian Federation citizenship and become Georgian citizens. But it must be taken into account that these citizens for the Russian Federation will be considered primarily as citizens of Russia. What are the privileges? In obtaining Georgian citizenship or in signing with the father of your child?

10.7.

— Hello, dear visitor to the site, I’ll start with the last point in the question, there are “privileges”, if the father establishes paternity in Georgia and registers the child as his name, then it is far from a fact that you will return to Russia with the child! He can easily leave it in Georgia! This is the first and second, according to the Law “On Citizenship of Georgia”, persons who have become Georgian citizens do not have the right to retain their previous citizenship. This means that you will most likely not take the child of a Georgian citizen out of the country. According to Article 6 of the Federal Law of December 31, 2014 No. 507-FZ, where paragraph 1 states that a citizen who has a different citizenship is considered by the Russian Federation only as a citizen of the Russian Federation. Good luck to you and all the best, with respect, lawyer Ligostaeva A.V.

Required documents

To obtain Georgian citizenship, the applicant must prepare the following documents:

• An application filled out legibly on a special form.
• International passport.
• Residence permit card.
• Birth and marriage certificate.
• Documentary evidence of continuous stay in Georgia for 5 years.
• Certificates confirming receipt of income.
• Two photos made according to the rules.
• Real estate documents.
• A certificate from the official place of work or papers confirming ownership of your own business.

If the passport is issued under special conditions, you will need to provide the appropriate certificates and diplomas.

All papers and copies made must be translated into the Georgian language, and the translation itself must be notarized.

To ensure that your application for citizenship is not denied, you should use the services of a professional translator. This advice applies to everyone, even those who speak Georgian relatively well.

Requirements for candidates

To acquire Georgian citizenship, you must meet all the necessary conditions.

The law states that the applicant must:

• communicate fluently in Georgian orally and in writing;
• have a good knowledge of the history and laws of the country;
• to have a decent amount or a constant source of legal income for living;
• officially engage in labor activity or own a Georgian enterprise (or its share);
• own real estate.

Procedure for restoration of citizenship

This is another option for obtaining a Georgian passport. This can be done in the following situations:

1. Unlawful renunciation of citizenship.
2. Choice of citizenship of another country by parents.
3. Refusal made voluntarily.

To restore a Georgian passport, you will need to submit an application filled out in a special form and have stateless status. It is mandatory to take a test to check your knowledge of the national language and basic laws of the country.

When to expect an answer

Documents and applications are reviewed within 6 months. After which the applicant is informed of the decision.

However, review times vary greatly.

Throughout the entire period, employees of the Ministry of Justice will check:

• truthfulness and accuracy of the information provided;
• existence of criminal liability;
• property indicators.

If everything is in order, the decision will be positive. The applicant officially becomes a citizen and receives a Georgian passport.

Reasons for possible orders

There are several basic justifications that will not allow a person to obtain citizenship of a given state:

• Previously committed crimes directed against general peace and order in the country.
• Taking part in various riots that threaten security.
• Reliable information regarding the candidate’s connections with dangerous extremists and terrorists.

There are several more rules, failure to comply with which may result in a refusal. You must not provide false information. It is important to translate and certify all certificates and copies. Citizenship may not be granted if the income is less than the minimum established by law and if the applicant does not have an official job.

What papers are needed?

Application form sample

To obtain Georgian citizenship, applicants from the Russian Federation prepare a package of documents:

1. A statement written personally by a Russian citizen.
2. Birth certificate.
3. A copy of a document indicating that the applicant has lived in the state for at least 5 years before submitting the application.
4. A paper that proves that the applicant has a place of work or real estate in the country.
5. 2 photographs 3x4 cm.

Citizens who receive Georgian citizenship under special conditions attach to the standard package a document that confirms the applicant’s special conditions. It could be:

1. A copy of the diploma.
2. Science degree.
3. Military rank.
4. Party petition.
5. Copyright.
6. Prize.

Applicants who are legally married to local citizens are entitled to special procedures for obtaining a national passport. As additional documents they provide:

1. A photocopy of your marriage certificate with a local resident.
2. A copy of a certificate confirming that the spouse has a Georgian passport.
3. A certificate that proves the spouses live together (for a period of at least 2 years).

All certificates are issued in the national language or accompanied by a notarized translation. House of Justice employees reserve the right to request additional information.

This is what a Georgian passport looks like

Double citizenship

In Georgia, no citizenship other than national is recognized. There are certain exceptions to this rule. You will not have to give up your Russian passport if you have special services to the state, or if the country benefits from the person or his activities.

If there are no merits, the applicant must endorse an official refusal of the Russian passport. There is no need to be afraid of such manipulation, since according to Russian laws, a citizen of the Russian Federation cannot be deprived of their rights on such grounds.

By acquiring Georgian citizenship, in fact, a person does not lose his affiliation with Russia.

Persons holding two passports may use both, each in their own country. The Russian authorities will regard a citizen’s having one more citizenship as a second one, not a dual one.

Paper matters

You can use the services of lawyers to fill out documents. All documents must be drawn up legally and contain reliable information.

It is important that all papers are drawn up in Georgian. Documents in a foreign language must be translated and notarized.

It is possible to obtain Georgian citizenship without meeting the above requirements. But in this case, the foreigner must be of particular interest to the country, have scientific achievements, or have a specialty in demand in the state. Have special services to Georgia. For such persons, the president of the country personally grants Georgian citizenship.

What documents do I need to provide when applying?

Personal statement of desire to obtain Georgian citizenship (have it with you and, if requested, provide identification documents (identity card (residence permit), passport);

• Personal application for admission to Georgian citizenship (have it with you and, if requested, provide identification documents (identity card (residence permit), passport);
• A copy of the Birth Certificate (if you were born abroad and have the specified document);
• A copy of a document confirming residence in Georgia for the last five years (identity and registration document);
• A document confirming the availability of a workplace in Georgia, real estate, entrepreneurial activity on the territory of Georgia, a share or shares in a Georgian enterprise;
• 2 photographs size 3x4.

If you are a person married to a citizen of Georgia and wish to obtain Georgian citizenship, you must submit:

• Personal application for admission to Georgian citizenship (carry with you and, if requested, provide identification documents (identity card (residence permit), passport);
• A copy of the Birth Certificate (if you were born abroad and have the specified document);
• A copy of a document confirming marriage with a citizen of Georgia (Marriage Certificate or court decision establishing the relevant legal fact);
• A copy of the spouse’s document confirming Georgian citizenship.
• A document confirming residence with a spouse in the territory of Georgia for the last 2 years (certificate from the territorial service);
• 2 photographs size 3x4.

We remind you once again that the application and documents must be submitted in Georgian. Documents drawn up in another language are accepted only together with a duly certified translation into Georgian.

The issue of citizenship of minors and incapacitated persons is considered based on the submission of an application by their legal representative. The application of one of the parents regarding the assignment of citizenship to a minor must be supplemented with the consent of the second parent (if any).

0

Author of the publication

offline 2 hours