Do you need a visa to visit Georgia in 2026?
Georgia has been one of the few countries to pursue an open-borders policy since 2012. This was a deliberate decision: tourism and relocation bring significant income to the economy, and the government has no intention of changing course. The situation remains the same in 2026.
Which nationalities do not need a visa for Georgia?
| Country | Visa required? | Visa-free stay | Document |
|---|---|---|---|
| Russia | NO | up to 365 days/year | International passport |
| Belarus | NO | up to 365 days/year | International passport |
| Kazakhstan | NO | up to 365 days/year | International passport |
| Ukraine | NO | up to 365 days/year | International passport |
| Armenia | NO | up to 365 days/year | Passport or national ID |
| Uzbekistan | NO | up to 365 days/year | International passport |
| Azerbaijan | NO | up to 365 days/year | International passport |
| EU countries | NO | up to 365 days/year | Passport or national ID |
| USA, Canada | NO | up to 365 days/year | International passport |
| China | YES | — | Visa required |
| India | YES | — | e-Visa online |
Current as of April 2026. Always verify the latest requirements at the official Georgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs website and the Georgian National Tourism Administration (GNTA).
Planning a trip to Georgia?
Timur will meet you and run a tour on the very day you arrive — no stress about navigating an unfamiliar city.
How long can you stay in Georgia without a visa?
Visa-free entry does not mean there are no requirements at all. Here is what you need to know:
- 365 days — the maximum stay (continuous or cumulative) per calendar year for most nationalities. The year runs from January 1 to December 31.
- Working is not permitted without a work visa or residence permit. Freelancing and remote work for a foreign employer sits in a legal grey area, but is not actively prosecuted in practice.
- Purpose of visit — border officers may ask. The standard answer is tourism.
- Medical insurance — not mandatory for entry, but strongly recommended. There is no free state healthcare for foreigners; all treatment is paid.
What do Georgian border officers check?
The Georgian border is generally a friendly experience — queues are manageable, officers are polite, and questions are rare. To make sure everything goes smoothly:
- Have the address of your first accommodation — a hotel, Airbnb, or a friend's address. The officer may ask for it.
- Return ticket — sometimes requested. Having at least a rough departure booking helps.
- Cash — bring a small amount of USD or EUR for the first day; you can exchange for Georgian lari at currency booths on arrival.
- Stay calm — most tourists clear the border in 2–3 minutes. Georgia wants visitors.
- Entry points — Tbilisi International Airport (main), Red Bridge and Sadakhlo checkpoints (from Azerbaijan), Kazbegi–Upper Lars (from Russia; operating hours depend on the season).
We flew in February with no idea what to expect. Timur answered all our questions about entry, documents, and the first few days even before we left home. Crossing the border took three minutes. On the very first day we took a city tour — and immediately knew we were staying for a long time. We have been in Tbilisi for four months now and have not regretted a single second.
What should you do at the Georgian border if you have dual citizenship?
Georgia does not prohibit entry with dual citizenship and does not require you to declare it. If you hold two passports, enter with the one that gives you the more favorable stay conditions.
Important: if you entered with one passport, use the same one on subsequent entries — switching documents at the border can raise questions about compliance with stay limits.
For stays beyond 365 days there are several options: a student visa, business registration (a sole trader can be registered in Georgia in a single day), a residence permit through marriage, or other grounds. That is a topic for a separate article.
How do foreigners open a bank account in Georgia?
One of the most practical questions for newcomers is banking. Georgia remains one of the few countries where foreigners can open an account without a residence permit and without bureaucratic obstacles.
Banks that open accounts for foreigners
TBC Bank — the country's largest bank. An account can be opened online through the app or in a branch with just your passport. Visa/Mastercard in GEL, USD, or EUR. SWIFT supported. App available in English.
Bank of Georgia — the second largest, with similar conditions. A card is issued immediately or within 3 business days. Multi-currency accounts available. Good English-language support.
Credo Bank — popular among the self-employed; more lenient conditions for clients without a registered address. Strong English support.
To open an account you will need: a passport, a Georgian phone number (buy a SIM card on arrival, costs 5–10 GEL), and a local address (a rental address is fine). Some banks may also ask for proof of income or a source-of-funds statement.
Foreign bank cards work well in Georgia — ATMs are everywhere, fees are 1–3%. Withdrawing cash on day one means you can take your time before opening a local account.
How does healthcare work for foreigners in Georgia?
Georgia's healthcare system is privately run. State hospitals technically exist, but quality varies significantly. Foreigners without a residence permit have no access to free care — every service is paid.
What this means in practice: a doctor's consultation costs 20–50 GEL, an ambulance call 50–150 GEL, lab tests 5–80 GEL. A serious operation or hospitalization starts at 1,000 GEL and up.
Insurance — not required for entry, but strongly recommended. International policies (ERGO, AXA, and similar) cover treatment costs. A monthly policy for Georgia starts at $20–40. For longer stays consider local insurance — Aldagi, Imedi L, GPI — from 50–80 GEL per month, including routine appointments.
Major private clinics in Tbilisi operate at a high standard: Evex Medical Center, GNC Clinic, MediClub Georgia. Staff typically speak English. In emergencies call 112.
Can you work remotely from Georgia?
Georgia is one of the most convenient countries for digital nomads and remote workers. Low taxes, reliable internet, and a UTC+4 time zone that works well for collaboration with Europe and the Middle East.
Virtual Zone tax status — a special regime for IT companies. When a Georgian legal entity works exclusively with foreign clients, corporate income tax is 0%. VAT on services delivered outside Georgia is also 0%. This attracts developers, designers, and marketers.
Sole trader (Individual Entrepreneur) in Georgia — the simplest option. Registration takes one day at the House of Justice (Besiki St., Tbilisi) and costs 20 GEL. Small businesses with "small entrepreneur" status (annual turnover up to 500,000 GEL) pay 1% tax on turnover. An accountant is helpful but costs only 100–200 GEL per month.
Internet: Tbilisi is on par with major European capitals. Cafe and co-working speeds run 50–200 Mbps; a SIM with 10 GB of mobile data costs around 15 GEL per month. Best providers: Magti, Geocell, Beeline Georgia.
What should you do in your first days in Georgia?
Just arrived — what next? Here is a practical order of steps:
- Day 1. Buy a SIM card (at the airport or any Magti/Geocell shop). Withdraw cash from an ATM. Get to your accommodation — a Bolt ride from the airport to the city center is around 20 GEL.
- Days 1–3. Open an account at TBC or Bank of Georgia. You will need: your passport, a local number, and an address.
- Days 2–5. Get medical insurance — online or in an Aldagi/GPI office.
- Days 3–7. If you plan a long stay — register your place of residence (entry notification via the eservices.mia.gov.ge portal; mandatory within 90 days for citizens of some countries).
- If needed. Register as a sole trader at the House of Justice if you plan to conduct business officially.
The main takeaway: there is no need to rush anything in the first few days. Georgia is a country where most things work out more easily than expected. Language is no barrier: English is spoken without any issues in Tbilisi. Many newcomers spend their first days on a newcomer's tour — 4 hours with Timur through the real city rather than just the tourist spots.
How do you get a residence permit in Georgia?
If you plan to stay in Georgia for more than 365 days or want legal work status, visa-free entry alone is not enough. Here are the main options.
Residence permit (RP): obtained through marriage to a Georgian citizen, family reunification, official employment with a Georgian legal entity, study at an accredited institution, or significant investment (from $100,000 in the Georgian economy). Processing time is 1–3 months; applications go through the House of Justice.
Permanent residence: available after 6 consecutive years on a residence permit. Also possible through a simplified procedure when owning property in Georgia valued at $100,000 or more.
Stateless person status: a separate category for those who are not officially citizens of any country. Georgia provides them with status and documentation.
For most digital nomads and tourists none of this is necessary: the 365-day visa-free regime fully covers their needs. If you want to stay long-term, consult a local immigration lawyer first. A consultation costs 50–100 GEL.
Common questions about Georgia visa requirements
Do I need to apply for anything before travelling? No. No applications, forms, or electronic travel authorizations. Just show up with your passport.
Can I enter through a third country? Yes. Georgia does not require direct flights. Routing through Istanbul, Dubai, Yerevan, or Baku all works fine.
Can I work remotely for a foreign employer? In practice yes; legally it sits in a grey area. There is no active enforcement, but technically it constitutes work. Opening a sole trader entity is the safest approach.
What happens if I overstay 365 days? A fine of 500 to 1,000 GEL and a mandatory departure. Repeated violations can result in an entry ban. Border officers track entry and exit dates automatically.
Is a return ticket required? Formally no. Officers sometimes ask — any confirmation of a planned departure is enough.