Emigration to Georgia 2025 for Ukrainians: obtaining a visa, relocation opportunities, rules for obtaining a residence permit and work permit

Georgia attracts emigrants with the friendliness of the locals, housing and employment opportunities, low taxes and minimal bureaucracy. Find out what are the rules for entering Georgia for Ukrainians, whether you need to apply for a visa, find a job and get a residence permit

Legal advice on migration issues

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In 2023, Ukrainians made up the third largest group of immigrants in Georgia, according to Evropeiska Pravda. At that time, 20,700 Ukrainians lived in the country. The pace of emigration in 2024 and 2025 has only accelerated, so the issue of moving to Georgia is currently relevant for many. Ukrainians say they feel ‘at home’ in this country.

Georgia is an open and hospitable country for Ukrainians. However, like any other country, it has its own nuances of migration processes. These details can be found on a special map of Georgia on the Visit Ukraine portal. And to make your migration quick, convenient and successful, we have collected answers to the most common questions in this article:

- Does Georgia accept refugees from Ukraine?

- Do Ukrainians need a visa to Georgia?

- What are the conditions for obtaining a permanent residence permit in Georgia for Ukrainians?

- How to obtain Georgian citizenship?

Read more about this and more.

Visa to Georgia for Ukrainians 2025: visa-free regime

In 2018, the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine and the Government of Georgia signed an agreement on the mutual cancellation of visa requirements. Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, visa-free travel has been extended several times, but on 3 April 2025, the Prime Minister of Georgia, Irakli Kobakhidze, signed a decree that set the visa-free period at 1 year.

Actions of a Ukrainian migrant after the end of the visa-free regime

If you have lived in Georgia for a year, but do not want to leave it after the visa-free regime expires, you have three options:

1) obtain a ‘temporary residence permit’;

2) make a ‘visa corridor’;

3) obtain a residence permit.

Details of each of the procedures for Ukrainians after visa-free travel to Georgia can be found here.

How to obtain a residence permit in Georgia?

What are the conditions for obtaining a residence permit in Georgia?

There are several grounds for obtaining a residence permit in Georgia that allow foreigners to legally reside in the country for a long time. One of the most common grounds is employment, which requires an official job invitation from a Georgian employer. Another ground is studying at an accredited Georgian educational institution. Residence permits can also be obtained by persons who have relatives who are Georgian citizens or persons with a residence permit in Georgia.

Conducting business in Georgia is also a ground for obtaining a residence permit. To do this, you need to register a company and confirm that you are engaged in real economic activity, for example, reaching a certain annual turnover or investing in the country's economy. Investments of USD 300,000 or more automatically qualify for a residence permit.

Persons who own real estate in Georgia worth more than USD 100,000 may also apply for a residence permit. In addition, persons receiving income from sources in Georgia, such as pensions or rental income, may be granted a residence permit, provided they can prove that they have sufficient income to live in the country.

Conditions for obtaining a residence permit for entrepreneurs

In order to obtain a residence permit, an entrepreneur must have an annual turnover of at least $50 thousand in the first year, at least $100 thousand in the second year, and at least $120 thousand in the third, fourth and fifth years.

Conditions for obtaining an investment residence permit

In order to obtain an investment residence permit, a number of requirements must be met:

- an entrepreneur must invest at least $300 thousand in the country's economy

- the person owns real estate in Georgia (except for agricultural land) worth at least $300 thousand;

- the entrepreneur has an account in any Georgian bank, which must contain at least 800 GEL or the equivalent amount in another currency;

- the applicant has health insurance for a minimum period of 4 months;

- the state fee is paid.

Please note: An application for a residence permit must be submitted at least 45 days before the expiry of the visa or the permitted period of visa-free stay.

What documents are required to obtain a residence permit in Georgia

- a foreign passport;

- a copy of the visa (if available);

- an extract from the State Register confirming the ownership of real estate;

- purchase and sale agreement;

- 3x4 photos;

- an independent expert's report on the value of the property (the expert must be accredited by the Centre for Accreditation of Legal Entities under Public Law);

- application (to be filled in by the operator of the House of Justice).

- recommendations from two Georgian citizens;

- bank statement;

- a certificate of residence.

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To Georgian citizenship in 4 steps

Please note! You can obtain Georgian citizenship only after living in the country for 10 years on legal grounds.

Step 1. Deadlines for obtaining residency status

1. Submit an application on the website of the Public Services Development Agency.

2. Wait for a positive decision and get a resident status.

3. Obtain a temporary resident status for a period of 1 to 5 years.

4. Apply for permanent resident status if you have lived in Georgia for 5 years.

Step 2. Pass the Georgian language and history test

Starting from 1 May 2024, an innovation will be introduced - everyone who wishes to obtain Georgian citizenship must pass a test of knowledge of the language and history of the country. The State Services Agency determines the terms and conditions of the exam and conducts the procedure. Exam questions can be found on the Agency's website.

Step 3. Obtaining citizenship

If you have lived in Georgia for 10 years and have successfully passed the exam, you have the right to submit an application and dossier for citizenship:

- if you are in Georgia - the documents are sent to the House of Justice or the Public Service Agency;

- if you are abroad, the documents are submitted to the Georgian embassy or consulate.

The application is processed within 3 months. After that, the competent state authority of the country of origin approves the renunciation of citizenship, and the executive bodies of Georgia invite you to take the oath and receive a certificate of citizenship.

Please note! Your children under the age of 18 can acquire citizenship together with you by naturalisation.

List of documents required for obtaining Georgian citizenship

1. an application filled in the prescribed form;

2. a photograph of 3 x 4 cm in size;

3. birth certificate;

4. proof of continuous legal residence in Georgia for the last 10 years;

5. proof of employment, entrepreneurial activity or ownership of real estate, shares, etc;

6. a receipt for payment of the state fee.

Step 4. Preparation of internal documents in Georgia

Just like in Ukraine, you need two identity documents in Georgia:

- ID card for identification in the country;

- a foreign passport for travelling abroad.

Both documents can be obtained at the House of Justice, but a certificate of citizenship must be added to the standard list of documents. The production time is 2 weeks.

Visit Ukraine specialists can help you at each stage of migration - get a consultation and make sure your emigration to Georgia is successful!

Find outwhat you need to get a job in Georgia here.

Remember. To travel to Georgia, you should definitely take out health insurance, as your safety and health are the guarantor of all successful projects around the world.

Photo: Yurydychnyy Herald of Ukraine

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