Residence in Georgia through family reunification
Residence for the spouse, minor child or dependant of someone who already holds Georgian residence or citizenship. The relationship provides the grounds, but the family evidences the income.
- Family members of a foreign national holding a residence permit in Georgia
For the spouse of a Georgian citizen the law introduced grounds and a procedure of their own. The application is examined by an interdepartmental commission of representatives from the Interior Ministry, the State Security Service and the Agency: it may interview the spouses together and separately, request evidence of the family relationship and inspect where they live. Refusing to cooperate is itself grounds for refusal. The permit is issued for 1 year, renewed for 2 years at a time, and for no more than 5 years in total; after 5 years, with the marriage still in place, permanent residence is granted.
Since 1 March 2026 a foreigner without permanent residence may work for a Georgian employer, remotely included, or run a business only after obtaining the right to work from the Employment Support Agency. Family reunification residence doesn't confer that right on its own.
Who it suits
- Family members of a foreign national holding a residence permit in Georgia
- The spouse of a foreigner who already holds Georgian residence through work, business or study
- Parents bringing minor children to a Georgian residence holder
- A fully dependent relative or dependant of a residence holder who has no grounds of their own
Residence permit in Georgia: comparing the options
The difference is not the price — it is who each option suits. The “Best for” column is the business profile the option is built around.
| Option | Best for | Timeline | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Through familyyou are here | The spouse of a foreigner who already holds Georgian residence through work, business or study, parents bringing minor children to a Georgian residence holder, a fully dependent relative or dependant of a residence holder who has no grounds of their own | 4–9 weeks | from $170 |
| Through business | The owner of an operating Georgian sole trader or company with turnover of at least GEL 50,000 a year, a digital nomad who registered as a sole trader in Georgia to put their income on a legal footing, a co-owner renewing the permit as the company grows | 4–9 weeks | from $170 |
| Through employment | Employees with an employment contract already signed at a Georgian company, specialists invited by a Georgian employer to a permanent position, people already in Georgia on a visa or visa-free stay who want to legalise their status through employment | 4–9 weeks | from $170 |
| For new sole traders | An entrepreneur who has just opened a sole trader in Georgia and can't wait a year of turnover for ordinary work residence, a freelancer or independent contractor moving income to a Georgian sole trader and legalising their status at the start, the owner of a young company with one or two foreigners on staff who needs six months to build up turnover | 4–9 weeks | from $170 |
| For IT specialists | A developer or engineer with 2+ years' experience who can show regular payments for IT work, a sole trader on small business status working under software development and IT consulting codes, a manager or representative of an international company authorised to run it from Georgia | 2–3 months | from $170 |
| Through study | A student already enrolled on a programme at a Georgian university who needs status for the length of the course, a student on an authorised college vocational programme — the grounds are the same as for a university student, a student renewing status for the next year: renewal is filed in advance, on the same terms | 4–9 weeks | from $170 |
| Through property | Owners of a flat or house in Georgia bought to live in, not to resell, investors who already own, or plan to buy, residential property for the residence permit, families moving to Georgia who need legal status for longer than the tourist period | 4–9 weeks | from $340 |
| Through investment | An owner of Georgian property worth more than the equivalent of USD 300,000 who wants long status with no tie to an employer, an entrepreneur who has invested in a Georgian company and is ready to evidence turnover annually, someone heading for indefinite status in five years on investment grounds, rather than accruing ten years on temporary permits | 4–9 weeks | from $340 |
What the service includes
| Checking the grounds: whether the sponsor's permit is valid, whether the relationship is on the statutory list, whether the income covers twice the subsistence minimum | |
| Preparing the pack: translating the relationship documents, checking the apostille and legalisation, gathering proof of income | |
| Filling in and filing the application with the Public Service Development Agency — a separate application for each family member | |
| Choosing the review period and calculating the state fee for that speed | |
| Running the case during the review, including checks of the details at the stated address | |
| Providing a registration address and issuing the resident card once approved | |
| State fees for reviewing the application and for the resident card — the rate depends on the speed chosen— billed separately | |
| Translation, apostille and legalisation of foreign documents, the notarised power of attorney and the other parent's consent for the child to travel— billed separately | |
| The right to work: this permit doesn't allow employment, which is arranged separately | |
| The sponsor's status: if the host doesn't hold residence yet, they obtain it on their own grounds— billed separately |
Official terms
Financial requirement
You prove an income of at least 2 subsistence minimums. The fee is GEL 300–600 (≈$120–230) depending on the processing time.
Timelines and rights
Review time
10 days — GEL 600 (≈$230), 20 days — GEL 450 (≈$170), 30 days — GEL 300 (≈$120).
Right to work
This permit by itself does not allow work. From 1 March 2026 the right to work is obtained separately at the Employment Promotion Agency: up to 30 calendar days, a fee of up to GEL 500 (≈$190).
Residence conditions
The law sets no threshold of days in the country. The 183-day rule applies to the IT residence permit and, from 1 September 2026, to the study permit.
Documents and programme requirements
- 1The sponsor holds valid Georgian residence or Georgian citizenship — without that there are no grounds
- 2A relationship from the statutory list: spouse, minor child, fully dependent person or dependant
- 3A document evidencing the relationship: a marriage or birth certificate, or guardianship papers. Documents issued outside Georgia — translated and apostilled or legalised
- 4Proof of income: monthly, at least twice the subsistence minimum for an average consumer. The applicant, the sponsor or a relative with the right of residence can show the money
- 5A passport and proof of lawful stay; if entering on an immigration visa — a copy of it (category D4), plus a 3×4 photo
- 6The application is filed 40 calendar days before lawful stay expires; for a minor, by a legal representative
What comes next: permanent residence and citizenship
Route to permanent residence
Spouses and minor children of Georgian citizens, and parents of minor citizens, may ask for permanent residence without the 10-year qualifying period. Other relatives need 10 years on temporary residence permits.
Route to citizenship
The spouse of a Georgian citizen applies for citizenship under the simplified procedure after 5 years of lawful residence. The examination in the language, history and law is taken by everyone.
Frequently asked questions
How much money has to be shown, and whose can it be?
How long is the permit issued for, and what's checked on renewal?
What if the application is refused?
Related breakdowns
What Georgian residence costs in 2026: prices from $170
Real prices for Georgian residence in 2026: business and work from $170, property from $340. What's included, timelines and state fees.
Georgia's 1% tax: who gets small business status
Small business status gives a sole trader 1% on turnover up to GEL 500,000. Who is refused, which income falls outside it and when the rate rises to 3%.
Tax filing in Georgia: rs.ge deadlines and nil returns
A sole trader in Georgia files monthly by the 15th through the rs.ge portal. What to do with no turnover, how to pay the tax and when to hire an accountant.
We'll check your case before you pay
Send an enquiry — we will check your case and help you arrange “Residence in Georgia through family reunification” in Georgia. No markup on top.
We'll cover: whether you qualify, the full cost with fees, realistic timelines, the document list. If it's not for you, we'll say so.