Georgia has one of the world’s most uncomplicated visa policies. Many nationalities are offered a visa exemption of up to a whole year. Most of the rest can quickly obtain a Georgia visa online (eVisa).
Even those nationalities that are not eligible for an eVisa can get a tourist visa from one of the many Georgian embassies abroad.
Georgia is a remarkably welcoming country and tourism is booming. In this article, you will find everything you need to know about tourist visas for Georgia:
- Who is exempt from a visa
- What kinds of Georgian tourist visas exist and which one is best for you
- What are the visa requirements
- How to obtain a tourist visa for Georgia
- What are the entry and exit procedures
Table of Contents
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GEORGIA VISA POLICY
Georgia allows visa-free entry to citizens of 101 countries and territories, including the EU, US, UK, Australia, and Canada (full list below).
In general, visa-exempt individuals can stay up to 365 days, one of the most generous allowances in the world.
Visa-exempt are also those holding valid visas or residence permits for the EU, US, Australia, and Canada among others (full list below). The duration of the visa exemption in this case is up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
In addition, most other nationalities can get a multiple-entry eVisa online allowing stays for up to 30 or 90 days depending on their passport.
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GEORGIA VISA TYPES
There are three main ways to enter Georgia as a tourist.
- Take advantage of the generous visa exemption
- Acquire an eVisa through the Georgian government eVisa portal
- Apply for a regular tourist visa from one of the Georgian diplomatic missions abroad
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GEORGIA VISA REQUIREMENTS
If you intend to visit Georgia as a tourist, bear in mind the certain conditions and requirements for obtaining a visa and entering the country.
Passport validity required to enter Georgia as a tourist
The passport validity required depends on the method you use to enter Georgia.
Entering Visa Exempt
If you are visa-exempt, your passport should be valid at the time of entry and for the intended duration of your stay. This is despite the fact that a visa exemption is granted for up to 365 days. Note that this requirement may be different for other countries you may want to visit in the region.
Entering on an eVisa
If you’re applying for an eVisa, your passport must be valid for at least 3 months over the validity of the eVisa. This is regardless of your actual dates of entry or exit from the country.
For example, if your Georgian eVisa is valid from 5 August 2024 until 5 December 2024, then your passport must be valid until at least 5 March 2025 (3 months after the expiry date of the eVisa)
Entering on a tourist visa from a Georgian embassy
Should you not be eligible for an eVisa and instead have to apply at an embassy, then the required passport validity may be different depending on your location and will be confirmed by the embassy itself.
In general, for a Georgian tourist visa, embassies require that your passport is valid for at least 3 months more than the validity of the issued visa (just like with the eVisa).
Return or onward ticket out of Georgia
A return or onward ticket is not required to enter Georgia if you’re visa-exempt.
It is required if entering using an eVisa. Border officers rarely ask but should they, you must be prepared. If you don’t have plans yet, consider using an onward ticket service.
Officially, if you are traveling by other means of transport, a flight ticket is not required.
If you’re applying for a visa from an embassy of Georgia, then the embassy will likely ask for both a flight into the country and out of it.
Visa EXEMPT nationalities
There are 101 countries and territories that are visa-exempt for Georgia. Unless otherwise specified, visa exemption is for up to 365 days per entry:
- Albania
- Andorra
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Argentina
- Armenia
- Australia
- Austria
- Azerbaijan
- Bahamas
- Bahrain
- Barbados
- Belarus
- Belgium
- Belize
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Botswana
- Brazil
- Brunei
- Bulgaria
- Canada
- China (30 days)
- Chile (90 days within a 180-day period)
- Colombia
- Costa Rica
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czechia
- Denmark
- Territories of the Kingdom of Denmark – Faroe Islands and Greenland
- Dominican Republic
- Ecuador
- El Salvador
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Territories of the French Republic – French Polynesia and New Caledonia
- Germany
- Greece
- Honduras
- Hong Kong (30 days)
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Iran (45 days)
- Israel
- Italy
- Japan
- Jordan
- Kazakhstan
- Kuwait
- Kyrgyzstan
- Latvia
- Lebanon
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malaysia
- Malta
- Mauritius
- Mexico
- Moldova
- Monaco
- Montenegro
- Netherlands
- Territories of the Kingdom of the Netherlands – Aruba and Netherlands Antilles
- New Zealand
- North Macedonia (90 days within a 180-day period)
- Norway
- Oman
- Panama
- Poland
- Portugal
- Qatar
- Romania
- Russia
- Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
- San Marino
- Saudi Arabia
- Serbia
- Seychelles
- Singapore
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- South Africa
- South Korea
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Tajikistan
- Thailand
- The Vatican
- Turkey
- Turkmenistan
- Ukraine (2 years)
- United Arab Emirates
- United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
- Overseas territories of the United Kingdom – Bermuda Islands, Cayman Islands, British Virgin Islands, Falkland Islands, Turks and Caicos Islands, Gibraltar
- Crown Dependencies of the United Kingdom – Jersey, Guernsey, and the Isle of Man
- United States of America
- Uruguay (90 days)
- Uzbekistan
eVISA eligible nationalities
There are 59 countries that are eligible for a Georgian eVisa.
Two tiers exist: one allowing 90 days within a 180-day period and one allowing 30 days within a 120-day period. Both allow multiple entries into Georgia.
90 days per 180-day period
- Bolivia
- Cuba
- Dominica
- Grenada
- Guatemala
- Kiribati
- Marshall Islands
- Micronesia
- Palau
- Paraguay
- Peru
- Saint Kitts and Nevis
- Saint Lucia
- Samoa
- Solomon Islands
- Suriname
- Timor-Leste
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Tuvalu
- Vanuatu
30 days per 120-day period
- Angola
- Benin
- Bhutan
- Burkina Faso
- Burundi
- Cape Verde
- Central African Republic
- Comoros
- Djibouti
- Egypt
- Equatorial Guinea
- Eritrea
- Eswatini
- Ethiopia
- Fiji
- Guinea-Bissau
- Guyana
- Haiti
- India (*)
- Indonesia
- Jamaica
- Laos
- Lesotho
- Macau
- Madagascar
- Malawi
- Maldives
- Mongolia
- Mozambique
- Namibia
- North Korea
- Papua New Guinea
- Philippines
- Rwanda
- São Tomé and Príncipe
- Togo
- Vietnam
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
* For citizens of India, an additional online DuVerify application is required
Visa REQUIRED nationalities
All other countries and regions not listed above require a visa from a Georgian embassy in order to enter Georgia as a tourist.
If your country is gray on the map above, you must acquire a visa from a Georgian embassy in order to visit as a tourist.
Nationalities REFUSED access to Georgia
Passport holders from Kosovo, Palestine, and Taiwan are refused visas, entry, and even transit because Georgia does not officially recognize these countries.
Visas MAY be issued on an individual basis. If you hold one of these passports, obtaining a Georgian visa may vary from impossible to incredibly hard and troublesome.
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GEORGIA VISA EXEMPTION
Georgia is incredibly welcoming and very liberal when it comes to granting visa exemptions. Many countries and residents of these countries can visit Georgia without a visa.
By Nationality
Passport holders of 101 countries and territories are granted a visa exemption for Georgia. Refer to the full list of nationalities eligible for a visa exemption above.
By Citizenship
In addition, residents of 46 countries and territories are also visa-exempt regardless of their own nationality or passport. This does not apply to passport holders from Kosovo, Palestine, and Taiwan.
A valid visa or residence permit from one of these 46 countries and territories allows visa-free access to Georgia:
- Australia
- Austria
- Bahrain
- Belgium
- Bulgaria
- Canada
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Israel
- Italy
- Japan
- Kuwait
- Latvia
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Netherlands
- New Zealand
- Norway
- Oman
- Poland
- Portugal
- Qatar
- Romania
- Saudi Arabia
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- South Korea
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- United Arab Emirates
- United Kingdom
- United Kingdom Overseas territories – Bermuda Islands, Cayman Islands, British Virgin Islands, Falkland Islands, Turks and Caicos Islands, Gibraltar
- United States
Entering Georgia without a passport (just an ID card)
Citizens of the EU, Turkey, Switzerland, and Ukraine do not need to have a passport to travel to Georgia. They can present their ID card (valid for the expected duration of the trip) instead.
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GEORGIA eVISA
Obtaining a Georgian eVisa online is the easiest way to visit Georgia if you’re not from a country that’s visa-exempt. Check out this in-depth Georgian eVisa guide for detailed information.
eVisa validity
The eVisa validity is either 120 days or 180 days depending on the country. These denote the length of time when you can enter Georgia. Do not mistake this for the length of allowed stay.
The eVisa allows access for either 30 days (out of a 120-day period) or 90 days (out of a 180-day period) depending on the passport you’re applying with. Refer to the lists above to see the countries that are eligible for either duration of the eVisa.
The Georgian eVisa allows multiple entries. This means that during the validity of the visa, you can leave Georgia (say, to visit neighboring Armenia or Azerbaijan) and later reenter.
You cannot stay in Georgia longer than 30 or 90 days respectively even if you leave and reenter.
For example, if you hold an Indian passport (allowed 30 days within a 120-day period) and stay in Georgia for 20 days, leave the country then reenter on the same eVisa, you will only be able to stay 10 more days.
Documents required
Everyone applying for the eVisa must have these documents when starting the application:
- A scanned copy of a valid passport’s ID page in PDF format
- A digital photo:
- Compliant with the ICAO standards
- Maximum size of 472 x 600 pixels or 4 x 5.16 cm
- 300 DPI resolution
- Your debit or credit card ready to pay the 20$ eVisa fee.
The following list of things, you declare that you can present to the border official if asked. They are not required to obtain the eVisa, but you may be asked to show any or all of them at the border.
- Travel Insurance
- Return or onward ticket
- Hotel reservation
- Proof that you have sufficient funds to cover all the costs associated with your trip to Georgia
Application procedure
The application for the Georgian eVisa is incredibly simple and straightforward. The official Georgian eVisa website is well-made and user-friendly. Completing the application will take you around 15 minutes.
Refer to this step-by-step guide about applying to the Georgian eVisa for the detailed procedure. To summarize, the main steps are:
- Check eVisa eligibility and the necessary documents according to nationality
- Pick the start date of the eVisa validity
- Enter personal information and upload a photo
- Verify all information and receive an email confirmation
- Approve the application in your email within 5 hours
- Pay the eVisa through the online portal
- Receive the Georgian eVisa in your email within 5 business days
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GEORGIA TOURIST VISA FROM THE EMBASSY
Unlike the simple eVisa, obtaining a tourist visa from a Georgian embassy is a little more complicated.
Officially, the Georgian government requires that people apply for visas in an embassy in their own country. If there is no Georgian embassy, then they must apply in the closest neighboring state’s embassy.
Application requirements
The required documents may differ from country to country. Please consult with the Georgian embassy.
You must present:
- Passport
- Valid at least 3 months more than the expiry of the visa
- Containing at least 2 empty pages
- Issued within the last 10 years
- Visa application filled out electronically
- Receipt of payment of consular fee (50$)
- Digital color photo (3×4)
- Travel Insurance
- Bank statement showing you have enough money to cover your expenses
- Return ticket
- (Maybe also) Proof of employment or study, proof of family bonds or proof of owning property
- (Maybe also) Itinerary for Georgia and/or written intentions for visit
- (Maybe also) Letter of Invitation
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TRAVELING TO ABKHAZIA AND SOUTH OSSETIA
Abkhazia and South Ossetia are two territories considered by Georgia an intrinsic part of their country but occupied by Russia.
Without going into the politics of the issue, they are generally not covered under the Georgian tourist visa nor the visa exemption. This means that you must obtain an additional separate visa for Abkhazia or permission from the MFA to visit South Ossetia if you wish to enter either of them.
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ENTRY AND EXIT PROCEDURE AT THE AIRPORT
Entering Georgia by Air
Head straight to the immigration desks. If you’re from a visa-exempt country present your passport, receive a stamp, and enjoy Georgia.
If you hold a visa or a residence permit from an eligible country, present it with your passport to prove visa-exempt status.
If you have an e-visa or a regular tourist visa from the embassy, proceed to the immigration desks and be ready to present all documents that the border officer may ask for. These are listed in the ‘documents required’ and ‘application requirements’ above.
When you receive the stamp in your passport, double-check the date you must leave by and proceed to baggage reclaim or the arrivals area.
Leaving Georgia by Air
When exiting Georgia at the airport, you must pass passport control. Present your passport and boarding card and proceed. Unless you’ve overstayed your visa, it should be seamless.
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ENTRY AND EXIT PROCEDURE AT THE LAND BORDER
Entering Georgia by Train
The train from Armenia to Georgia stops at the Armenia-Georgia border where you will have to get off the train and line up at the immigration office.
If you hold a visa or residence permit from an eligible country, present it to the immigration officers. If you hold an eVisa, present it along with your passport.
The Georgian border checkpoint at the Armenia-Georgia border is notorious for strict screening, questioning and deportation. Therefore, make sure you carry every piece of documentation that can help convince the immigration officers that you are a genuine tourist and would leave the country promptly after your trip.
Make sure you carry the following:
- Your onward or return ticket
- Hotel reservation for the entire trip
- Travel medical insurance covering the entire trip
- At least 1,000 USD in cash per person
IMPORTANT
Carrying enough cash in USD is very important. The immigration officers do not consider credit/debit cards, bank statements or bank apps as proof of financial means. They only consider cash in USD. So make sure you carry at least 1,000 USD in cash per person.
Leaving Georgia by Train
When leaving Georgia by train, you do not have to get off the train. The immigration officers come into the train and stamp you out in your passport.
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)
Do I need a visa for Georgia?
This depends on the passport you’re holding and if you have any relevant visas or residence permits. Refer to the lists in the article or use the eVisa portal application to find out.
How many days can I stay in Georgia without a visa?
Most nationalities that are visa-exempt can stay in Georgia for up to 365 consecutive days.
Can I get a visa for Georgia online?
If you’re not visa-exempt and eligible for an eVisa, you can obtain it online on the Georgia eVisa portal.
Do Americans need a visa for Georgia?
No, Americans are visa-exempt for Georgia for up to 365 days.
Do EU citizens need a visa for Georgia?
No, EU citizens are visa-exempt for Georgia for up to 365 days. As a matter of fact, they can enter using just their ID card!
Do Indians need a visa for Georgia?
Yes, Indians need a visa to travel to Georgia. Indian nationals are eligible for an eVisa valid for 120 days allowing multiple entry to Georgia for up to 30 days in total.
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CONCLUSION
This article is your ultimate resource for all things about a visa for Georgia, including visa-exempt countries, eVisa-eligible countries and procedures, and tourist visa requirements and documents needed.
Check out some of the other related visa guides:
