Georgia Visa Guide 2026: Eligibility, Exemptions, and How to Apply

(GEORGIA) From January 1, 2026, Georgia will require proof of travel insurance from every incoming traveler, including people using visa-free entry. That single document check is now as important as your passport, and it can decide whether you board a plane or clear the border.

For travelers who built plans around Georgia’s easy access, the change matters because it applies to tourists, business visitors, students, and long-term movers alike. It also arrives alongside tighter rules for certain nationalities, making it smart to confirm your status early and prepare a clean, complete file.

January 1, 2026: the new mandatory travel insurance check at entry

Georgia’s updated Law on Tourism makes travel insurance mandatory for the entire stay, with a minimum coverage of 30,000 GEL (about $11,000 or €10,000). Border officials will accept digital proof on a phone, but travelers who arrive without coverage should expect to buy it on the spot, often at a 50–100% markup.

Plan your policy like a border document, not an optional add-on. It should:

• Cover medical emergencies and evacuation
• Match your full dates in Georgia
• Be extendable if your trip might lengthen, because officers can ask for coverage that spans your actual stay

Step 1 (same day): confirm whether you qualify for visa-free entry, and for how long

Georgia still runs one of the broadest entry waiver systems in the region, with visa-free entry for citizens of over 90 countries for short stays. Many travelers — including passport holders from the United States 🇺🇸, Canada 🇨🇦, the EU, the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and South Korea — can enter without a visa for 90 days in any 180-day period.

• United States 🇺🇸 citizens have a special rule: they can stay 365 days for tourism, work, or study without a visa. This does not remove the insurance requirement, nor does it prevent questions about funds or accommodation.

Always verify your nationality’s current status on the Georgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs portal, because lists change and exceptions appear in practice. The government publishes the official eligibility tools and e-visa system through the Georgia consular services portal, which is the best place to confirm whether you need a visa.

A common practical pitfall: some nationalities may use a national ID card instead of a passport under specific rules, but many carriers still require a passport for airline travel. Carry whatever your carrier requires, not just what border law allows.

April 17, 2025: tighter conditions for visa-free entry for 17 nationalities

On April 17, 2025, Georgia amended rules to curb illegal migration, targeting nationals of 17 countries:

• Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Ghana, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Yemen, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Morocco, Nigeria, Pakistan, Somalia, Syria, Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda

Previously, some travelers could rely on a Gulf state (GCC) visa or residence permit for entry conditions. Now the document must be a multiple-entry visa or permit valid for at least one year at the time of entry. Without that qualifying document, travelers from these countries must apply for a Georgian visa rather than relying on visa-free entry.

That rule is simple on paper but strict in practice. If your document expires soon, is single-entry, or is not valid for a full year at arrival, expect problems at boarding or at the border.

Picking the right visa for Georgia: short stay versus long-term move

Georgia’s system typically follows four common paths:

1. Visa-free entry — short visits under the allowed stay rules (often 90/180, and 365 days for United States citizens).
2. E-visa (C-type) — online applications for tourism, business, culture/sports, medical visits, and family visits, typically 30–90 days depending on category.
3. Sticker visas (C and D) — consular applications for short stays not covered by e-visa, or for long-term purposes like work, study, and family reunification.
4. Transit visas — short transit stays up to 5 days, typically tied to proof of onward travel.

Table: Visa types at a glance

VisaVerge.com reports that travelers most often run into trouble when they choose a short-stay option for a trip that is really work, study, or relocation. Georgian officers focus less on the visa label and more on whether your documents and story match your purpose.

Step 2 (1–2 weeks before travel): build a border-ready document set

Even with visa-free entry, Georgia’s border guards can ask for proof that your trip is real and manageable. Prepare a simple folder you can show quickly:

• Passport valid at least 3 months beyond your intended stay
• Travel insurance meeting the 30,000 GEL minimum and covering the full dates
• Accommodation proof (hotel booking or host address)
• Onward or return ticket
• Proof of funds, commonly referenced as €50 per day in practice

Keep both digital copies and paper backups. Airlines can enforce document checks before you reach Georgia, and airline staff often want a clear, quick answer at check-in.

Step 3 (about 2–4 weeks before travel): apply for an e-visa if you need one

For eligible nationalities, the e-visa is the fastest formal visa route, handled online through the Georgia consular portal. Processing is listed as 5 working days, and applicants are advised to apply two or more weeks early.

Follow these steps:

1. Complete the online application with accurate personal and travel details.
2. Upload documents: passport scan, photo, bookings, insurance, and proof of purpose (e.g., invitation).
3. Pay the fee by card; fees range from $20 to $100 depending on type and length.
4. Receive the PDF decision and keep a printed copy as backup.

E-visa refusal rates are cited at 5–10%, with incomplete documents and weak purpose evidence as common triggers. Strong applications show a clear plan, a genuine place to stay, and sufficient funds.

Step 4 (about 3–6 weeks before travel): apply at an embassy for sticker C or D visas

If you are not eligible for an e-visa, or you need a long-term D visa for work, study, family reunification, entrepreneurship, or investment, plan for an in-person consular process. Processing is listed from 5 to 30 days, with D visas often nearer the longer end.

Typical consular file contents:

• Passport and photo
• Travel insurance
• Proof of funds
• Supporting letters (employer, school, invitation)
• For D visas: criminal record certificate and stronger evidence of genuine long-term purpose

Typical fee ranges:

• C visas: $50–200
• D visas: $100–300

Fees vary by nationality and category.

Step 5 (arrival day): what happens at the border, and how to avoid a refusal

On arrival, officers can ask short questions and request documents even if you have visa-free entry. Answer simply and consistently:

• Where you will stay
• How long you will remain
• What you will do
• How you will pay for the trip

The insurance rule is central: if your policy dates do not cover your entire intended stay, fix it before travel or be ready to purchase coverage immediately.

Important enforcement notes:

Overstays can be costly and consequential. Penalties can start at 180 GEL per day, and overstays of 30+ days can trigger deportation and a 1–5 year re-entry ban. Enforcement tightened in 2025, with 12,000+ overstays cited as part of the crackdown.

Extending time in Georgia after entry: what to do before your stay expires

If your plans change and you want to stay longer, act before your current stay ends. Extensions and related services run through the Public Service Development Agency (PSDA) offices and the House of Justice. Bring updated proof of funds and updated insurance that covers the extended period.

Key extension details:

• Fees: around $50–150
• Short-stay extensions are often limited in length
• D-based status tends to be renewable in yearly cycles

Treat extensions like a deadline-driven filing; waiting until the last day increases risk. For higher-risk situations (for example, families dealing with surrogacy or delayed documents), expect procedural delays and possible court steps for exit clearances.

Travelers should also monitor advisories: the United States State Department listed Georgia at Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution in late 2025 due to protests, which can affect travel logistics and appointments.