Former Citizen Residence Permit in Georgia (2026)
The Former Citizen Residence Permit is granted to a foreign national who previously held Georgian citizenship that has since ended — most often renounced or terminated when the person acquired another nationality. It is generally issued for six years and is renewable, giving former citizens a long-term basis to live in Georgia without qualifying under the work, investment or family routes.
Last reviewed: 31 August 2026 · Last checked: 12 November 2026
A Former Citizen Residence Permit is the residence permit granted to a foreign national who previously held Georgian citizenship but has since lost or renounced it. It lets former Georgian citizens live in Georgia again on the strength of that history, on a long-term basis, without having to satisfy the work, investment or family criteria.
Who is eligible
A foreigner may obtain a Former Citizen Residence Permit if:
- they previously held Georgian citizenship, and
- their Georgian citizenship was terminated in accordance with Georgian legislation.
The permit is available regardless of the applicant’s current citizenship, provided the person can demonstrate their former Georgian citizenship status.
Duration
The Former Citizen Residence Permit is generally issued for six years — a notably long term among Georgia’s residence permits. It may be renewed if the legal conditions continue to be met.
Required documents
Applications are submitted to the Public Service Development Agency of Georgia. The typical document set is:
- the application;
- a copy of the passport;
- a document confirming lawful stay in Georgia;
- a document confirming that the applicant previously held Georgian citizenship — for example archival citizenship records, an old Georgian passport or ID card, or a confirmation from the competent authority;
- a colour photograph, 3×4 cm, in electronic format;
- the receipt confirming payment of the residence-permit service fee.
Foreign documents must generally be legalised or apostilled, and translated into Georgian and notarised, unless an exemption applies.
Processing time and state fees
The state fee depends on how quickly the application is processed:
| Processing time | State fee |
|---|---|
| 30 calendar days | GEL 300 |
| 20 calendar days | GEL 450 |
| 10 calendar days | GEL 600 |
Georgian ID (residence) card
After obtaining the residence permit, a foreign national must apply for a Georgian residence (ID) card within one month. Applications may be submitted through the Public Service Hall or a territorial office of the Public Service Development Agency.
The fee depends on the processing time:
| Issuance time | Fee |
|---|---|
| 10 working days | GEL 60 |
| 5 working days | GEL 80 |
| 3 working days | GEL 100 |
| 2 working days | GEL 120 |
| Same day | GEL 150 |
A residence permit, not citizenship
This is a residence permit, not a restoration of citizenship. Reacquiring Georgian citizenship is a separate legal process governed by the citizenship legislation.
A Former Citizen Residence Permit allows eligible former Georgian citizens to live lawfully in Georgia on a long-term basis. If you later decide to restore or reacquire Georgian citizenship, you must apply through the separate citizenship procedure.
Time spent lawfully in Georgia on qualifying temporary residence permits may also count towards the ten-year residence requirement for a Permanent Residence Permit. To compare this permit with other residence categories, see the Guide to Residence Permits.
Frequently asked questions
Who is the Former Citizen Residence Permit for?
Foreign nationals who previously held Georgian citizenship that has since been terminated in accordance with Georgian legislation — for example, citizenship renounced or lost when the person acquired another nationality. It is available regardless of the applicant's current citizenship, provided they can demonstrate their former Georgian citizenship.
How long is it valid?
It is generally issued for six years and is renewable if the legal conditions continue to be met, making it one of the longer-duration residence permits available.
What documents are required?
An application, a copy of the passport or travel document, a document confirming lawful stay in Georgia, a document confirming that the applicant previously held Georgian citizenship, a 3×4 colour photograph in electronic format, and the receipt for the service fee. Foreign documents must generally be legalised or apostilled, and translated into Georgian and notarised.
Is this the same as getting my Georgian citizenship back?
No. This is a residence permit, not a restoration of citizenship. Reacquiring Georgian citizenship is a separate process under the citizenship rules. The former-citizen permit lets you live in Georgia lawfully while you decide on, or pursue, any citizenship route.
Can it lead to permanent residence?
Time spent lawfully on qualifying temporary permits can count toward the ten years needed for a permanent residence permit. Confirm whether your particular permit history qualifies.
What does it cost and how long does it take?
State fees depend on processing speed — GEL 300 for a 30-day decision, GEL 450 for 20 days and GEL 600 for 10 days. After the permit is granted, the Georgian ID (residence) card costs a further GEL 60 (10 working days) up to GEL 150 (same-day issuance).
Sources
- Law of Georgia on the Legal Status of Aliens and Stateless Persons — Legislative Herald (matsne)
- Government of Georgia Resolution No. 520 of 1 September 2014 — Procedure for reviewing and deciding on the issuance of residence permits in Georgia (matsne)
- Public Service Development Agency — Migration / Residence Permits