Special Residence Permit in Georgia (2026)

The Special Residence Permit is a distinct residence category available only in specific circumstances defined by Georgian legislation. Depending on the legal ground, it may be granted in the interests of the State, to provide protection for victims of human trafficking, under the statutory route provided by Article 60 of the Law on the Legal Status of Aliens and Stateless Persons, or to foreign compatriots living abroad.

For an overview of all residence categories, see the Guide to Residence Permits.

Who is eligible

A Special Residence Permit may be granted in four distinct cases.

A. At the initiative of a member of the Government of Georgia. A residence permit may be issued to a foreigner upon the written initiative of a member of the Government of Georgia.

B. Victims of human trafficking. A residence permit may be issued to a victim or injured party of the crime of human trafficking, based on a motion from the institution providing services to victims of trafficking or from the competent procedural authority.

C. Persons provided for in Article 60 of the Law on the Legal Status of Aliens and Stateless Persons A foreigner may obtain a Special Residence Permit if they previously held the right of temporary stay in Georgia under Article 60 of the Law on the Legal Status of Aliens and Stateless Persons. Under Article 60:

• The Ministry of Internal Affairs may grant a foreigner the right of temporary stay in Georgia when the foreigner cannot be expelled from Georgia due to specific legal or factual circumstances, including:
  • expulsion is impossible due to legal restrictions provided by law;
  • the circumstances related to expulsion have not changed;
  • the foreigner cannot be identified;
  • no state agrees to accept the foreigner;
  • other circumstances defined by law.
• In such cases, the foreigner is issued a Temporary Identification Card confirming the right of temporary stay.
• The right of temporary stay is granted for 1 year, and may be extended for additional one-year periods.
• During this period, the Ministry of Internal Affairs periodically reviews whether the circumstances preventing expulsion still exist.
• After 5 years from the issuance of the Temporary Identification Card, the foreigner may apply to the Public Service Development Agency for a Special Residence Permit.
• A Special Residence Permit issued on this basis is granted for 1 year and may be extended annually upon request of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

D. Persons holding the status of a compatriot living abroad. A citizen of another state who holds the status of a compatriot living abroad may apply for a Special Residence Permit.

Duration and validity

The duration of a Special Residence Permit depends on the legal ground on which it is granted.

For persons covered by Article 60 of the Law on the Legal Status of Aliens and Stateless Persons (persons who cannot be removed from Georgia), the permit is issued for one year. It may be extended for further one-year periods upon the application of the authorised body of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, provided the statutory conditions continue to be met. The underlying right of temporary stay under Article 60 is likewise granted for one year at a time and is reviewed periodically by the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

For Special Residence Permits granted on the initiative of a member of the Government, to victims of human trafficking, or to foreign compatriots living abroad, the legislation does not prescribe a fixed period of validity. The permit is issued in accordance with the applicable legal provisions and the circumstances of the particular case.

Application

Applications are submitted to the Public Service Development Agency of Georgia. The document set depends on which situation applies.

Residence permit issued at the initiative of a Government member:

• the application;
• a copy of the foreigner’s passport (travel document);
• the written request of a member of the Government of Georgia;
• a document confirming lawful stay in Georgia;
• a colour photograph, 3x4 cm, in electronic format.

Victims of human trafficking:

• a motion submitted by the institution providing services to victims of trafficking or by the competent procedural authority.

Persons provided for in Article 60 of the Law on the Legal Status of Aliens and Stateless Persons:

• the application;
• a copy of the foreigner’s passport (if available);
• a copy of a valid temporary identification card;
• a certificate from the competent authority of the Ministry of Internal Affairs confirming lawful temporary stay in Georgia for the five years before applying;
• a colour photograph, 3x4 cm, in electronic format;
• the receipt confirming payment of the service fee.

Foreign nationals holding the status of a compatriot living abroad:

• the application;
• a copy of the foreigner’s passport;
• a document confirming lawful stay in Georgia;
• a document confirming the status of a compatriot living abroad;
• a colour photograph, 3x4 cm, in electronic format.

Extension of a Special Residence Permit (Article 60 cases):

• the application;
• a copy of the foreigner’s passport (if available);
• a copy of a valid temporary identification card;
• a request of the competent authority of the Ministry of Internal Affairs regarding extension of the permit;
• a colour photograph, 3x4 cm, in electronic format;
• the receipt confirming payment of the service fee.

Processing time and fees

A Special Residence Permit is generally issued within 10 calendar days from the submission of the application. In most cases, no state service fee is payable.

The exception is cases under Article 60 of the Law on the Legal Status of Aliens and Stateless Persons (persons who cannot be removed from Georgia). For these applications, the standard residence permit fee schedule applies:

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 Special 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

How it differs from the ordinary permits

Unlike Work, Investment or Family Reunification residence permits, a Special Residence Permit is generally not obtained through an ordinary immigration application based on employment, investment or family ties. Instead, it is available only in specific situations defined by law, including a written initiative of a member of the Government of Georgia, protection of victims of human trafficking, the statutory procedure for persons covered by Article 60 of the Law on the Legal Status of Aliens and Stateless Persons, and foreign compatriots living abroad.

If you believe you may qualify under one of these categories, you should contact the Public Service Development Agency (PSDA) or the competent authority responsible for the relevant procedure.

Human trafficking is a sensitive matter. If you or someone you know may be a victim of human trafficking, contact the competent authorities or an organisation providing assistance to victims. This guide provides general information only and does not constitute legal advice. Residence permit requirements, procedures and state fees may change over time.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Special Residence Permit?

A discretionary and protective permit granted to foreigners in specific circumstances defined by Georgian law, rather than a single eligibility test. It covers residence initiated by a member of the Government, victims of human trafficking, persons who previously held temporary stay under Article 60 of the Law, and foreign compatriots living abroad.

Who are the four groups it covers?

First, foreigners whose residence is initiated in writing by a member of the Government of Georgia. Second, victims and injured parties of human trafficking, on a motion from a support institution or the competent procedural authority. Third, persons who previously held the right of temporary stay under Article 60 of the Law. Fourth, foreign nationals holding the status of a compatriot living abroad.

How does the Article 60 route work?

Under Article 60 the Ministry of Internal Affairs may grant a foreigner who cannot be expelled a right of temporary stay, evidenced by a Temporary Identification Card, for one year and renewable annually. After five years from the issuance of that card, the foreigner may apply to the Public Service Development Agency for a Special Residence Permit, which is granted for one year and may be extended annually at the request of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

How quickly is it issued?

The permit is normally issued within about ten days from the submission of the application, reflecting the protective and discretionary nature of the category.

Is there a service fee?

In most cases no service fee applies. The exception is Article 60 cases, which follow the standard schedule — GEL 300 for a 30-day decision, GEL 450 for 20 days and GEL 600 for 10 days — plus a separate residence-card fee.

What documents do I need?

The document set depends on which situation applies. Common items include an application, a passport copy, proof of lawful stay and a 3x4 colour photograph. Government-initiated cases add the Government member's written request; trafficking cases rest on a motion from a support institution or procedural authority; Article 60 cases add the temporary identification card, a five-year lawful-stay certificate and a fee receipt; compatriot cases add a document confirming compatriot status.