Visa-Free Entry & the One-Year Rule in Georgia (2026)

Georgia has one of the most open entry regimes in the world. If you hold a passport issued by one of the countries on Georgia’s visa-free list, you can travel to Georgia without obtaining a visa, submitting an application or paying a visa fee, and stay for up to one full year.

The rule in one line

Under Government Ordinance No. 255 of 5 June 2015 on Approval of the List of Countries Whose Citizens May Enter Georgia without a Visa, citizens of the listed countries may enter and stay in Georgia without a visa for one year.

In practice, this means you may remain in Georgia for 365 consecutive days from the date of entry, rather than being subject to the 90 days in any 180-day period rule that applies in many other countries, including those in the Schengen Area.

Who qualifies

The annex to Government Ordinance No. 255 currently lists 96 countries and territories whose citizens may enter Georgia without a visa.

The list includes:

• All EU Member States, as well as Norway, Iceland, Switzerland and Liechtenstein;
• the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand;
• the Gulf states, including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and Oman;
• many countries from the former Soviet region, including Ukraine, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Belarus, Moldova and Russia;
• Turkey, Israel, Japan, South Korea, Singapore and Malaysia; and
• a number of countries in Latin America, the Caribbean, Africa and other regions.

Citizens of most countries on the list may enter and stay in Georgia without a visa for one full year.

The exception for Chinese citizens

Citizens of the People’s Republic of China may enter Georgia without a visa for up to 30 days, and only when travelling for tourism purposes. They are therefore not covered by the general one-year visa-free period.

Special entry-document rules

In addition to visa-free entry, several categories of travellers benefit from special entry-document rules.

Citizens of EU Member States may enter Georgia using either:

• a valid travel document, such as a passport; or
• a national identity card issued by an EU Member State, provided it contains the holder’s name, surname, date of birth and photograph.

The same rule applies to citizens of Switzerland and Liechtenstein, who may also enter using a qualifying national identity document instead of a passport.

Foreign nationals holding a UN Laissez-Passer issued by the United Nations or one of its specialised agencies may also enter and remain in Georgia without a visa for one full year.

As the list of visa-free countries and the applicable conditions may change, it is always advisable to check the latest version of Government Ordinance No. 255 before travelling.

What “one full year” means — and the border-run reset

For most eligible nationalities, the visa-free period lasts 365 consecutive days from the date of each entry into Georgia.

Unlike the Schengen Area, Georgia does not apply a 90 days in any 180-day period rule. Nor does the legislation impose a mandatory cooling-off period between visa-free stays. As a result, the visa-free period generally restarts each time you lawfully re-enter Georgia.

This is why many long-term visitors make a short “border run” by crossing into a neighbouring country, such as Armenia or Turkey, and then returning to Georgia to begin a new visa-free period.

There are, however, two important points to keep in mind.

• Visa-free travel does not guarantee admission. Every foreign national is subject to border control, and the final decision on entry is made by the competent border authorities in accordance with the Law. If there are legal grounds for refusing entry, admission may be denied. While refusals based solely on repeated visa-free stays are uncommon, they remain legally possible.
• Do not overstay. Once your authorised visa-free period expires, your stay becomes unlawful and may result in administrative liability, including a fine and possible difficulties when entering Georgia in the future. If you intend to remain in Georgia for longer than your visa-free period allows, you should either leave and re-enter lawfully (where permitted) or obtain an appropriate residence permit before your authorised stay expires.

A separate rule for holders of certain foreign visas and residence permits

Even if your nationality is not on Georgia’s visa-free list, you may still qualify for visa-free entry if you hold a valid visa or residence permit issued by certain countries. This separate regime is governed by Government Ordinance No. 256 of 5 June 2015 and applies to holders of qualifying visas and residence permits issued by countries such as EU Member States, the United States and several others.

In most cases, it allows a stay of up to 90 days within any 180-day period. This can be particularly useful for travellers whose nationality would normally require a Georgian visa but who already hold, for example, a valid US visa or an EU residence permit.

What visa-free entry does not give you

Visa-free entry simply allows you to enter and stay in Georgia lawfully for the period permitted by law. It does not, by itself, create any additional immigration rights.

• It is not a residence permit. Visa-free entry is temporary. If you intend to live in Georgia on a longer-term or renewable basis, you should obtain an appropriate residence permit if you meet the relevant legal requirements.
• It does not automatically give you the right to work. Since 1 March 2026, most foreign nationals who wish to engage in employment, self-employment or entrepreneurial activity in Georgia must first obtain a Right to Labour Activity (work permit), unless they fall within one of the statutory exemptions. Entering Georgia without a visa does not remove this requirement.
• It does not determine your tax residency. Your immigration status and your tax status are separate matters. In general, an individual who is physically present in Georgia for 183 days or more within any continuous 12-month period becomes a Georgian tax resident, regardless of whether they entered visa-free, on a visa or under a residence permit. If your stay is approaching this threshold, you should consider the tax implications.

When to move beyond visa-free entry

Visa-free entry is an excellent option for tourism, visiting family or friends, exploring Georgia, or spending an extended period in the country without applying for a visa.

However, if you plan to live in Georgia on a longer-term basis, work or run a business here, or simply place your immigration status on a more secure footing, you should consider applying for an appropriate residence permit. If your activities require a Right to Labour Activity, that permission must generally be obtained separately before engaging in work or entrepreneurial activity.

Frequently asked questions

How long can I stay in Georgia without a visa?

If you hold a passport of one of the listed countries, you may enter and stay for one full year — 365 days — under Government Ordinance No 255. This is one of the most generous visa-free regimes in the world.

Can I reset the year by leaving and coming back?

In practice yes. The one-year allowance runs from each entry, and there is no codified cooling-off period, so many people make a short 'border run' and re-enter for a fresh 365 days. But entry is never guaranteed: border officers may refuse admission, especially if they suspect the visa-free regime is being used to live in Georgia permanently instead of obtaining a residence permit.

Does visa-free entry let me work in Georgia?

Visa-free status lets you be in Georgia legally, but since 1 March 2026 doing paid work, self-employment or entrepreneurial activity generally requires a separate 'Right to Labour Activity' permit. Being visa-free is not the same as having the right to work.

Does staying 365 days make me a tax resident?

No. Immigration status and tax residency are separate. You generally become a Georgian tax resident by being present for 183 days or more in any rolling 12-month period, regardless of whether you entered visa-free. See the Taxes section for details.

Can EU citizens enter with an ID card instead of a passport?

Yes. Under Ordinance No 255, citizens of EU Member States may enter Georgia with a national identity card that shows their name, surname, date of birth and photo, as well as with a travel document.