When can I get permanent residence in Georgia?

Checked on 2026-10-25

Georgian law issues a permanent residence permit to a foreigner who has lived in Georgia for the last 10 years on a temporary residence permit, not counting study, medical treatment or diplomatic work. It also goes to a minor child of a citizen, a parent of a minor citizen, and a citizen's spouse after 5 years on a spouse permit.

Key facts

What	The law says	Source
After 10 years	Residence in Georgia for the last 10 years on a temporary residence permit	Law on the Legal Status of Aliens, art. 15(g)
Years that don’t count	Residence for study or medical treatment, and work at diplomatic missions and equivalent missions	Law on the Legal Status of Aliens, art. 15(g)
Family of a Georgian citizen	A minor child of a citizen, or a parent of a minor citizen	Law on the Legal Status of Aliens, art. 15(g)
Spouse of a Georgian citizen	After the last 5 years in Georgia on a spouse-of-a-citizen permit, if the marriage continues	Law on the Legal Status of Aliens, arts. 15(g), 16(1)(d¹)
Investor route	An unlimited residence permit after 5 years on an investment permit, with the right of permanent living	Law on the Legal Status of Aliens, arts. 15(k), 16(1)(g)
Income	PSDA guidance: proof of legal income; money in your bank account not less than the state pension can count	PSDA questions and answers, documents for a permanent permission to stay
Time and fee	PSDA guidance: 30 calendar days, GEL 500; GEL 650 for 20 days	PSDA questions and answers, permanent permission to stay term and fee

The 10-year route

The law issues a permanent residence permit to a foreigner who has lived in Georgia for the last 10 years on the basis of a temporary residence permit (art. 15(g)). Time spent in Georgia to study or for medical treatment, and time working at diplomatic missions, doesn’t count toward the 10 years. Temporary permits can themselves be extended up to a limit of 12 years (art. 16(3)).

The agency asks for: a copy of your travel document; proof you lived in Georgia for the last 10 years on a temporary permit (a copy of the temporary residence card or permit); proof of legal income, where money in your personal bank account counts if it is not less than the state pension; and a 3×4 cm photo.

Family routes

A minor child of a Georgian citizen and a parent of a minor Georgian citizen can get permanent residence directly (art. 15(g)). A spouse of a Georgian citizen first gets a spouse residence permit for 1 year, extended 2 years at a time, up to 5 years; if the marriage continues after 5 years, a permanent residence permit is issued (art. 16(1)(d¹)).

Investors

For holders of an investment residence permit the law has a separate route: after 5 years they can apply for an unlimited residence permit, which the law issues with the right of permanent living (arts. 15(k), 16(1)(g)).

Fees: the permanent permit costs GEL 500 for a decision in 30 calendar days or GEL 650 for 20 days (PSDA questions and answers).

Sources

Change history

2026-10-25: Page created

This is general information, not legal advice, and Lumen is not a law firm. Rules change and offices differ: check the official sources above before you act. Found something wrong or out of date? Write to support@lumen.observer.