Can I get a residence permit in Georgia by buying property, and how expensive must it be?

Checked on 2026-10-25

Yes. Georgian law gives a short-term residence permit to a foreigner who owns non-agricultural property in Georgia worth more than USD 150,000 (in GEL), plus the spouse and children; it is renewed one year at a time. Property worth more than USD 300,000 qualifies for a 5-year investment residence permit instead. A certified assessor sets the value.

Key facts

What	The law says	Source
Short-term permit	Owning immovable property in Georgia (not agricultural land) with market value over USD 150,000 equivalent in GEL; also for the spouse and children	Law on the Legal Status of Aliens, art. 15(j)
Valuation	A certified assessor of a body accredited by the Georgian Accreditation Centre	Law on the Legal Status of Aliens, arts. 15(h), 15(j)
Short-term permit term	Issued and extended one year at a time	Law on the Legal Status of Aliens, art. 16(1)(f)
Renewal	No re-valuation needed if you still own the same property	Law on the Legal Status of Aliens, art. 16(3)
If you sell	The short-term permit ends when ownership ends	Law on the Legal Status of Aliens, arts. 16(1)(f), 21(1¹)
Coming on a C visa	The short-term permit can’t be issued on the basis of an ordinary C category visa; the investment permit can	Law on the Legal Status of Aliens, art. 14(1³)
Property over USD 300,000	Investment residence permit for 5 years; then an unlimited permit if you kept the property 5 years	Law on the Legal Status of Aliens, arts. 15(h), 15(k), 16(1)(e)
Time and fee	PSDA guidance: 30 calendar days, GEL 300; GEL 450 for 20 days; GEL 600 for 10 days	PSDA questions and answers, short-term and investment permits

Over USD 150,000: the short-term residence permit

The law gives a short-term residence permit to a foreigner who owns immovable property in Georgia, other than agricultural land, with a market value above USD 150,000 equivalent in GEL, and to the spouse and children (art. 15(j)). A certified assessor of an accredited body sets the value. The permit is issued for a year and extended one year at a time (art. 16(1)(f)). If you still own the same property when you renew, you don’t need a new valuation (art. 16(3)). The permit ends when you stop owning the property (art. 21(1¹)).

The agency’s document list: a copy of your travel document, proof you stay in Georgia lawfully, proof of ownership, the assessor’s valuation report and a 3×4 cm photo. A spouse or child applies with proof of kinship and a copy of the main holder’s permit.

Over USD 300,000: the investment residence permit

Property worth more than USD 300,000 equivalent in GEL qualifies for an investment residence permit of 5 years (arts. 15(h), 16(1)(e)). You must keep the property, or a replacement of at least the same value. After 5 years you can apply for an unlimited residence permit, which carries the right of permanent living (arts. 15(k), 16(1)(g), 16(5)).

Check how you entered: the law excludes the short-term permit for people staying on an ordinary C category visa, but not the investment permit (art. 14(1³)).
The law also has a D5 category immigration visa for owners of non-agricultural property worth more than USD 150,000 equivalent in GEL, and their spouse and children (Law on the Legal Status of Aliens, art. 7).

Sources

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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.