LumenWhat can I do if Georgia refuses my residence permit?
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Under Georgian law you can appeal the Public Service Development Agency's refusal directly to a court within 10 calendar days after it is served; there is no appeal to a higher administrative body. Or you can reapply for the same type of permit, on the same basis, at least one month after the refusal decision.
Key facts
| What | The law says | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Appeal route | Straight to court, not to a higher administrative body | Law on the Legal Status of Aliens, art. 21²(1) |
| Appeal deadline | 10 calendar days after the decision is served | Law on the Legal Status of Aliens, art. 21²(1) |
| Reapplying | On the same basis, at least one month after the refusal decision | Law on the Legal Status of Aliens, art. 19 |
| Main grounds for refusal | Security or public safety concerns; the ground of your stay no longer exists; certain convictions or ongoing prosecution; forged or invalid documents; wrong or concealed information; the permit’s requirements not met | Law on the Legal Status of Aliens, art. 18(1) |
| Expulsion | No permit while expulsion is reviewed or decided; a court appeal doesn’t stop expulsion proceedings | Law on the Legal Status of Aliens, art. 18(4) |
Appeal to court within 10 days
Since amendments of 25 June 2026, the law says a decision of the Agency under this law is not appealed to a higher administrative body; it is appealed to a court, under Georgian procedure, within 10 calendar days after it is served on you (art. 21²(1)).
Or reapply after a month
A foreigner refused a residence permit may reapply on the same basis at least one month after the refusal decision (art. 19).
Why permits are refused
Art. 18(1) lists the grounds. A permit may be refused if your residence is considered inadvisable for state security or public safety, or there are grounds to think you pose such a threat; if the ground on which you got the right to stay no longer exists; if you are wanted, have certain criminal convictions, or are being prosecuted; if you have certain infectious diseases on the health ministry’s list; if you submitted forged or invalid documents, gave incorrect data or concealed important information; if you didn’t cooperate with the marriage commission (spouse permits); or if the requirements for the permit type aren’t met.
The law also bars a permit while your expulsion from Georgia is being reviewed or has been decided, and says appealing a refusal to court doesn’t stop the expulsion process (art. 18(4)).
Related questions
- Not meeting the requirements that art. 15 of the law sets for the permit type is itself a ground for refusal (art. 18(1)(i)).
Sources
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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.