How does the residence permit for a spouse of a Georgian citizen work?

Checked on 2026-10-25

Georgian law gives a citizen's foreign spouse a residence permit for 1 year, extended 2 years at a time up to 5 years; if the marriage continues, a permanent residence permit follows. An interagency commission checks the marriage and may interview you. The agency's guidance says the review takes 90 calendar days and costs GEL 500.

Key facts

What	The law says	Source
Who	The foreign spouse of a citizen of Georgia, before getting permanent residence	Law on the Legal Status of Aliens, art. 15(g¹)
Term	1 year, then extensions of 2 years each, up to 5 years in total	Law on the Legal Status of Aliens, art. 16(1)(d¹)
After 5 years	If the marriage continues, a permanent residence permit	Law on the Legal Status of Aliens, arts. 15(g), 16(1)(d¹)
Marriage check	An interagency commission may interview you separately and together, visit your home and interview other people	Law on the Legal Status of Aliens, art. 16¹(1)–(2)
Not cooperating	Refusing to appear, to allow a home visit or otherwise cooperate is a ground for refusal	Law on the Legal Status of Aliens, arts. 16¹(3), 18(1)(g¹)
Suspected sham marriage	Case sent to investigators; the review is suspended	Law on the Legal Status of Aliens, art. 16¹(4)–(5)
Income	PSDA guidance: legal income, or bank money of at least twice the subsistence minimum per month over the permit term	PSDA questions and answers, spouse permit documents
Time and fee	PSDA guidance: reviewed on the 90th calendar day; GEL 500	PSDA questions and answers, spouse permit term and fee

How long it lasts

The law issues the spouse permit for 1 year. It can be extended for 2 years at a time, up to 5 years in total. When the 5 years end and the marriage continues, a permanent residence permit is issued (art. 16(1)(d¹)).

The marriage check

Since amendments of 25 June 2026, the law sets up an interagency commission of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the State Security Service and the Agency to review these applications (art. 16¹). It can interview the spouses separately and together, ask for evidence, visit and inspect the home, and interview other people. Both spouses must cooperate; refusing is a ground to refuse the permit. If the commission thinks the marriage is a sham, it sends the case to the investigative body and the prosecution service, and the review is suspended until prosecution starts or the investigation ends. A fraudulent marriage entered into to get a permit is also a ground to end your stay (art. 21(1)(g)).

Documents and fee

The agency’s document list: a copy of your travel document, proof of lawful stay in Georgia, proof of the family relationship, proof of legal income of you and/or your spouse (or of a pension or social benefits if your spouse is of retirement age or receives them), and a 3×4 cm photo. Money in your bank account counts as income if the monthly amount over the permit’s term is at least twice the subsistence minimum for an average consumer. The agency says the application is reviewed on the 90th calendar day and the fee is GEL 500.

Permanent residence for the spouse after 5 years: GEL 500 for 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.