LumenWhat do I need for a study residence permit in Georgia?
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Georgian law issues a study residence permit to an adult studying a higher or vocational programme at an authorised Georgian institution, first for 6 months to 1 year. The agency asks for a study certificate and income proof; savings of twice the subsistence minimum per month can count. It ends if you are away 183+ days in 12 months.
Key facts
| What | The law says | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Who | An adult studying a higher or vocational education programme at an authorised educational institution in Georgia | Law on the Legal Status of Aliens, art. 15(b) |
| First permit | 6 months to 1 year | Law on the Legal Status of Aliens, art. 16(1)(a) |
| Extensions | On the same conditions, up to a limit of 12 years | Law on the Legal Status of Aliens, art. 16(3) |
| Income | PSDA guidance: legal income of you or a relative; bank money of at least twice the subsistence minimum per month over the permit term can count | PSDA questions and answers, study permit documents |
| Time and fee | PSDA guidance: 30 calendar days, GEL 300; GEL 450 for 20 days; GEL 600 for 10 days | PSDA questions and answers, study permit term and fee |
| Leaving your studies | Your stay can end 90 days after student status is suspended, or when you end or complete the programme | Law on the Legal Status of Aliens, art. 21(1)(c) |
| Credits | Your stay can end if you fail to accumulate more than one-third of the maximum credits for an academic year | Law on the Legal Status of Aliens, art. 21(1)(c¹) |
| Time abroad | The permit ends if you are not in Georgia 183 days or more in any 12 consecutive calendar months | Law on the Legal Status of Aliens, art. 21(1⁵) |
Who it is for
The law issues a study residence permit to an adult for studying a higher or vocational education programme at an authorised educational institution in Georgia (art. 15(b)). Admission and study rules come from other legislation and a government ordinance. The first permit lasts 6 months to 1 year.
Documents the agency asks for
- A copy of your travel document and proof of lawful stay in Georgia.
- A study certificate from the authorised institution showing the probable duration of study.
- Proof of legal income earned in Georgia by you and/or a Georgian citizen or relative with residence rights, with proof of kinship. Money in your personal bank account counts if, over the permit’s term, the monthly amount is at least twice the subsistence minimum for an average consumer in Georgia.
- A 3×4 cm photo.
Keeping the permit
The law lets your stay end if your student status is suspended and 90 days pass, or if you end or complete your programme; the institution informs the Agency (art. 21(1)(c)). It can also end if, during a higher education programme, you fail to accumulate more than one-third of the maximum credits for one academic year (art. 21(1)(c¹)). The study permit ends if you are not physically in Georgia for 183 days or more in any 12 consecutive calendar months; time abroad for medical treatment or an exchange programme of an accredited Georgian university counts as presence (art. 21(1⁵)).
Related questions
- The study residence permit is for adults; the law’s D6 category visa is for a minor coming to or staying in Georgia to study at an authorised higher educational or vocational institution (Law on the Legal Status of Aliens, art. 7).
Sources
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