Citizenship and Residency by Investment in Georgia (country)
Georgia Investment Residence
Georgia is a small Caucasus country located east of Turkey. The country is not a member of the European Union, but Georgians have 90 days in a 180-day period to visit the EU. By paying 115,000 USD, business investors can gain temporary residence in Georgia. After six years in Georgia, permanent residence can be achieved. After 5 years of residency, you can apply for naturalization into Georgian citizenship. Citizenship by investment is also feasible in Georgia if the investor has made a substantial contribution to the state.
Read about the Greece Residence by Investment scheme as well.
Georgia Entrepreneurial Investor
An investment residence permit is provided to an alien and his or her family members who have invested at least GEL 300,000 in Georgia in compliance with the Law of Georgia on Promotion and Guarantees of Investments. An alien's spouse, minor kid (children), and unable dependent are considered family members (s).
A foreigner must submit the following documents to the Agency in order to receive an investment residency permit:
The use of a pre-existing form;
a copy of a foreigner's travel document;
a copy of a document establishing lawful residency in Georgia;
Document demonstrating a minimum investment of GEL 300,000 in Georgia (auditor's opinion);
A written endorsement from a Georgian member of government or three Georgian people with the authority of representation of an entrepreneurial subject functioning in Georgia;
34-inch photo; receipt proving payment of service price
2) In order to receive an investment residence permit, a family member of a foreigner who already has one must submit the following documentation to the Agency:
The use of a pre-existing form;
a copy of a foreigner's travel document;
a copy of a document establishing lawful residency in Georgia;
a copy of the foreigner's residence permit if he or she holds an investment residence permit;
Document proving kinship to the foreigner having the investment residency permit;
34-inch photograph;
Receipt attesting to the payment of the service cost.
Permanent Residency in Georgia
A permanent residency permit is awarded to a spouse, parents, and children of a Georgian citizen, as well as a foreign citizen who has lived in Georgia for the previous 6 years on the basis of a temporary residence permit. This term does not include the time spent in Georgia for education or medical treatment, as well as activity in diplomatic and other equivalent representative positions.
Documents that must be provided to the agency:
To grant a permanent residency permit to a Georgian citizen's spouse, parent(s), and child(ren):
The use of a pre-existing form;
a copy of a foreigner's travel document;
a copy of a certificate establishing lawful residency in Georgia
A document establishing kinship;
Document proving the foreigner's legal income or that of a Georgian citizen or a relative with a residency permit in Georgia. If a Georgian citizen is of retirement age or a social assistance recipient, a paper verifying receipt of social pension or social assistance is sufficient. A foreigner's income could alternatively be the amount in his or her bank account.
34-inch photograph;
Receipt confirming payment of service fee
To provide a permanent residency visa to a foreigner who has been a temporary resident of Georgia for the previous six years:
The use of a pre-existing form;
a copy of a foreigner's travel document;
Document attesting to the legal stay in Georgia for the previous six years on the basis of a temporary residence permit (a copy of the temporary residence card/resident permit in Georgia);
Document proving the legal income of the foreigner or/and a Georgian citizen or his/her relative with a Georgian residence permit and kinship. If a Georgian citizen is of retirement age or a social assistance recipient, a paper verifying receipt of social pension or social assistance is sufficient. A foreigner's income could alternatively be the amount in his or her bank account.
34-inch photo; receipt proving payment of the service price
Georgian Nationality
Naturalization is the only way to obtain Georgian citizenship. The president of Georgia makes the choice to award someone Georgian citizenship; the decision is sanctioned by presidential decree.
Ordinary practice
For an adult who meets the following qualifications:
Must have lived in Georgia lawfully and continuously for at least 5 years previous to submitting the application. A Georgian visa, a resident permit or card, or a stamp carrying the date certifying the crossing of the Georgian state border; Should know the state language to the pre-defined level. A special commission tests Georgian language abilities; should be familiar with Georgia's history and the foundations of Georgian legislation. A special commission tests the applicant's expertise; the applicant must be working in Georgia or own real estate in Georgia, be engaged in entrepreneurial operations in Georgia territory, or possess interest or shares in a Georgia firm.
When Georgian citizenship is granted through the ordinary procedure, paragraphs 2, 3, and 4 do not apply to incapacitated people; paragraphs 2 and 3 do not apply to people whose physical disability makes assessing these requirements impossible; and paragraph 4 does not apply to people with refugee status.
If one of the underage person's parents is a Georgian citizen or the underage person is adopted by a Georgian citizen, the underage person is granted Georgian citizenship through the normal procedure.
Under the regular procedure, an underage person with refugee or stateless status in Georgia who was born in Georgia and has lived in Georgia for five years is granted Georgian citizenship.
A foreign citizen may apply to the authorized authorities to get Georgian citizenship through the standard procedure. The presidential order giving Georgian citizenship to a foreign citizen takes effect as soon as the appropriate state authorities in Georgia receive documentation verifying that person's renunciation of foreign citizenship.
The procedure for obtaining Georgian citizenship is exceptional.
Exceptional procedures for granting Georgian citizenship may be used for a foreign citizen who has made a significant contribution to Georgia or in cases where granting Georgian citizenship to the person is in the national interest of the country; these exceptional situations are outlined in Georgia's Constitution.
When giving Georgian citizenship as an exception, the Commission on Citizenship of the Public Service Development Agency establishes the existence of prerequisites stipulated in the Georgian Constitution; in some situations, the Commission may invite a foreign citizen for an interview.
More information on Georgia can be found on the official government website.
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