Georgia's 2026 immigration rules introduce a dedicated residence permit for foreign spouses of Georgian citizens, replacing a pathway that previously allowed many applicants to seek permanent residence directly.
New permit and renewal terms
Under the updated framework, eligible spouses receive a Georgian citizen's spouse residence permit valid for one year. The permit can be renewed in two-year increments until a maximum of five years of authorised stay is reached.
Authorities say the interim permit is designed to give officials time to verify that marriages are genuine before granting long-term status.
Path to permanent residence
After five years, spouses who remain married and have been living in Georgia may apply for a permanent residence permit through the standard procedure. Officials have not indicated that the final step will bypass ordinary eligibility checks.
The change applies nationwide and affects foreign nationals married to Georgian citizens who are seeking or renewing residence on that basis.
Interagency review
Issuance of the new spouse residence permit triggers an interagency commission review. The commission's role is to assess whether the marriage is authentic rather than arranged solely to obtain residency rights.
The government has framed the interim permit as a compliance measure rather than a broad restriction on family reunification. Couples already holding permanent residence under the former rules are not covered by the new staged pathway unless they must renew or change status under separate provisions.
