How do you get a residence permit for study in Georgia?
Documents, fee, timing and when the permit can be terminated.
Short answer
The Public Service Development Agency issues the study residence permit to an adult studying a higher or vocational programme at an authorised Georgian university or college. You need the university's enrolment certificate, proof of legal income, a photo and a payment receipt, and the fee is 300, 450 or 600 GEL for a processing time of 30, 20 or 10 calendar days. Apply at least 40 calendar days before your lawful stay expires.
Why
- The study residence permit is provided by the Law on the Legal Status of Aliens and Stateless Persons, Article 15(b).
- It is first issued for a term of 6 months to one year (Article 16, paragraph 1(a)), and extension is provided by Article 16, paragraph 3.
- The permit can be terminated if a university student does not meet the credit threshold (Article 21, paragraph 1(c1)) or is outside Georgia for 183 days or more within any 12 consecutive months (Article 21, paragraph 15).
Details
The document set: an application form, a copy of the travel document and proof of lawful stay in Georgia, the authorised university's certificate of enrolment and expected study duration, proof of legal income in Georgia (yours or that of a relative who is a Georgian citizen or resident; with a personal bank balance the monthly amount must be at least twice the subsistence minimum for an average consumer), a 3×4 cm electronic photo and a payment receipt. By law, the study permit cannot be issued on an ordinary C-category visa (Article 14, paragraph 13), and Ilia State University requires the D3 study visa.
For the general picture on residence permits see how to get a residence permit in Georgia, for what the permit does and does not give see what a Georgian residence permit gives, and for admission see how to enter a university or college in Georgia.
Tip
Get the enrolment certificate with the study duration from the university in advance and submit your documents at least 40 calendar days before your lawful stay ends.
What may differ
Conditions depend on citizenship and the university, and the Law on the Legal Status of Aliens was last amended on 25 June 2026 (No. 1803), so check with the agency. Ask the agency at [email protected] whether work is allowed on this permit.
Common misconception
A student residence permit lasts for the whole study period and cannot be cancelled.
What actually happens
The law allows termination of the permit if a university student does not meet the credit threshold or is outside Georgia for 183 days or more within any 12 consecutive months (Article 21).
People also ask
- How to get a student residence permit in Georgia?
Sources
Rules for foreigners change, and this answer is for reference only and is not legal advice. Check sda.gov.ge.
Residence permit in Georgia: grounds and new thresholdsRelated questions
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What is vocational education (colleges) in Georgia?
Vocational education in Georgia trains people for a specific profession in colleges and runs on programmes at levels 3, 4 and 5 of the national qualifications framework.
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Where can you learn Georgian for free in Georgia?
Free Georgian lessons are offered by the Training Center of Justice as a 20-lesson online course and by the Zhvania School as a state programme in regional centres.
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How do you get a foreign diploma recognised in Georgia?
The National Center for Educational Quality Enhancement recognises foreign education: you apply with a notarised Georgian translation and pay a fee from 40 GEL.
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What is a state study grant in Georgia?
A state grant pays university tuition in Georgia in full or in part based on the Unified National Exams and remains in place for students enrolled before 17 December 2025.