How do you get a residence permit by marrying a Georgian citizen?
Spouse permit: term, income, marriage check.
Short answer
A spouse of a Georgian citizen gets a permit for one year, extended by 2 years each time, and after 5 years, if the marriage continues, a permanent one. You need proof of kinship and the citizen's legal income of at least two subsistence minimums a month (or a bank balance). The Agency reviews the application for up to 90 calendar days.
Why
- Article 15 of the law creates a separate spouse permit, issued before the permanent permit.
- Article 16: a one-year term, extended by 2 years each time, up to 5 years in total.
- Article 16-1: an interagency commission checks that the marriage is genuine.
Details
The commission (the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the State Security Service and the Agency) may interview the spouses and inspect the home. Refusing to cooperate with the commission is a ground for refusing the permit (Article 18). If a sham marriage is suspected, the review is paused during the check. A permanent permit goes to a spouse of a citizen who has lived in Georgia for the last 5 years on a spouse permit (Article 15).
If you have not married yet, the registration procedure is described in How can foreigners get married in Georgia. For the general permit procedure see How do you get a residence permit in Georgia, and for permanent status and citizenship for spouses see How do you get Georgian citizenship.
Tip
Keep evidence of real family life (shared address, documents, photos) and be ready for an interview and a home visit, because refusing the check is itself a ground for refusal.
What may differ
The fee is shown differently in different languages, so confirm the amount with the Agency before filing. Terms and conditions depend on your permit and the citizen's income.
Common misconception
After marrying a Georgian citizen, a foreigner immediately gets a permanent residence permit.
What actually happens
A spouse permit for one year comes first, and a permanent permit goes only to someone who has lived in Georgia for the last 5 years on that permit (Article 15 of the law).
People also ask
- Can I get a Georgian residence permit if my spouse is a citizen?
- How long does a spouse residence permit last in Georgia?
Sources
This answer is for reference only and is not legal advice. Fees and rules change, so check official websites.
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