Add organization

Why can a Georgian residence permit be refused?

Grounds for refusal under Article 18 of the law.

Answered at: Checked at:

Short answer

A Georgian residence permit can be refused if the foreigner fails the conditions of the chosen type, submits false information, poses a security threat or faces prosecution. The grounds are listed in Article 18 of the Law on the Legal Status of Aliens. Refusal is possible rather than mandatory, as the law says a permit may be refused.

Residence permit in Georgia: types, documents and deadlines faq-cover-residence-and-citizenship.png

Why

  1. Article 18 of the law lists the grounds on which a permit may be refused.
  2. They include failing the requirements of Article 15, forged documents and incorrect or concealed information.
  3. No permit is issued while an expulsion review has started or an expulsion decision has been made.

Details

Article 18 names among the grounds a threat to state security and public safety, the original basis for stay no longer existing, crimes against peace and humanity, criminal prosecution or certain convictions, a disease posing a threat to the population, forged or invalid documents, incorrect or concealed information, and failure to meet the requirements of Article 15. For a spouse-of-citizen permit there is a separate ground: refusing to cooperate with the commission that checks the marriage.

A permit is also not issued to people staying under a deferral of the obligation to leave Georgia, and that asylum seekers are not treated as lawfully staying. Most permit types cannot be obtained while staying on an ordinary category C visa (exceptions: investment, special, temporary for domestic violence victims and IT permits). The conditions for each type are in How do you get a residence permit in Georgia, and you can check an application using How do you check the status of a residence permit application in Georgia.

Tip

Make sure your documents are genuine and the information in the application is accurate, because incorrect or concealed information is itself a ground for refusal. Check the type's conditions on sda.gov.ge before filing.

What may differ

Which grounds apply depends on the permit type, your status in the country and the facts in your file. The law has been amended, so check the text of Article 18 against the current version on matsne.gov.ge.

Common misconception

If you meet the income and document requirements, a residence permit is guaranteed.

What actually happens

Article 18 of the law allows refusal on other grounds as well, such as a security threat, criminal prosecution or incorrect information in the application.

People also ask

  • Why was my Georgian residence permit refused?
  • What are the grounds for refusing a residence permit in Georgia?

Sources

This answer is for reference only and is not legal advice. Fees and rules change, so check official websites.

Residence permit in Georgia: types, documents and deadlines
Help