What happens if you overstay your permitted time in Georgia?
Fines and entry bans by length of overstay.
Short answer
Overstaying in Georgia brings a fine of GEL 1,000 to 3,000 and an entry ban of 6 months to 3 years, depending on the length of the overstay. Up to three months is GEL 1,000 and a 6-month ban, up to a year is GEL 2,000 and 2 years, and more than a year is GEL 3,000 and 3 years. While the fine is unpaid, a visa or entry can be refused.
Why
- Article 191 of the Code of Administrative Offences of Georgia covers breaches of the rules of stay by aliens: up to three months over is GEL 1,000 and a 6-month entry ban, up to a year is GEL 2,000 and 2 years, more than a year is GEL 3,000 and 3 years.
- If the fine is unpaid, the relevant bodies are notified and the person can be refused a Georgian visa and entry until the fine is paid (Article 191 and Article 11 of the Law on the Legal Status of Aliens).
- Expulsion in administrative cases is ordered by a court on an application from an administrative body, and the entry ban can run from 6 months to 5 years (Articles 31-1 and 31-2 of the Code, as shown on matsne.gov.ge).
Details
The size of the fine and the length of the ban depend only on how long the overstay lasted after the permitted stay ended: up to three months, up to a year, or more than a year. A short overstay is also punishable, because the first tier starts from any excess of the permitted time. If you have applied to extend your visa, the law exempts you from the fine while the application is reviewed and does not allow expulsion until the final decision (Article 9 of the Law on the Legal Status of Aliens).
For the visa-free period see how long you can stay in Georgia without a visa, and for other grounds for expulsion read what can get you deported from Georgia.
Tip
If your time is running out, apply for an extension in advance or leave on time: overstay is counted from the very first day and is immediately subject to a fine.
What may differ
The amounts and terms in the Code have changed over time, and matsne.gov.ge may show a version that is not the latest, so check the current text before travelling. Liability can differ for people of different status, for minors and where a court orders expulsion.
Common misconception
Overstaying by a few days has no consequences.
What actually happens
This is not true. Article 191 of the Code of Administrative Offences starts from any overstay: up to three months over the permitted time means a GEL 1,000 fine and a 6-month entry ban.
People also ask
- What is the fine for overstaying in Georgia?
Sources
This answer is for reference only and is not legal advice. Amounts and rules change, so check the official texts.
Related questions
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Is Georgia in the Schengen area, and can you enter with a Schengen visa?
Georgia is not part of the Schengen area and sets its own rules on who can enter without a visa.
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What is a Georgian D visa and how do you get one?
A D visa is Georgia's long-term (immigration) visa for people who come to work, study, reunite with family or own property.
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Who needs a visa for Georgia, and how do you get one?
You need a visa for Georgia only if your country is not on the Georgian government's visa-free list, while citizens of the US, the UK, EU countries, Canada and about 90 other countries travel visa-free.
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How much cash can you bring into or take out of Georgia?
There is no limit on how much cash you can bring in or take out, but if your cash, cheques and securities together exceed 30,000 GEL or the equivalent, you must declare them at customs.