Gov't to Tighten Rules for Granting Residence Permits to Foreigners

The Georgian government is to tighten regulations for granting temporary or permanent residence permits to foreigners.

The aim of the package is to prevent illegal migration into the country.

“I discussed the initiative with the Minister of Justice. Of course, this issue is the government's prerogative and should be agreed by the whole governmental team,” Georgia’s Prime Minister, Giorgi Kvirikashvili stated at the Cabinet sitting on Thursday afternoon.

He noted that the Ministry of Justice will present a package of amendments aimed at introducing additional mechanisms for preventing illegal migration.

“Some foreign citizens improperly enjoy the existing regulations. There are cases when a foreigner illegally staying in Georgia simultaneously requests asylum and a residence permit," Kvirikashvili said.

The PM explained that a foreigner should currently live in Georgia for six years in order to obtain permanent residence permits. According to the legislative amendments this term will be increased to 10 years while the term of a temporary residence permit will increase to 12 years, up from the current six.

“If a citizen of a foreign country does not have a proper motive to stay in the country, after six years he/she will get temporary permission and not a permanent permit,” Kvirikashvili added.

The PM thanked Justice Minister Tea Tsulukiani for preparing the package of legislative amendments.

“Georgia is open for tourism and investment and the liberal migration legislation promotes this. We, in this regard, will remain an open country, but that does not mean that by using ugly mechanisms some foreigners can prolong an illegal stay in this country,” the PM said, adding the Justice Minister will give more details in the near future.

By Thea Morrison