Legal status for citizens and former citizens of Georgia – citizen, compatriot, special residence permit

Until August 15, 2018, Georgian law prohibited obtaining a second citizenship. As a result, many citizens who moved abroad acquired foreign citizenship, and upon discovery of this information by the Georgian migration authorities, there is a direct risk of losing Georgian citizenship. However, if you have not yet lost your citizenship status despite holding a second citizenship obtained before 2018, you have the opportunity to undergo the procedure for retaining Georgian citizenship in a simplified manner.
To do so, you must apply to the Public Service Development Agency, provide your Georgian passport (or ID), a document confirming the acquisition of foreign citizenship, and a 3×4 format photo. It is important to note that the deadline for submitting an application for citizenship retention is December 31, 2026.

The citizenship retention procedure does not require passing an exam but usually involves an interview.
For more details on retaining Georgian citizenship, read the separate article "Retention of Georgian Citizenship."

If you have lost your Georgian citizenship for any reason—for example, by acquiring a second citizenship before August 2018—there is an opportunity to restore it. Citizenship can be restored if it was lost unlawfully, voluntarily, or due to a decision made by parents while the individual was a minor.

Restoration of citizenship is possible through the general procedure (Article 18 of the Law "On Citizenship") or via a temporary procedure (for those who lost their Georgian citizenship involuntarily due to acquiring a second citizenship before August 2018). Under the general procedure, Georgian citizenship can be restored by renouncing the current foreign citizenship. Restoration under the temporary procedure does not require renouncing the current citizenship but is only available until December 31, 2026.

An application for citizenship restoration can be submitted upon successfully passing the Georgian language proficiency exam. The exam results are valid for one year.

According to JUST Advisors' practice, Georgian citizens who were denied retention of citizenship have successfully undergone the citizenship restoration procedure.

For more details on how to restore Georgian citizenship, read the article: "Restoring Georgian Citizenship — What Are the Options?"

For detailed information on how to obtain Georgian citizenship through an exceptional procedure, refer to the article of the same name.

For foreigners born on the territory of Georgia before March 31, 1993, a special procedure for obtaining citizenship is provided.

• This method consists of two stages:

first, the procedure for establishing citizenship (or, more precisely, confirming the fact of the absence of citizenship) takes place, and then

• an application for citizenship is submitted under the special procedure. It is important to note that upon successful completion of the second stage, the applicant will be required to renounce their foreign citizenship in order to obtain Georgian citizenship."

A foreigner who has origins from Georgia or whose native language belongs to the Kartvelian-Caucasian language group can obtain the status of a compatriot. Being of Georgian origin means that the person or their ancestor belongs to one of the ethnic groups residing in Georgia and recognizes Georgia as their country of origin. Any adult foreigner who believes they have Georgian origins can apply for this status. Additionally, family members—spouse and minor children—of a person with this status can also obtain it. Family members are not required to prove their Georgian origin.

To obtain this status, it is sufficient to submit an application (either in person or through a Georgian representative office abroad), provide a passport, a motivation letter, and a document confirming Georgian origin (for example, a birth certificate or an old passport of the Georgian SSR).

The status of a compatriot does not require passing any exams and allows the holder to receive an identification document. Additionally, if necessary, the holder can apply for a Special Residence Permit in Georgia for up to 1 year, which can be extended free of charge.

For detailed information on the procedure for obtaining the status of a compatriot, refer to the article of the same name.

If retaining or restoring citizenship was not possible for any reason, former citizens of Georgia can legalize their stay by obtaining a residence permit. A residence permit for former citizens is issued based on the Law 'On the Legal Status of Foreigners and Stateless Persons' and is granted for a period of up to 6 years with the possibility of extension.

To apply for a residence permit, one must submit an application to the Public Service Development Agency, along with a foreign passport, a 3×4 photo, and a document confirming the loss of citizenship (for example, a presidential decree on the termination of citizenship).

For more details on the procedure for obtaining a residence permit for former citizens of Georgia, read the article of the same name.

The decision to grant citizenship is the exclusive right of the President of Georgia. However, in cases of retention, restoration, or acquisition of Georgian citizenship on any grounds, the application is reviewed by the Georgian Citizenship Commission, which also conducts candidate interviews. Based on the application review and interview results, the Citizenship Commission prepares a conclusion, providing recommendations on whether to grant or deny Georgian citizenship. According to our practice, the President’s decision rarely differs from the Commission’s opinion.

It is important to note that the Commission’s conclusions related to the denial of any status—whether it be a refusal to retain or restore citizenship, or a denial of citizenship under the exceptional or special procedure—can be appealed in court.

As a result of the review, the court may decide to grant citizenship or return the case to the Commission for reconsideration.

Thus, citizens of Georgia, former citizens, and foreigners of Georgian origin have several pathways for legalization in Georgia. Depending on the specific situation, it is possible to:

• Retain citizenship if the second citizenship was obtained before 2018,
• Restore lost citizen status,
• Obtain citizenship through an exceptional or special procedure,
• Apply for the status of a compatriot, which grants additional opportunities,
• Obtain a special residence permit for former citizens.

Each procedure has its own nuances, deadlines, and requirements. If you are unsure about the best option or facing legal difficulties, the Just Advisors team is ready to provide full legal support and assist in gathering the necessary documents.

Reach out for a consultation — we will help you navigate the intricacies of the law and choose the most suitable way to legalize your stay in Georgia.