1. Visa Requirements

There are new latest COVID19 Regulations in Georgia which will come into force from 01 June 2021. Foreigners who seek to enter Georgia generally must first obtain a Georgian visa, which is placed in the traveler’s passport (a visa blank) or is issued electronically (electronic visa). Certain international travelers may be eligible to travel to Georgia without a visa if they meet the requirements for visa-free travel. While planning travel to Georgia, learn about visa requirements here: https://www.geoconsul.gov.ge/

In case of crossing the border and re-entering Georgia, the period of staying without a visa will also increase.

2. Entry rules for COVID-19 vaccinated visitors

Citizens of all countries, traveling from any country are able to enter Georgia, if they:

While traveling by air present the document confirming the full course (two doses, one dose in case of Johnson&Johnson) of any COVID-19 vaccination at the border checkpoints of Georgia.

While crossing the land and sea border of Georgia present the document confirming the full course (two doses, one dose in case of Johnson&Johnson) of any COVID-19 vaccination at the border checkpoints of Georgia, as well as the negative PCR test taken in the last 72 hours prior to the visit to Georgia.

* Except for any person traveling from the Republic of India (regardless of citizenship and full course of vaccination) as well as persons having a history of travel to the Republic of India for the last 14 days. They are subject to a negative PCR test conducted in the last 72 hours prior to the visit to Georgia at the border and then – a mandatory 14-day quarantine (in the case of foreigners, at their own expense).

3. Entry rules for non-vaccinated visitors

Georgian nationals:

1. Georgian citizens presenting the negative PCR test conducted within 72 hours prior to the visit, will be subject to either 8-day self-isolation or to the optional PCR examination at their own expense on the 3rd day of their stay in Georgia. If self-isolation is not possible, they will be subject to a mandatory quarantine;
2. If Georgian citizens fail to submit the document confirming the PCR examination at the border, they will be placed in self-isolation for 8 days, and if self-isolation is not possible, they will be subject to a mandatory quarantine.

For foreigners:

Citizens and residence permit holders of the following states may enter Georgia by air, land and sea under the conditions mentioned below:

1. European Union Member States
2. State of Israel
3. Republic of Turkey
4. Swiss Confederation
5. Kingdom of Norway
6. United States of America
7. Canada
8. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
9. Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
10. State of Qatar
11. State of Kuwait
12. United Arab Emirates
13. Kingdom of Bahrein
14. Republic of Armenia
15. Republic of Azerbaijan
16. Ukraine
17. Republic of Moldova
18. Republic of Kazakhstan
19. Russian Federation
20. Republic of Belarus
21. Republic of Uzbekistan
22. Republic of Tajikistan
23. Republic of Kyrgyzstan
24. Turkmenistan
25. People’s Republic of China
26. Japan
27. Republic of Korea
28. The Sultanate of Oman

• They must travel directly from the above-mentioned countries, including transit travel through third countries;
• At the border checkpoint of Georgia they must present a PCR-examination certificate conducted in the last 72 hours prior to the travel to Georgia;
• On the 3rd day of their stay, they are obliged to undergo PCR-examination at their own expense;
• Before crossing the state border, they must complete the special application form, indicating the travel history of the last 14 days, contact details (address, phone number, email etc.) https://registration.gov.ge/pub/form/8_protocol_for_arrivals_in_georgia/tk6157/​;
• All individuals who have travelled to the Republic of India within the last 14 days will be placed in a mandatory quarantine for 14 days upon entry at their own expense. In this case, PCR-examination on 3rd day of their stay will be waived.

A curfew is set throughout the country from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m.

Except for the above-mentioned categories, the restrictions on entry to Georgia do not apply to:

1. Representatives of the diplomatic missions and international organizations accredited to Georgia and their family members;
2. Family members of Georgian citizens, despite their nationality.
3. Persons arriving in Georgia as part of humanitarian mission – if a trip of such mission (doctors, volunteers, etc.) to Georgia becomes a necessity;
4. Individuals who have been granted the status of stateless person by the respective authorities of Georgia;
5. Individuals holding status-neutral ID card or travel documents;
6. Individuals having a refugee status in Georgia;
7. Members of official delegations (will be decided on a case-to-case basis);
8. Train and truck drivers, involved in international road traffic, international railway personnel, involved in in the carriage of goods by rail, as well as the members of the aircraft crew.

 

See also:

– Procedures for foreign students entering Georgia
– Information on foreign citizens traveling to Georgia on business purpose
– Information regarding the project “Remotely from Georgia”

For additional questions please contact us.

Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia

1. Visa Requirements

There are certain restrictions for those wishing to visit Georgia during COVID-19 pandemic . Foreigners who seek to enter Georgia generally must first obtain a Georgian visa, which is placed in the traveler’s passport (a visa blank) or is issued electronically (electronic visa). Certain international travelers may be eligible to travel to Georgia without a visa if they meet the requirements for visa-free travel. While planning travel to Georgia, learn about visa requirements here: https://www.geoconsul.gov.ge/

In case of crossing the border and re-entering Georgia, the period of staying without a visa will also increase.

2. Entry rules for COVID-19 vaccinated visitors

Citizens of all countries, traveling by air from any country may enter Georgia if they present the document confirming the full course (two doses) of any COVID-19 vaccination at the border checkpoints of Georgia. Visitors vaccinated with full course (two doses) can visit Georgia during COVID 19 pandemic freely without restrictions.

3. Entry rules for non-vaccinated visitors

Georgian nationals:

1)  Georgian nationals presenting the negative result of the PCR test conducted within 72 hours prior the visit, will be subject to either 8-day self-isolation or to optional PCR examination at their own expense on the 3rd day of their stay in Georgia. If self-isolation is not possible, he/she will be subject to mandatory quarantine;

2)   If Georgian national fails to submit the document confirming the PCR examination at the border, he/she will be placed in self-isolation for 8 days, and if self-isolation is not possible, he/she will be subject to mandatory quarantine;

All individuals who have travelled to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland within the last 14 days will be placed in mandatory quarantine for 12 days.

For foreigners:

Citizens and residence permit holders of the following states may enter Georgia by air under the conditions mentioned bellow:

• European Union Member States
• State of Israel
• Republic of Turkey
• Swiss Confederation
• Kingdom of Norway
• United States of America
• United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
• Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
• State of Qatar
• United Arab Emirates
• Kingdom of Bahrein
• Republic of Armenia
• Republic of Azerbaijan
• Ukraine
• Republic of Kazakhstan
• Russian Federation
• Republic of Belarus
• Republic of Uzbekistan
• Republic of Tajikistan
• Republic of Kyrgyzstan
• Turkmenistan

For entering Georgia, they must comply with the following conditions:

• They must travel by air directly from the countries mentioned above, including transit travel through third countries; (Land and Sea borders remain closed).
• At the border checkpoint of Georgia they must present PCR-examination certificate conducted during 72 hours prior to travel to Georgia;
• On the 3rd day of their stay, they are obliged to undergo PCR-examination at their own expense;
• Before crossing the state border, they must complete the special application form, indicating the travel history of the last 14 days, contact details (address, phone number, email etc.)
• All individuals who have travelled to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland within the last 14 days will be placed in mandatory quarantine for 12 days upon entry. In this case, the obligation of presentation of PCR test negative result on the border as well as PCR-examination on 3rd day of stay will be waived.

A curfew is set throughout the country from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m.

For additional questions please contact us.

1. Introduction

Georgian Government has ruled new COVID-19 restrictions coming into force on November 28, 2020 and apply until January 31, 2021.

The movement of persons throughout the country from 21:00 to 05:00 is prohibited, both on foot and by transport, as well as being in public space. Exception will be made on the New Year’s and Orthodox Christmas days – respectively December 31, 2020 and January 6, 2021.

2. Public Services

The following public services are stopped:

• Transportation of passengers by rail, except for official railway traffic, within the framework of which, for the purpose of uninterrupted cargo transportation, the staff is moved / transferred from the place of residence to the place of work and vice versa in accordance with the operational headquarters;
• Regular transport of intercity passengers by vehicles of M2 (so-called minibus) and M3 (so-called bus) categories;
• Functioning of public transport in Tbilisi Municipality and in the administrative borders of Batumi, Kutaisi, Rustavi, Gori, Zugdidi, Poti, Telavi municipalities, including the functioning of the metro in Tbilisi municipality as well.

Restriction does not apply to light vehicles (including taxis);

3. Regulation of economic activity

All economic activities are allowed, except:

• Operation of ski slopes and ski lifts;
• Organizing / conducting activities of entertainment establishments and entertainment events;
• The provision of early upbringing and education services and / or the provision of pre-school and education services and / or the implementation of a school readiness program;
• Sports / gymnasiums, saunas and other spa procedures, as well as swimming pool activities.

Also, the Government has ruled to introduce the following restrictions in large cities and within their administrative boundaries: Tbilisi, Batumi, Kutaisi, Rustavi, Gori, Poti, Zugdidi and Telavi, as well as at skiing resorts of Bakuriani, Gudauri, Goderdzi and Mestia:

In the following cities: Tbilisi, Batumi, Kutaisi, Rustavi, Gori, Zugdidi, Poti, Telavi, Bakuriani, Borjomi Municipality, Kazbegi village, Gudauri village, Khulo municipality, Goderdzi resort and Mestia municipality, the sale of any goods / products, both retail and wholesale, is carried out remotely, without access to the user’s sales space.

This restriction does not apply to:

• Sale of food / animal feed, animal, animal and plant products, household chemicals and hygiene, veterinary preparations, pesticides and agrochemicals, seed and planting materials;
• Supply of electricity, electricity, natural gas, water, gasoline, diesel, liquefied gas;
• Sale of medical goods, pharmaceutical products;
• Press booths.

Food Facilities

The operation of food facilities / restaurants / bars / cafes is allowed only with delivery service and product delivery (so-called “Take Away” and “Drive”). It is permissible to operate restaurants / bars / cafes, gyms and swimming pools in hotels and similar accommodation only to serve guests of the hotel and similar accommodation.

Markets / Fairs

In the following cities: Tbilisi, Batumi, Kutaisi, Rustavi, Gori, Zugdidi, Poti, Telavi, Bakuriani, Borjomi Municipality, Kazbegi village, Gudauri village, Khulo municipality, Goderdzi resort and Mestia municipality, open and closed markets / fairs are allowed only remotely. This restriction does not apply to the activities of agrarian markets / fairs.

Hotel Services

The activities of the hotels in Bakuriani, Borjomi Municipality, Gudauri village of Kazbegi Municipality, Goderdzi resort in Khulo Municipality and Mestia Municipality in Mestia are allowed only for the arrangement of quarantine spaces. It is permissible to operate restaurants / bars / cafes, gyms and swimming pools in hotels and similar accommodation only to serve guests of the hotel and similar accommodation;

4. Public Institutions

Public institutions should provide remote delivery of services to persons, except for those services, the remote delivery of which is impossible or related to an urgent need. Public institutions should ensure the remote transfer of employees, unless it is necessary to be physically present / announced in the service of a specific position / official.

5. Cultural and sports events

• It is not allowed for the spectator to attend any type of cultural event.
• It is allowed to hold a sports event without spectators under the auspices of the relevant international and / or national sports federation.
• Activities of sports, artistic and cultural circles / studios are prohibited.

6. Regulation of the educational process

Schools, vocational training centers and higher education institutions (except for health and medicine education programs) will be transformed entirely into a distance learning.

• Should be suspended the implementation of early upbringing and education services and / or the provision of preschool and education services and / or school readiness programs. Other educational institutions should carry out the training process in accordance with the order of the Minister of Internally Displaced Persons from the Occupied Territories, Labor, Health and Social Affairs of Georgia on “Approval of Recommendations to Prevent the Spread of New Coronavirus (COVID-19) in the Workplace”.
• The educational process in educational institutions may be carried out only as a result of inspections carried out at the workplaces of Georgia directly by the Department of Labor Inspection of the Ministry of Internally Displaced Persons from the Occupied Territories, Labor, Health and Social Affairs of Georgia. Based on the positive conclusion issued on the implementation of the recommendations of the Ministry of Internally Displaced Persons from the Occupied Territories, Labor, Health and Social Affairs.
• The higher education institution is authorized to provide practical / laboratory / clinical work and examinations non-remotely (physically). In accordance with the order of the Minister of Defense.
• In the following cities Tbilisi, Batumi, Kutaisi, Rustavi, Gori, Zugdidi, Poti, general education, vocational, special vocational and higher education institutions in Telavi can carry out educational activities only using various forms of distance learning / communication.
• The activities of vocational education institutions and special vocational education institutions are permitted. Based on the positive conclusion issued on the implementation of the recommendations of the Ministry of Internally Displaced Persons from the Occupied Territories, Labor, Health and Social Affairs of Georgia.
• The educational institution is obliged to carry out activities in electronic form, remotely, through the administration of collegial bodies In accordance with the rules established by the legislation of Georgia for production (determination of quorum for decision making, voting, production of protocol, etc.).
• An educational institution is obliged to transfer all persons employed in educational institutions to a remote mode of work, unless the presence / announcement of a specific position / official on the territory of an educational institution is related to the specifics of this position / position. These individuals carry out activities in accordance with the order of the Minister of Internally Displaced Persons from the Occupied Territories, Labor, Health and Social Affairs of Georgia on “Approval of Recommendations to Prevent the Spread of New Coronavirus (COVID-19) in the Workplace”.
• Training, conference, seminar is allowed only remotely. This restriction does not apply to seafarers ‘training centers recognized by the LEPL – Maritime Transport Agency of the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia and to the mandatory exercises to be conducted by them on the basis of the Law of Georgia on Seafarers’ Education and Certification.

7. Conclusion

COVID restrictions do not apply to the following in the entire period:

• All other economic activities, including the following:

1. Public and private construction and repair works;
2. Banking and financial intermediation;
3. Groceries, pet/animal food stores, pharmacies, veterinarian drug stores, household chemistry and hygiene stores, printed media kiosks;
4. So called delivery and take-away services;
5. Beauty parlours, barber shops and aesthetic medicine centres;
6. Vehicle repair and technical inspection services;
7. Repair services of household appliances;
8. Fruit and vegetable markets;
9. And others.

• Mobility with light vehicles (including taxes) will not be restricted.

In addition, it is worth noting that COVID restrictions will be eased nation-wide from December 24, 2020 through January 2, 2021 and namely and only shopping malls, open and closed fairs and markets will be permitted to operate.

1. Visa Requirements

Foreigners who seek to enter Georgia generally must first obtain a Georgian visa, which is placed in the traveler’s passport (a visa blank) or is issued electronically (electronic visa). Certain international travelers may be eligible to travel to Georgia without a visa if they meet the requirements for visa-free travel.

While planning travel to Georgia, learn about visa requirements here: https://www.geoconsul.gov.ge/

In case of crossing the border and re-entering Georgia, the period of staying without a visa will also increase.

2. Restrictions and conditions of border crossing

At this stage because of COVID-19, the state border of Georgia is unconditionally opened for 5 countries out
of 27 EU member states (Germany, France, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania). Citizens of the above 5 countries / persons with permanent residence permits can come to Georgia for all types of visits only by air, in case of departure from the indicated 5 countries. For example: a Latvian citizen / resident’s resident from Germany will enter Georgia unconditionally.

Before crossing the Georgian border, they must fill out a specially designed, electronic form here: https://stopcov.ge/en/Protocol, which must indicate the history of the trip during the last 14 days before  entering Georgia, the location specified during the visit to Georgia, contact information, etc. With their consent, they will undergo a PCR test at the airport (at state expense).

As a result of passing the thermal screening at the border, in case of temperature above 37 degrees, the person will be taken to a medical facility.

Citizens of EU countries (Italy, Cyprus, Greece, Spain, Sweden, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Croatia) who entered Georgia in the so-called In the green list (except for the 5 countries listed above) or various restrictions have been imposed, you can enter Georgia under a 14-day mandatory quarantine, the costs of which will be covered by yourself.

If a citizen / resident of the above 5 countries arrives by air from the EU country with which Georgia opens the border by reservation (Italy, Cyprus, Greece, Spain, Sweden, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania), From the countries with which Georgia does not have a border, as well as if it has a travel history of the last 14 days in countries other than the mentioned 5 countries, is subject to a 14-day mandatory quarantine, at its own expense.

In relation to other EU member states (Slovenia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark, Malta, Slovakia, Finland, Hungary, Czech Republic, Croatia), which did not open the border with Georgia, we still maintain the current regime.

It should be noted that business visits from all over the world will be carried out smoothly in advance, by filling in the relevant form and in agreement with the relevant industry agency. Guests arriving in Georgia on a business visit are required to take a PCR test at COVID-19 every 72 hours at their own expense, or to undergo a mandatory 14-day quarantine, also at their own expense. This does not apply to citizens of 5 EU member states / holders of residence permits with whom Georgia unconditionally opens its borders.

3. Conclusion

Foreigners who plan to visit Georgia are required to fill out a special application form, after which they will receive a reply to the e-mail within 10 working days about the possibility of crossing the Georgian border, as well as instructions to be passed during their stay in Georgia. This could be a 14-day quarantine or PCR test every 72 hours or e.g. 5-day quarantine and PCR test every 72 hours at its own expense.

The Georgian government continues to actively cooperate with EU member states and partner countries, and in accordance with the recommendation, once every two weeks, the conditions for entry of both Georgians and Georgian citizens to these countries will be jointly reviewed.