Extension of the right of residence of Ukrainians in Georgia until 2027: new conditions and rules for crossing the border
The Georgian government’s decision to extend the legal stay of Ukrainian citizens was another step in changing migration policy, which is being transformed taking into account the long-term war and the presence of tens of thousands of Ukrainians in the country. This is not about a general liberalization of rules for all newcomers, but about consolidating the legal status of those people who are already in Georgia and have linked their daily lives with it.
Extension of the period of stay
By Resolution No. 80, signed by Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, the Georgian government extended the period of legal stay of Ukrainian citizens until February 24, 2027. This decision applies exclusively to those Ukrainians who arrived in the country before February 24, 2025, that is, it actually covers people who are already in Georgia and live there on a permanent or long-term basis.
For other Ukrainian citizens who enter after this date, the rule of one year of visa-free stay from the moment of crossing the border remains. Thus, the new provisions do not cancel the general regime, but introduce a special norm for a certain group of people who managed to arrive in the country before the established date.
Before the start of the full-scale Russian invasion, Ukrainians could stay in Georgia without a visa for one year. After February 2022, the Georgian government revised this rule several times, initially increasing the period of stay to two years, and later to three full years, in response to the scale of forced migration.
In April 2024, the period was officially extended to a three-year period. However, in 2025, the rules changed again, establishing a one-year format for new entries. The current decision effectively “freezes” the status of those Ukrainians who were already in the country as of February 24, 2025, giving them a two-year perspective of staying without the need to immediately change their legal status.
Number of Ukrainians and their legal status in Georgia
According to available data, about 30,000 Ukrainian citizens live in Georgia. Approximately 25,000 people have refugee status, and another 6,290 have received a residence permit. Some Ukrainians use the visa-free regime, adhering to the established deadlines or switching to other forms of legalization if they plan to stay for a long time.
The extension of the period until 2027 means that a significant part of this community maintains a stable legal status without the need to urgently issue new documents or leave to restart the permitted period of stay.
Visa-free regime and border crossing conditions
The initial 1999 agreement between Ukraine and Georgia provided for a stay of up to 90 days within a 180-day period. Later, the conditions were simplified, and by 2022, Ukrainians were able to stay in the country without a visa for one year.
After the war, the terms were extended, reflecting political support and humanitarian solidarity. In April 2025, Resolution No. 98 set the deadline for new entries at one calendar year. At the same time, for those who were in the country as of February 24, 2025, the visa-free period was extended until February 24, 2026, after which legalization or application of new norms is required in accordance with the latest resolution.
Citizens of Ukraine enter Georgia with a valid international passport – biometric or regular. The passport must remain valid for the entire planned stay, and it is advisable to have an additional period of validity after departure.
An internal ID card is only allowed for direct air or sea flights between Ukraine and Georgia, while land or transit entry with this document is not allowed. Children under 16 years of age can cross the border with a birth certificate with a notarized translation if they do not have their own international passport, while persons over 16 years of age must have a separate passport.
Border services have the right to request accommodation reservations, return tickets or proof of financial capabilities, especially if the purpose of the trip appears to be long-term. Entry through the territories of Abkhazia or South Ossetia is prohibited according to Georgian law.
The most popular border crossing points are the airports of Tbilisi, Batumi, Kutaisi, as well as land crossings from Turkey, Armenia and Azerbaijan. The control procedure lasts from 15 to 40 minutes, during which the border guard stamps the date of entry, from which the permitted year of stay is counted. Avoid attempts to hide previous stamps from Abkhazia or Tskhinvali – the system tracks them, and attempts at deception may result in a refusal of entry.
For those crossing the border by car, you must have an international driver’s license, vehicle registration certificate and a green card or local car insurance, which can be purchased at the border for 50-150 GEL depending on the validity period. Customs officers may check the trunk, but they are loyal to Ukrainians. It is forbidden to import weapons, drugs and large amounts of cash without a declaration (over $10,000).
Children under 16 can travel with one parent without the notarized consent of the other in accordance with the rules of martial law in Ukraine, and notarized permission is required with third parties. At the border, the child’s documents are checked, insurance is issued for each child separately at a reduced rate. Many families choose Georgia because of the safe beaches of Batumi, children’s camps in the mountains and affordable medicine. During martial law, the government extended social support for Ukrainians until April 1, 2026: monthly payments of 45 GEL per adult and 300 GEL per family, free assistance during childbirth, dialysis and tuberculosis treatment.
It is allowed to import 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars, 3 liters of wine, 10 liters of beer and personal belongings weighing up to 100 kg duty-free. Goods over 20 kg are taxed at 1 GEL per kilogram. Expensive gadgets or jewelry should be declared upon entry to avoid problems upon departure. Animals require a veterinary passport and a chip.
After 365 days, you must either leave or apply for a residence permit at least 40 days before the expiration date. Common reasons include work, study, marriage to a Georgian citizen, investments of 300,000 GEL or more in real estate, or internally displaced person status for Ukrainians. The procedure is carried out through the courts and takes 10–30 days.
A short trip to Armenia or Turkey for 1–2 days restarts the annual counter, but you should not abuse this, as border guards keep statistics on such cases. Typical mistakes made by Ukrainians when entering Georgia include: invalid or almost expired passport, lack of insurance after January 1, 2026, entry through prohibited areas, ignoring accommodation reservations, delay in applying for a residence permit.
Avoiding these mistakes makes crossing the border hassle-free, and staying in Georgia comfortable and safe. Many Ukrainians who initially come for a week end up staying for a longer period, appreciating the hospitality of the local people, the natural scenery, and the opportunities for living and working.
Mandatory health insurance
From the beginning of 2026, every foreigner, including citizens of Ukraine, is required to have a health insurance policy with a minimum coverage of 30,000 GEL. The policy must be valid for the entire period of stay, including the days of the flight, and can be presented in paper or electronic form.
The insurance must cover emergency outpatient care, inpatient treatment, medical evacuation, and repatriation. The lack of a proper policy can lead to a fine of 300 GEL or refusal of entry, and repeated violations can lead to deportation with a ban on re-entry.
The insurance policy has clearly defined requirements, non-compliance with which may have consequences already during border control. The document must be drawn up in English or Georgian, and both a paper version and an electronic format with the possibility of verification are allowed, in particular via a QR code on a smartphone.
The scope of coverage must include emergency outpatient care in the amount of at least 5,000 US dollars, inpatient treatment with a minimum limit of 30,000 GEL, as well as medical evacuation and repatriation costs. The policy can be issued by any insurance company regardless of the country of registration, but its conditions must meet the established Georgian criteria.
In the absence of proper insurance, border guards have the right to refuse entry or impose a fine of 300 GEL, which is equivalent to approximately 110 USD. In case of repeated violation, forced expulsion with a subsequent ban on entry is possible. The policy usually takes a few minutes to apply for and is available online through Ukrainian insurance companies or immediately before departure at the airport. The annual cost of insurance for one person, depending on age and selected risks, usually ranges from 1,500 to 2,500 hryvnias.
Social support for Ukrainians
Until April 1, 2026, Ukrainians have access to a certain list of free medical services within the framework of state programs. Monthly payments are also provided: 45 GEL per adult and 300 GEL per family, and certain categories may receive assistance during childbirth or treatment of serious illnesses.
Such measures operate within the framework of special programs to support citizens of Ukraine who were forced to leave their country due to military operations.
After the end of the permitted period of stay, citizens of Ukraine can apply for a residence permit on the basis of employment, study, marriage or investment in real estate of 300,000 GEL or more. The procedure is carried out through the courts of justice and provides for certain deadlines for consideration. Submitting an application before the end of the current period of stay allows you to avoid fines and problems with further entry.
Therefore, extending the period until 2027 creates clear time limits and allows citizens of Ukraine to plan further steps – from temporary residence to obtaining long-term status.
