Georgia reduces visa-free travel for Ukrainians: how changes will affect refugees
Among the countries that became a refuge for thousands of forced Ukrainian refugees, Georgia occupied a special place. Until the spring of 2025, it remained one of the most loyal states to Ukrainian citizens, allowing them to stay on its territory without a visa for three years. This created conditions for temporary and even long-term residence without pressure from the migration service. Ukrainians, fleeing the war, settled in Tbilisi, Batumi and other cities, arranged their lives, enrolled their children in schools, opened businesses or continued to work remotely. Many had no plans to return in the near future – not because of a lack of patriotism, but because of objective circumstances: loss of housing, loved ones, threats in the region of residence. Now these plans will have to be reviewed.
Changes to the rules of stay of Ukrainians in Georgia
On April 3, 2025, the government of Georgia adopted a resolution that changes the rules for the stay of Ukrainians in the country. Prime Minister Irakliy Kobakhidze signed a document that officially shortens the visa-free period of stay for citizens of Ukraine from three years to one.
According to the new rules, Ukrainians can stay in Georgia without a visa or residence permit for only one year after entering the country. This applies to both new arrivals and those already living on Georgian territory, if their stay began after February 24, 2025.
There is an exception for those who entered the country earlier: their stay is automatically extended until February 24, 2026. This means that persons who crossed the border of Georgia before this date will have more time to make decisions about legalizing their status or changing their place of residence.
Until recently, Georgia demonstrated a gradual increase in visa-free stay for Ukrainians. In 2023, this term was extended to two years, and in 2024 – to three. This decision was perceived as a symbol of support for Ukraine and consideration of the humanitarian situation. However, the new resolution significantly changes the logic: now the term is limited to one year without the possibility of automatic extension.
The Georgian authorities have not publicly explained the reasons for shortening the deadline, but in the context of recent domestic political events, as well as tense relations between Tbilisi and Kyiv, the decision may have both a political and an administrative basis. At the same time, there are currently no signs of massive restrictions on the rights of Ukrainians in the country. The rule is the same for everyone and has the character of changing the terms, rather than revising the attitude to the very presence of refugees.
Who is most affected by the changes?
The new rules will have the greatest impact on those who planned to stay in Georgia for more than one year without obtaining additional documents. This applies not only to refugees, but also to freelancers, representatives of small businesses who have not yet received resident status, and families with children who continued their education in Georgian schools. For them, the new limited term creates additional legal uncertainty.
It should be taken into account that in case of exceeding the permitted period of visa-free stay, a citizen may face deportation or a ban on re-entry.
What to do for those who plan to stay longer
The main way for those who want to legalize their stay in Georgia after one year is to obtain a temporary or permanent residence permit. The reasons can be different: study, employment, starting a business, participation in international projects, marriage with a Georgian citizen, etc. Each of these categories has its own procedure and requirements, so it is important to prepare documents in advance and consult with a lawyer.
If a person intends to remain without a long-term registration, he must control the period of stay so that it does not exceed 365 days. After the visa-free period expires, you will either have to leave the country or submit documents for a passport.
Human rights organizations, migration lawyers, as well as Ukrainian communities in Georgia recommend not delaying the legalization process. Contacting a lawyer, preparing a package of documents, choosing the type of permit — all this is better to start not a week before the visa-free period expires, but as soon as it becomes clear that the plan of stay exceeds 12 months.
It is important for refugees from Ukraine to maintain their legal status in any country. Georgia remains a relatively accessible state for Ukrainians, but now with clearer frameworks. The “three years without documents” rule no longer applies. So those who want to stay will have to adapt their lives to the new norms.
