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GEORGIA`S REFORMS ASSOCIATES

MULTI PROFILE THINK TANK IN GEORGIA

Amendments in the Immigration Policy and challenges resulting from it

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23 December, 2014
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On September 1 2014, the new Law of Georgia on the Legal Status of Aliens and Stateless Persons came into force. The law decreased the length of visa-free stay for foreigners in Georgia, from 360 days to 90 days in any 180-day period. The law also cancelled the visa-free regime with twenty-four countries.

According to the new law, the Public Service Development Agency of the Ministry of Justice does not issue visas anymore. Instead, visas are issued in the diplomatic missions of Georgia abroad. If there is no diplomatic mission of Georgia in a person’s home country, then that person should address the nearest embassy or consulate of Georgia. As well, the law abolished the issuing of visas at the state border of Georgia (though it is still possible in special cases).