How to obtain Georgian citizenship: step-by-step instructions

Once a single state, the Soviet Union broke up into fifteen countries several decades ago, and in order to become a full-fledged resident, having arrived in one of them, it is necessary to obtain citizenship.

Grounds for the appropriation of citizenship

The same procedure occurs when living in the Georgian Republic. Georgia is one of the most beautiful countries, comparable in terms of development with European countries and preserved ancient customs, amazing nature and diverse culinary. The authorities of modern Georgia are loyal to foreigners who have arrived. They are offered a visa-free stay in the country and loyalty in the financial sector, which is very beneficial for doing business.

This approach leads to an influx of foreigners into the country. However, for a deeper involvement in the culture of the state, the acquisition of expanded rights and benefits, you need to obtain Georgian citizenship.

Legal base

Obtaining citizenship is determined by the Law “On Citizenship of Georgia” of March 25, 1993. It and some other by-laws clearly formulate all the conditions for achieving the goal of interest to us. So, how to become the holder of Georgian citizenship? It is necessary:

• know the official language at a level sufficient for daily communication;
• get acquainted with the history and culture of the country, as well as with certain legal aspects of the state;
• to have finances or the ability to earn them in an amount sufficient for a safe living (double the average official earnings);
• find a job or own your own business, real estate.

Citizenship in the traditional way

Having analyzed the conditions for obtaining Georgian citizenship and having previously considered that they can be fulfilled, it is necessary to plan a further algorithm for obtaining a passport.

On the territory of the country or abroad, you must contact the Civil Registry Agency. One option would be to use the online service to receive the required papers for citizenship. The site should fill out the necessary forms. When submitting documents to the Civil Registry Agency, copies of the required papers should be attached to the handwritten application (must be completed in the state language). There are general documents that are submitted by almost all candidates for Georgian citizenship:

• identity documents - passport or residence permit (in the state language);
• 2–4 snapshots of a passport sample;
• evidence of a stay in the country over the past few years;
• certificate of employment or confirmation of the presence of real estate in Georgia.

The application must first be replicated on the printer, put a signature on each option and with duplicate papers sent by mail to the appropriate government agencies or filed in person.

Actions after applying for citizenship

Then you will have to pass a test to understand the official language, history and legal field of the country. Test results will be attached to the personal file. In the case of citizenship of another country, the renunciation of primary citizenship should be recorded. Georgian law in most cases opposes dual citizenship.

You will need to pay a state fee of a certain amount. The price of the event is $ 146 (350 GEL) or $ 208. In the first case, the procedure is carried out in the usual manner (80 days), in the second - this is an express service (1 month).

It is also necessary to inform relatives that they may be called in to correct and explain various information about the applicant, especially if the latter is employed outside the state.

Then it remains only to wait for a decision on a personal matter. As a result of consideration of the documents (up to six months), the applicant will be informed of the acquisition of citizenship or refusal.

After the decision is made by state authorities, it is necessary to arrive at the procedure for issuing the document. Authorized persons will offer the new citizen to familiarize themselves with the content of the oath of allegiance to Georgia, after which they will issue a Georgian passport.

Obtaining citizenship in a privileged way

Besides the usual way of obtaining citizenship, there is also a privileged one. In Georgia, the president has the authority to give citizenship in the following cases:

• for great achievements before the state or before humanity;
• for awards in the humanitarian or scientific field;
• in the presence of a profession or specialty in demand in the state.

Georgian citizenship can be obtained by a citizen who:

1. He permanently resided in Georgia for more than five years until March 25, 1993. However, he was not supposed to write a statement of renunciation of Georgian citizenship for six months.
2. Born in Georgia, but left after December 21, 1991 and does not have another citizenship.

Georgian citizenship for citizens of other states can be obtained in another way. Children of Georgian nationals automatically become citizens of this country, no matter where they were born. In the case when one of the spouses has a different citizenship, in addition, one of the following conditions must be taken into account:

• Birth in Georgia.
• The residence of a Georgian parent on a permanent basis in the country.
• Lack of information about the second parent or his recognition as missing.
• Consent of both parents to assign the child Georgian citizenship.

In addition, citizenship is obtained through family ties. Residents of other countries married to Georgian citizens, two years after the wedding, can apply for citizenship status by providing:

• documents proving that the petitioner has married a citizen of the country;
• duplicate spouse's passport;
• a note on staying in the country (necessarily at the same address with the spouse) over the past two years, taken in a state body.

The application and other documents (copies) must be in the state language.

Citizenship for residents of the Russian Federation

Separately, we should consider the relationship between the residents of Russia and Georgia. In this area, Georgia softens its attitude towards dual citizenship. Even in the era of the USSR, many Russians had relatives in the Caucasus, and now business is being conducted with Georgia, relations between states are improving. And the authorities are trying to increase the level of relations.

Because of this, many Russians prefer to obtain a passport of a Georgian citizen, and at the same time dual citizenship (Russia-Georgia). By the way, the simplified regime for obtaining citizenship is also valid in the opposite direction. Thus, citizenship of a Georgian citizen can also be obtained on more loyal terms. It is necessary to complete the naturalization phase or have the proper origin. Thus, dual citizenship (RF-Georgia) can be obtained without any difficulties.

Deprivation of citizenship

Along with the acquisition of citizenship, its deprivation is also possible. This can happen in the following cases:

• obtaining citizenship of another country;
• obtaining Georgian citizenship by submitting knowingly erroneous data in an autobiography;
• failure to provide material about yourself to the diplomatic body when a person has been abroad for the past two years;
• service in the army or in the power structures of another state.

Renunciation of Georgian citizenship

Renunciation of Georgian citizenship is a long process. The relevant application must be submitted to the Department of Citizenship and Migration under the Ministry of Justice. The following papers must be attached to the official request:

• passport and a copy of the completed pages;
• official documents on the presence of children, registration or termination of family ties and other papers confirming the change in the civil status of the applicant;
• certificates from utilities about the absence of debts to the state;
• a note from the military enlistment office on the removal of military service;
• receipt of payment of existing debts.

In the case of a positive response to the request for the deprivation of Georgian citizenship, the applicant must return to the state internal and external passports.