Georgia Entry Requirements: A Complete Checklist for Your Trip

Most entry problems in Georgia come from guesswork. Travellers read an old forum thread, assume the rules changed, or use a look-alike e-visa website that charges extra. Georgia’s system is simple. Over 90 countries get visa-free entry, and many of them can stay a full year. Other nationalities use a short online e-visa process. This checklist covers what you need for 2026, from the passport counter to the bus stop outside arrivals.

Visa-Free Entry: Who Qualifies and for How Long

As of 2026, over 90 countries benefit from Georgia’s visa-free regime. Citizens of the following can enter without a visa:

• European Union member states, the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand
• Japan, South Korea, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein
• Israel, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Oman
• Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Uruguay, Mexico and South Africa
• Many other countries

For most of these passports, including EU, UK, US, Canada and Australia, you can stay up to one full year (365 days) from your date of entry. That is why Georgia is popular with remote workers and long-stay travellers.

Stay durations can differ by nationality, so check the official source before you book. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia keeps the current list at mfa.gov.ge/en/visa-information-for-foreigners. The page is usually found under “Consular Services” or “Visa Information”.

The Document Checklist for Your Bag

You rarely need more than a passport, but border officers can ask questions. Carry these items in your hand luggage, not in your checked bag:

1. A valid passport or travel document. It should be valid for at least six months beyond your intended period of stay.
2. Proof of onward or return ticket. It is rarely requested, but a screenshot saves an awkward conversation.
3. Proof of sufficient funds. A bank statement or credit card is enough.
4. Travel insurance. It is not strictly mandatory for entry, but it is highly recommended, especially if you plan to hike in the mountains.
5. Printed e-visa and digital copy, if your nationality needs one.
6. Your accommodation address. Officers may ask where you are staying.

E-Visa Step by Step for Other Passports

If your country is not on the visa-free list, you can apply online. Citizens of countries such as India, China, Egypt, the Philippines and Vietnam, among many others, are eligible. The portal confirms eligibility once you choose your nationality. The most common e-visa is for short tourist visits, typically allowing up to 30 days within a 120-day period. It can be single or multiple entry, depending on the application.

1. Open the official portal: evisa.gov.ge. Avoid unofficial third-party websites.
2. Check eligibility. Select your nationality and travel document type to see the required documents.
3. Fill in the form with accurate personal details, passport information and travel plans.
4. Upload your documents. You usually need a digital passport-sized photo (typically 3×4 cm or 3.5×4.5 cm) and a scan of your passport bio page. The passport must be valid for at least 6 months after your intended departure. Some applications also ask for an accommodation booking, flight itinerary or travel insurance. These are sometimes requested for short tourist visas, so check what the portal asks for in your case.
5. Pay the fee. Visa and Mastercard credit or debit cards are accepted.
6. Submit and wait. You will get a confirmation email.
7. Receive your e-visa by email. Print it and keep a digital copy on your phone.

Standard processing takes up to 5 working days. An expedited option, for example within 3 working days, may be available for an extra fee. Confirm on the portal whether it is offered for your application and what it costs in 2026. Apply at least two weeks before departure. The e-visa states its validity period and maximum stay, so make sure your travel dates fall inside it.

Passport Control and Customs at Tbilisi Airport

Tbilisi International Airport (Shota Rustaveli, TBS) is where most visitors arrive. You walk off the plane and follow the Passport Control signs. Here is the sequence:

Passport control

Tbilisi has expanded automated e-gates since late 2023 and early 2024. They are typically open to Georgian citizens, residents and citizens of specific visa-free countries holding biometric passports, such as EU/EEA, UK, US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. The exact list of foreign nationalities can change, so follow the signs and ask staff if you are unsure.

Everyone else goes to the manual counters staffed by border police. Hand over your passport, and your e-visa printout if you have one. You may be asked about your purpose of visit, length of stay and accommodation. Answer briefly and clearly. E-gates save a lot of time. At manual counters, expect anywhere from 15 minutes to over an hour at peak arrival times.

Baggage and customs

Collect your bags at the carousel for your flight number. All arriving passengers then pass through customs. Use the Green Channel if you have nothing to declare and the Red Channel if you carry goods to declare, such as large amounts of cash or regulated items. Amounts exceeding 30,000 GEL must be declared. Confirm the current threshold before you travel.

Batumi International Airport (Alexander Kartveli, BUS) works in a similar way, with manual passport control counters. E-gates for foreign nationals are less common there, so plan for a manual counter.

From the Airport to the City: Tbilisi and Batumi

Your first taxi ride is where overcharging happens, so decide your plan before you land.

Tbilisi (TBS)

• Bus 337: The cheapest option, at 1 GEL. It runs 24/7, about every 15–20 minutes by day and every 30–40 minutes at night. Tap a contactless Visa or Mastercard on the reader inside the bus, or use a Metromoney card. The journey to Freedom Square takes roughly 30–40 minutes, depending on traffic.
• Georgian Railway train: The station is near the terminal, reached by shuttle bus or a short walk. Service is very limited, typically 2–3 departures per day. The fare is approximately 0.50 GEL and the trip to Tbilisi Central Station takes about 20–25 minutes. It only works if the timing fits. Check tickets.ge or railway.ge.
• Bolt or Yandex Go: Widely available and reliable. Download the apps before arrival. Expect roughly 30–50 GEL to the centre, depending on demand, time and destination. Meet your driver at the marked pick-up area.
• Official airport taxis: Marked stands outside arrivals, with fixed rates, usually 50–70 GEL to the centre. They give peace of mind, though apps often offer better value.
• Unofficial taxis: Avoid touts inside the terminal or just outside. They often overcharge.

Batumi (BUS)

• Local bus: 1 GEL by contactless bank card or Metromoney equivalent, about 15–25 minutes.
• Bolt or Yandex Go: About 15–25 GEL to the centre.
• Taxis: Available outside the terminal, around 20–30 GEL.

Land Borders: Turkey, Armenia, Azerbaijan and Russia

Georgia borders Turkey, Armenia, Azerbaijan and Russia. All land crossings operate 24/7 unless special circumstances apply. The process is the same everywhere. Complete exit formalities in the country you are leaving, walk or drive to the Georgian post, show your passport (and e-visa if needed) to the border police, then pass through customs.

• Turkey: Sarpi on the Black Sea coast is the busiest, popular for trips between Batumi and Turkey, with significant queues in summer and on holidays. Vale, near Akhaltsikhe and linking to the Turkish town of Posof, is generally quieter.
• Armenia: Sadakhlo-Bagratashen is the main crossing between Tbilisi and Yerevan, with frequent marshrutka and Georgian Railway services from Tbilisi to Sadakhlo. Bavra-Ninotsminda in Javakheti links Gyumri with southern Georgia.
• Azerbaijan: Red Bridge (Tsiteli Khidi) is the most common crossing on the Tbilisi–Baku route. Lagodekhi-Balakan in eastern Georgia gives access to northern Azerbaijan.
• Russia: Larsi-Kazbegi (Upper Lars) is the only official land crossing open to third-country nationals.

Larsi is notorious for very long waits, especially for trucks and in peak seasons or holidays. Cars and marshrutkas can also be delayed for several hours. Check social media groups and dedicated websites for real-time queue information. The road through the Dariali Gorge can close because of heavy snow, avalanches or landslides, especially in winter.

To reach border towns, marshrutkas are the cheapest and most common option. They leave frequently from Tbilisi’s Didube or Ortachala bus stations. Georgian Railway offers limited international service to Armenia, and domestic trains reach towns such as Sadakhlo. Taxis work for transfers but cost much more than marshrutkas.

What Has Changed Since 2024

• Airport bus number: The Tbilisi airport route changed from 37 to 337 in late 2023 / early 2024. Route and frequency are largely the same. If an old guide says “bus 37”, it is outdated.
• E-gates: Automated gates at Tbilisi Airport were first aimed at Georgian citizens. Eligibility has expanded to certain foreign nationals with biometric passports. Check current eligibility on arrival.
• Contactless payments: Visa and Mastercard taps now work on public transport such as buses and the metro, so you often do not need a Metromoney card for a single journey.
• Visa policy: No major changes are expected for 2026. The one-year visa-free stay for many nationalities and the e-visa for others remain in place. Check the official sites close to your travel date for minor adjustments.

2026 Entry Budget in GEL

Entry is cheap, and the biggest cost is the airport transfer you choose. These are the figures to plan with:

• Budget: Visa-free entry costs nothing. Bus 337 to Tbilisi centre costs 1 GEL. In Batumi, the local bus is also 1 GEL.
• Mid-range: Bolt or Yandex Go costs about 30–50 GEL in Tbilisi and 15–25 GEL in Batumi. If you need an e-visa, the fee is 20 USD, approximately 54 GEL at an estimated 1 USD = 2.7 GEL. Your bank converts the actual charge, so the final amount may differ.



• Comfortable: An official airport taxi costs about 50–70 GEL to Tbilisi centre, and 20–30 GEL for a Batumi taxi. Add an expedited e-visa fee if you need one, and check the amount on the portal.

Mistakes and Warnings That Cause Real Trouble

• Overstaying: Fines start from 180 GEL for short overstays and rise for longer periods. An overstay can also make future entry difficult. Check the current fine amounts before you stretch your stay. Note your entry date and count 365 days carefully.
• Skipping the stamp: Make sure your passport receives an entry stamp. It is proof of legal entry and the start of your permitted stay. If you use an e-gate, confirm how your entry is recorded.
• Using fake e-visa sites: The only official portal is evisa.gov.ge.
• Entering Abkhazia or South Ossetia from Russia: Georgia considers both Russian-occupied territories. Entering directly from Russia, not through official Georgian-controlled border points, is illegal. The penalties include significant fines, imprisonment and a ban from entering Georgia proper. All entries must go through official crossing points recognised by the Georgian government.
• Trusting touts at the airport: Use an app or an official taxi stand.
• Forgetting embassy details: Save your embassy or consulate’s contact details in Georgia before you travel.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I really stay in Georgia for one year without a visa?

Yes, if you hold a passport from the EU, UK, US, Canada, Australia or many other visa-exempt countries. You can stay up to one full year (365 days) from your entry date. Confirm your nationality on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website, mfa.gov.ge, before booking, because durations can differ by country.

How much is the Georgia e-visa and how long does it take?

The standard e-visa fee is 20 USD, roughly 54 GEL at an estimated rate of 1 USD = 2.7 GEL. Your bank converts the charge. Standard processing takes up to 5 working days. An expedited option, around 3 working days, may exist for an extra fee, so check evisa.gov.ge.

Do I need to print my e-visa?

Yes, carry a printed copy and keep a digital copy on your phone. Border police may ask for it at the passport counter. Phones run out of battery and airport signal can be weak, so paper is the safer backup. Keep it with your passport and return ticket.

What is the cheapest way from Tbilisi airport to the city?

The cheapest option is public bus 337 at 1 GEL. It runs 24/7 and takes roughly 30–40 minutes to Freedom Square. You can tap a Visa or Mastercard contactless card on the reader or use a Metromoney card. Bolt or Yandex Go costs about 30–50 GEL.

What happens if I overstay in Georgia?

Overstaying can bring fines starting from 180 GEL for short overstays, rising for longer periods. It can also make future entry into Georgia difficult. Check the exact 2026 amount with official sources. Track your entry stamp date and leave or extend before your permitted stay ends.

📷 Featured image by Sepehr Sajjadieh on Unsplash.