On this page
- Who Gets Visa-Free Entry and for How Long
- How the 365-Day Clock Actually Works
- Applying for a Georgian E-Visa
- Arriving by Air — What Happens at Tbilisi and Batumi Airports
- Crossing by Land — Borders, Trains, and Marshrutkas
- 2026 Budget Reality — What Entry and Transit Actually Costs
- What to Know Before You Overstay
- Practical Logistics for a Long Stay
- Common Mistakes to Avoid
Georgia‘s visa-free policy is genuinely one of the most generous in the world, but in 2026 traveler forums are still full of the same anxious questions: Does leaving Georgia reset my 365 days? Do I need to register with authorities if I stay six months? What happens if I miss my exit date by a few days? The rules are actually quite straightforward — they just aren’t explained clearly in one place. This guide covers everything from your first stamp at Tbilisi airport to what happens if you overstay, with current 2026 prices and procedures throughout.
Who Gets Visa-Free Entry and for How Long
Citizens of more than 90 countries can enter Georgia without any visa and stay for a full 365 days from the date of entry. This is not a tourist visa — there is no visa at all. You simply arrive, get your passport stamped, and you’re legal.
The list of eligible nationalities is long. It includes all European Union member states, the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Israel, Turkey, Ukraine, Belarus, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Moldova, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Gulf Cooperation Council countries including the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia. This is not an exhaustive list — always verify your specific nationality against the official website of Georgia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs before you travel.
To enter, you need a passport with at least six months of validity remaining from your intended date of entry. Immigration officers can also ask whether you have sufficient funds and an onward or return ticket, though this is not checked routinely. Carry evidence of both just in case.
How the 365-Day Clock Actually Works
This is where most travellers get confused, so let’s be direct about it.
The 365-day period is continuous and starts from your first entry stamp. It does not reset when you leave and come back. If you enter Georgia on 1 January 2026 and take a ten-day trip to Armenia in March, your allowed stay still ends on 31 December 2026. Every day you spend outside Georgia within that window is simply a day not used — your expiry date doesn’t move.
To start a brand-new 365-day period, you must exit Georgia after your current period has expired. There is no minimum time you need to spend outside the country. Exit on 31 December 2026 and re-enter on 1 January 2027, and a fresh 365-day clock begins immediately. The border officer will stamp your passport with the new entry date and that becomes your new reference point.
One practical tip: photograph your entry stamp on arrival. If your passport ever gets stamped faintly or you travel frequently with multiple entry and exit marks, having a clear image of your first date removes any ambiguity when calculating your remaining days.
Applying for a Georgian E-Visa
If your nationality isn’t covered by the visa-free agreement, Georgia has an accessible e-visa system. The only official application platform is www.evisa.gov.ge. Third-party sites exist that handle the same application for a markup — avoid them.
The application process runs like this:
- Go to www.evisa.gov.ge and select your nationality and visa type (usually “Short-term Single Entry”).
- Fill in your personal details, passport information, planned travel dates, and accommodation address.
- Upload a scan of your passport’s bio-data page, a recent passport-style photo, proof of travel insurance, and proof of accommodation (a hotel booking or invitation letter works).
- Pay the fee.
The standard e-visa fee in 2026 is 20 USD plus a 2% service fee. The fee is charged in USD and your bank handles the currency conversion. Processing officially takes up to five working days, though many applicants receive approval faster. Apply at least a week before you travel — don’t cut it close.
An e-visa typically grants a stay of 30 to 90 days within a 180-day period, depending on your nationality and the specific visa category. This is meaningfully shorter than the 365-day visa-free stay, which is why it matters to confirm your exact entitlement before booking long-term accommodation.
Arriving by Air — What Happens at Tbilisi and Batumi Airports
Georgia’s two main international airports are Tbilisi Shota Rustaveli International Airport (TBS) and Batumi International Airport (BUS).
Tbilisi Airport
After landing, follow signs for Passport Control. Present your passport to the immigration officer — for visa-free travellers, they’ll stamp your entry date and that’s the moment your 365 days begin. The officer may ask about the purpose of your visit; keep it simple and honest.
After immigration, collect your bags and pass through customs. Use the Green Channel if you have nothing to declare. Use the Red Channel if you’re carrying cash exceeding 30,000 GEL (roughly 11,000 USD at current rates) or other declarable goods.
Immigration queues during peak summer arrivals or when multiple international flights land simultaneously can run 30 to 60 minutes. Off-peak arrivals are typically cleared in 10 to 30 minutes. The airport itself is efficient and well-signed in Georgian, English, and Russian.
To reach Tbilisi city centre, your main options are:
- Bus N337: Runs 24/7 between the airport and Tbilisi city centre, stopping at Rustaveli Avenue, Freedom Square, and Baratashvili Street. Cost: 1 GEL. Pay with a MetroMoney card or directly with a contactless Visa or Mastercard — cash is not accepted. Journey time is roughly 40 to 60 minutes. Note: this route was renumbered from N37 to N337 since 2024.
- Bolt or Yandex Go: Both apps work well from the airport. A ride to the city centre typically costs 30–45 GEL depending on demand and destination.
- Official airport taxi: Available outside arrivals, with fixed rates to the city centre of approximately 50–70 GEL.
Batumi Airport
Procedures mirror Tbilisi but queues are generally shorter — expect 10 to 30 minutes at passport control. Buses N10 and N10A connect the airport to Batumi’s city centre and boulevard for 0.80 GEL, payable by Batumi Card or contactless bank card. Bolt and Yandex Go operate here too, with fares to the city centre typically running 15–25 GEL.
Since 2024, contactless payment using standard international bank cards has become significantly more reliable across Georgian public transport, making it easier to get from either airport without needing local transport cards immediately on arrival.
Crossing by Land — Borders, Trains, and Marshrutkas
Georgia shares land borders with Turkey, Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Russia. The crossing via Upper Lars into Russia is technically open but remains unsuitable for most tourists due to political unpredictability and occasional closures. Stick to the Turkish, Armenian, and Azerbaijani crossings.
Key Border Points
- Turkey – Sarpi: On the Black Sea coast near Batumi. The busiest crossing, especially in summer. Accessible by marshrutka from Batumi (approximately 2–3 GEL).
- Turkey – Vale (Akhaltsikhe): Inland, quieter, and more convenient if you’re heading to or from the Borjomi or Vardzia area.
- Armenia – Sadakhlo-Bagratashen: The primary crossing between Tbilisi and Yerevan.
- Azerbaijan – Red Bridge (Tsiteli Khidi): The main and busiest crossing between Georgia and Azerbaijan.
- Azerbaijan – Lagodekhi-Balakan: A quieter crossing in the Kakheti wine region, worth considering if you’re coming from eastern Georgia.
International Trains
Georgian Railway (Sakartvelos Rkinigza) operates overnight international services. Tickets can be booked at www.railway.ge or at any train station.
- Tbilisi–Yerevan: Daily overnight service. Fares range from 70–150 GEL depending on class.
- Tbilisi–Baku: Daily overnight service. Fares range from 80–180 GEL depending on class.
The overnight train to Yerevan is a relaxed way to handle the border crossing — you’re processed by both Georgian and Armenian border officials while the train is stationary at the crossing point, so you don’t need to walk anywhere with luggage in the middle of the night.
Marshrutkas
Marshrutka minibuses are cheaper and more frequent than trains for international routes. In Tbilisi, international marshrutkas depart from Ortachala bus station for Yerevan and Baku. Tbilisi–Yerevan runs approximately 40–50 GEL; Tbilisi–Baku is approximately 40–60 GEL.
If you’re driving your own vehicle into Georgia, bring your international driving permit, vehicle registration, and proof of third-party liability insurance valid for Georgia. Insurance can be purchased at most border crossings if you don’t already have it.
2026 Budget Reality — What Entry and Transit Actually Costs
Here’s a clear breakdown of what you’ll spend getting into and around Georgia:
- E-visa fee: 20 USD + 2% service fee (not applicable to visa-free nationalities)
- Airport bus (Tbilisi N337): 1 GEL
- Airport bus (Batumi N10/N10A): 0.80 GEL
- Bolt/Yandex Go from Tbilisi airport: 30–45 GEL (budget)
- Official taxi from Tbilisi airport: 50–70 GEL (mid-range)
- Bolt/Yandex Go from Batumi airport: 15–25 GEL (budget)
- Marshrutka to Turkish border (Sarpi): 2–3 GEL
- Marshrutka Tbilisi–Yerevan: 40–50 GEL (budget)
- Train Tbilisi–Yerevan (coupe class): up to 150 GEL (comfortable)
- Train Tbilisi–Baku (coupe class): up to 180 GEL (comfortable)
- Local SIM with data (first few weeks): 10–30 GEL
Getting into Georgia itself costs nothing extra for visa-free travellers — no arrival tax, no tourist fee. The only mandatory spend at the airport is transport to your accommodation.
What to Know Before You Overstay
Overstaying your visa-free period is a legal violation in Georgia, and the fines are tiered by how long you overstay:
- Up to 10 days over: 180 GEL
- 10 to 30 days over: 360 GEL
- More than 30 days over: 540 GEL
Beyond the fine, significant overstays — typically defined as more than three months beyond your permitted period — can result in an entry ban ranging from one to five years. Fines are paid at the border on exit. The border officer will calculate your overstay from your entry stamp and issue a payment notice before you can leave.
These figures have not changed since 2024. They’re not ruinous amounts, but the entry ban risk is real and can seriously complicate future travel plans in the South Caucasus region. Keep a note on your phone of your exact entry date and count down when you’re approaching the end of your 365 days.
Practical Logistics for a Long Stay
Registration
There is no mandatory registration requirement for tourists on a visa-free stay, regardless of how long you remain — even if you stay the full 365 days. You do not need to register with the police, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, or any other authority.
Health Insurance
Travel insurance is not legally required for visa-free entry, but it is strongly recommended, particularly for stays beyond a few weeks. Georgia’s private healthcare can be expensive without coverage. If you’re applying for an e-visa, insurance is mandatory. Make sure your policy covers medical emergencies and evacuation — mountain regions like Kazbegi and Svaneti add real risk for hikers.
SIM Cards and Connectivity
Getting a local SIM is easy. The three main operators are Magti, Silknet (formerly Geocell), and Beeline (now marketed as Cellfie). All three sell SIM cards at Tbilisi and Batumi airports and in any city centre. Basic data packages that will cover several weeks of normal use start from around 10–30 GEL. Coverage in Tbilisi and other cities is strong on all three networks. In mountain areas — particularly upper Svaneti and parts of Tusheti — coverage thins out noticeably, and offline maps become essential.
Cash and Payments
The Georgian Lari (GEL) is the official currency. ATMs from TBC Bank, Bank of Georgia, and Liberty Bank are common in cities and most towns. Contactless payments via Visa, Mastercard, Google Pay, and Apple Pay work reliably in Tbilisi and Batumi. In smaller mountain villages and local markets, cash is expected. Carry some GEL whenever you’re heading off the main tourist routes.
Emergency Services
The universal emergency number in Georgia is 112, covering police, ambulance, and fire. It operates 24/7 and English-speaking operators are available, though response may be slower in remote areas.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Even well-prepared travellers make avoidable errors around Georgia’s entry rules. These come up repeatedly:
- Using a third-party e-visa site. The only legitimate platform is www.evisa.gov.ge. Imitation sites charge more and sometimes delay or mishandle applications.
- Trying to pay the N337 bus with cash. It doesn’t work. Use a contactless bank card or get a MetroMoney card from the airport vending machines before you board.
- Forgetting that the Sarpi crossing gets very long queues in July and August. If you’re crossing into Turkey at peak summer, budget for a wait of several hours. The Vale crossing is much quieter and worth the detour if your route allows.
- Not checking passport validity before arrival. Georgia requires at least six months of remaining passport validity. Airlines are increasingly strict about this, but Georgian border officers will also refuse entry if your passport doesn’t meet the requirement.
