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Georgia‘s open-door entry policy is one of the biggest reasons the country attracts remote workers, retirees, and slow travellers in 2026. But the rules around long-term stays — particularly the informal “visa run” culture — cause more confusion than almost any other topic on travel forums. This article covers exactly what your passport gets you, how to extend your stay legally, what to do at the border, and what has changed since 2024 so you can plan your time in Georgia with confidence.
Who Gets In Without a Visa — and for How Long
Citizens of more than 90 countries can enter Georgia without a visa and stay for up to 365 days from the date of arrival. That is a full calendar year, not the 90-day windows common across Europe. This is not a tourist visa — it is simply stamped into your passport at the border, free of charge.
The nationalities covered include all European Union member states, the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Japan, South Korea, Israel, the United Arab Emirates, Turkey, and Ukraine, among many others. The official and authoritative list is maintained by Georgia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs at www.geoconsul.gov.ge — always check there before booking flights, since the list can shift.
There is no requirement to leave and re-enter during that initial 365-day period. You can arrive in January and stay until the following January without touching a border. That single fact makes Georgia one of the most practical long-stay destinations in the world for qualifying passport holders.
How to Do a Visa Run the Right Way
Once your 365 days are up, you have two practical options: apply for a residence permit (a separate process involving the Public Service Hall) or leave Georgia and re-enter to reset the visa-free clock. The second option is what most long-term visitors use, and it works — but it comes with conditions worth understanding before you book your overnight bus to Yerevan.
Georgia has not formalised the visa run as an official extension mechanism. What happens at the border is at the discretion of the border officer. In practice, re-entry after a brief trip abroad has been accepted consistently for many years and, as of 2026, remains widely used by expats and digital nomads. The key is that you must genuinely meet all standard entry requirements each time you cross back in: a passport valid for at least six months beyond your intended stay, no previous overstays, no criminal record flagged, and the ability to show sufficient funds if asked.
The most popular border crossings for a quick reset:
- Sarpi (Georgia–Turkey): The easiest option for anyone based in Batumi or western Georgia. Cross into the Turkish town of Sarp, spend a night or a weekend, and return. Marshrutkas run from Batumi station directly to Sarpi and cost around GEL 5–8 one way.
- Sadakhlo (Georgia–Armenia): The most-used crossing for Tbilisi-based visitors heading to Yerevan. Marshrutkas from Tbilisi’s Ortachala bus station reach the crossing for around GEL 15–25.
- Red Bridge (Georgia–Azerbaijan): A straightforward crossing on the road to Baku, popular with those who want to visit Azerbaijan. Note that some nationalities need a visa for Azerbaijan — check in advance.
Avoid crossing at the Dariali / Upper Lars border between Georgia and Russia unless you have a clear reason to be there. It is the only open land crossing between the two countries for foreigners, and it can be extremely congested in peak season and closed entirely in winter due to weather.
Applying for an E-Visa If You’re Not on the Free List
If your passport is not on Georgia’s visa-free list, you almost certainly have access to the e-visa system. The application is handled entirely online through www.evisa.gov.ge — there is no need to visit an embassy.
The process runs like this:
- Go to www.evisa.gov.ge and select your nationality and visa type (tourism or business are the most common).
- Fill in your personal details, passport information, travel dates, and accommodation address.
- Upload a scanned copy of your passport bio-page and a recent passport-style photograph. Some nationalities are asked for proof of accommodation or travel insurance.
- Pay the fee online by Visa or Mastercard. The standard e-visa fee is approximately 20 USD (around 54 GEL as of early 2026, subject to exchange rate movement) plus a 2% service charge.
- Wait for approval — usually within five business days. Expedited processing is available for an additional fee.
- Your e-visa arrives by email. Print a copy to show at the border.
E-visas are typically issued for stays of 30 or 90 days within a 120-day or 180-day window, depending on your nationality and the visa type. They can be single or multiple-entry. Read the exact conditions on your issued document carefully — the permitted stay varies.
If your nationality is not covered by either the visa-free agreement or the e-visa system, you will need to apply through a Georgian embassy or consulate in your home country. Check www.geoconsul.gov.ge for the relevant contact.
Arriving at Tbilisi or Batumi Airport
Georgia’s two main international airports — Tbilisi International Airport (Shota Rustaveli, TBS) and Batumi International Airport (BUS) — handle the majority of arrivals. The border process at both is calm and generally fast for visa-free nationalities.
At passport control, hand over your valid passport (and printed e-visa if applicable). Officers may ask about your plans, where you are staying, and how long you intend to remain. Answer directly. For visa-free arrivals, the conversation rarely lasts more than a minute — the stamp goes in, and you are through. If you have items to declare at customs, use the red channel; otherwise, the green channel moves quickly.
Getting from Tbilisi Airport into the City
Tbilisi airport sits about 17 km southeast of the city centre. Your options:
- Bus #337: Runs 24 hours, connecting the airport to Freedom Square, Rustaveli Avenue, and Station Square. Pay with the Travel Card (Georgia’s unified transport card, costs GEL 2.00 to buy, can be loaded at the airport bus stop or any metro station) for GEL 1.00 per ride. Paying cash on board costs GEL 2.00. Journey time is 40–60 minutes depending on traffic. This is the sensible option if you have one bag and it is not 3am.
- Bolt or Yandex Go: Download these apps before your flight. A ride to the city centre costs GEL 30–50. Faster, door-to-door, and the price is visible before you confirm.
- Official airport taxi: Available outside arrivals. Expect to pay GEL 50–80. Always agree the fare upfront or confirm the meter is running before you get in.
- Train: Georgian Railway runs very infrequent services from the airport station to Tbilisi Central — typically twice a day, which makes it impractical for most arrivals. Check www.railway.ge for the current 2026 schedule if you want to try it; the journey takes around 20–25 minutes.
Getting from Batumi Airport into the City
Batumi airport is only about 2 km south of the city centre, so transport is simpler and cheaper.
- Bus #10 or #10A: Connects the airport to central Batumi. The fare is GEL 0.80 with a Batumi transport card (also GEL 2.00 to purchase) or GEL 1.00 cash. Journey time is roughly 15–20 minutes.
- Bolt or Yandex Go: A ride to the centre typically costs GEL 10–20.
- Local taxis: Easily found outside the terminal. Agree on the fare first — GEL 15–25 is reasonable.
Crossing by Land
Land border crossings are busy, straightforward, and cheap. The procedure mirrors the airport: exit stamp from the country you are leaving, walk or drive to the Georgian post, present your passport, pass customs.
If you are arriving by car, have your vehicle registration and insurance documents ready. Third-party insurance valid for Georgia is mandatory — if yours does not cover Georgia, you can buy a short-term policy at the border.
Marshrutka minibuses are the main way people move between Georgian cities and land borders, departing from Ortachala bus station in Tbilisi for most destinations. International train connections from Tbilisi to Yerevan (Armenia) and Baku (Azerbaijan) also exist. Schedules and booking are available at www.railway.ge. These are useful if you want a comfortable overnight journey rather than a cramped minibus.
2026 Budget Reality for Entry Costs
Here is what you can expect to spend getting into Georgia and making your first move from the border, broken into realistic tiers.
Entry Fees
- Visa-free stamp: Free — GEL 0
- E-visa (standard processing): approximately GEL 54 + 2% service charge
- E-visa (expedited processing): check current fee at www.evisa.gov.ge — typically higher by USD 10–15
Airport Transport to City Centre (Tbilisi)
- Budget: Bus #337 — GEL 1.00 with Travel Card, GEL 2.00 cash
- Mid-range: Bolt or Yandex Go — GEL 30–50
- Comfortable: Official airport taxi — GEL 50–80
Airport Transport to City Centre (Batumi)
- Budget: Bus #10 / #10A — GEL 0.80 with card, GEL 1.00 cash
- Mid-range: Bolt or Yandex Go — GEL 10–20
- Comfortable: Local taxi with agreed fare — GEL 15–25
Visa Run Transport (Tbilisi-based)
- Budget: Marshrutka to Sadakhlo (Armenia border) — GEL 15–25 each way
- Mid-range: Overnight train to Yerevan — check www.railway.ge for 2026 fares
- Comfortable: Organised private transfer — varies by provider, typically GEL 150–250 each way
Practical Advice for Staying the Full Year
If you plan to use Georgia’s full 365-day allowance, a few things deserve your attention before you arrive — not after.
Passport validity: Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your intended stay. A passport expiring in August when you want to stay until November is a problem. Renew before you travel.
Proof of funds and onward travel: Border officers rarely ask for these on a visa-free entry, but they have the right to. Carrying a return or onward ticket and a bank statement showing a reasonable balance is sensible insurance, especially if you cross by land frequently.
Address registration: Georgian law technically requires foreigners staying more than 90 days to register their address with the Public Service Hall (sakPublo.gov.ge). For tourists on a 365-day visa-free stay, enforcement is inconsistent, but if you are renting a flat long-term, ask your landlord whether the property is registered — some handle this automatically. Anyone planning to work legally, study, or apply for a residence permit needs to treat registration seriously from day one.
Health insurance: Georgia does not provide public healthcare to foreign visitors. Medical costs at private clinics — which is where most care is delivered — can add up fast. Comprehensive travel and health insurance covering your full stay is not optional; it is a necessity. The crisp, thin air of a Tbilisi winter is beautiful until you need a doctor at midnight.
Working while on visa-free entry: Georgia does not restrict remote work for foreigners on visa-free stays. Many digital nomads work for foreign employers from Georgian addresses without issue. If you plan to earn income from a Georgian business or employer, different rules apply — consult a local lawyer or the Revenue Service of Georgia.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I stay in Georgia for more than one year without a visa?
The standard visa-free period is 365 days from your entry date. After that, you must either leave and re-enter (which resets the clock for most nationalities) or apply for a legal residency permit through the Public Service Hall. There is no automatic extension to the visa-free allowance without leaving the country first.
How often can I do a visa run to reset my 365-day stay?
There is no legal limit on how many times you can leave and re-enter Georgia to reset your visa-free period. However, each re-entry is at the discretion of the border officer. If officers suspect that you are using short trips to avoid residency requirements long-term, they can refuse entry. Most long-term visitors do one visa run per year without any problem.
Do I need to print my e-visa or is a digital copy on my phone accepted?
Georgian border procedures in 2026 generally accept digital copies on a smartphone screen, but the official guidance recommends printing a physical copy. At busy land border crossings, where queues are long and phone batteries die, a printed copy removes any risk. Keep both — digital for convenience, printed as a backup.
Which land border crossing is best for a quick visa run from Tbilisi?
Sadakhlo on the Armenian border is the most practical from Tbilisi. Marshrutkas from Ortachala bus station run frequently and cost around GEL 15–25. A one-night stay in Yerevan or even just crossing and returning the same day is sufficient to reset your 365-day period, though spending at least one night across the border is more comfortable and less likely to raise questions.
Is the e-visa from www.evisa.gov.ge the only official Georgian e-visa portal?
Yes. The only legitimate Georgian government e-visa portal is www.evisa.gov.ge. Several third-party websites charge higher fees to “assist” with the application — these are legal but unnecessary. The official portal is straightforward to use directly, and the standard processing fee is approximately 20 USD (around 54 GEL in early 2026).
📷 Featured image by Rama Krushna Behera on Unsplash.
