Permit processing is a full administrative cycle: from the written application to the permit certificate. This page covers the accompanying documents, the participating bodies, the timelines, the grounds for refusal and the moment the permitted action may begin.
The Application and Required Documentation
A permit seeker submits a written application to the issuing authority; the submission, examination, and acceptance into proceeding follow the procedure established by the General Administrative Code — apart from the exceptional cases provided for by law. The application must satisfy the requirements provided for by the General Administrative Code and must indicate which type of permit the seeker requests, together with a list of the attached documents.
The application must be accompanied by extracts from the public registry for private-law legal entities and individual entrepreneurs, by copies of identification documents established by Georgian legislation for natural persons, and by certified copies of founding documents for public-law legal entities. Proof of payment of the permit fee must also be attached, except for the exceptional cases provided for by law and where the seeker is a ministry or a state subordinated institution.
The fee, its payment into the budget and the refund of any overpayment are determined by the law on license and permit fees. Additional documents may be prescribed only by law; additional permit conditions from the specifics of the activity are determined by law or, on its basis, by a Government normative act or a decision of a municipal representative body.
Participation of Another Administrative Body
If the seeker already holds a permit for a similar action, the issuing authority does not re-examine the factual circumstances established when that permit was issued. The seeker is obliged to submit the factual circumstances satisfying additional permit conditions whose confirmation is not directly connected with the proceeding of issuance — that confirmation takes place in a separate administrative proceeding.
The seeker need not submit documents issued by another administrative body that serve as the basis for issuing the permit. As soon as it establishes that the application complies with the statutory requirements, the issuing authority transfers copies of the application and attached documents to the other administrative body under the procedure established by the General Administrative Code, no later than 3 days.
The other administrative body is obliged to establish the factual circumstances whose confirmation is not the seeker's duty; it may lodge a substantiated refusal. It must adopt a decision no later than 15 days from the submission to the issuing authority; where the period is insufficient, it may, no later than 5 days from receiving the materials, request an extension by a substantiated motion, and submit its decision to the issuer no later than 17 days. If within the period neither confirmation nor a substantiated refusal occurs, the additional permit conditions are deemed satisfied. Where the issuing authority rejects the other body's substantiated motion, the issuer is answerable for the resulting damage.
General Rule of Issuance and Grounds for Refusal
The permit issuing authority adopts its decision under the simplified administrative proceeding determined by Georgian legislation — apart from the exceptional cases provided for by law. The simplified proceeding requires comparatively little formal burden and no additional public stages on the part of the issuing authority.
A permit is not issued if: the application and attached documents do not meet the law's requirements and have not been corrected within the period set by the administrative authority; the seeker does not satisfy the permit conditions established by law or a normative act issued on its basis; or the seeker has been deprived by a court judgment in legal force of the right to carry out activity in the relevant permit field. These three grounds exhaust the list — refusal for any other reason is impermissible.
Entry into Force of the Permit and the Certificate
Where a decision on issuance is adopted, the seeker may carry out the permitted action even before receiving the certificate, on the basis of the administrative act; where no decision is adopted within the statutory period, only after receiving the certificate.
In case of loss or damage of the certificate, the permit holder is entitled to continue the permitted action until its restoration on the basis of the relevant administrative act. The issuing authority is obliged to issue the permit certificate together with the decision satisfying the application — in the exceptional cases provided for by law, the permit issuance process is deemed complete from the moment of issuing the administrative act.
The Issuer's Duties and Notification of Changes
The issuing authority issues permits in the cases and by the procedure established by law, modifies or cancels them, maintains the departmental registry, keeps the submitted documentation and controls compliance with the permit conditions. Information on a permit issued through the simplified proceeding is published within 10 days of the decision.
Where the data of the application change, the permit holder is obliged to notify the issuing authority in writing within 7 days of the change. Where the permitted action is carried out by a legal entity, its branch is entitled to it as well — a separate permit for the branch may not be demanded; but an action regulated by a permit and not covered by the permit held requires the relevant permit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who issues the permit?
The issuing authority designated by law; the written application is submitted to it under the General Administrative Code.
Can a refusal be appealed?
Yes — a refusal must be substantiated and is appealed as prescribed by Georgian legislation.
Does a branch need a separate permit?
No — the branch may also act; a separate permit is needed only for an action not covered by the permit held.
How We Help on Legal.ge
The Legal.ge team supports the full permit cycle — from determining the documentation to the appeal. Contact us on Legal.ge.