A refusal of a visa, entry or a residence permit is not always a final answer — but it is not always appealable either. The Law of Georgia on the Legal Status of Aliens and Stateless Persons distinguishes exactly which decisions can be challenged, which cannot by law, and how the deadlines run. This page maps administrative appeal: which refusals are fightable, which are not, what effect an appeal has, and where the clock starts. We note in advance: the appeal models of other states, including the Schengen area, are not applicable here — the procedure is governed by Georgian law.
Which decisions are appealable
Two large groups are considered. The first is a refusal to issue a visa or to allow entry: the law lists the grounds of such refusals, and as a general rule the refusal decision is appealed in the manner established by legislation. The second is a decision on issuing a residence permit: the law states directly that it may be appealed in the manner established by Georgian legislation. The examination of residence applications also has its own frame: the period for examining applications must not exceed 30 days from the complete submission of the required documentation. Thus, the availability of an appeal depends on which type of decision you hold in your hands — and identifying that type correctly is the first step of any appeal.
When the law excludes an appeal
The law regulates one significant exception: decisions refusing a visa or entry on certain grounds are not appealable. This covers refusals resting on an entry ban or an unpaid fine, on a threat to state security or public order, or on foreign-policy considerations. For refusals on these grounds there must exist a conclusion of the authorised body on the inexpediency of issuing the visa, and that conclusion is not substantiated — the appeal route is closed. A separate rule concerns the C5 category visa: its issuance may be refused on grounds of Georgia's immigration policy, and that refusal is not appealable either. The practical conclusion: before building an appeal, check whether your refusal falls into this closed category.
Grounds for refusing a residence permit and the effect of an appeal
The grounds for refusing a residence permit are broadly listed in the law: a conclusion of the authorised body on the inexpediency of the person's living in Georgia; the disappearance of the ground on which the permit to stay was obtained; activity threatening state security or public order; a crime against peace and humanity; conviction within the last 5 years before the application or ongoing criminal prosecution; certain infectious diseases; the submission of forged or legally void documents; incorrect data or the concealment of material information; non-compliance with the requirements of article 15; and a decision on expulsion. The law also speaks about the effect of an appeal: under the norm in force since 1 October 2025, a residence permit is not issued to an alien whose expulsion question is under examination or whose expulsion has already been decided — including where that decision is appealed in court; and appealing the refusal does not suspend the examination of the expulsion case or the execution of that decision.
Counting deadlines — service via the website
Appeal deadlines run from the moment the decision is delivered, and the manner of delivery is itself defined by law: communication with an alien is carried out by placing the relevant notice on the website of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Any notice or decision is deemed delivered to the alien from the day following its placement on the website; information about the placement is sent to the alien as a short text message in a language he or she understands. The alien is therefore obliged to keep the username and password, to apply immediately for their restoration if lost, and to review the document after receiving notice of its placement. An alien held in a temporary placement centre has the decision delivered personally. We note separately: where the alien leaves the country during the examination of the expulsion question, the relevant decision enters into force on the 15th day from its placement on the website. This means that neglecting the website directly costs you appeal time.
Frequently asked questions
Below we answer the most common questions about appeals.
Is every refusal appealable?
No. The law excludes appeals of refusals resting on an entry ban or unpaid fine, a threat to security or public order, or foreign-policy considerations; a refusal of a C5 visa on immigration-policy grounds is not appealable either.
Can a residence refusal be appealed?
Yes — a decision on issuing a residence permit is appealed in the manner established by legislation; but since 1 October 2025 an appeal does not suspend the examination of the expulsion case.
When is a decision deemed delivered?
From the day following its placement on the interior ministry's website; keeping your username and password and checking the website regularly is therefore essential.
Within how many days is a residence application examined?
The examination period must not exceed 30 days from the complete submission of the required documentation.
How We Help on Legal.ge
The Legal.ge team determines whether your decision is appealable, frames the grounds of the appeal against the statutory refusal grounds, and monitors the counting of deadlines from the moment of delivery. In a written consultation you receive a clear plan — an appeal to be built or an alternative route. Contact us through the Legal.ge website.