A "business visa" is not the name of a single document in Georgian legislation — it is a common name for two different statuses. The law offers a business visitor two separate tracks: the C3 category ordinary visa for short-term business contacts and the D1 category immigration visa for company representatives, consultants and entrepreneurs. This page explains both categories, shows when each applies, and sets out the visa-free entry rules for business visitors. One note before the details: the Schengen area's type C visa and the American business visa categories do not operate in Georgia — only the categories of Georgian law apply here.
Two tracks: the C3 ordinary and the D1 immigration visa
Under the law, a Georgian visa falls into five categories: diplomatic, special, ordinary, immigration and transit; each visa may be short-term or long-term. Within this system a business visitor has two specific slots. The first is the C3 category ordinary visa, which serves short-term business contacts: meetings, negotiations, conferences. The second is the D1 category immigration visa, intended for those who come to Georgia on a longer-term business basis. Choosing the right category determines which type of visa — and which set of possibilities — the traveller receives.
C3 — the visa for meetings, conferences and events
The C3 category ordinary visa is intended for persons coming to Georgia to hold business meetings and negotiations. The same category covers participants in scientific seminars, conferences and other scientific-research, pedagogical, cultural or sports events; persons coming to Georgia to carry out journalistic activity; and members of the crew of a ship standing in a Georgian port — unless visa-free movement of crew members is defined by an international treaty of Georgia. In addition, the C3 visa applies to the principal and additional drivers of cargo or passenger vehicles during international cargo transportation or passenger transfer. In short, if your purpose is a meeting, an event or transportation rather than long-term work, C3 is your category.
D1 — the visa for company representatives, consultants and entrepreneurs
The D1 category immigration visa covers a broader business background. Under the law, it is intended for a labour immigrant who enters Georgia for labour placement with a local employer and for paid labour activity; for representatives and consultants of companies and firms who travel to perform their official duties; and for persons coming to Georgia to conduct entrepreneurial activity in accordance with the Law of Georgia on Entrepreneurs. Under the wording in force since 1 March 2026, a D1 visa is also issued to an alien who has received the right to labour activity. So if your business visit rests on long-term employment or entrepreneurial activity, your instrument is the D1.
Visa-free entry for business visitors
Many business visitors do not need a visa at all. Under the law, an alien who does not require a short-term Georgian visa to enter Georgia enters and stays for a period of no more than 90 calendar days in any 180-day period. By a separate rule, the list of countries whose citizens may enter Georgia visa-free for a different term — a full 1 year of stay — is determined by a decree of the Government of Georgia. In addition, an alien who holds a visa or a residence permit of a country defined by government decree may enter Georgia visa-free for the period and under the conditions provided by the same decree; a holder of a Georgian residence permit enters visa-free for the entire period of the permit's validity. There are also transit reliefs: a visa is not required, for example, by members of the crew and passengers of international transport with an intermediate transfer, provided they hold a document confirming the right to enter the destination country and their stay in Georgia does not exceed 10 days — and they may not leave the specially designated transit territory.
How to choose the right category
The practical algorithm is simple. If the purpose is a specific meeting, negotiation, conference or event — C3. If the purpose is company representation, a consulting mandate, employment or entrepreneurial activity — D1. If your country is covered by the visa-free regime and the visit does not exceed 90 calendar days in a 180-day period — you may not need a visa at all. The wrong category creates a greater risk that questions about the purpose of the visa will arise at the border or the consulate, because the law requires the declared purpose and the actual activity to correspond.
Frequently asked questions
Below we answer the most common questions about business visas to Georgia.
Which visa do I need to attend a conference in Georgia?
The C3 category ordinary visa — it is intended for business meetings and negotiations and for participants in scientific seminars, conferences and other events.
I work as a company representative — which category is mine?
The D1 category immigration visa: it is intended for representatives and consultants of companies and firms travelling to perform their official duties.
Can I come visa-free for a business meeting?
If citizens of your country do not require a short-term visa, you may stay visa-free for up to 90 calendar days in any 180-day period; for countries on the separate list — for a full 1 year.
Is the Georgian business visa different from Schengen?
Yes — the Schengen visa system does not operate in Georgia. Georgian categories apply here: the C3 ordinary and the D1 immigration visa, each with its own purpose.
How We Help on Legal.ge
The Legal.ge team helps you choose the right category — C3, D1 or the visa-free regime — and prepares the visa application so that the declared purpose corresponds exactly to your real activity. In a written consultation we assess your schedule, the deadlines and compatibility with the 90/180-day limit. Contact us through the Legal.ge website.