The Family Reunification Visa (Category D4) is one of the most critical components of Georgia's immigration system, designed to protect the right to family unity. This visa is intended for foreign citizens who wish to join family members legally residing in Georgia. Family reunification can apply to the spouse and children of a Georgian citizen, as well as the family members of a foreigner holding a residence permit. The D4 category visa is a prerequisite for a foreigner to subsequently obtain a residence permit based on family reunification. Although the process may seem simple at first glance, it involves complex bureaucratic procedures, strict standards for proving kinship, and document legalization requirements, all of which necessitate qualified legal support.
Our service includes full legal assistance in obtaining the D4 visa and the subsequent residence permit. Specific services include:
- Proof of Kinship Verification: Legal analysis of marriage, birth, or adoption certificates and verifying their correctness according to international standards.
- Document Legalization and Apostille: Translation, notarization, and apostille certification of civil acts issued abroad (e.g., marriage certificate) in accordance with Georgian legislation.
- Visa Application Preparation: Filling out the D4 category visa application and scheduling a visit to the consulate.
- Financial Support Documentation: Preparing documents confirming the financial status of the sponsor/family member (bank statements, salary certificates).
- Residence Permit Acquisition: Filing and monitoring the residence permit application at the Public Service Hall after the visa is obtained.
- Representation in Government Bodies: Protecting the client's interests at the Public Service Development Agency and consular institutions.
The Family Reunification Visa is essential in many real-life situations. Let's consider several scenarios: First, a Georgian citizen marries a foreigner abroad, and the couple wants to continue living in Georgia. The foreign spouse needs a D4 visa to enter and obtain residency. Second, a foreign investor has received investment residency and wants to bring their minor children and spouse. For them, the family reunification visa is the only legal way for long-term residence. Third, a foreign student living in Georgia with a residence permit has a child born. Appropriate procedures must be followed to legalize the child. Fourth, an elderly parent requiring care comes to live with their child (who is a Georgian resident) residing in Georgia.
Georgian legislation, specifically the "Law of Georgia on the Legal Status of Aliens and Stateless Persons," defines the grounds for issuing a D4 visa. According to the law, family members include: a spouse, minor child, and in some cases, a beneficiary of support or an incapacitated parent. It is also important to consider the "Law on Civil Acts," as the validity of foreign documents is crucial. The law also requires that the family member living in Georgia has sufficient income (a defined amount of the subsistence minimum) to support the relative. Visa refusals often occur due to improper legalization of documents or insufficient financial funds.
The process begins with collecting and organizing documents. First and foremost, the document proving kinship (e.g., marriage certificate) must be apostilled or legalized in the country of origin. Then, a visa application is prepared and sent to the Georgian consulate or submitted via the electronic system (if applicable). After receiving the visa, the person enters Georgia and applies to the Public Service Hall for a residence permit within 45 days. The Public Service Hall verifies the documents and, based on the recommendation of the State Security Service, issues the residence card. The entire process can take from 1 to 3 months, depending on the complexity of the documents.
Legal.ge offers a simplified and reliable path to family reunification. Lawyers on our platform are experts in immigration law who know all the nuances related to the recognition of international documents and visa procedures. Family reunification is an emotional and significant process, so we ensure that bureaucratic obstacles do not prevent you from being with your loved ones. Trust the professionals at Legal.ge to ensure your family's peaceful and legal life in Georgia.
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