A residence permit connected to a spouse in Georgia unites two entirely different legal tracks: temporary stay in the status of the spouse of an alien holding a residence permit, and permanent residence in the status of the spouse of a Georgian citizen. The difference between these tracks is not formal but fundamental — the type of permit differs, the terms differ, and so does the degree of stability. This page explains both tracks on the basis of the Law of Georgia on the Legal Status of Aliens and Stateless Persons, including the validity periods, and shows exactly where the border between the temporary and the permanent runs.
A spouse as a family member
The precondition of both routes is the statutory definition of a family member. Under the law, a family member is the spouse of an alien or of a stateless person — and, in exactly the same way, the foreign spouse of a Georgian citizen. This means marriage works in both directions: just as the spouse of an alien, the spouse of a citizen holds family-member status; only the permit consequences differ. The definition also covers a minor child and, in defined cases, a parent, but the focus of this page is specifically the spouse route.
Temporary residence for a spouse
For the spouse of an alien holding a residence permit, the law provides a temporary route: a residence permit for the purpose of family reunification is issued to the family members of an alien holding a residence permit. This is the track under which a spouse bases his or her own legalisation on the status of a husband or wife who is a foreign resident. The nature of this route is temporary: the permit is extended step by step on the same conditions under which it was issued, and its basis depends on the continuation of the spouse's status.
Permanent residence for the spouse of a citizen
For the foreign spouse of a Georgian citizen the law produces a categorically different result: a permanent residence permit is issued to the spouse of a Georgian citizen. This is the permit granted with the right of permanent residence, creating a status fundamentally different from temporary permits. The same norm issues a permanent residence permit to the citizen's minor child and to the parent of a minor Georgian citizen, as well as to an alien who has lived in Georgia for the last 10 years on the basis of a temporary residence permit — within which periods of living for study or treatment and periods of work in diplomatic representations are not counted.
The validity periods of a spouse's permit
The validity periods of temporary residence permits are fixed precisely by law. Temporary permits — including those issued for family reunification — are first issued for a period of 6 months to 1 year. The validity of such temporary permits may be extended up to a maximum of 12 years, for the alien's expected period of stay in Georgia and on the same conditions as those of the permit whose extension is requested. In a special case, a temporary residence permit may be first issued for up to 5 years. The permanent residence permit, as noted, is issued with the right of permanent residence — its regime does not follow the logic of temporary extensions.
The difference between the two tracks — and what must not be forgotten
In practice spouses often blend in models from other countries: the American green card through marriage, like the family-reunification rules of the Schengen area, does not operate in Georgia. Georgian law poses two separate questions: who is your spouse — a foreign resident or a citizen of Georgia — and precisely this determines whether you are on the temporary or the permanent track. Bear in mind also that the detailed procedure for issuing permits and the list of documents are regulated by government decree, so the current requirements must be verified before preparing the application.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below we answer the most frequent questions about residence permits for spouses.
Will I receive a permanent permit through my spouse?
It depends on your spouse's citizenship: the spouse of a Georgian citizen receives a permanent residence permit, while the spouse of an alien holding a residence permit uses the temporary family-reunification permit.
For what term is the first temporary permit issued?
A temporary residence permit, including one issued for family reunification, is first issued for a period of 6 months to 1 year.
How long can a temporary permit be extended?
The validity of temporary residence permits may be extended up to a maximum of 12 years, on the same conditions under which the permit was issued.
How do I obtain permanent residence after 10 years?
By living in Georgia for the last 10 years on a temporary residence permit; periods of study, treatment and work in diplomatic representations are not counted.
How We Help on Legal.ge
The Legal.ge team determines which track corresponds to your marriage, establishes the terms and conditions, and prepares the application documents — for the temporary or the permanent route. In a written consultation you will receive a clear picture of the outcome you can count on. Contact us through the Legal.ge website.