Obtaining a residence permit for a spouse in Georgia is one of the most common immigration procedures serving the purpose of family reunification. Georgian legislation recognizes the right of a foreign citizen to live in Georgia with their spouse if the latter is a Georgian citizen or holds a residence permit. Although this process may seem simple at first glance, it requires strict legal confirmation of the authenticity and validity of the marriage. To prevent fictitious marriages, the Public Service Development Agency and security services examine submitted documentation in detail and, in some cases, conduct interviews with the couple.
This service covers the entire process of obtaining a spouse visa and residence permit. The service includes: legalization or apostille of the marriage certificate (if the marriage is registered abroad); obtaining a D4 category visa, which is necessary before requesting a residence permit; preparing financial documentation proving the income of the sponsor (the spouse living in Georgia); and completing the application to be submitted to the Agency. Lawyers also assist couples who wish to register their marriage in Georgia to subsequently claim residence on this basis. Special attention is paid to cases where the spouse has visa violations or a history of deportation.
In real life, the need for a spouse visa arises in various scenarios. For example, a Georgian citizen married a foreigner abroad and now they want to live in Georgia; or a foreign businessman received an investment residence permit and wants to bring his spouse. Problems with translation and validity of documents are common—for instance, some countries do not issue a "marriage certificate" in a form understandable to us, leading to misunderstandings with the Georgian bureaucracy. Also, it is critical to know that "civil partnership" (cohabitation without official registration) does not constitute grounds for issuing a residence permit in Georgia.
The legal basis is the "Law of Georgia on the Legal Status of Aliens and Stateless Persons." According to the law, a spouse is considered a family member and is eligible to receive a residence permit for the duration of the sponsor's residence (or permanent residence if the sponsor is a Georgian citizen and a certain period has passed since the marriage). It is mandatory to prove the sponsor's income (at least double the subsistence minimum). A marriage registered abroad must be recognized in Georgia in compliance with private international law norms.
The process begins with collecting documents: passports, marriage certificate (with apostille), photographs, proof of income. If the spouse is abroad, a D4 visa is obtained first. After arriving in Georgia, the application is submitted to the Public Service Hall. The Agency checks the documents and issues the permit based on the conclusion of the security service. The process takes an average of 30 days. Once residence is granted, the spouse can enjoy the right to work and conduct business without restrictions.
Legal.ge offers professional assistance in spouse residence permit matters. Our partner lawyers will help you overcome bureaucratic barriers and ensure your application fully complies with legislation. Do not risk your family's right to be together due to technical errors—trust the experts at Legal.ge.
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