The D3 Visa — the Visa Basis of the Study Route
The visa instrument for coming to Georgia for the purpose of study is the D3 immigration visa. Under subparagraph „dg“ of Article 7 of the Law on the Legal Status of Aliens, this visa is issued to persons coming to study or to conduct research at an authorised educational institution in Georgia or on its basis, as well as to persons coming to study in Georgia within the framework of international programmes.
Category D in the visa system is the immigration category — unlike ordinary category C, which covers short visits. When planning studies this difference is fundamental: the D3 visa allows entry and settlement before studies begin, after which the issue passes to the residence permit.
Extension of the D3 — a Narrow Circle
Article 9 of the law provides that an alien in Georgia may request the extension of only short-term diplomatic and special visas, as well as D3 and D5 immigration visas, provided he satisfies the conditions of issuance of the corresponding visa. However, the right to extend a D3 belongs to only two circles: persons coming to conduct research at an authorised educational institution and persons coming to study within international programmes — and even then only where the basis of extension does not envisage their staying in Georgia for more than 3 months.
The decision on extension is taken by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the receipt of documentation is ensured by the Justice House and the agency. An important guarantee: for an alien who has submitted an extension application, the period of stay in Georgia during the administrative proceedings is counted as excusable, he is released from the obligation to pay a fine, and until the final decision he may not be expelled from Georgia.
The Study Residence Permit
After the visa, the issue passes to residence. Subparagraph „b“ of Article 15 of the law provides for a study residence permit, issued for the purpose of study at an authorised educational institution in Georgia. The duration of the studies and the framework of the programme give this status its footing, and discontinuation of studies becomes a circumstance material to the status — a rule established by other norms on residence.
To obtain study status an application is submitted to the agency, accompanied by grounds confirming the status of the authorised institution — in particular, the fact of study and the programme in which the person is enrolled. The examination period of the application is limited by law: it may not exceed 30 days from the full submission of the documentation needed by the agency. Where the permit is granted, the alien must obtain the residence card within 1 month of receipt, and in case of refusal a repeat application on the same ground is possible no earlier than 1 month after the first refusal decision.
Terms and Their Management
Under Article 16 of the law, the study residence permit belongs to the group first issued for a period from 6 months to 1 year. Subsequently this permit may be extended, on the same conditions, up to 12 years. This means that during long study programmes the status is renewed periodically, and each extension rests on confirmation of the continuation of studies.
Planning of terms must be aligned with the academic calendar: the expiry of the permit during the course of studies breaks the continuity of stay, so applications for extension are made in good time.
Practical Stages of the Study Route
In practice the study route is divided as follows: first, the D3 visa under subparagraph „dg“ of Article 7, on the basis of enrolment at an authorised institution; second, the study residence permit under subparagraph „b“ of Article 15; third, the cycle of terms under Article 16, with extensions corresponding to the duration of studies. For research and international programmes, the alternative is the extension of the visa term under Article 9.
Each stage requires different documentation, so the plan is built in coordination with the institution.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below we answer the questions most frequently raised about the study visa and residence.
To whom is the D3 visa issued?
To persons coming to study or conduct research at an authorised institution, and to participants in international programmes.
Can the D3 be extended?
Only for research and international programmes, where the extension does not envisage staying more than 3 months.
For what term is the study residence issued?
First for 6 months to 1 year, then extension is possible up to 12 years.
What happens after an extension application?
During the proceedings the stay is counted as excusable, no fine is imposed, and expulsion is impossible until the final decision.
What is the basis of study residence?
Study at an authorised educational institution — under subparagraph „b“ of Article 15.
How We Help on Legal.ge
The Legal.ge team will help you prepare the D3 visa application, obtain and extend the study residence status, and build a schedule of terms aligned with the academic calendar. Contact us on Legal.ge: study status requires properly planned terms.