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.