Nationality of Georgia: all obtaining pathways
Georgia requires ten years of residence for ordinary naturalization — five for stateless persons — and five in the simplified marriage procedure. A wartime-style-by-exception citizenship pathway exists, granted for extraordinary merit or state interest, and birth citizenship combines ius sanguinis with a limited ius soli.
1Naturalization by residence (ordinary procedure)
Naturalization by residence (ordinary procedure)
Requirements
- Be over 18 years of age
- Have legally resided in Georgia during the last 10 consecutive years (5 years for stateless persons with status)
- Pass exams of the Georgian language, history and principles of law
- Have employment and/or real estate in Georgia, or business activity or shareholding in a Georgian company
- Submit the application to the Public Service Development Agency
Documentation
- Application form
- 3x4 photo
- Birth certificate (if born abroad)
- Document proving 10 years of legal residence (visa, residence permit, border stamp)
- Document proving employment, real estate or business activity
- Certificate of passing the citizenship exam
- Proof of fee payment
2Naturalization through marriage (simplified procedure)
Naturalization through marriage (simplified procedure)
Requirements
- Be married to a Georgian citizen
- Have legally resided in Georgia during the last 5 consecutive years
- Pass exams of the Georgian language, history and principles of law
Documentation
- Application form
- 3x4 photo
- Copy of the marriage certificate
- Copy of the document proving the spouse's citizenship
- Document proving 5 years of legal residence
- Document proving the applicant's foreign citizenship
- Certificate of passing the citizenship exam
- Proof of fee payment
3Citizenship by birth (ius sanguinis and limited ius soli)
Citizenship by birth (ius sanguinis and limited ius soli)
Requirements
- At least one parent is a Georgian citizen at the time of birth
- Born in Georgia through in vitro fertilization (surrogacy) if no country recognizes the child as a citizen
- Child born in Georgia to stateless parents holding stateless status in Georgia
- Child born in Georgia to one stateless parent with status and the other unknown
Documentation
- Birth certificate
- Identity documents of the parents
- Proof of the parents' Georgian citizenship
4Citizenship by exception
Citizenship by exception
Requirements
- Foreign citizen who has made a contribution of exceptional merit to Georgia
- Alternative: a foreigner who considers Georgia their homeland and is from the occupied territories or an internally displaced person, or an emigrant for political or economic reasons
- Alternative: substantial investment in Georgia that contributes to the country's economic development
- Alternative: success in sport, science or art and willingness to act in the name of Georgia
- Pass exams of the Georgian language, history and principles of law (unless exempt)
- At least 2 recommendations from Georgian citizens or legal entities registered in Georgia
Documentation
- Application form
- 3x4 photo
- Passport or other document proving citizenship and identity
- At least 2 recommendations
- Documents proving the exceptional merit or the investment
- Certificate of passing the citizenship exam
- Proof of fee payment
Frequently asked questions about the nationality of Georgia
How many years of residence does Georgia require to naturalize?
According to the main pathway of Georgia (Naturalization by residence (ordinary procedure)), the term is 10 years (5 years for stateless persons with status). The complete details of requirements and exceptions appear in the fact sheet.
Can the nationality of Georgia be obtained by marriage?
Yes, through the Naturalization through marriage pathway (5 years). The complete requirements appear in the fact sheet of that pathway.
What documentation does naturalization in Georgia require?
The Naturalization by residence pathway requires: Application form; 3x4 photo; Birth certificate (if born abroad); Document proving 10 years of legal residence (visa, residence permit, border stamp); Document proving employment, real estate or business activity; among 2 more documents.
What pathways exist to obtain the nationality of Georgia?
Georgia provides 4 pathways: Naturalization by residence, Naturalization through marriage, Citizenship by birth, Citizenship by exception.
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