Georgia: The Residence by Investment Market’s Best Kept Secret
Georgia could emerge as the biggest beneficiary of the new multipolarity taking hold across investment migration, argues Saahil Menon.
Georgia offers both short- and long-term residence permits to investors, on the basis of investments in either real estate or local businesses, at minimums amounts ranging from US$100,000 to US$300,000.
In all cases, investors who remain physically present in the country for three-quarters of the year are eligible for unconditional permanent residence after six years. They are also permitted to apply for citizenship following 10 years of continuous residence.
Program Type | Golden Visa Program |
Time to citizenship | 10 years |
Time to permanent residency | 6 years |
Minimum investment | US$ 100,000 |
Physical presence requirement | None to maintain temporary status, 9 months a year if PR track pursued |
Application processing time | 10-30 days |
Citizenship grants visa-free travel to | 116 destinations, including Schengen countries |
Contribution types available | Property Investment, Business Investment |
General program requirements
Georgia offers to routes to qualify for investor visas; real estate (agricultural land excluded) or business investment.
Real estate investment
Those who invest US$100,000 in real estate will receive a one-year residence permit, which is renewable annually, provided that the investment is maintained.
Those who invest US$300,000 in real estate will receive a one-year residence permit, which is renewable annually, provided that the investment is maintained, and may convert to a “Residence Permit for Indefinite Stay” in year 5. The latter is a long-term residence permit that is renewable every five years subject to the maintaining of the investment but does not grant unconditional, permanent residency.
Business investment
Those who invest US$300,000 in a new or existing business in Georgia will receive a five-year “Residence Permit for Indefinite Stay” at the outset. To renew in year 5, the investor must prove the business has met certain revenue targets.
Spouses and children under 18 may be included in the application. Some smaller additional processing fees apply.
For both the real estate and business investment options, permanent (i.e. unconditional) residency is available following 6 years of continuous residency, provided the applicant has not been absent from Georgia for more than 90 days in the preceding five-year period.
Program benefits
Requirements to qualify for citizenship
Regardless of the qualifying route, permanent (unconditional, not subject to maintaining investment activity) residency in Georgia is available following 6 years of continuous residency in the country, ‘continuous’ here defined as no more than 90 days of absence from Georgia during the five years immediately preceding the application.
Following 10 years of continuous residency, the applicant is eligible to apply for citizenship. The applicant must complete an interview, which will test their Georgian language proficiency and general knowledge of Georgian history and cultural heritage.
Georgia recognizes dual citizenship.
Legislation upon which this program is based:
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Georgia could emerge as the biggest beneficiary of the new multipolarity taking hold across investment migration, argues Saahil Menon.
Keen on Russian capital and not concerned with an EU reaction, the region could become a hotbed for CBI, writes Saahil Menon.
2ndPassports.com, a company Citizenship and Passport Review has long accused of being a “100% confirmed scam and fraud”, has announced
Programs that offer citizenship within months in exchange for investments or donations, with minor/no physical presence requirements.
Programs that offer citizenship in exchange for investments following a 1-2 year period, with minor/no physical presence requirements.
Bulgaria Investor Program (discontinued)
Malta MEIN
Programs that offer residence permits within months in exchange for passive investments, with limited physical presence requirements.
Andorra Residence Without Lucrative Activity
Anguilla Permanent Residency Program
Australia BIIP Investor Streams
Bahamas Economic Permanent Residence
Barbados SERP Program
Bermuda Economic Investment Certificate (EIC) Program
Brazil Investor Visa (VIPER)
Cambodia My 2nd Home
Cayman Islands Investor Visa
Colombia Investor Visas M and R
Costa Rica Investor Visa
Curaçao Investor Permit Program
Cyprus Golden Visa
Georgia Investor Visas
Greece Golden Visa
Guernsey Investor & Entrepreneur Residency
Ireland Immigrant Investor Program (discontinued)
Italy Investor Visa
Latvia Investor Visa
Luxembourg Investor Visa
Malaysia M2H Visa
Malta Permanent Residence Program
Mauritius Permanent Residency Program
Monaco Carte de Séjour
Netherlands Investor Visa
New Zealand Investor Visa
Nicaragua Investor Permanent Residency Program
Panama Qualified Investor Visa
Philippines Special Investor Residence Permit
Portugal Golden Visa
Russia Investor Visa
South Korea Investor Visa
Spain Golden Visa
Taiwan Golden Visa (APRC Plum Blossom Card)
Thailand Elite Residence Program
UAE Golden Visa
UK Investor Visa (discontinued)
United States EB-5
Programs that offer residence permits within months to those who can demonstrate income or personal wealth above a certain level, usually requiring that the holder not take up employment locally.
Argentina Rentista and Pensionado Residency
Austria Independent Means Visa
Barbados Welcome Stamp
Gibraltar Category 2 HNWI Residence
Greece FIP Visa
Indonesia Retirement Visa (KITAS)
Ireland Independent Means (Stamp 0)
Italy Elective Residency Visa
Jersey High Value Residency
Mexico Legal Residency Visa
Nicaragua Pensionado and Rentista Visas
Panama Rentista Retirado Visa
Paraguay Permanent Residency Program
Portugal D7 Visa
Spain Non-Lucrative Visa
Uruguay Independent Means Visa
Programs that offer residence permits within months to those who physically relocate to start and/or run a business. Startup and entrepreneur visas fall under this category.
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