New rules in Georgia target illegal foreigners with higher penalties

Starting October 1, 2025, Georgia will enforce stricter rules for foreigners who violate the country’s residency regulations. 

The changes include higher fines and a simplified deportation procedure, Georgian media report.

Under the new rules, foreigners who overstay their permitted time in Georgia will face fines ranging from 1,000 to 3,000 GEL ($369 to $1,107) and temporary bans on entry, compared to the current fines of 180 to 360 GEL ($66 to $132), which do not include deportation.

According to the Code of Administrative Offences, effective October 1:

• Overstaying up to 3 months after the legal period of stay will result in a fine of 1,000 GEL ($369) and a six-month entry ban.

• Overstays up to 1 year will carry a fine of 2,000 GEL ($738) and a two-year entry ban.

• Overstay of more than 1 year will incur a fine of 3,000 GEL ($1,107) and a three-year entry ban.

• Transit violations: foreigners or stateless persons travelling through Georgia in transit will be fined 500 GEL ($184).

• Inviting or providing services to foreigners in violation of rules for residence, work, or study: individuals or legal entities registered in Georgia who host, provide services to, or use services of such foreigners will face a warning or a fine of 2,000 GEL (previously 1,000 GEL).

In addition, the Criminal Code amendments, effective October 1, simplify the deportation of foreigners who commit crimes in Georgia.

Under the law:

• Deportation and entry bans for minor crimes may be imposed for 2 to 10 years.

• For serious or particularly serious crimes, bans may be applied for 5 to 20 years or for life.

• Deportation and entry bans may be applied if a court determines that, considering the nature of the offence and the individual’s profile, continued residence in Georgia is inappropriate.

However, deportation and entry bans will not apply if a foreigner is subject to an extradition process, except where the individual is to be deported to the requesting state and extradition is requested solely by that state.

The new legislation aims to strengthen Georgia’s control over illegal stays, streamline enforcement, and impose stricter penalties for violations.

By Tamilla Hasanova