Georgia Proposes to Suspend Residence Permits for Russian Citizens

Members of the Georgian parliament from the opposition group EuroOptimists, Roman Gotsiridze and Khatia Dekanoidze, have proposed to adopt a law to temporarily suspend the issuance of investment and short-term residence permits to Russian citizens until the end of 2024, Caucasus Echo reports.

Currently, foreigners in Georgia can apply for a residence permit if they purchase real estate with a market value of more than $300,000 or invest the same amount in the Georgian economy. A short-term residence permit is also granted when buying real estate with a market value of more than $100,000.

"Due to the difficult socio-economic situation in Georgia, there has been a massive outflow of Georgian citizens from the country recently, while a large number of Russian citizens, most of whom have significant financial resources, are entering the country. From 2022 to June 2023, Russian citizens alone bought up to 10,000 apartments in Georgia, which is an indicator of their long-term residence in Georgia. They set up companies and acquire other types of real estate in addition to apartments, which later become the legal basis for obtaining a residence permit. At the same time, real estate prices have increased significantly, which makes it difficult for Georgian citizens to buy and rent an apartment," Gotsiridze said.

Statistics for 2022 show that Russian citizens accounted for the largest share of people who entered Georgia in 2022 and stayed for a long time; Ukrainians were in third place.

According to a poll conducted in the spring, 79% of Georgians are in favour of visa-free travel for Russian citizens, but the ruling party does not support this step.

The mass migration of Russian citizens to Georgia began after the outbreak of the full-scale war in Ukraine in February 2022. There were two major waves - last spring and in autumn, after the announcement of mobilisation in Russia. It is known that Russians opened more than 100,000 bank accounts in Georgia in 2022.

The opposition in Georgia has proposed reducing visa-free travel for Russians to 30 days instead of a year to limit uncontrolled migration from Russia. The Georgian authorities have repeatedly stated that they see no threats in the mass migration of Russians to the country.