Renewing a residence permit: when to apply and what to do if it expires: what to do under Georgian law

What to do

1. Deadlines: file the residence permit application 40 calendar days before the end of lawful stay (Rules on Issuing Residence Permits in Georgia, Art. 3). A residence permit terminates automatically on its end date, and there is no grace period (Art. 15). Count from the end of the CURRENT basis, not from the filing date.
2. Basis unchanged: renewal is granted on the same conditions as issuance, up to a total of 12 years (Law on the Legal Status of Aliens and Stateless Persons, Art. 16). If the basis has changed (work, study, marriage, property), a different type applies: a foreigner who is lawfully staying in Georgia and meets the conditions of the new type may change the type of residence permit (Art. 14).
3. The deadline has already passed: the application does not save the situation. A residence permit is not issued if, at the time of filing, the person is in Georgia only under a deferral of departure (Art. 14). Overstaying by up to 3 months carries a fine of GEL 1,000 and an entry ban of 6 months; longer overstays carry higher penalties (Code of Administrative Offences of Georgia, Art. 191). The way out is to leave, pay the fine, and apply again on a lawful basis.
4. During review: the review takes up to 30 days from complete submission of documents (Law on the Legal Status of Aliens and Stateless Persons, Art. 17). An applicant may be granted a deferral of the obligation to leave for the duration of the proceedings (Art. 48). This is not a residence permit and not a right to work.
5. Travel: on a residence permit, visa-free entry is allowed only while the permit is valid (Art. 10). From abroad, the renewal may be filed electronically (Rules on Issuing Residence Permits in Georgia, Art. 3).
6. Work residence permit: the employer must request renewal of the right to work no less than 30 calendar days before it expires (Law on Labour Migration, Art. 13⁵).
7. After the decision: collect the residence permit card within 6 months, otherwise the stay may be terminated (Law on the Legal Status of Aliens and Stateless Persons, Art. 21). A refusal may be appealed to court within 1 month of familiarisation (Rules on Issuing Residence Permits in Georgia, Art. 17).
8. Where to apply: Public Service Development Agency (Public Service Hall); Employment Support Agency (right to work); district court.
9. Evidence: passport, residence permit card, documents confirming that the basis remains, proof of the filing date, translations into Georgian.
10. Traps: believing that an application by itself extends the stay; leaving during the review and returning on an expired card; “renewing” a residence permit on a basis that no longer exists.

Be sure to check

• filing deadline before the end of lawful stay and automatic termination of the permit
• status during review (deferral of departure, not a residence permit) and the review period
• consequences of missing the deadline: fine and entry ban for overstay
• travel abroad during review and electronic filing from abroad
• for a work residence permit, timely renewal of the right to work