Since 1 September 2014, any stay longer than this requires a long-stay visa to be obtained before departure from Georgian consulates or embassies abroad, followed by a residence permit to be applied for on the spot at the Public Services Development Agency. However, as of 25 December 2014, this long-stay visa may also be applied for on Georgian territory, at the Georgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, provided that the application is submitted at least 45 days before the expiry of the applicant's legal stay.

When entering the territory of Georgia, the police officers in charge of border controls are authorised to check the purpose of the stay, the possession of means of payment covering the duration of the stay, the subscription of a travel insurance, the existence of a hotel reservation or an invitation by a resident natural or legal person, a return flight reservation and guarantees of access to the territory of final destination in case of transit. It is therefore advisable to obtain these documents before travelling to the country.

The visa is valid for a stay not exceeding three months from the date of entry. For stays longer than three months, special permission from the Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia is required