UAE citizens can enter Georgia visa-free for up to one year. Most UAE residents get 90 days within any 180-day period.
Here is what UAE travellers need to know about visas, applying, and what to do if your application is refused.
Do UAE Citizens and Residents Need a Visa for Georgia?
It depends on your passport and your UAE status. The Embassy of Georgia in the UAE sets out two clear tracks.
UAE citizens enter visa-free and can stay in Georgia for up to one full year, with no application and no fee. UAE residents (expats) can enter visa-free for 90 days in any 180-day period.
For residents, the condition is that your UAE residence permit (Emirates ID) or UAE visa is valid on both entry and exit. Your passport must also have at least 90 days of validity remaining.
| Traveller Type | Stay Allowed | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| UAE citizens | Up to 1 year visa-free | Passport valid for at least 90 days |
| UAE residents (most nationalities) | 90 days in any 180 days | Valid UAE residence permit on arrival and departure |
| UAE residents from 17 listed countries* | 90 days visa-free only if residence permit is valid for 1+ year | Otherwise apply for a C1 tourist visa |
The 17-Country Exception
If you hold the passport of any of the countries below, your UAE residence permit must be a valid multiple-entry permit with at least one year remaining on the date you enter Georgia. If it has under one year left, you must apply for a C1 tourist visa at the embassy before travelling.
- Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Cameroon, Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Ghana, Morocco, Nigeria, Pakistan, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tanzania, Uganda, and Yemen.
Types of Georgia Visas
If you do not qualify for visa-free entry, Georgia offers two main visa categories. The Type C short-stay visa covers tourism and other short visits, while the Type D visa is for longer-term immigration.
Short-Stay Visa (Type C)
The Type C ordinary visa covers short visits of up to 90 days within any 180-day period. According to the Georgia eVisa portal, sub-categories include:
- C1 – Tourism
- C2 – Business
- C3 – Cultural, sports, scientific, or educational events
- C4 – Medical treatment
- C5 – Visiting family or friends
Most UAE residents who need a visa apply under C1 for tourism. Single-entry C visas allow up to 30 days, while multi-entry C visas can be valid for up to 5 years, though total stays still cannot exceed 90 days in any 180 days.
Long-Stay Immigration Visa (Type D)
The Type D visa is for those moving to Georgia for work, study, family, or property ownership. Categories listed by the Embassy of Georgia in the UAE include:
- D1 – Work or business activity
- D3 – Study or research
- D4 – Family reunification
- D5 – Ownership of non-agricultural real property in Georgia with a market value exceeding USD 100,000 equivalent in Georgian Lari
D visas are typically valid for 90 days, after which you apply for a temporary residence permit inside Georgia. The D5 visa can be issued for up to one year.
eVisa
The eVisa is an electronic version of the C visa, processed online through evisa.gov.ge. It is valid for 30, 90, or 120 days depending on nationality and travel purpose, with the exact period shown when you select your passport country during the application.
How to Apply
UAE travellers who need a visa have two main routes. You can use the eVisa portal online, or apply in person at the Embassy of Georgia in Abu Dhabi.
For an eVisa Online
The step-by-step process via the official portal is as follows:
- Visit evisa.gov.ge and check your eligibility.
- Complete the online application form in English.
- Upload your passport scan and a recent photo.
- Verify your email within 1 hour of receiving the link.
- Pay the visa fee within 5 hours of the payment notification.
- Wait up to 5 working days for a decision.
- Print the eVisa PDF and carry it on your trip.
At the Embassy in Abu Dhabi
For C1 tourist visas, the route for South Asian and African expats with under one-year residence, you must book an appointment at the Embassy of Georgia in Abu Dhabi. The required documents are:
- Passport with validity extending at least 90 days beyond the requested Georgian visa, with a minimum of 2 free pages
- UAE residence permit (Emirates ID) or multi-entry UAE visa
- Travel or health insurance covering at least GEL 30,000
- Proof of accommodation (hotel booking or rental agreement)
- Confirmed return flight ticket
- Bank statement for the last 3 months
- Visa fee payment receipt with the applicant’s name
- Completed and signed visa application form
Visa Fees and Processing Time
| Visa Type | Fee | Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| eVisa (C1 tourist) | USD 20 + 2% service fee | Up to 5 working days |
| Embassy C1 visa (Abu Dhabi) | USD 20 / AED 75 | Varies by case |
| Type D long-stay visa | Higher, varies by category | Varies; apply well in advance |
Visa fees are non-refundable, even if your application is rejected. Apply at least 2 to 3 weeks before your travel date.
The 90/180-Day Rule Explained
The 90/180 rule is the most misunderstood part of Georgia’s visa policy. It is not 90 days per calendar year, but a rolling window.
Here is how it works: on any day you are in Georgia, look back over the previous 180 days. The total time you have spent in Georgia during that window must not exceed 90 days.
Georgia’s Ministry of Internal Affairs offers a free visit planning calculator that works out your remaining days. Use it before booking flights to Tbilisi.
Overstaying by even one day can lead to fines, deportation, or future entry bans. The 90/180 limit is strictly enforced at exit.
What to Do If Your Georgia Visa Is Rejected
Visa refusals happen, and the eVisa portal does not give detailed reasons. Here is how to respond effectively.
Common Reasons for Rejection
- Incomplete or inaccurate application details
- Insufficient bank statements or weak financial proof
- No travel or health insurance covering the stay
- Unclear travel purpose or weak ties to the UAE
- Mismatched information across documents
- Suspicious travel history or prior overstays
Your Options After a Refusal
You generally have two routes after a refusal, depending on why your application was rejected:
- Appeal. You can appeal a refusal to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia within one month of being notified of the decision, and the appeal is reviewed within one month. This route works best when you believe the rejection was based on incorrect information.
- Reapply. If the rejection was due to fixable errors, submit a fresh application addressing every issue from the previous one. Experts suggest waiting 15 to 30 days before reapplying.
Visa fees from the rejected application are not refunded. You pay again with each new application.
To reduce refusal risk, carry printed copies of your hotel booking, return ticket, travel insurance, and bank statements. Be ready to answer questions about your trip purpose, and book your hotels in Tbilisi in advance to show confirmed accommodation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do UAE residents need a visa for Georgia?
Most do not. UAE residents of most nationalities can enter visa-free for 90 days in any 180-day period, provided their UAE residence permit is valid on both entry and exit. Residents holding passports from 17 listed countries need a residence permit valid for at least one year, or must apply for a C1 visa.
How long can UAE citizens stay in Georgia?
Up to one full year, visa-free. UAE citizens do not need to apply or pay any fee, but their passport must be valid for at least 90 days.
Is travel insurance mandatory for Georgia in 2026?
Yes. From 1 January 2026, all tourists entering Georgia must hold valid travel or health insurance covering at least GEL 30,000 for the full duration of their stay. This applies even to visa-free travellers, and proof may be checked at the border.
How much does a Georgia eVisa cost?
USD 20 plus a 2% service fee. The eVisa is processed online through evisa.gov.ge, with a decision usually within five working days. The embassy C1 visa in Abu Dhabi costs USD 20 (AED 75).
What is the 90/180-day rule?
It is a rolling window, not a calendar year. On any given day, your total stay in Georgia over the previous 180 days must not exceed 90 days. You can use the official police.ge visit planning calculator to track your remaining days.
Can I appeal a Georgia visa rejection?
Yes. You can appeal to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia within one month of being notified, and the appeal is reviewed within one month. Alternatively, you can reapply with a corrected application, ideally after addressing the issues from the previous attempt.
Sources
- Embassy of Georgia to the UAE — Visa Information
- Georgia eVisa Portal — FAQ and About Visa
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia
- Georgia Ministry of Internal Affairs — Visit Planning Calculator
- Legislative Herald of Georgia — Procedures for Issuing, Extending, and Revoking Georgian Visas (appeal rules)
- U.S. Embassy in Georgia — Mandatory Insurance for Tourists from 1 January 2026
Disclaimer: Wego strives to ensure all information presented in this article is accurate and up to date at the time of publication. Travel policies, prices, visa requirements, and conditions can change rapidly. We strongly recommend verifying critical details with official sources before making travel decisions. Wego does not accept liability for any inaccuracies, oversights, or changes that may occur after publication.
