Tbilisi: Until recently, Georgia was considered one of the best countries for migrants to live and work in. Since October 1 of last year, however, migrants in the neighboring country can no longer feel at home. It was on that date that strict legislation entered into force in Georgia regarding foreigners who violate the rules for legal stay and residence. Under the new rules, deportation from Georgia is carried out through a simplified procedure, and high fines are imposed.
According to Azeri-Press News Agency, the Georgian authorities adopted the new strict rules amid a large influx of foreigners, especially following the Russia-Ukraine war. The goal was to strengthen control over illegal migration and prevent abuse of asylum procedures. Since 2024, the tightening of the rules has also taken on a political dimension. From the end of November that year, anti-government protests in Georgia showed active participation by foreign citizens, and it was even observed that they created confrontations with police officers.
For foreigners, the most severe consequence of deportation from Georgia is a ban on entry into the country. The ban is imposed for a period ranging from 6 months to 3 years, determined by how long the person has overstayed their legal period of stay. Those who leave Georgia voluntarily do not face such a ban. Foreigners who have committed criminal offenses may be banned from entering Georgia for 2 to 20 years, or for life.
Although Azerbaijani citizens are regularly among the foreigners deported from Georgia, the percentage is not high according to statistics. Based on information from Georgia's Ministry of Internal Affairs, in the first nine months of 2025, 27 Azerbaijani citizens - 19 men and 8 women - were expelled from the neighboring country. During the same period, a total of 851 foreigners were deported from Georgia. Azerbaijanis accounted for only 3.1% of them.
The requirements for obtaining temporary and permanent residence permits in Georgia are no longer as easy as before. Such permits are granted on the basis of employment, family reunification, education, or the purchase of real estate. For students, obtaining a temporary residence permit does not pose much difficulty. Most residence permit applications are approved, especially those from foreigners engaged in individual entrepreneurship, purchasing real estate, or seeking family reunification.
According to amendments to the 'Labor Migration' law that will enter into force in Georgia on March 1 of this year, foreigners engaged in employment will be required to obtain a work permit. The absence of a work permit will serve as grounds for fining both the employee and the employer 2,000 lari. In case of repeated violations, fines will be doubled or tripled.
The initiative to strengthen the fight against illegal migration came from Georgia's Ministry of Internal Affairs. According to the agency, there is no unified migrant registration system in the country, and the number of illegal migrants amounts to 25,000 or more. Improving all legal mechanisms related to migration will enable effective state control over the migration process in Georgia and strict oversight of those who artificially extend their period of stay.
In Georgia, foreign citizens mainly work in the service sector. According to local economists, tightening migration legislation will first lead to a reduction in the workforce in the restaurant and hotel sector, where staff shortages are already being experienced. Time will show what other consequences the tightening face of Georgian hospitality will bring for the country's social and economic spheres.