The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia has announced that misinformation is being deliberately circulated through various media outlets and social networks, falsely claiming that the changes adopted to the government decree on April 17 simplify entry into Georgia for citizens of several countries.

In fact, these amendments are prepared to tighten visa-free entry rights for certain countries and combat illegal migration.

“We wish to clarify the changes adopted on April 17, 2025, which define the list of countries whose visa and/or residence permit holders can enter Georgia without a visa for a specified period and under particular conditions.

Amid the deliberate spread of misinformation through various media outlets and social networks, suggesting that the recent changes simplify entry into Georgia for citizens of several countries, we would like to clarify that the modifications made on April 17, 2025, to the Georgian government’s decree of June 5, 2015—titled “On Approving the List of Countries Whose Visa and/or Residence Permit Holders Can Enter Georgia Without a Visa for the Corresponding Period and Under Specific Conditions”—are intended to tighten visa-free entry rights for certain nations and address illegal migration concerns.

The previous version of the decree allowed citizens from certain listed countries to enter Georgia if they held a Gulf country visa or residence permit. However, it did not establish validity periods for these visas, leading to the need for stricter requirements.

Under the new rules, a Gulf country visa or residence permit will no longer permit entry into Georgia without a visa unless the multiple-entry visa or residence permit is valid for at least one year on the day of entry, which must be verified by travel or other relevant documents.

This restriction specifically applies to citizens of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, the Republic of Ghana, the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, the State of Eritrea, Republic of Yemen, Republic of Cameroon, Republic of Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Kingdom of Morocco, Federal Republic of Nigeria, Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Federal Republic of Somalia, Syrian Arab Republic, Republic of Sudan, United Republic of Tanzania, and Republic of Uganda who hold Gulf country visas and residence permits,” the statement from the Ministry of Internal Affairs reads.