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Tbilisi Entry Requirements

Tbilisi Entry Requirements

Visa, immigration, and customs information

Important Notice Entry requirements can change at any time. Always verify current requirements with official government sources before traveling.
Government Travel Advisories
Verified 2026-09-26
Before you travel: official formalities

  • Georgia mandatory health and accident insurance

    Who
    All tourists visiting Georgia
    When
    Held for the whole stay, including the arrival and departure dates
    Cost
    Cover of at least 30,000 GEL

    Article 12 of Georgia's Law on Tourism makes health and accident insurance mandatory for tourists. The policy must cover at least 30,000 Georgian lari for the full stay.

    Official site
    Checked against the official source 2026-09-26
Getting into Tbilisi is straightforward for most travelers, though specifics depend on your nationality. Georgia runs a tiered visa system. Some passport holders enter without paperwork. Others need authorization first. Spend a few minutes on the official Georgian immigration website before your trip. Rules shift. What worked for a friend may not apply to you. Georgia requires all tourists to carry health and accident insurance for their entire stay. This includes arrival and departure days. The obligation is legal under Article 12 of Georgia's Law on Tourism, not optional. Coverage must hit at least 30,000 Georgian lari. The full text sits on Georgia's Legislative Herald (Matsne). Arriving without qualifying insurance risks border complications. Sort this before you fly. Tbilisi's Shota Rustaveli International Airport handles most international arrivals. The immigration hall moves at a reasonable clip. Peak windows slow things down. Keep documents organized and accessible. This saves time. The notes below offer a framework. Official sources have the final word on entry.

Visa Requirements

Entry permissions vary by nationality. Find your category below.

Georgia's visa policy shifts by nationality. Some travelers enter without a visa. Others qualify for electronic pre-authorization. The rest apply through a Georgian embassy or consulate. The categories below sketch the structure. Eligibility, permitted stay, and costs hinge on your specific passport. The official Georgian immigration website is your primary reference. Requirements change. Check close to your travel date.

Visa-Free Entry
Varies by nationality. Check the official Georgian immigration website for the stay permitted on your passport.

Citizens of several countries enter Georgia without advance visas. Permitted stay length and attached conditions vary by nationality.

Even with visa-free entry, you need a valid passport. Proof of mandatory health and accident insurance covering at least 30,000 Georgian lari is required. Confirm whether your nationality qualifies, and for how long, with the Georgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the Public Service Development Agency before travel.

Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA/eVisa)
Varies by nationality and authorization type. Consult the official Georgian immigration website.

Some nationalities ineligible for visa-free entry may apply for electronic authorization before traveling to Tbilisi. Availability depends on your citizenship.

How to Apply: Travelers needing electronic pre-authorization should check the official Georgian government immigration website. Find current application processes and nationality-specific requirements there. Processing times vary.
Cost: Fees, if any, depend on nationality and authorization type. The official immigration website lists current costs.

All tourists entering Georgia must hold health and accident insurance. Coverage of at least 30,000 Georgian lari is mandatory for the full stay duration, per Article 12 of Georgia's Law on Tourism. Confirm details on Georgia's Legislative Herald (Matsne).

Visa Required
Determined by the visa type granted. Your nearest Georgian diplomatic mission can advise on what is available for your nationality.

Travelers whose nationality falls outside visa-free and electronic authorization categories must apply for a visa through a Georgian embassy or consulate before departure.

How to Apply: Applications typically go through Georgian embassies or consulates. Required documentation, processing timelines, and fees vary. Contact your nearest Georgian diplomatic mission well before travel.

Mandatory health and accident insurance applies to all tourists regardless of visa category. Your insurance must cover at least 30,000 Georgian lari. It must remain valid for every day of your Georgia stay, including arrival and departure dates. Unsure about visa needs? The Georgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs website carries current information.

Arrival Process

Most international visitors arrive at Shota Rustaveli Tbilisi International Airport. Touchdown to arrivals hall follows a standard path. Preparation with correct documents keeps delays minimal.

1
Deplaning and terminal navigation
After landing, follow signs to passport control. Tbilisi's international terminal channels arriving passengers through one immigration area. The route is obvious.
2
Passport control and immigration inspection
Present your passport to the immigration officer. Bring your visa or electronic authorization if applicable. Officers may ask about your visit's purpose and length. Have documents ready before the counter.
3
Insurance verification
Georgian law requires tourists to hold health and accident insurance covering at least 30,000 Georgian lari for the entire stay. This includes arrival and departure dates. Article 12 of Georgia's Law on Tourism mandates this. The full legal text lives on Georgia's Legislative Herald (Matsne). Be ready to show proof if asked.
4
Baggage claim
Collect checked luggage from the designated carousel. Screens in the baggage hall show which belt matches your flight.
5
Customs inspection
Nothing to declare? Take the green channel. Carrying goods above the duty-free allowance? Or items requiring declaration, such as large sums of currency? Use the red channel. When in doubt, declare. Better safe than fined.
6
Exit to arrivals hall
Past customs, you enter the public arrivals area. Taxis, ride-hailing services, and buses all run into central Tbilisi. Choose what suits your budget.

Documents to Have Ready

Valid passport
Your passport needs validity covering your entire stay. Some travelers report officers prefer six months remaining. Err on the side of caution. Check the official Georgian immigration website for current rules tied to your nationality.
Visa or electronic authorization (if applicable)
Need pre-authorization? Keep your visa or approval document handy. Visa-free? No extra paperwork required. Confirm your eligibility on the official Georgian immigration website before you leave.
Proof of mandatory health and accident insurance
Every tourist needs health and accident insurance covering at least 30,000 Georgian lari. It must be valid for every day of your trip, including arrival and departure. This is law under Article 12 of Georgia's Law on Tourism, published on the Legislative Herald (Matsne). Keep a printed or digital copy accessible.
Proof of accommodation
Bring a hotel booking confirmation, rental agreement, or host letter from Tbilisi. Officers do not always ask. Having it ready prevents headaches.
Return or onward travel ticket
You need proof you will leave Georgia when permitted. A booked flight, bus ticket, or itinerary covers this.
Proof of sufficient funds
Officers may ask you to prove you can support yourself. A recent bank statement or credit card usually works.

Tips for Smooth Entry

Organize everything in one folder before boarding. Passport, insurance proof, accommodation confirmation, and return ticket should be within reach. Not buried in your bag.
Digital insurance policy? Save an offline copy. Airport Wi-Fi fails. You do not want to hunt for emails at the immigration counter.
Reach the passport control queue with your passport open to the photo page. Small gesture. Keeps lines moving. Officers notice.
Check the official Georgian immigration website within a week of departure. Entry rules change fast. A new requirement might appear between booking and flying.
Arriving late at night? Fewer officers may be on duty. Lines could stretch longer than expected. Plan your ground transport accordingly.

Customs & Duty-Free

Georgia's customs framework will feel familiar. Duty-free allowances cover personal quantities of alcohol, tobacco, and other goods. Declaration requirements apply to larger currency amounts and valuables. Thresholds shift occasionally. Check the Georgian Revenue Service website before traveling for current figures.

Alcohol
Personal-use quantities of alcohol enter duty-free. Exact volumes depend on the type.
Adults only. Check the Georgian Revenue Service for current limits before packing more than a bottle or two.
Tobacco
Personal-use quantities of cigarettes, cigars, or loose tobacco may enter duty-free.
Adults only. Exceed allowances and face duties or confiscation. The Georgian Revenue Service publishes current thresholds.
Currency
Cash and monetary instruments above the declaration threshold must be declared when entering or leaving Georgia.
This covers all currencies combined, not just Georgian lari. Fail to declare amounts above the threshold and risk seizure. The Georgian Revenue Service or National Bank of Georgia website lists current thresholds.
Gifts and personal goods
Personal-use goods up to a set value enter duty-free. Above that limit, duties apply.
Commercial quantities attract scrutiny, even if under the value threshold. Keep receipts for expensive personal items.

Prohibited Items

  • Narcotics and psychotropic substances without valid medical prescriptions are prohibited.
  • Weapons, ammunition, and explosives require prior authorization from Georgian authorities.
  • Counterfeit currency, documents, or goods bearing forged trademarks
  • Pornographic material involving minors
  • Certain agricultural products and plant materials face restrictions. Rules vary by origin country due to biosecurity risks.

Restricted Items

  • Prescription medications exceeding personal-use quantities may need physician documentation. Some cases require authorization from Georgian health authorities.
  • Hunting weapons require advance permits from the relevant Georgian ministry
  • Exporting cultural artifacts, antiques, and works of art from Georgia may require a permit from the Ministry of Culture.
  • Live animals and animal products face veterinary inspection. Certificates from the country of origin may be required.

Health Requirements

Georgia enforces its health insurance requirement strictly. This tops your health checklist for Tbilisi. Beyond insurance, entry presents few unusual health barriers. Some vaccinations are recommended for general protection.

Required Vaccinations

  • Georgia requires no vaccinations for most arrivals. Yellow fever certificates matter only if you are coming from an endemic country. Check your transit route. If your flight to Tbilisi connects through a risk zone, verify requirements through Georgian health authorities or WHO listings.

Recommended Vaccinations

  • Keep routine vaccinations current. That means MMR, DTaP, varicella, and polio.
  • Hepatitis An is generally recommended for travelers to Georgia
  • Hepatitis B may be recommended depending on your activities and length of stay
  • Rabies shots make sense for extended rural stays. Consider them if you will be around animals in Tbilisi's outskirts or Georgia's countryside.

Health Insurance

Georgia's Law on Tourism, Article 12, mandates health and accident insurance. The policy must cover 30,000 Georgian lari minimum. It must span your entire stay, arrival through departure. This is law, not advice. The full text lives on Georgia's Legislative Herald, Matsne. Buy before you fly. Carry proof, digital or paper, for immigration checks. Standard policies often qualify. Confirm the amount with your insurer.

Current Health Requirements: Beyond insurance, yellow fever certificates may be requested from at-risk origin countries. Other health rules shift with conditions. Check Georgian authorities or WHO guidance before departure.

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Important Contacts

Essential resources for your trip.

Embassy or Consulate
Your embassy in Tbilisi handles emergencies. Lost passports. Legal trouble.
Find your diplomatic mission before you go. Most countries maintain an embassy in Tbilisi. Register your trip if your foreign ministry offers this service.
Immigration Authority
Georgia's Public Service Development Agency manages immigration. Visas. Residency.
For eligibility, permitted stay, and application steps, trust the PSDA website. Verify there before relying on unofficial summaries.
Emergency
Dial 112 for emergencies in Tbilisi. Police, ambulance, fire.
The line runs 24 hours. English help is possible. Georgian dominates. For non-urgent police matters, ask your hotel or search online for local station contacts.

Special Situations

Additional requirements for specific circumstances.

Traveling with Children

Every child needs their own passport. Solo parents or non-parent guardians should carry notarized consent from absent parents. Georgian border guards might not ask. Airlines and transit countries often do. Delays happen without it. Pack the child's birth certificate too. It proves the relationship.

Traveling with Pets

Pets entering through Tbilisi need a veterinary health certificate from their home country, usually issued within days of travel. Dogs and cats require rabies vaccination given at least 30 days prior. Microchips are expected. Rules vary by species and origin. Contact Georgia's National Food Agency early. Airline pet policies are separate. Check those too.

Extended Stays

Overstaying your visa-free period or visa requires action. Apply for residence or extension through Tbilisi's PSDA before expiration. Eligibility and paperwork depend on nationality and purpose. Start early. Fines and future entry problems follow overstays. The PSDA website lists current procedures.

Dual Nationals

Dual citizens take note. Georgia recognizes the passport you show at the border. Some countries require specific passports for departure. Choose one and stick with it. Check both nations' dual nationality rules before traveling to Tbilisi. Mismatched visa requirements between your passports can create problems.

Travelers with Disabilities

Tbilisi airport accommodates reduced mobility. Airlines arrange assistance with advance notice. The city itself is inconsistent. Accessibility shifts by neighborhood and venue. Wheelchair users should call ahead. Contact your airline and hotel before landing. Ensure support is ready.

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