Georgia study residence permit in 2026

Georgia has a dedicated D3 immigration-visa category and a separate study residence permit for qualifying students and researchers.

D3 visa

The Legal Status of Aliens law identifies D3 for people coming to Georgia to study or conduct research at or through an authorised educational institution, as well as people studying under qualifying international programmes.

A D3 visa is not itself the study residence permit.

Study residence permit

The State Services Development Agency states that the study residence permit is issued for studying at an authorised educational institution in Georgia.

The application normally requires proof of the study basis, lawful stay and financial means, together with the agency's standard identity and application documents.

Financial evidence

SDA states that money held in the applicant's personal bank account may be considered as income. Taking account of the permit term, the monthly bank amount should not be less than twice the minimum subsistence level for the average consumer in Georgia.

This is a minimum-evidence rule, not a promise that a particular balance guarantees approval.

Processing options

SDA currently publishes processing options of 30, 20 and 10 calendar days with different service fees.

Use the live official page before filing because government fees can change.

Work rights are separate

Student immigration status does not automatically answer whether a foreign student can take employment or perform self-employed activity.

The 2026 right-to-work framework is a separate legal layer. A student planning paid work should check the work-right rules rather than assuming the study permit itself grants unrestricted employment permission.

Study time and permanent residence

Georgia's general permanent-residence rule is based on 10 years of qualifying temporary residence, but the law excludes time spent in Georgia for study or medical treatment from that ten-year calculation.

This distinction is important when comparing long-term settlement routes.

Family members

Family members may have separate options depending on the main holder's status and the family-reunification rules. See the family reunification guide.

Related resources

Editorial note: Admission to a school or university and immigration permission are separate processes. Always verify the institution's authorised status and the current immigration documents.

Official and supporting sources

Related routes in Georgia