A package of legislative amendments drafted by the Ministry of Internal Affairs has already been submitted to parliament and could be adopted by the end of June. If the bill is approved by lawmakers, the changes will mark one of the most significant reforms to Georgia’s immigration laws in recent years.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs proposes creating a separate category of temporary residence permits for spouses of Georgian citizens. Before issuing these permits, such unions will be reviewed by a special state commission. Through this measure, the government aims to significantly reduce the number of sham marriages.
At the same time, the authorities intend to introduce criminal liability for entering into a sham marriage for the purpose of obtaining residency or citizenship. Depending on the circumstances, violators may face fines, house arrest, or imprisonment for up to two years. Foreign nationals may also face deportation and a ban on re-entry for a period of two to ten years.
The initiative is part of a broader effort to tighten immigration controls. Georgia has previously revised the rules for obtaining a residence permit through the purchase of real estate and introduced mandatory work permits for foreign nationals.
