Anyone holding a valid UAE visa or residence permit can enter Georgia without a Georgian visa and stay 90 days in any 180-day period. The rule comes from Government of Georgia Decree No. 256 of 5 June 2015, and since 16 May 2025 it carries a stricter condition for citizens of 17 countries.
Those 17 include Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nigeria, Morocco and Ethiopia. Their residents need a multiple-entry UAE permit valid for at least one year on the day they arrive. This guide covers both rules, the mandatory travel insurance Georgia introduced on 1 January 2026, and the e-visa route if you do not qualify.
Key Takeaways
- A valid UAE visa or residence permit lets you enter Georgia visa-free for 90 days in any 180-day period.
- The permit must be valid on the day you cross the border.
- Since 16 May 2025, citizens of 17 countries need a multiple-entry UAE permit valid for at least one year from the date of entry.
- Since 1 January 2026, every tourist needs health and accident insurance of at least GEL 30,000, covering the whole stay.
- If you do not qualify, the Georgian e-visa costs USD 20 plus a 2% service fee and takes at least 5 working days.
The Rule for UAE Visa and Residence Holders
Decree No. 256 lists 50 countries whose visas or residence permits let foreigners enter Georgia without a Georgian visa, and the UAE is number 4 on that list. Holders can enter and stay in Georgia for 90 calendar days in any 180-day period.
The decree adds one general condition. The UAE visa or residence permit must be valid on the day you enter Georgia (the day you cross the border), and this must be shown by a travel document or other relevant document.
The same list includes Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and Saudi Arabia, plus the US, the UK, Canada, Japan, Australia and most EU and Schengen states. A visa or residence permit from any of them works the same way.
Does a UAE visit visa count?
The decree refers to a “visa and/or residence permit,” not only residence. In principle, a valid UAE visa therefore qualifies for most nationalities, as long as it is valid on the day you enter Georgia.
The stricter 17-country rule below covers only multiple-entry visas and residence permits valid for a year. A UAE tourist visa will not meet it.
The Stricter Rule for 17 Nationalities
From 16 May 2025, citizens of 17 countries qualify only if their GCC visa or residence permit is multiple-entry and valid for at least one more year. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced the change, made under amendments to Decree No. 256, and the decree text cites Government Decree No. 122 of 17 April 2025.
| The 17 countries | Condition on the GCC permit |
|---|---|
| Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Morocco, Nigeria, Pakistan, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tanzania, Uganda, Yemen | Multiple-entry visa and/or residence permit from the UAE, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait or Oman, valid at least 1 year from the date of entry into Georgia |
A UAE residence permit is used for multiple entries in practice, so for most residents the test is the expiry date. If your Emirates ID or residence expires less than a year after your arrival date, you do not qualify through this route.
The decision point: renew first or apply for a visa
If you are from one of the 17 countries and your residence has 8 to 12 months left, you have two options. You can renew your UAE residence early so the new expiry clears the one-year mark, or you can apply for a Georgian e-visa.
Renewing early also protects you on your return to the UAE. Our guide to renewing a UAE residence visa explains when you can start.
Mandatory Travel Insurance From 1 January 2026
Under the Law of Georgia “On Tourism,” all tourists entering Georgia from 1 January 2026 must hold a valid health and accident insurance policy. This applies whether or not you need a visa.
| Requirement | Detail from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs |
|---|---|
| Minimum cover | GEL 30,000 |
| Period | The whole stay, including arrival and departure dates |
| Insurer | Georgian or foreign |
| Format | Physical or electronic, in Georgian or English |
| Must show | Parties, covered territory, subject, start and end dates, insured risks, sum insured, and premium amount and terms |
Check your UAE policy wording before relying on it. Many UAE health plans do not state a covered territory, a sum insured and travel dates in a form a border officer can read quickly, and our guide to travel insurance for UAE residents explains what a trip policy should show.
What actually happens at Tbilisi airport
At passport control, the officer checks your passport and your UAE residence card or visa, and may ask for the insurance policy. Keep the policy as a PDF on your phone and a printed copy, because it must be “available” in Georgian or English.
The ministry notes that a visa does not guarantee entry. The Border Police of the Ministry of Internal Affairs decide admission at the border, and the same applies to visa-free entry.
If You Do Not Qualify: The Georgian e-Visa
If neither your passport nor your UAE permit gives you visa-free entry, apply on the official e-VISA portal run by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Its FAQ sets the fee at USD 20 plus a 2% service fee, and the fee is non-refundable.
| e-Visa rule | Detail |
|---|---|
| Decision time | At least 5 working days |
| Email verification | Within 1 hour, or the application is cancelled |
| Payment | Within 5 hours of the payment email, by Visa or Mastercard |
| Passport | Valid at least 3 months beyond the visa, at least 2 blank pages, issued within the last 10 years |
| Each traveler | A separate e-visa and passport, whatever their age |
At the border, e-visa holders must be able to show their passport, proof of the purpose of travel, proof of accommodation, travel and health insurance, and proof of sufficient funds. Proof of funds can be a three-month bank statement, an employer reference with your position and income, or a signed sponsor letter.
The ministry says a short-term single-entry visa runs for at most 30 calendar days, and that the total stay in any 180-day period cannot exceed 90 days. Plan longer trips around a multiple-entry visa or a qualifying UAE permit.
Driving and Land Crossings
Most UAE residents fly to Tbilisi or Batumi, but the visa-free rule is not limited to airports. The decree refers to the day of “border crossing,” without restricting the type of crossing.
If you plan to drive in Georgia, carry an International Driving Permit with your UAE license. Our guide to the international driving permit in the UAE explains where to get one.
Before You Leave the UAE
Check for unpaid fines or cases that could stop you at UAE departure, using our guide to checking UAE travel ban status online. For other short trips, see our guides to the Armenia visa for UAE residents and the Turkey visa for UAE residents.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do UAE residents need a visa for Georgia?
Usually not. A valid UAE visa or residence permit allows visa-free entry for 90 days in any 180-day period, provided it is valid on the day you cross the border.
Can Indian residents of the UAE visit Georgia without a visa?
Yes. India is not one of the 17 countries with the stricter rule, so an Indian national with a valid UAE residence permit can enter visa-free for 90 days in any 180 days.
Can Pakistani residents of the UAE enter Georgia visa-free?
Only if their UAE visa or residence permit is multiple-entry and valid for at least one year from the date of entry. Pakistan has been one of the 17 countries under this condition since 16 May 2025.
How long can I stay in Georgia on my UAE residence?
Up to 90 days in any 180-day period. The 90 days can be used in one trip or spread across several.
Is travel insurance mandatory for Georgia?
Yes, since 1 January 2026. Every tourist needs health and accident insurance of at least GEL 30,000, covering the whole stay and readable in Georgian or English.
How much is a Georgia e-visa?
USD 20 plus a 2% service fee, paid by card through the official e-VISA portal. The fee is not refunded if the visa is refused.
How long does the Georgian e-visa take?
The decision takes at least 5 working days. Apply well before your flight.
Does my UAE residence need six months of validity for Georgia?
Not under the general rule, which only requires the permit to be valid on the day of entry. Citizens of the 17 listed countries need at least one year of validity from entry.
Can my children enter Georgia on my UAE residence?
Each person is assessed on their own documents. A child with their own valid UAE residence permit qualifies under the same rule, while a child without one needs a passport-based route or a visa.
Do UAE citizens need a visa for Georgia?
Emirati citizens should check Georgia’s “Do I need visa” tool on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs consular site. This guide covers residents entering on a UAE permit.
Official Sources
- Government of Georgia Decree No. 256 of 5 June 2015 (consolidated, with the 2025 amendment)
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia: New regulations on visa-free entry for certain foreign nationals
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia: Entering Georgia (visa categories and mandatory insurance)
- Georgia e-VISA portal: FAQ
- Georgia e-VISA portal: About e-Visa
Entry rules, insurance and e-visa terms checked on the Georgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs websites in October 2026. The Georgian Embassy in the UAE’s visa page did not load (Cloudflare 522) when we checked.
This guide is for informational purposes only. Visa rules are set by the Georgian authorities and are subject to change. Always verify current requirements with the relevant official authority before proceeding with any application or transaction.
