UAE residents face Georgia visa hurdle amid new entry rules
Gulf visas now need one-year validity for Georgian visa-free entry
DUBAI: As UAE residents set off for their Eid Al Adha holidays, many are heading to nearby destinations like Georgia for a short summer escape. However, recent visa rule changes have left several travellers stranded, with some denied entry at Georgian airports despite holding valid UAE residence visas.
The amendments to Georgia’s immigration policy came into effect on April 17, 2025, and have significantly altered the entry requirements for certain nationalities – especially those holding GCC permits.
The regulation update targets individuals from specific countries, including Pakistan, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Nigeria, and others, even if they possess valid visas or residence permits issued by Gulf countries. The new requirement mandates that such documents must now have at least one year of validity on the date of entry.
What’s changed?
Previously, Georgian law allowed visa-free entry to citizens of certain countries who held valid multiple-entry visas or residence permits from GCC member states. Crucially, no minimum validity was required on these documents.
As of April 17, 2025, this loophole has been closed. Travellers must now prove their Gulf-issued visas or residence permits are valid for at least 12 months from the day of their arrival in Georgia. Failure to meet this condition means immediate refusal of entry – even if the traveller has hotel bookings, return tickets, and travel insurance.
UAE resident detained
One such case was that of Muhammad, a 31-year-old senior product manager from Abu Dhabi, who flew to Kutaisi International Airport with a friend on a Wizz Air flight to enjoy Eid holidays. Despite presenting all required travel documents, Muhammad was refused entry and detained at the airport.
“We had all the required documents, UAE residency proof, hotel bookings, return tickets, and travel insurance. Some passengers were stopped before boarding, but we were cleared to fly,” Muhammad told Khaleej Times.
Upon landing, things changed quickly. “We were escorted aside, our passports were taken, and our photos were clicked in front of the other passengers,” he recalled. “We weren’t given any explanation until a female officer handed us rejection-of-entry papers.”
The two were held in a room Muhammad described as “prison-like” for over 12 hours without food, water, or proper sanitation. “It felt like we were treated like criminals,” he said. He is now urging Pakistani passport holders in the UAE to “carefully reconsider” any plans to travel to Georgia.
Affected nationalities
So far, the policy has affected nationals from the following countries:
- Pakistan
- Afghanistan
- Bangladesh
- Ghana
- Ethiopia
- Eritrea
- Yemen
- Cameroon
- Côte d'Ivoire
- Democratic Republic of Congo
- Morocco
- Nigeria
- Somalia
- Syria
- Sudan
- Tanzania
- Uganda
Travellers from these nations will no longer be granted visa-free access simply by holding short-term GCC permits. Only those whose permits are valid for one year or longer at the time of entry will qualify for the exemption.
Why the sudden shift?
The Georgian government introduced these changes as amendments to the Government Resolution of June 5, 2015. The update, while seemingly misunderstood by some, aims to enhance border control and combat illegal migration. Contrary to claims circulating on social media, the rule changes are not meant to ease access to Georgia for foreign nationals but rather to tighten existing conditions.
Speaking to Khaleej Times, Godly Babukutty, a representative from UAE-based Epic Travel, confirmed that while their own customers have not faced any entry issues, they are aware of similar incidents involving other UAE residents.
"What Georgia has implemented now is nothing new. Many countries have had such conditions for years," he said. “The reason why Georgia is tightening its measures is that people would often not have a proper itinerary or would book flights without fully understanding visa form requirements.”
He advised travellers to always book through professional travel agencies. “We ensure documentation is complete – hotel bookings, return tickets, and insurance. It’s the best way to avoid unpleasant surprises at immigration.”
Georgia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has reiterated that the changes were designed to close regulatory gaps and prevent misuse of visa-free privileges by individuals seeking unauthorised entry or residency.
As the Eid travel season continues, UAE residents – especially those holding passports from the listed countries – are advised to double-check entry requirements and ensure their Gulf permits meet the new conditions before making plans to visit Georgia.