GUIDEBOOK on LEGAL IMMIGRATION GUIDEBOOK on LEGAL IMMIGRATION 2017 2Nd Edition Author: Secretariat of the State Commission on Migration Issues Address: 67A, A
Total Page：16
File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb
GUIDEBOOK ON LEGAL IMMIGRATION GUIDEBOOK ON LEGAL IMMIGRATION 2017 2nd Edition Author: Secretariat of the State Commission on Migration Issues Address: 67a, A. Tsereteli ave., Tbilisi 0154 Georgia Tel: +995 322 401 010 Email: [email protected] Website: www.migration.commission.ge STATE COMMISSION ON MIGRATION ISSUES Ministry of Internally Displaced Ministry of Justice Ministry of Internal Affairs Ministry of Foreign Affairs Persons from the Occupied Territories, Accommodation and Refugees State Security Service Ministry of Labour, Health and Office of the State Minister for Ministry of Economy and Social Affairs European and Euro-Atlantic Sustainable Development Integration Ministry of Finance Ministry of Education and Science National Statistics Office Ministry of Regional Development and Infrastructure The Guidebook has been developed by the Secretariat of the State Commission on Migration Issues. Translated and published within the framework of the EU-funded project “Enhancing Georgia’s Migration Management” (ENIGMMA) 2 TABLE OF CONTENTS About the Guidebook ....................................................................................................................4 Useful information for foreigners ..................................................................................................5 Key facts about Georgia ........................................................................................................5 Political system and government .......................................................................................... 6 Economy and taxes ...............................................................................................................6 People and language ............................................................................................................8 Security ..................................................................................................................................8 Education ...............................................................................................................................9 Healthcare ............................................................................................................................10 Categories and types of Georgian visa ......................................................................................11 Visa free travel to Georgia ..........................................................................................................16 Residence permit and residence card ........................................................................................20 Compatriot status and certificate ...............................................................................................23 Status of stateless person and required documents .................................................................25 Postponing the obligation to leave Georgia ................................................................................27 Acquisition of Georgian Citizenship ............................................................................................29 International protection in Georgia .............................................................................................32 Migration management in Georgia - State Commission on Migration Issues.............................35 Border Checkpoints of Georgia ..................................................................................................39 Territorial offices of administrative bodies providing public services in the field of migration .... 42 Georgia’s diplomatic missions and consular offices abroad .......................................................43 Diplomatic missions of foreign countries accredited to Georgia .................................................62 Migrant’s glossary......................................................................................................................68 3 ABOUT THE GUIDEBOOK Migration has a significant impact on the social and economic development of the country, its security and stability. Today Georgia is a country of origin, destination and transit for migrants. Therefore, one of the priorities of Georgian state is to confine migratory processes to a legal framework and develop relevant policies and institutions. Raising public awareness on the opportunities of legal migration and on the risks and threats associated with illegal migration is a key to expanding and supporting legal migration opportunities created by the growing integration with the European Union. Over the past few years, much has been done with support of the European Union to raise migrants’ awareness. The activities implemented in the framework of the Migration Strategy for 2013-2015 are noteworthy to this end, as well as the new Migration Strategy for 2016-2020 that includes the chapter on public awareness comprising a wide range of the most versatile and complex objectives. These tasks are being implemented by the state agencies – members of the State Commission on Migration Issues, and the international and non-governmental organizations. In 2015, the SCMI Secretariat developed a Guidebook on Legal Immigration aimed at providing actual and potential migrants with useful practical information. Since its publishing on the websites of the involved state, international and local non-governmental organizations the Guidebook has soon become one of the principal information resources for migrants and other persons interested in the field. This publication is a second (revised) edition of the Guidebook, where the reader can find the key facts about Georgia and other useful material including the information on the legal status and required documents as well as the contact details of the Georgian state entities providing public services and of foreign diplomatic representations in Georgia. We believe that the guidebook will become a useful tool for immigrants and other interested persons to learn about the norms regulating legal immigration and the services available. Finally, we hope that informing immigrants on their rights and responsibilities will have a positive effect on the dynamics of legal immigration in Georgia. 4 USEFUL INFORMATION FOR FOREIGNERS Key facts about Georgia Georgia (“Sakartvelo”, „საქართველო“) Georgia: Key Facts1 is a transcontinental country situated Area 69,700 sq. km at the crossroad connecting Eastern Land borders 1,839 km Europe with Western Asia. Given its Armenia (224 km) strategically important location, Georgia Azerbaijan (446 km) often found itself in the centre of dramatic Bordering countries Turkey (275 km) historic developments in the region. As Russia (894 km) a result, the history of Georgia is rich Coastline 315 km with facts about numerous battles, Population 3,720,400 (as of Jan 1, 2016) victories, and survival. Georgia is one of the oldest states in the region. It became Georgian 86.8% an especially important strategic actor Azerbaijani 6.3% Ethnic composition in the 11th and 12th centuries during the Armenian 4.5% (2002 census data) reigns of King David the Builder and Russian 0.7% Queen Tamar who succeeded in uniting Other 1.7% Georgia and transforming it into a Capital Tbilisi powerful state. In the following centuries, Population of the 1,113,000 (as of Jan 1, 2016) however, the wars against invasions of capital Mongols, and later against Persian and Georgian, Abkhaz (in the State languages Ottoman Empires extremely weakened Autonomous Republic of Abkhazia) the Georgian state, and at the end of Urban population 57.2% (as of Jan 1, 2016) the 19th century, the country was fully annexed by the Russian Empire. In 1918, Georgia succeeded in regaining independence for a short period of time, but in 1921 it was again occupied by the Bolshevik Russia and became a part of the USSR. Having regained its independence after the breakup of the Soviet Union in 1991, Georgia, like many post-Soviet republics, had to confront economic hardship and severe civil conflicts that led to de-facto separation of Georgia’s two regions – Abkhazia and Tskhinvali region (the so-called South Ossetia). The latest blow sustained by the country was the 2008 war with Russian Federation, which ended up with the occupation of the two separatist regions by the Russian army. 1Source: National Statistics Office of Georgia www.geostat.ge; Government of Georgia www.government.gov.ge. 5 Political system and government Georgia is a democratic republic. The head of state and the commander-in-chief is the President of Georgia who is elected by general elections for five years. The government of Georgia led by the Prime Minister is in charge of the executive branch and oversees domestic and foreign affairs of the country. Parliament of Georgia is the legislative branch; it is a supreme representative body elected for four years. Independent courts represent the third, judicial branch of the government. Authority and responsibilities of local self-governance bodies have expanded significantly as a result of the recent self-governance reform package. Economy and taxes The key goal of the economic policy of the Georgian government is to enhance the welfare of the population through sustainable and inclusive economic growth; to create the environment, where each resident benefits from the economic development of the country, and where all residents have an opportunity to get engaged in the economic processes. The economic policy of the Georgian government is based upon the