Russian relocators and other “long-term” tourists in Georgia are advised to calm down: the Georgian government has decided the fate of the visa-free stay of Russians, and in their favor, while maintaining the previous period of stay. The expert told about this in her blog on Yandex.Zen dedicated to Georgia.
According to her, over the past few months, she has “already developed an allergy” to various panicky statements about reducing the time Russians spend in Georgia from 1 year to 3 months, or even a complete ban. All this is not true, the blogger emphasizes and then quotes the official position.
“On February 24, 2023, the government made changes to Resolution No. 255 “On Approving the List of Countries whose Citizens Can Enter Georgia Without a Visa” affecting the length of stay of Ukrainians in Georgia. They can stay in the country for up to 2 years. With regard to the Russians, the authorities have retained all the same 365 visa-free stays on the territory of Georgia. As expected, no sanctions and tightening of conditions followed and will not follow,” the expert says verbatim.
She also recalls that at the end of September 2022, after the “mass migration” of relocators, the chairman of the ruling party, Irakli Kobakhidze, said that “Tbilisi is not considering the possibility of introducing a visa regime for Russians at any angle.” And then the Georgian authorities turned out to be surprisingly consistent in their actions: they refused to impose sanctions against Russia and, moreover, are increasing trade – it was Russia that became Georgia's main trading partner in 2022.
“I once again urge everyone not to panic, do not believe the rumors and double-check the information. In our unstable world, everything can change in one day, and yet you need to live today,” the blogger added.
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