The Parliament adopted, at the III reading, the Draft Law on the Legal Status of Aliens and Stateless Persons with 72 votes.

 

The draft law was presented by the Chair of the EU Integration Committee, Levan Makhashvili.

 

According to the draft law, a new C5 category ordinary visa is introduced. This category of multiple-entry short-term visa will be issued with a validity period of 5 years and a permitted stay of up to 1 year in Georgia. The C5 category visa will be granted to individuals entering Georgia for short-term purposes, primarily for tourism, who are also allowed to carry out activities solely for the benefit of a non-resident entity, provided that such activities are related to operations conducted outside the territory of Georgia. This visa category will also be issued to the applicant’s spouse and minor children.

 

According to the amendments, the term “E-VISA PORTAL” will be replaced with “special website.” In addition, it will be possible to make expedited decisions on visa issuance based on a legal act of the Government of Georgia.

 

A new ground is introduced under which a refusal to issue a C5 category visa will not require justification—namely, considerations related to state migration policy. Such decisions will not be subject to appeal.