Does Georgia Offer Visa on Arrival to Indians?

This post sets out the three legal ways an Indian passport holder can enter Georgia for a short trip and which one suits your situation. Every rule and fee below is as published on the official sources, checked on 15 October 2026.

Can you get a visa on arrival at a Georgian airport or land border?

No. The consular portal of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia (geoconsul.gov.ge) states that citizens of India must obtain an ordinary visa before entering Georgia for short-term visits. No Georgian border point issues a visa to an Indian passport holder on landing.

Transit is not an exception. Georgia's rules say transit through the country also requires a visa, and VFS Global lists a Transit visa at the same INR 1790 / USD 20 fee as the short-term visa.

So the real question is which pre-arranged route you use. There are three: visa-free entry with a qualifying foreign document, the e-Visa, and the Embassy sticker visa.

Which Indians can enter Georgia without applying for any visa?

Some can. Under Government of Georgia Ordinance No. 256, Indian citizens holding a valid visa and/or residence permit issued by a listed country may enter visa-free for 90 days in any 180-day period. The issuing countries shown on the consular portal include:

• the USA and the UK
• EU and Schengen states
• Canada, Australia and New Zealand
• Japan, the Republic of Korea and Israel
• the GCC states

Two conditions decide whether this works for you. First, the visa or permit must be valid on the day you cross the Georgian border, not only on the day you book. Second, the list belongs to the Georgian government, so check your issuing country on the MFA consular portal before you fly.

If you live in a GCC country on a residence permit, or you already hold a valid US or Schengen visa, this is usually the shortest path. Without such a document, you need one of the two visas below.

How does the Georgia e-Visa work for Indian passports?

The e-Visa is the fully online option. You apply on the official e-Visa Portal without visiting the Embassy or a VFS centre. The key facts:

• Fee: USD 20 plus a 2% service fee, paid online by Visa or MasterCard.
• Payment window: you pay within 5 hours of the portal's notification.
• Decision time: not less than 5 working days.
• Refunds: the fee is not refunded if the e-Visa is denied.
• Photo: taken within the last 6 months, facing the camera directly.

An e-Visa does not end the checks. You print it and carry the documents the border officer may ask for: your passport, a document proving the purpose of travel, travel and health insurance, proof of sufficient funds (such as a bank statement for the past three months, an employer reference or a sponsor letter) and proof of accommodation for the entire stay.

The e-Visa support desk handles only e-Visa applications. It cannot give updates on files lodged through the Embassy and VFS.

When is the VFS sticker visa the better choice?

The sticker visa is issued by the Embassy of Georgia in New Delhi, whose consular district covers all of India. You fill the online form at geoconsul.gov.ge, submit your documents at a VFS Global centre, then upload the scanned VFS payment receipt to the Georgian portal. It suits travellers who prefer an in-person submission or who also need a long-stay category handled by the Embassy.

The 14 VFS centres are Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chandigarh, Chennai, Cochin, Goa, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Jalandhar, Kolkata, Mumbai, New Delhi, Puducherry and Pune. VFS gives the short-term processing time both as "minimum 10 working days" and "minimum 10 calendar days", so plan around the longer reading. The clock starts when the application reaches the Embassy, not when you hand it in.

A short-term ordinary visa allows a single entry of up to 30 calendar days. A multiple-entry visa of up to five years is possible only if you visited Georgia at least once in the previous year and have grounds for repeat trips; each stay is still capped at 90 days in any 180.

What does the Embassy checklist ask Indian applicants for?

• The online application form, completed in BLOCK letters and signed.
• A passport issued within the last 10 years, valid at least three months beyond the visa, with at least two empty pages.
• Proof of paying the USD 20 visa fee.
• A copy of tickets purchased or a ticket booking.
• Proof of accommodation, such as a hotel reservation or an invitation confirming where you will stay.
• A bank statement for the last three months, stamped and signed by the bank, or other proof of funds such as a sponsor's letter.
• Travel and health insurance valid for the whole stay and all of Georgia, covering health expenses and death.

The checklist does not name ITR, Form 16 or salary slips. It asks for proof of funds, so the stamped bank statement carries the weight. You hand in one set of hard copies and upload scans; originals are shown only for verification.

Which mistakes cause trouble at the border or the Embassy?

• Relying on an expired US or UK visa. The Ordinance No. 256 route needs a document that is valid when you cross the border.
• Buying non-refundable travel before the decision. The e-Visa takes at least 5 working days and the Embassy route at least 10, so keep bookings flexible until you hold the visa.
• Treating a tourist visa as a work visa. Since 1 March 2026, paid work in Georgia needs the right to work and a D1 visa; a short-term visa or e-Visa does not give that right.
• Missing the appeal window. A refusal can be appealed to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs within 10 business days of learning of it, in Georgian or with a certified Georgian translation.

For long-stay categories, student visas and the full fee list, read our Georgia visa guide for Indian citizens. If your checklist needs a ticket booking, a verifiable flight reservation covers that item without buying a fare in advance.

Yatra For Fun's India office in Gurugram prepares flight reservations, hotel bookings, travel itineraries and cover letters for visa files, with packages from INR 1,000 (flight reservation) to INR 3,000 (reservation, hotel, itinerary and cover letter). Reach us on WhatsApp at +91 95230 91018 or through our contact page.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Georgia e-Visa fee refunded if my application is refused?

No. The e-Visa Portal states the fee of USD 20 plus a 2% service fee is not refunded if the e-Visa is denied. The Embassy sticker visa fee of INR 1790 / USD 20 is also non-refundable.

Do Indians need a visa to transit through Georgia?

Yes. Georgia's rules say transit through the country also requires a visa, and VFS Global lists a Transit visa at INR 1790 / USD 20. Indians holding a valid visa or residence permit from a country listed under Ordinance No. 256 can enter visa-free instead.

How long can I stay in Georgia on a short-term visa?

A single-entry ordinary visa allows up to 30 calendar days. A multiple-entry visa can be issued for up to five years if you visited Georgia at least once in the previous year, with a limit of 90 days in any 180.

Where is the Embassy of Georgia in India?

The Embassy of Georgia is at 169 Jor Bagh, New Delhi 110003. Its consular district covers all of India, and visa documents are submitted through VFS Global centres.

Is travel insurance compulsory for a Georgia visa?

Yes. The Embassy checklist asks for travel and health insurance valid for the period of stay and all over Georgia, covering health expenses and death. e-Visa holders should also carry insurance, as border officers can ask for it.