For a foreign client, residence, company, banking, tax and property are connected but legally distinct. Forming a company does not automatically grant residence; buying property does not automatically create a permit; and registration does not guarantee bank KYC. A safer plan starts with one map of objective, nationality, stay status, source of funds, activity, property type and deadlines.
1. Start with one integrated legal strategy
Define the Georgian objective: temporary living, work, family, study, company, property, investment or permanent relocation. Then map nationality, income, lawful-stay deadline, family, operating countries, banking and tax residence.
This prevents contradictions. A nominal company may be weak for both bank KYC and work-residence evidence; property may suit an ownership objective but not the current value and type requirements of a particular permit.
2. Residence permits: basis, evidence and timing
A permit is issued on a defined basis such as work, family, study, investment or a statutory property route. Compare not only labels, but eligibility, income or activity evidence, stay status, filing timing and continuing conditions.
Forms, official processing times and fees can change. Recheck the Public Service Development Agency and current law on filing day. Incomplete translation, inconsistent dates and late renewal increase refusal risk.
3. Company registration for a foreign founder
A foreigner can generally establish a Georgian company. Decide entity type, shares, director, signing authority, legal address, activity, licensing and beneficial ownership. Foreign records may require apostille or legalisation and Georgian translation.
The current Public Registry page lists one working day at GEL 200 or same-day service at GEL 400 for registering an entity. That is registry service only: bank account, tax registration, licensing, accounting and residence are separate.
4. Bank KYC, source of funds and tax
Banks independently assess the customer, beneficial owners, genuine activity, countries, contracts, expected turnover and source of funds or wealth. Registration does not guarantee an account. Records should align and the funds trail should be intelligible.
Georgian tax depends on actual activity, payments, staff, VAT and the owner’s position elsewhere. Advertising a nominal company rate does not replace individual analysis or foreign tax obligations.
5. Buying property and legal due diligence
Before purchase, check seller and authority, current and historic extracts, mortgage, seizure, easement, cadastral boundaries, permits, commissioning, occupants, utilities and contract risk.
The current Public Registry page lists standard registration of creation, change or termination of a property right at GEL 150 in four working days, GEL 270 in one working day or GEL 350 same day. Recheck the service and fee before payment.
6. Land restrictions and property-based residence
Foreign ownership of non-agricultural property is not the same as ownership of agricultural land. Verify designation, cadastral category and statutory exceptions before purchase; using a company is not an automatic workaround.
Buying property does not automatically grant residence. The relevant route has current rules on property type, market value and a separate application. An independent valuation does not replace title due diligence.
7. Remote representation and foreign documents
Many steps can be handled under power of attorney, but authority should expressly and narrowly cover formation, registry, contract, bank communication, application, appeal or litigation as needed. Overbroad powers create security risk.
Identify document country, issuing authority, apostille or legalisation regime, translation, name transliteration and validity. Inconsistent names or addresses frequently trigger further requests.
8. Integrated relocation and investment checklist
Build a 90-day calendar: lawful-stay deadline, residence filing, formation, bank KYC, tax registrations, property diligence and completion. Assign an owner and prerequisites to every stage.
Before consultation, prepare passport and entry history, objective, family members, employment or business records, source of funds, property cadastral code and any refusal or notice. The plan should show what is independent, interdependent and time-critical.
- Passport and entry or stay status
- Objective and target date
- Income, activity and source of funds
- Family members and records
- Company or property information
- Previous refusal, fine or litigation
Important noteThis material is general information, not personalised legal advice. Recheck current law, official practice, fees and deadlines against your facts before acting.