Georgia Visa & Border Crossings 2026: Complete Guide

Few countries make arriving as painless as Georgia. For most travellers there is no visa to apply for, no fee to pay and no time limit measured in weeks — just a passport stamp good for a full year. But 2026 brought one important change (a new travel-insurance requirement), and the land borders with Turkey, Armenia, Azerbaijan and Russia each have their own quirks that catch overlanders out. This guide explains exactly who can enter visa-free, what the new rules mean in practice, how the e-visa works for everyone else, and what to expect at each land crossing — so you reach Tbilisi, Batumi or Kazbegi without a single nasty surprise.

Visa rules at a glance

The 365-day visa-free rule (and who gets it)

Georgia’s headline policy is genuinely one of the most relaxed on earth: citizens of about 98 countries and territories can enter without a visa and remain for up to 365 days on a single entry. The list covers all EU and EEA member states, the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Israel, the GCC Gulf states and many more. There is nothing to apply for and no fee — you simply present a valid passport at the border and receive a stamp. Crucially, this is not a narrow tourist permit: during the year you can travel freely, work remotely, rent an apartment, open a local bank account and register as an Individual Entrepreneur, which is why Georgia has become such a magnet for digital nomads and long-stay visitors.

Your passport should be valid for the duration of your intended stay. Officers occasionally ask for proof of onward travel, accommodation or sufficient funds, so it is worth having a hotel booking or return ticket handy, though most visitors are simply waved through.

The 2026 change: travel insurance

The single most important update for 2026 is that Georgia now expects arriving travellers to hold valid health and accident insurance covering their stay. Border officers at Tbilisi (TBS), Kutaisi (KUT) and Batumi (BUS) airports and at the main land crossings may ask to see documentation. The practical takeaway is simple: buy a travel-insurance policy that covers your whole trip before you go, and keep a printed copy or PDF on your phone. Because the rollout and enforcement of this requirement can evolve, always confirm the latest position on the official Georgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs website (mfa.gov.ge) or with a Georgian embassy shortly before you travel. Carrying insurance is sensible regardless — healthcare for tourists is paid, and a mountain skiing or hiking accident is far cheaper to insure than to settle out of pocket.

If you need a visa: the e-visa

Travellers whose nationality is not on the visa-free list — including citizens of India, China, Nigeria, Pakistan and a number of other countries — can apply for an electronic visa through the official portal at evisa.gov.ge. The process is entirely online: you complete a form, upload a passport scan and a photo, pay the fee by card and receive the e-visa by email, usually within a few business days. Print it and carry it with your passport. The standard tourist e-visa allows a stay of up to 30 days (with longer options available), and you should apply at least a week or two before departure to allow for processing. Avoid third-party sites that charge inflated fees; the government portal is the only official source.

Crossing in by land: the four borders

Georgia shares land borders with Turkey, Armenia, Azerbaijan and Russia, and overland arrival is popular on Caucasus road trips. Each border behaves differently, and knowing which crossings actually work saves a wasted journey.

Turkey — Sarpi (the easy one)

The busiest and simplest crossing is Sarpi, right on the Black Sea coast about 15 km south of Batumi. It is open 24 hours, handles pedestrians and vehicles, and connects directly to Turkish Black Sea towns like Hopa and Trabzon. Buses run Batumi–Trabzon daily, and the formalities are usually quick. Two quieter inland crossings, Vale (near Akhaltsikhe) and Kartsakhi, serve travellers heading to or from central and eastern Turkey. Once you are through Sarpi, a private transfer or marshrutka covers the short hop into Batumi in well under an hour.

Armenia — Sadakhlo–Bagratashen (the Tbilisi–Yerevan route)

The main Armenia crossing is Sadakhlo–Bagratashen, on the direct Tbilisi–Yerevan corridor and open around the clock. It is the standard route for shared taxis, marshrutkas and private transfers between the two capitals, with the whole Tbilisi–Yerevan trip taking roughly five to six hours including the border. Two secondary crossings, Bavra (on the Akhalkalaki road) and Guguti, exist for travellers on other routes. Crossing here is straightforward for most nationalities; for full route detail see our Tbilisi to Yerevan border-crossing guide and the two-week Georgia & Armenia Caucasus itinerary.

Azerbaijan — closed for entry

This is the trap that catches many overlanders. Azerbaijan’s land borders have been closed to entry — for foreigners and locals alike — since March 2020, and the closure has been extended into 2026. That means you cannot enter Azerbaijan by land from Georgia (or anywhere else); the only way in is by air to Baku, Ganja or Nakhchivan. You can still exit Azerbaijan into Georgia via the Red Bridge (Tsiteli Khidi) crossing, though private-car passage there can be restricted. If Azerbaijan is on your itinerary, plan to fly in and route your Georgia leg separately.

Russia — Verkhny Lars (open but slow)

The only road border with Russia is Verkhny Lars (Dariali), high on the Georgian Military Highway beyond Kazbegi. It is open to third-country nationals and is the route used by long-distance buses, but it is notorious for long queues — waits of many hours, occasionally a day or more, are common, and the pass can close in severe winter weather or avalanche risk. If you must use it, travel light, go early, and check conditions first. Most leisure travellers find the Turkey and Armenia crossings far more practical.

From the border or airport to your hotel

However you enter Georgia, the last leg — from the airport arrivals hall or the border post to your actual accommodation — is where a smooth trip can unravel. After a long flight or a slow border queue, hunting for a taxi and negotiating a fare in an unfamiliar currency at midnight is nobody’s idea of fun. A pre-booked private transfer solves this: a professional driver meets you, helps with luggage, and drives you door-to-door for a price fixed before you travel. It works from all three airports and from the main land crossings such as Sarpi (for Batumi) and Sadakhlo (for Tbilisi). For the full picture on getting from each airport into the city, see our Georgia airport transfers guide, and for moving around the country once you have arrived, the how to get around Georgia transport guide.

See drivers & fixed transfer prices

A simple pre-arrival checklist

Before you board your flight or set off overland, run through this short list. Check your passport is valid for your whole stay. Confirm whether you are visa-free or need an e-visa from evisa.gov.ge, and apply early if you do. Buy travel and health insurance covering the trip, and save a copy on your phone. Have a hotel booking or onward ticket ready in case an officer asks. And finally, arrange your onward transfer in advance so a driver is waiting when you clear the border or the arrivals hall — the easiest way to turn a long travel day into a calm one.

How an OrbiTrip transfer works

Booking is deliberately simple. Pick your route — for example Tbilisi Airport → city — choose a vehicle size for your group and luggage, and see a transparent fixed price before you confirm. You then receive the driver’s contact details to coordinate the meeting point at arrivals or the border. There is no prepayment: you settle the agreed fare directly with the driver at the end of the journey. Child seats can be requested at booking, and English- or Russian-speaking drivers are available — especially useful for first-time visitors arriving late after a long border crossing.

Book your arrival transfer in Georgia

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a visa to visit Georgia in 2026?

Citizens of around 98 countries — including all EU states, the UK, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea and the Gulf states — can enter Georgia visa-free and stay up to 365 days without applying for anything. You simply arrive with a valid passport. Nationals of countries not on the visa-free list, such as India and China, apply online for an e-visa at evisa.gov.ge before travelling.

Is travel insurance now mandatory to enter Georgia?

As of 2026 Georgia requires arriving travellers to hold valid health and accident insurance covering their stay, and border officers at the airport and land crossings may ask to see proof. Buy a policy that covers your full trip and carry a printout or PDF. Always confirm the current rule on the official Georgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs site before you fly, as enforcement details can change.

Can I enter Georgia overland from Turkey, Armenia or Azerbaijan?

You can enter freely from Turkey (the main crossing is Sarpi on the Black Sea coast) and from Armenia (Sadakhlo–Bagratashen on the Tbilisi–Yerevan road). Azerbaijan’s land borders remain closed for entry to all travellers, so you cannot enter Azerbaijan by land — only exit it into Georgia via the Red Bridge. The Russia crossing at Verkhny Lars on the Georgian Military Highway is open but often slow.

How long can tourists stay in Georgia?

Visa-free visitors from eligible countries can stay up to 365 days per entry — one of the most generous policies in the world. Many long-stay visitors do a quick border run to Armenia or Turkey and re-enter for a fresh period, though for stays beyond a year a residence permit is the cleaner route.

How do I get from the airport or border to my hotel?

From Tbilisi, Kutaisi or Batumi airport, and from land borders like Sadakhlo or Sarpi, a pre-booked private transfer is the simplest option: a driver meets you, helps with luggage and drives you door-to-door at a fixed price. This avoids late-night taxi haggling after a long border queue. OrbiTrip lets you book a fixed-price transfer in advance and pay the driver directly.

Visa rules and insurance requirements can change. Always verify the latest information with the Georgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (mfa.gov.ge) or a Georgian embassy before you travel. Last updated June 2026.