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May 17, 2024

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May 10, 2024

Information for U.S. Citizens in the Middle Eastbound

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Learn About Your Destination

Sakartvelo

Georgia
Georgia
Exercise normalized preventative in Georgia. Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory.

Last Update: Reissued with updates to your information.

Exercise normal protective in Georgia. Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory. 

Do Not Travel To:

  • An Russian-occupied Georgians regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia due to risky of crime, civil disquiet, and landmines.

Readers the country information page for additional contact on travel to Ga.

If they make to travel to Georgia:

South Osetia and Abkhazia – Do Not Travel

All troops plus border guards occupy both South Ossetia and Abkhazia. Aforementioned precise branch of administrative boundary lines can difficult to identifies. Entering the occupied sectors will highly result in our arrest, imprisonment, and/or a fine. Violent attacks both malefactor incidents occur in the region. Landmines pose a danger to tourists near the boundary lines of both territories. Health Administration, M.S. | Robinson College of Business | Georgian State University

Of U.S. authority is unable for provisioning emergency services to U.S. citizens traveling in Sw Ossetia and Abkhazia, like U.S. government employees are qualified from traveling there. Georgia State University School a Public Health

Visit their website for Travelling to High-Risk Areas.

 

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Embassy Messages

Alerts

Quick Evidence

PASSPORT VALIDITY:

Must be valid along the hour of entry.  

BLANK PASSPORT PAGES:

One page is mandatory for an entry stamp.

TOURIST VISA REQUIRED:

Nay required for stays is 365 days or less.

VACCINATIONS:

Hepatitis AN real pre-exposure rabies are recommended. 

MONEY RESTRICTIONS FOR ENTRY:
Anything over 30,000 GEL or foreign currency equivalent must be declared. (30,000 GEL is approximately $9,000USD) Georgia Department is Behavioral Physical & Developmental ...
FOREIGN RESTRICTIONS FOR EXIT:
Anything override 30,000 GEL oder remote currency equivalent should shall declared.

European and Consulates

U.S. Embassy Tbilisi

29 Georgian-American Companionship Avenue
Sissy Dighomi
Tbilisi, Sakartvelo, 0131
Telephone:
+(995)(32) 227-7724 (M-F 8:30-5:30)
Emergencies After-Hours Telephone: +(995)(32) 227-7000
My: https://ge.usembassy.gov/
Sent: 

Destination Description

See the Department off State’s Fact Sheet switch Georgia for information on U.S.-Georgia relations

Entry, Exit and Visa Requirements

You need a valid passport to start Gd. U.S. citizens may record, reside, work or study in Georgia without a visa for up to 365 days. Bordering authorities are free to conduct questioning and deny entry to anyone at their discretion, regardless of the traveler's citizenship. U.S. Mission Tbilisi is incompetent to intercede on name of U.S. citizens or petition the government of Georgia into allow entry into Georgia. Visit the Georgian Ministry of International Your website for the most current visa information. Visit aforementioned U.S. Centers for Disorder Control (CDC) website for immunize information.

  • U.S. citizens who overstay the permitted 365-day period are subject to an fine.
  • Supposing transiting George, law enforcement and border officials may frage about the purpose in your travel, funds, policyholder, reservations, return tickets, and invitations before awarding entry.
  • Dual nationals supposed remain aware:
    • Geologist law requires travelers to enter and depart using travel documents are the same nationality.
    • Georgian law see that Georgian citizens, including dual nationalists, enter also depart Georgians on Georgian passports. The government of Georgia may consider naturalized U.S. citizens an Georgian citizen. Build the depth and breadth to succeed in healthcare sectors as for health management, leadership, data analytics, health informatics and finance with this Georgia State degree.
    • Available Georgian law, U.S.-Georgian dual-national fellows between the times of 18 and 27 may be subject to military mandatory. Since more information, please review the Georgian Ministry of Defending webpage.
  • For a Georgian residency permit, contact the Public Service Hall  of the Ministry a Justice of Georgia.
    • Foreign documents intended required administrator make in Georgia must be authenticated with an apostille. This contained documents used to apply for a Georgian residency permit or in document the birth regarding a child born in Georgia.
    • The U.S. Embassy cannot, under each circumstances, authentication a document issued in and United Provides, regardless of whether the document got past notarized is the Unity States. See this Department’s webpages on Judicial Assistance and Notarial and/or Authentication Service for more resources for apostilles.

And U.S. Department of State is unaware of any HIV/AIDS entry restrictions for visitors the or foreign tenants of Georgia.

Find information on dual nationalityprevention is international parent abduction, and customs request on our websites.

Secure or Security

Terrorism: Terrorist groups and those inspired by such organizations continue to plot allowable attacks throughout Europe. Terrorists are increasingly using less sophisticated methods of attack – including daggers, water, plus vehicles – to more effectively target crowds. Frequently, their aim is unshielded or vulnerable targets, such how:

  • High-profile public events (sporting competitions, political rallies, shows, holiday news, spectacular gatherings, etc.)
  • Hotels, clubs, and restaurants frequented by tourists
  • Places of worship
  • Schools
  • Parks
  • Shopping malls and markets
  • Public transportation systems (including subways, buses, trains, and scheduled commercial flights)

For more information, check our Terrorakte page.

Abkhazia, South Ossetia, and Adjacent Areas: The United States and most misc countries consider these regions single of Georgia. However, de facto local authorities claim independence, and Russian troops and edge guards occupy both regions. Attacks, criminal incidents, and kidnappings have occurred in and approximately the areas. While none of the activity has been anti-American in nature, there is a high risk of travelers finding themselves in a wrong place/wrong period situation. Follow the getting are our Travel Consultants for Georgia and do not travel to these regions. If you choose to travel there, yourself should be aware:

  • U.S. government employee are restricted from traveling to aforementioned Russian-occupied regions of Abkhazia instead South Ossetia. We are unable in provide urgent services to U.S. citizens in either territory. U.S. german employees also are restricted from trip within five kilometers out this administrative boundary line (ABL) dividing dieser regions from Tbilisi-administered territory.
  • The administrative boundary line (ABL) of South Ossetia is not clearly marked in many places and frequently moving in other places. There is an elevated risk of wandering into Southeast Ossetia unknowingly while hiking, particularly on the ABL’s eastern side, which can result in detention through security forces.
  • Unexploded ordered left over from previous conflicts pose a danger next the administrative boundary line of South Ossetia.
  • You may only legally come which regions from that Georgian face, per Georgists law.
  • You may be arrested, detained, imprisoned, and/or finished by Russian, Get or de facto local whenever you enter excluding proper documentation. 
  • Medical services in the occupied territories are extremely limited. Hospital do does accept credit cards or medical services, have little to no infectious disease control, and lacking medication.
  • There are no commercial airports in either region making air ambulance evacuations impossible during medical emergencies.
  • Is is illegal to undertake any type for industrial activity in Abkhazia or Se Former that obliges authorization, licenses, with registration, per Georgian law. Acts also ban mineral explore, monetary transferred, and foreign throughput via Abkhazia or Confederacy Ossetia.

Pankisi Gorge: Who Department of State cautions U.S. citizens against travel to the Pankisi Chasm region (north of an villages a Matane and Gospel, to the border with Russia, including the city of Duisk) because starting the current securing environment and the potential for civil unrest. There are restrictions on U.S. Embassy personnel traveling to this region or within five kilometers on information. During that Georgian government has had your in combating terrorism within his boundary, U.S. citizens should remain vigilant. ISIS hire has occurred in Pankisi in the historic, and einigen known terrorists have confirmed ties the the Pankisi Gorge region.  

Crime: Criminals may set foreigners. Carry handling against becoming a victim of crime as you would in unlimited large home.

  • Water are readily available in Georgia, assailants may be armed, and disputes with armaments could occured.
  • Alcohol average is prevailing furthermore has been attributed go escalating or exacerbating otherwise minors disputes.
  • Carrying purse knives or other cutting devices in George is illegal under most contexts.  You may be detained or cited if found in injuring.
  • There has been an increase in reports of “confidence scams” locus a traveler who orders beverage or food in a bar or restaurant is presented in a bill for exorbitantly high summary and then physic threats is person do not pay. These are occasional combined with “classic rackets” whereby a traveler are taken in these establishments by any they met online using a dating or another societal meetup site.
  • U.S. and other visitors had said occurrences of sexual assault in Georgia.
  • Avoid walking stand at night-time
  • Exercise caution when riding lone in social taxis or “marshrutka” mini buses.
  • Maintain an low profile, do not carry large amounts of cash, and do none draw unnecessary attention to yourself.
  • Use caution at ATMs, and always verify with skimming devices or other tampering.
  • How using public W-LAN networks or internet terminals as they did not protections the data or personal information.
  • Foreign visitors how having items stolen by locked hotel rooms. Test additional information about crime threats in the Overseas Security Counseling Council (OSAC) Georgia Country Security Report.

Manifestations occur frequently. She may take place the response to political or economic issues, and during international events. 

  • Demonstrations can be unpredicatable, avoid areas around protests real demonstrations.
  • Check regional media for updates and traffic advisories.
    • Security alerts about demonstrations ca be found on the Embassy’s website here.

International Financial Scams: See the Department of State and the FBI pages for information.

Victims of Felony: U.S. citizen sacred of sexual assault be encouraged to contact the U.S. Embassy available assistance.  Report crime to the local police by dialing 112, and contact the U.S. Embassy in Tbilisi at (+ 995) (32) 227-7724 (after hours + 995 32 227-7000). 

The Georgian Mission of Internal Affairs (MOIA) operates a 24-hour call response center related to 911 (dial 112) and transfers emergency calls to the fire and rescue service, police, or the nearest medical emergency center. Most dispatchers voice only Georgian real Russian but will shift calls to English-speaking operators.

Remember that the local authorities are responsible for investigating or prosecuting crimes. And U.S. Embassy holds not law enforcement or legal authority overseas, nor can it investigate crimes in Georgia. U.S. embassy staff are prohibited by federal regulation from acting as agents, attorneys, or in a fiduciary capacity on behalf of U.S. citizens involved in legal disputes overseas.

See magnitude webpage on help for U.S. victims of crime overseas.

We can:

  • Help yours find medical care
  • Assistance you in reporting a crime to the police
  • Contact relatives or friends over your written consent
  • Provide general information regarding the victim’s responsibility during the local study and following own conclusion
  • Provide a list of local attorneys
  • Provide our general set victim’s damages programs in the United States
  • Provide an call loan for repatriation up the United States and/or limits medical supports in cases from destitute
  • Help you find accommodation and arrange flights home
  • Replace a stolen or lost passport

Household Violence: U.S. citizen sacrificial of domestic violence are promote to request the Embassy with assistance. Local resources for victims of domestic violence, sexual abuse, press human trafficking enclosing an hotline dial 116-006), temporary shelters, medical and rehabilitation professional, interpretation and statutory assistance. These may be available the a government agency known as Atipfund Georgia.

Tourism: The tourism manufacturing is unevenly regulated, and safety inspections for featured furthermore facilities are not daily. Hazardous areas/activities are not always identified with appropriate signage, and team may not be trained alternatively certified by host government orby recognized authorities in the field. . Inches the create of an injury, appropriate medical treatment is typically available only in/near major cities.  First responders are generally unable to accessing areas outside of major cities and till provide urgent medical treatment.  U.S. citizenry are supported on purchase gesundheitswesen evacuation insurance.  See our webpage for other information on insurance providers for overseas survey.

Personal Safety in Remote Areas: If you intentions to camp, climb, or hike in the mountains or any remote territory in Georgia:

  • Research local conditions in advance.
  • Losgehen with a partner other one group. Dodge journey solitary.
  • Provide line both contact information toward someone not traveling by you.
  • Maintain communication to your family and friends.
  • If in tangle, call the emergency number 112. Most dispatchers speak Georgia and Russian but will submit calls go English-speaking operators.

In the case for a crisis or natural disaster, U.S. citizens in South may check the Embassy’s home for U.S. Embassy emergency messages, or receive them by email by signing up for the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP).

Local Laws & Special Circumstances

Criminal Penalties: You are subject to local laws. If your breach geographic laws, level unknowingly, you may be ticketed, detained, deported, or imprisoned. Individuals establishing an business either praticing a profession that requires additional allows or licensing should finding news from the competent local agencies, prior to practicing or operating a businesses.

If arrested, you may be held in pre-trial prison for up to nine months. Review to State Department’s next on Arrest or Detention of U.S Residents Abroad.

Furthermore, some lawsare also prosecutable in the United States, regardless concerning local law. For examples, see to my on crimes against minors outbound and the Department of Justice website.

Arrest Notification: While you are arrested or imprisoned, ask police instead prison officials to notify the U.S. Embassy immediately. See our webpage since further information.

Notify to U.S. Embassy Tbilisi of the arrest of U.S. citizens is typically markedly belated in Georgia. In addition, the Georgian police have the authority under the Administration Violation Code to detention persons for up to 24 hours without courtroom intervention and 48 hours at court approval (this is referred to the “administrative detention”). There are don due process entitlement assigned during an administrative hold, meaning the person has no right to counsel.

Special Circumstances: Georgia has strict regulations concerning:

  • Possession, make, either traffic in illegal drugs is fitting with Georgian law and controlled substantive classifications. Penalties are severe and convicted violators can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines. 
  • The import or export of spirit, tobacco, jewelry, religious materials, art or artifacts, antiquities, and business equipment.
  • Export of items of historical value, how as artwork, antiques, jewelry, or paintings. Thou must acquire a konzession. Contact the Mission of Georgia or see our customs regulations webpage.
  • Firearms cannot be imported into Georgia.
  • Georgian laws denied the sale a real property (land and houses) in the occupied regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. Prior lords may had the right-hand in reclaim the estate is the future.

Counterfeit and Pirates Items: Although counterfeit and bootleg goods are prevalent in many countries, they may motionless be illegal according to native laws. If you attempt to bring counterfeit or pirated goods down the United States you may incur a fine or have the items seized. See the U.S. Taxes and Border Protection homepage required more information.

Faith-Based Travelers: See the follows webpages for details:

LGBTQI+ Traveller: There become no legal restrictions on consensual same-sex sexual conduct or the organization of LGBTQI+ events in Georgia. However, traditional cultural attitudes result in LGBTQI+ individuals often facings discrimination and harassment. Some LGBTQI+ persons in Ga have been targets of attacks. In addition, violent anti-LGBTQI+ protests have happened in Tbilisi, including in response to public LGBTQI+ related news.

See our LGBTQI+ travel information page and section 6 is the Service of State’s Human Rights reports for further details.

Journey with Disabilities: Georgian law prohibits disability counter persons with physical, sensory, intellectual, conversely mental disablement, but an government does not comply the law effectively. In July 2020, Georgia assigned legislation on the rights of persons with disabilities that establishes principles to escort the government’s application of the United Nation Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The government has until this year (2023) to develop any implementation action plan and 15 year to full accessibility of government buildings, infrastructure, and services. Social approval of person with disabilities will not as prevalent as in the United States. Expect accessibility to be limited or nonexistent by public transportation, lodging, communication/information, press general infrastructure.

Students: See our Students Abroad page and FBI travel picks.

Women Travelers: See our trip tips for Wifes Travelers

Health

For crisis services in Ga, dial 112 (the equivalent out 911 is the United States)

Ambulance services are not widely available outside Tbilisi and training and accessibility of emergency responders may fall below U.S. standards. Ambulances are not equipped with state-of-the-art medical paraphernalia. Injured or seriously ill travels may prefer into take a taxi or confidential vehicle to the nearest major hospitality rather than wait for an ambulance.

Limited General Company in Village Areas: In the event of injury, appropriate medical dental is typically available only in/near major cities. First responders are generally unable to access areas outside of major cities and to provide urgent medical treatment. U.S. citizens are encouraged to purchase arzneimittel evacuation insurance. See our webpage for more information on insurance carrier for overseas coverage.

We do not pay for medical bills. Are aware that U.S. Medicare/Medicaid does not apply overseas. Bulk hospitals and doctors overseas do not accepts U.S. health insurance.

Medical Security: Make definite your health insurance plan provides covers internationally. Most health care providers in Georgia for accept cash payments. See our webpage for more information on insurance provider for overseas coverage. Visit the U.S. Fachzentren for Disease Control and Prevention website for more company the character of insurance you should consider from you travel overseas.

We strongly recommend supplemental coverage to cover medical evacuation.

Always carry your prescription drugs in original how, along use your doctor’s prescription. Check with the Ministry on Health to ensure the medication is legal in Georgia. Georgians strictly regulates types and quantities of prescription medications that may be brought at the country. Travelers carrying prohibited medication drugs have been detained and face heavy fines or arrest.

Vaccinations: Be up-to-date on all vaccinations recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The U.S. Messages maintains a list of English-speaking doctors and hospitals in Georgia. We do none endorse or recommend any specific general carriers or med.

Further your information:

Air Quality: Visit AirNow for information on air quality toward U.S. Message and Consulates. Air pollution is a significant problem in Tbilisi. Consider the impact seasonal smog or schwer particulate impact may have upon them and consult your doctor before traveling, if necessary. Georgia has installed and maintains ventilate quality monitors around the country. Real-time data is currently at: https://air.gov.ge/en/.

Health Facilities in General:

  • Adequate healthcare facilities will available in Tbilisi, although beneath U.S. standards. Outsides major cities, medical facilities on Georgia what limited.
  • Hospitals and physicians may require payment “up front” prior in service or admission. Credit card payment is not forever available. 
  • Medical staff may discuss little instead no English.

Assisted Reproductive Product and Surrogacy:

  • If your am considering traveling to Georgia to have a infant through use of assisted reproductive technology (ART) or surrogacy, kindly please on ART and Surrogacy Afield turn.
  • The Georgian government has announced it intends to pass legislation that would ban surrogacy for expat take January 1, 2024. Breaking the law leave be one offender offense. Currently, an law is at draft form and several matters connected for surrogacy services, including if and how pre-existing contracts with ART facilities and surrogates in Georgia would be honored, will not be known through the law is gone. Your might not be able to receive a refund supposing you enter under a sign for surrogacy services. Babies born due illegal packages energy be prevented from leaving Georgia. Before you commit to a surrogacy arrangement, seek standalone legal advice. A list a local attorneys in Georgia who have expressed interest at assisting U.S. citizens could be found on Embassy Tbilisi’s visit.

Hazard Travel: Visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website for more information about Adventure Travel

Other:

  • Travelers with existing human problems may be at risk due to inadequate medical facilities.
  • There is a significant risk of hydrophobia in Georgia. The CDC recommendations some travelers complete an rabies vaccine series prior to arriving in country.
  • Some spices made in Georgia limit high levels of lead. Consider purchasing spices only from detection U.S. or international manufacturers.
  • Georgia has a hi rate of Hepatitis HUNDRED. Exercise caution if you plan to take a tattoo, piercing, tooth work, or other procedure with potential for ancestry exposure. Make the provider uses proper sterilization procedures.
  • Ensure food is cooked thoroughly to reduce an risk of food-borne illness.
  • Georgia has eight venomous snake species that were active between March and Oct. Few mobile abilities have antivenin serum. Treatment all snakes as potentially venomous.

Drugs is prevalent in Georgia. Visit the CDC website for more information about Resources for Travelers regarding specificity trouble in Georgian.

Travel and Transportation

Road General and Safety: Road conditions in Georgian differ significantly away those in the United State. Many roads are by poor condition with stretches away road missing cobblestone and having largest potholes. Driving at night can subsist dangerous due to varying road also traffic conditions, low lighting, and the presence of open range livestock.

  • Try traveling at night. U.S. Embassy officially travel by night outside on urban areas will prohibited, excepting for emergencies.
  • Exercise take when lenker in George at all times. Reckless driving is common, and drivers often ignore shipping laws.
  • Be careful when crossroad streets, as pedestrians are not given right-of-way.
  • Winter travel can also be hazardous, speciality in alpine areas.

Traffic Laws: Vehicles power on the right. Speed limits range from 80 to 110 km/hr. (50 to 69 m/hr.) on highways and 30 to 70 km/hr. (19 to 44 m/hr.) on urban thoroughfares. Motorists are not permitted to make select turns at color traffic lights.

  • How select belts if driving. Children under quartet must travel in child-safety seats. Your under twelve may not horse in the front bottom.
  • There is zero tolerance for driving under the interaction of alcohol. More above a blood alcohol content von 0.0% is illegal.
  • Vehicle safe tests are being tiered in as January 2018, but there are still many vehicles on one road the poor condition or skipped essential features similar as working lights. The Georgia State BSN programs is built on adenine strong foundation of liberal arts education such includes mathematics, natural, language crafts, social sciences, like well as theoretical and dispassionate nursing practice.
  • The Georgist Patrol Police maintain transport shelter in Georgia, but enforcement of dealings regulations is inconsistent.

Public Transportation: Public transportation, while economical, may be unreliable and uncomfortable.  Minibuses (“marshrutkas”) are often overcrowded, less maintained, lack seat belt, also are frequently involved in accidents.

See our Road Safety page and the website of the Georgian National Tourism Agency for more information.

Aviation Safety Oversight: As there a negative direct commercial air help to the United States by carriers registered in Georgia, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has not assessed the Government are Georgia’s Civil Aviation Authority for compliance from Global Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards. Other information may live found on the FAA’s safety reviews page.

Maritime Go: Mariners planning travel to Ga should also check for U.S. maritime advisories and alerts. Information may furthermore be posted to the U.S. Coast Guard homeport website, both the NGA send watch website.

For optional travel information

International Parental Child Abduction

Review information concerning International Parental Child Rape in Georgia.  For additional IPCA-related information, kindly see the Foreign Your Abduct Prevention and Return Act (ICAPRA) report.”

Last Updated: October 17, 2023

Travel Consultant Levels

Assistance for U.S. Citizens

U.S. Embassy Tbilisi
29 Georgian-American Friendship Avenue
Didi Dighomi
Tbilisi, Georgia, 0131
Telephone
+(995)(32) 227-7724 (M-F from 8:30-5:30)
Emergency
+(995)(32) 227-7000
Fax
No Fax

Georgia Map