The Georgian government has adopted new rules governing the admission, study and student status of foreign citizens and stateless persons at Georgian higher education institutions without national or unified master’s exams. Most provisions took effect upon publication and apply to relationships arising from September 1, 2026, while mandatory language testing will begin from the 2027–2028 academic year.
From 2027–2028, foreign applicants will have to submit an international language certificate or pass an exam organized by the National Assessment and Examinations Center (NAEC). Applicants to Georgian-language programs will need to pass a state language exam. The minimum requirement will be B1 for bachelor’s, veterinary, medical and dental programs, and B2 for master’s programs. Certificates must be valid and, if no expiration date is specified, issued within the previous three years.
To obtain the right to study, the applicant or university must apply to the National Center for Educational Quality Enhancement. Following a positive decision, universities may enroll students during two annual periods: February 1–March 15 and August 15–October 31.
The regulation also links academic performance to residence status. Universities must suspend a student’s status if they fail to earn more than one-third of the maximum annual credits during an academic year. If the suspension lasts 90 days, or the student ends or completes their studies, the State Services Development Agency may cancel their D6 immigration visa or residence permit. Universities may also terminate a student’s status if their right to remain in Georgia is cancelled or they are ordered to leave the country. Failure to register student data in the higher education management system within three working days may result in administrative liability.
