Georgia’s Interior Ministry has drafted legislative amendments introducing stricter rules for foreign nationals and stateless persons regarding residence, study, and migration procedures. The government says the changes aim to improve migration management and strengthen national security.
A key part of the reform targets foreign students. Under the proposal, applicants to universities and vocational institutions will be required to present international language certificates or pass exams administered by Georgia’s National Assessment and Examinations Center. Authorities say this is intended to prevent cases where foreign students enroll formally but do not participate in studies.
The draft law also introduces state-imposed quotas on the number of foreign students that educational institutions can admit. Universities and vocational schools will be required to report detailed student data in a centralized system, while violations could lead to fines, restrictions on admitting foreign students, or even loss of authorization.
The package also tightens residence and criminal provisions, including stricter rules for marriage-based residency permits and criminal liability for sham marriages, which may carry penalties of up to two years in prison along with deportation and entry bans. The Interior Ministry says the reforms are designed to create a more controlled and transparent migration system.
