Georgia’s Interior Ministry has prepared legislative amendments that would make fake (fictitious) marriages between Georgian citizens and foreigners a criminal offense, with penalties of up to two years in prison.
According to the draft law, sham marriages intended to obtain citizenship, residence permits, or other legal grounds for staying in Georgia would be punishable by law.
Proposed sanctions include fines, house arrest for one to two years, imprisonment for up to two years, or deportation of the foreign national along with a re-entry ban of two to ten years.
The legislation also introduces a new category of residence permit - a “spouse of a Georgian citizen” permit - which would be granted before permanent residence status. Authorities would verify the authenticity of marriages before issuing such permits, with a special commission tasked with reviewing applications.
The Interior Ministry says the changes aim to regulate migration and prevent abuse of residency and citizenship procedures through fraudulent marriages.
