Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze says the government reversed its plan to stop admitting foreign students to Georgia’s public universities because such a move would contradict the country’s economic interests. His explanation came after the government abandoned a December decision that would have barred foreign nationals from enrolling in state universities starting next year.
The original proposal, announced by Education Minister Givi Mikanadze in December 2025, aimed to refocus public universities on “state priorities” and ensure better access for Georgian citizens. Private universities would not have been affected. However, within one month the government retreated from this plan, acknowledging its wider economic implications.
Addressing Parliament, Kobakhidze highlighted the scale of the foreign student presence: 35,000 foreigners currently hold study residence permits, with the share of students making up nearly one-third of all residence permit holders. He stressed that foreign students contribute 1.2 billion GEL to the economy annually, generating around 300 million GEL in tax revenues and supporting over 10,000 jobs.
Given these economic benefits, the prime minister said it would be “incorrect and unjustified” to limit their enrollment in state universities. He emphasized that the government sees no need - and no practical rationale - to revisit the issue again.
