Being turned away at the border is a shock — especially if you have family, a home or a business in Georgia. The decision is made by the Border Police, and the person is sent back. Here is what the reason may be and what you can do.
Why entry can be refused
Under Article 11 of the Law on the Legal Status of Aliens and Stateless Persons, entry can be refused if:
- You don't have the documents required for entry
- You are banned from entering Georgia or haven't paid a fine for overstaying
- You haven't paid another fine imposed in Georgia
- You gave incomplete or false information to obtain a visa
- You have no insurance or not enough money to stay and return
- There are grounds to believe your stay would threaten state security or public order
- Your stay is unacceptable for foreign-policy reasons
- There is reason to suspect you will stay on unlawfully after your permitted period
- You refuse to give, or give false, information about who you are and why you are travelling
Why you often don't get the exact reason
When a refusal is based on security, public order or foreign-policy grounds, the law says the competent authority's conclusion is not reasoned. So you often receive only a general wording. A lawyer then tries to find out what is behind the decision and whether it has a real basis.
What to do at the border
- Stay calm — arguing at the border will not change the decision.
- Ask for the written decision and keep a copy or a photo of it.
- Don't sign anything you don't understand — ask for a translation.
- Write down the date, time, border crossing and your flight or route.
- Contact a lawyer as soon as possible.
Can you appeal?
Yes. The law gives a foreigner who was refused permission to cross the border the right to appeal the decision. Deadlines are short and usually run from the date of the decision, so don't wait. A lawyer can run the case while you are abroad.
When to try again
If the reason was technical — a document, insurance or an unpaid fine — fix it first: pay the fine, prepare the documents and only then try again. If the reason relates to security, trying again without getting the decision changed will most likely end in another refusal.
If you have family, property or a business in Georgia
A refusal doesn't freeze your other affairs. With a power of attorney, a lawyer can handle your property, company, bank and court matters while the entry issue is being resolved.
Legal basis
Official texts (in Georgian) — Legislative Herald of Georgia, matsne.gov.ge.
This article is general information and does not replace advice from a lawyer on your specific case.
Every case is different — don't rely on general information. Contact a lawyer for advice.
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