Before 2022, Georgian citizens are able to travel to all countries within the Schengen Zone without a visa or a visa waiver. At the end of 2022, that will change, and Georgians will need to apply for an ETIAS before they can visit the area.
The European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) was designed to safeguard the borders of the Schengen Zone without overcomplicating things for travelers. It adds another step to the process of visiting countries like Spain, Greece, and Germany, but it’s a relatively simple one and it doesn’t take long to apply for an ETIAS, nor is it a difficult application process.
ETIAS Visa Waiver for Georgian Citizens
The ETIAS is not a document, visa, or passport. It is an electronic authorization and it is tied to your passport. You can apply if you have a Georgian passport that is valid for at least three months.
It costs €7 to complete the application process and as it’s an online application, you only need an email address and a secure WIFI to complete it.
Do Georgian Citizens Need an ETIAS Visa Waiver for Europe?
Yes, Georgian citizens will need to complete an ETIAS application if they want to visit the Schengen Zone after the end of 2022. It’s worth noting, however, that the Schengen Zone doesn’t cover all of Europe. It doesn’t even cover all of the European Union, so make sure you know whether your intended vacation destination is in the Schengen Zone or not.
There are no ETIAS applications for specific countries, and authorization applies for all of the Schengen Zone. As soon as you receive your ETIAS, you will be free to move from border to border, providing you stay within the Schengen Zone.
Is Georgia in the Schengen Area?
Georgia is not in the European Union or the Schengen Zone, but it’s hoping to change that in the near future. As of early 2021, it has been preparing to formally apply for EU membership, a process that it hopes to complete by 2024.
It’s not going to happen anytime soon, but Georgia could indeed be a member of the European Union and/or the Schengen Zone in the future.
Can Georgian Citizens Travel to the US Without a Visa?
As a Georgian citizen, you will be required to apply for a visa before you can visit the United States. The USA is one of the strictest countries in the developed world when it comes to tourism and while many nations are afforded access via a visa-waiver program similar to the ETIAS, Georgia is not one of them.
Which Countries Can Georgians Visit Without a Visa?
Georgia is quite low on the Henley Passport Index, which ranks countries based on how many territories they can access without a visa. However, Georgian passport holders still have access to more than 100 countries and territories without needing to go through a lengthy visa application process.
These countries include many European nations (with the ETIAS visa waiver), as well as the middle east and parts of Africa and South America.
However, Georgian citizens cannot access Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, or the United States without a visa.