Trip checklist: Georgia

For South African passport holders. Last checked 5 October 2026.

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Visa requirement

South Africans don't need a visa for Georgia.

Permitted stay

You can stay up to 365 days per visit.

Before you go

• Purpose of visit

  Tourism and other short visits. Visa-free stay does not authorise employment; work or long-term residence requires the appropriate visa or residence permit.

• Passport validity

  Valid for the period of stay; at least one blank page for the entry stamp. No published six-month rule for visa-free entrants.

• How to apply

  No application needed for visa-free entry. If a visa is ever needed (e.g. a longer purpose-specific stay), the only official e-visa portal is https://www.evisa.gov.ge/GeoVisa/ (Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia); it charges a separate USD 15 'DuVerify' fee per applicant.

• Where South Africans apply

  Not needed for visa-free stays. Embassy of Georgia to the Republic of South Africa, 270A Carina Street, Waterkloof Ridge, Pretoria; +27 12 346 1831; pretoria.con@mfa.gov.ge.

• Travel insurance

  Mandatory since 1 January 2026 for all foreign tourists, including visa-free South Africans. Health and accident insurance covering the whole stay (from entry to departure, up to one year), minimum insured sum GEL 30,000, policy in Georgian or English, paper or electronic. Border officers may check it and refuse entry without it. Legal basis reported as Article 12 of the Law of Georgia on Tourism and Government Decree No. 602 of 26 December 2025. Some reports also cite a GEL 5,000 outpatient sub-limit; this is not confirmed.

• Proof of funds

  Not published as a formal requirement for visa-free entrants. Cash or equivalent above GEL 30,000 must be declared on entry and exit.

• Vaccinations, including yellow fever on return to South Africa

  None required by Georgia. Georgia is not a yellow-fever risk country, so South Africa's yellow-fever certificate rule does not apply on return.

• Arrival forms

  No arrival card or electronic arrival form. Carry the insurance policy for inspection.

• Transit

  Visa-free regime covers transit.

• Travelling with children

  Insurance requirement applies to every tourist including children (each needs their own cover). No Georgian-specific minor consent rule found; South Africa's own exit rules for travelling minors still apply.

• Confirm with the embassy

  Rules change. Check the official source before you book.

Where to apply

• Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia (Ordinance No. 255, English text) https://gc-pfiles.mfa.gov.ge/DocFiles//2023/12/14/LegalAct/36/a4367a1a-acfa-42bf-88f6-bcf072712cfa.pdf
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia e-Visa portal https://www.evisa.gov.ge/GeoVisa/
• Embassy of Georgia to the Republic of South Africa https://rsa.mfa.gov.ge/en

Research sources

1. 1. Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia (Ordinance No. 255, English text) (Official, gc-pfiles.mfa.gov.ge) https://gc-pfiles.mfa.gov.ge/DocFiles//2023/12/14/LegalAct/36/a4367a1a-acfa-42bf-88f6-bcf072712cfa.pdf
2. 2. Legislative Herald of Georgia (matsne.gov.ge) (Official, matsne.gov.ge) https://matsne.gov.ge/en/document/view/2867361
3. 3. Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia e-Visa portal (Official, evisa.gov.ge) https://www.evisa.gov.ge/GeoVisa/
4. 4. Embassy of Georgia to the Republic of South Africa (Official, rsa.mfa.gov.ge) https://rsa.mfa.gov.ge/en
5. 5. US Department of State (Other government, travel.state.gov) https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Georgia.html
6. 6. Wikipedia (Reference, en.wikipedia.org) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visa_requirements_for_South_African_citizens
7. 7. Wikipedia (Reference, en.wikipedia.org) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visa_policy_of_Georgia
8. 8. Nomos Georgia (law firm) (Commercial, nomosgeorgia.com) https://nomosgeorgia.com/mandatory-health-insurance-for-foreign-tourists-in-georgia-what-you-need-to-know-from-2026/
9. 9. Georgian Insurance (commercial) (Commercial, georgianinsurance.ge) https://www.georgianinsurance.ge/en/blog/keine-altersgrenze-auch-kinder-und-kleinkinder-brauchen-eine-eigene-georgien-police
10. 10. Georgia Today (News and guides, georgiatoday.ge) https://georgiatoday.ge/nine-months-into-mandatory-tourist-insurance-visitors-are-still-getting-the-same-four-things-wrong/
11. 11. Georgia Today (News and guides, georgiatoday.ge) https://georgiatoday.ge/georgia-to-require-health-insurance-for-all-foreign-tourists-starting-january-1-2026/

From doineedavisa.co.za/georgia. Always confirm with the embassy before you travel.