At the first stage, the suspension of visa-free travel may apply to holders of diplomatic, service, and official passports issued by the Government of Georgia, according to the 8th report on the Visa Suspension Mechanism published by the European Commission.

According to the report, at the second stage, the suspension of visa-free travel may be extended to the entire population if the problems are not resolved by the Government of Georgia. Ultimately, Georgia may fully lose its visa-free status.

The European Commission concludes that “Georgia has experienced significant regression in key requirements related to governance and the rule of law, which form the basis for granting visa-free travel.”

“Similarly, Georgia has also experienced regression in the areas of visa alignment and the fight against corruption. This situation is a clear example of backtracking from the commitments undertaken during the visa liberalization process and undermines the mutual trust on which the visa-free regime is based.

Given the systemic and deliberate nature of this backsliding, the European Commission is considering appropriate measures within the framework of the updated visa suspension mechanism.

Under the new rules, at the first stage, the suspension of visa-free travel may apply to holders of diplomatic, service, and official passports issued by the Government of Georgia, who are largely responsible for the failure to implement the European Commission’s recommendations…

At the second stage, the suspension [of visa-free travel] may be extended to the entire population if the problems are not resolved by the Government of Georgia.

Ultimately, Georgia may fully lose its visa-free status and be transferred to Annex I of the visa regulation (the list of third countries whose nationals are required to obtain visas),” the report states.