Under the legislative initiative prepared by the Ministry of Internal Affairs, a sham marriage between a Georgian citizen and a foreign national for the purpose of obtaining Georgian citizenship, a residence permit in Georgia, or any other legal basis for staying in Georgia will become punishable under criminal law.

The proposed penalties include the expulsion of the foreign national from Georgia and a ban on re-entering the country for a period of two to ten years, as well as a fine, house arrest for a term of one to two years, or imprisonment for up to two years.

As part of the legislative package developed by the Ministry, a number of issues are being regulated, including matters related to the issuance of residence permits based on marriage between a Georgian citizen and a foreign national. A new type of residence permit will be introduced — a residence permit for the spouse of a Georgian citizen, which will be granted until the holder becomes eligible for permanent residency. Before such a permit is issued, the authenticity of the marriage will be verified, and a special commission will be established for this purpose.

The legislative package also provides for the possibility of replacing the unserved portion of a foreign national’s sentence with expulsion from Georgia and a ban on re-entry, subject to the conditions established by Georgian law.

In addition, in order to combat, prevent, and suppress illegal migration, the Migration Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs will be granted the authority to carry out operational and investigative measures.

The legislative amendments also introduce changes to court proceedings. In particular, the time limits for appealing court decisions will be reduced, expedited deadlines for case reviews will be established, and in certain cases, courts will be able to consider cases without holding oral hearings.

“The proposed legislative amendments, prepared by the Ministry of Internal Affairs in close coordination with the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Education, Science and Youth, respond to contemporary migration challenges and ensure the establishment of a more effective, transparent, and secure system for regulating the stay of foreign nationals in Georgia,” the Ministry of Internal Affairs said in a statement.