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Georgiachecked Jul 2026Do US citizens need a visa for Georgia?
Short answer: no visa, and you can stay a whole year. The catch for 2026 is new and easy to miss: you now have to carry travel insurance to get in. Here is what you need and how to prove it.
At a glance
Visa
None, up to 365 days
New for 2026
Travel insurance required
Cover
30,000 GEL (about $11,000)
Proof
Carry the certificate
No visa. US citizens can enter Georgia visa-free for up to 365 days per entry, one of the most generous policies anywhere, for tourism, business or study. You need a passport valid for your stay. The new requirement is insurance: since 1 January 2026, under Decree 602, every tourist must hold travel insurance for the whole stay with at least 30,000 GEL (about 11,000 dollars) of medical and accident cover. Most standard US travel insurance qualifies, but carry proof in English.
The official route
The official US-side page for entry requirements and local conditions. The insurance rule is set by Georgia and published on the Georgian foreign ministry's geoconsul.gov.ge portal; confirm both before you travel.
US State Department: Georgia country information(opens in a new tab) we earn nothing
The visa-free part is easy
US citizens are admitted visa-free for up to 365 days per entry, granted at the border, so a normal trip needs no visa and no application. Time in Georgia does not count toward the Schengen 90-day limit, since Georgia is not in the Schengen area.
Have your passport ready, and be prepared to answer basic questions about your trip. Overstaying the 365 days brings a fine, and if you plan to live or work there long-term you would arrange residency separately.
The insurance rule, new for 2026
This is the part that trips people. From 1 January 2026, Georgia requires every foreign tourist to hold travel insurance valid for the entire stay, covering medical treatment and accidents up to at least 30,000 GEL, roughly 11,000 dollars. It applies regardless of nationality or how long you stay.
The good news: most standard US or international travel insurance policies already meet this. Your policy should name Georgia in the covered region, meet the 30,000 GEL minimum for medical and accident cover, and show dates that match your trip. Residents and diplomats are exempt.
How to be ready at the border
Buy a policy before you fly and save the certificate as a PDF on your phone and a printout, in English (Georgian is also accepted). Border officers, and sometimes airlines at check-in, can ask to see it.
Going without risks a fine of about 300 GEL or, in principle, refused entry. Enforcement is still settling in and not every traveler is checked, but treat it as a firm requirement rather than a gamble.
Common questions
Quick answers.
Do US citizens need a visa for the country of Georgia?
No. US citizens can enter visa-free and stay up to 365 days per entry, for tourism, business or study, with just a passport valid for the stay. There is no visa application or fee. Since 1 January 2026 you must also carry travel insurance to enter, which is the one new requirement to plan for.
Is travel insurance mandatory to enter Georgia?
Yes, since 1 January 2026. Under Decree 602, every foreign tourist must hold travel insurance covering the whole stay, with at least 30,000 GEL (about 11,000 dollars) of medical and accident cover. Most standard US travel insurance meets this. Carry proof in English, since border officers can ask and going without risks a fine or refused entry.
Will my US travel insurance be accepted in Georgia?
Usually yes. Most standard US or international travel insurance policies meet the Decree 602 rule. Check that your policy lists Georgia in the covered region, provides at least 30,000 GEL (about 11,000 dollars) for medical and accident expenses, and shows dates matching your trip. Keep the certificate as a PDF and a printout in English.
How long can Americans stay in Georgia without a visa?
Up to 365 days per entry, which is among the most generous visa-free allowances in the world. It covers tourism, business and study, and time there does not count toward the Schengen 90-day limit. Overstaying brings a fine, and long-term living or working requires arranging residency separately.
More on Georgia
The little money things nobody warns you about.
- Tipping in GeorgiaGeorgia has a light, emerging tipping culture. It was not traditionally expected, but about 10% is now common in Tbilisi and tourist restaurants. Check the bill for a service charge first. Here is what you actually owe.
- Do I need cash in Georgia, or can I use cards?Short answer: cards cover most of a city trip, but a little lari is worth carrying, and one habit saves you money at every terminal. Here is how to pay.
- Taxis and ride apps in GeorgiaGetting around Georgia's cities is cheap and easy once you have the right app. Here is what to install, how to handle a street taxi, and the way locals travel between towns.
Sources, and how this was checked
Last checkedJul 2026
- US State DepartmentGeorgia country information and entry requirements
- Georgia Ministry of Foreign Affairs (geoconsul.gov.ge)the Decree 602 travel-insurance requirement
Our own readThe visa-free allowance is long-standing, but the insurance rule is new for 2026 and its enforcement is still settling in, so confirm the current requirement and what your policy needs to show before you travel. Checked July 2026.