The Georgian government has approved new admission rules for foreign citizens and stateless persons seeking to enroll in higher education institutions, allowing them to enter universities without taking national or unified entrance exams, including for master’s degree programs.


The decree, signed by Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, took effect immediately upon publication and applies to legal relations beginning September 1, 2026, Georgia Online reports.


Starting from the 2027–2028 academic year, applicants will be required to demonstrate proficiency in the language of instruction. They must either provide an internationally recognized certificate or take an examination administered by the National Assessment and Examinations Center (NAEC). For programs taught in Georgian, applicants will be required to demonstrate proficiency in the state language.


The minimum language levels have been set at B1 for bachelor’s degree, medical, dental and veterinary programs, and B2 for master’s programs. Certificates must be valid; if no expiration date is specified, they must have been issued no more than three years earlier.


Applications for admission must be submitted to the National Center for Educational Quality Enhancement either by the applicant or by the university. Following a positive decision, the university rector may formally enroll the applicant during one of two periods: from February 1 to March 15 or from August 15 to October 31.


The new rules also establish a direct link between academic performance and a foreign student’s right to remain in Georgia. If a student earns fewer than one-third of the required credits during an academic year, the university is required to suspend the student’s status. After 90 days, migration authorities may cancel the student’s D6 visa or residence permit. If the right to remain in the country is terminated, the university must permanently revoke the student’s status.


Higher education institutions are also required to promptly register student data in the Higher Education Management Information System. Failure to meet the deadlines by more than three working days may result in administrative liability.


The new rules therefore both expand access to Georgian higher education for foreign nationals and tighten oversight: formal admission alone will no longer be sufficient, as the right to remain in the country will be directly linked to academic performance.


By Jeyhun Aghazada