Overall country Risk Rating: 

 

B - Stable regulated state, with a high HSE risk. Worksite risk is deemed to be high, corruption level is high.The country scores 55/177 on the corruption perception index, with a score of -0.157 on corruption control.(Point estimates range from -2.5 to 2.5. Higher values correspond to better governance outcomes)

 

Genvisec advises that all business and leisure travel can continue with the appropriate security advice.  Genvisec advises that there are specific issues with travel to the breakaway regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, and  near the Administrative Boundary Lines with Abkhazia and South Ossetia.

 

Crime

Crime targeting foreigners is not uncommon. Don’t carry large amounts of cash or wear eye-catching jewellery. In Tbilisi you should take care when visiting areas frequented by foreigners like Vake, Saburtalo and the bar area of Akhvlediani Street (formerly known as Perovskaya) near Republic Square.

 

Terrorism

 

There is an underlying threat from terrorism. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.

 

There is considered to be a heightened threat of terrorist attack globally against UK interests and British nationals, from groups or individuals motivated by the conflict in Iraq and Syria. You should be vigilant at this time.

 

Road travel

 

You can drive in Georgia using a UK driving licence or an International Driving Permit.

 

Driving is on the right. The speed limit is 60 km/h in towns and cities. In other areas it’s 80 km/h unless indicated.

 

There is a zero tolerance policy towards drink driving.

 

If possible avoid driving at night. Many roads are badly lit and of poor quality. Stray livestock pose a hazard in many areas. Driving conditions are stressful. Road markings and the right of way can be very confusing. Most cars are poorly maintained, and the standard of driving is erratic.

 

It is compulsory to wear seat belts in Georgia. Children under 7 years of age must sit in child safety seats.

 

Heavy rain, flooding and snow at higher altitudes often affect roads and bridges making travel difficult or impossible (particularly in remote areas). Landslides are also common. If you are travelling outside of Tbilisi, make sure your vehicle is suitably equipped.

 

If you visit the Udabno caves at the Davit Gareja monastery site, take care not to cross the Georgia-Azerbaijan border, which is unmarked in this area.

 

Be vigilant when travelling or walking and take extra precautions after dark. You should travel by licensed taxi where possible.

 

While the electricity supply in Georgia has improved, power cuts can still occur. Consider carrying a torch.

 

Take care if you travel along the M27 road (also known as the M1), particularly where it runs very close to South Ossetia (between the Stepantsminda/Gudauri turnoff and Gori, and between Gori and Khashuri). There is a risk of criminal activity in these, and the Akhalgori areas. . Don’t use the M27 during the hours of darkness.

 

There is some risk from unexploded ordinance in areas where fighting took place in August 2008, and in military installations where Russian troops were present.

 

It is illegal under Georgian law to enter Georgia from Russia via South Ossetia or Abkhazia as there is no official border control. If you enter Georgia in this way you may face criminal prosecution, which carries a prison sentence of up to 4 years. If your passport has entry/exit stamps from the separatist authorities the Georgian authorities may consider this as illegal entry via an unrecognised border crossing.

 

Don’t attempt to enter or leave Georgia via the land borders with the Russian Federation (Dagestan, Chechnya, Ingushetia, North Ossetia).

 

Rail Travel

 

If you travel by train, don’t leave the compartment unattended. Lock the door from the inside.

 

Air Travel

 

A list of incidents and accidents in Georgia can be found on the website of the Genvisec air safety page.

 

In 2008 the International Civil Aviation Organisation audit of aviation safety oversight found that the level of implementation of the critical elements of safety oversight in Georgia was below the global average.

 

Genvisc can offer advice on the safety of individual airlines. However, the International Air Transport Association publishes a list of registered airlines that have been audited and found to meet a number of operational safety standards and recommended practices. This list is not exhaustive and the absence of an airline from this list does not necessarily mean that it is unsafe.

 

Mountaineering and extreme sports

 

If you get into trouble while mountaineering or hiking,  the level of emergency response may be limited.

 

It can be difficult to get accurate information on mountain conditions. If you are considering trekking or mountaineering you should contact Georgian companies with specialist guides.

 

Companies providing extreme sports activities may have inadequate safety standards. Two bungee jumpers were killed in July 2012 in an accident in Tbilisi.

 

Money

Although prices are often quoted in US dollars and Euros, according to Georgian law all goods and services should be paid for in local currency (Georgian Lari).

 

Credit cards are widely used in Tbilisi, but less so in the regions. ATMs can be found in major towns. Travellers’ cheques are not widely accepted.e

 

Local laws and customs

Illegal drug use of any kind carries stiff administrative and criminal penalties, including fines and long prison terms. The penalty for smuggling drugs carries a prison term of between 5 to 25 years and/or heavy fines.

 

You should carry a copy of your passport at all times and keep the original in a safe place.

 

Homosexuality is legal in Georgia, but not widely accepted in society. On 17 May 2013, a rally to mark the International Day Against Homophobia was interrupted by a large crowd of protestors in Tbilisi. Supporters of the Georgian Orthodox Church both physically and verbally attacked those present, and a number of people were injured. 

 

Don’t photograph sensitive sites like military bases and power installations. Be aware of cultural sensitivities when photographing churches and other religious sites. Some visitors have been prevented from photographing the Presidential Palace in Tbilisi. Always seek permission if in doubt.

 

Tbilisi is a cosmopolitan city, but more conservative attitudes exist in rural areas. You should dress and behave modestly in these areas and avoid open displays of affection

 

The government of Georgia does not recognise the unilateral declarations of independence by either South Ossetia or Abkhazia and, in accordance with international law, continues to claim the right to exercise sovereignty in the two territories. 

 

The government of Georgia has implemented legislation which requires those trading with Abkhazia and South Ossetia to hold a licence issued by the Georgian government. This includes buying and selling property and most financial transactions. Those who trade without licences may be open to penalties under Georgian civil and criminal law.

 

The ownership of many properties is disputed across both regions with many thousands of claims to ownership of properties from people displaced following recent conflicts. Purchase of these properties could have serious financial and legal implications, including legal proceedings in the courts of Georgia, as well as attempts to enforce judgements from these courts elsewhere in the EU. A future settlement to these territorial disputes could have consequences for property purchased in South Ossetia and Abkhazia, including possible restitution of the property to its original owners.

 

Georgian law has no clear regulations or procedures relating to surrogacy. Anyone considering such an arrangement should carefully consider the risks and potential consequences, and seek legal advice from someone familiar with both Georgian and UK law before entering into any surrogacy arrangement. The process for getting a child born to a surrogate back to the a foreign country can be very long and complicated and take several months to complete. Commissioning a surrogacy will not automatically mean that the child holds foreign citizenship. Genvisec can offer detailed guidance on inter-country surrogacy.

 

Health

Medical facilities in Tbilisi are available but can be expensive. Outside Tbilisi, medical facilities are limited. Make sure you have adequate travel health insurance and accessible funds to cover the cost of any medical treatment abroad and repatriation.

 

Poisonous snakes are common, particularly in early summer.

 

Don’t drink tap water. Bottled water is widely available.

 

If you need emergency medical assistance during your trip, dial 033 from a landline or 112 from a mobile and ask for an ambulance. You should contact your insurance/medical assistance company immediately if you are referred to a medical facility for treatment.

 

Natural disasters

Georgia is situated in an area of seismic activity. In September 2009, an earthquake measuring 6.2 struck 156km north-west of Tbilisi. To learn more about what to do before, during and after an earthquake, see the Genvisec advice page.

 

Visas

 

Certain foreign nationals can enter Georgia for up to 360 days without a visa. If you wish to stay longer you can apply for a temporary or permanent residence permit from the Civil Registration Agency of the Ministry of Justice. If you overstay without a valid permit, you are likely to be deported and banned from re-entering Georgian territory for up to 1 year.

 

Georgian visa rules will change with effect from 1 September 2014. British and European Nationals will remain ‘visa free’, but if you’re travelling to Georgia you should contact the nearest Georgian diplomatic mission (embassy) for details of how the new rules might affect you.

 

If you’re living in Georgia you should contact the local Georgian immigration authorities for advice.

 

For further details on entry requirements visit the Georgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs website.

 

Passport validity

 

Your passport should be valid for the proposed duration of your stay. No additional period of validity beyond this is required.

 

The Georgian authorities have confirmed they will accept certain foreign passports extended by 12 months.

 

Travelling with medicines

 

You should carry a doctor’s prescription if you intend to travel with prescription medicine and declare the items on your Customs Declaration Form. Possession of these items, even with a doctor’s prescription could, if not declared, or if the quantity held exceeds legal limits, lead to administrative or even criminal proceedings. Check legal quantities of medicines before you travel with the Georgian Embassy London.

 

UK Emergency Travel Documents

 

UK Emergency Travel Documents are accepted for entry, airside transit and exit from Georgia.

 

Travelling with children

 

If you are travelling with a child other than your own, you must be able to be able to demonstrate that you have the consent of the child’s parents or guardians.

 

Consular Assistance:

 

British Citizens:

 

British Embassy Tbilisi

51 Krtsanisi Street

Tbilisi

0144

Georgia 

 

Email

British.Embassy.Tbilisi@fco.gov.uk

 

Telephone

+995 (32) 227 47 47

 

Fax

+995 (32) 227 47 92

 

Opening hours

Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm

 

2014 public holidays

Wednesday 1 January

Thursday 2 January

Tuesday 7 January

Friday 18 April

Monday 21 April

Friday 9 May

Monday 12 May

Monday 26 May

Tuesday 27 May

Monday 25 August

Thursday 28 August

Wednesday 24 December

Thursday 25 December

Friday 26 December

 

US citizens:

 

The Embassy is open 9.00 A.M.- 6.00 P.M.

 

11 George Balanchine Street

Tbilisi, Georgia, 0131 

Telephone: (995 32) 227-70-00

Fax: (995 32) 253-23-10

 

If you are an American citizen with an after-hours emergency, please contact the duty officer at: (995 32) 227-70-00.  Please note that only safety and welfare emergency ACS cases will be handled after hours and no visa inquiries will be addressed.

 

Canadian Citizens:

 

Honorary Consul of Canada in Tbilisi, Mr. Clifford Isaak

 

Address: Tbilisi, Rustaveli Avenue N34, Third floor

Tel:      +995 32 298 20 72

Fax:     +995 32 218 20 52

E-mail: ccogeorgia@gmail.com

 

Norwegian Citizens:

 

Honorary Consul

 

Ms Liana Haerum, Hounary Consul of the Kingdom of Norway in Tbilisi. 

 

Address

 

78 Chavchavadze Ave

Apt. 6

Tbilisi, 0179

Georgia

 

Contact details

 

Phone number: +995 32 229 0979

 

Mobile number: +995 59 515 0058

 

E-mail: liana.haerum@dsl.ge

 

Swedish Citizens

15, Turn Kipshidze str (Vake region)

Tbilisi

 

Postal address

Embassy of Sweden

15, Turn Kipshidze str (Vake region)

0162 Tbilisi

 

Phone, fax, email:

Tel: +995 32 255 03 20

Fax: +995 32 222 48 90

E-mail: ambassaden.tbilisi@gov.se

 

Australian Citizens

Australia has no offices in Georgia, consular services are provided by the embassy in Turkey.

 

Address

 

Ugur Mumcu Caddesi No: 88 

7th floor 

Gaziosmanpasa 06700 

Ankara

Turkey

 

Postal address

 

PK 32

Cankaya 06552

 

Telephone

 

+90 312 459 9500

 

Fax

 

+90 312 446 4827