Georgia is preparing to tighten regulations affecting international students as part of a broader overhaul of its migration framework.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs has unveiled a package of legislative amendments designed to strengthen state security and improve migration management. Drafted in cooperation with the Ministries of Justice and Education, Science and Youth, the reforms would introduce new requirements for international students, expand government oversight, and criminalize sham marriages used to obtain residency rights.
New requirements for international students
Under the proposed changes, foreign applicants to higher education and vocational institutions may be required to submit internationally recognized language certificates or pass a foreign-language or Georgian-language examination administered by the National Assessment and Examinations Center (NAEC).
The Interior Ministry said the current system lacks detailed regulations and has allowed some foreign nationals to enroll formally at institutions without actively participating in academic programs.
The government also plans to establish maximum quotas for international student admissions. The specific limits would be determined through a separate government resolution.
Increased institutional oversight
Universities and vocational institutions would be required to report detailed information on foreign students through a unified information system accessible to relevant state agencies.
The database would include information related to admissions, enrollment, suspension or restoration of student status, student mobility, and graduation.
Institutions that fail to comply with reporting requirements could face fines, restrictions on enrolling international students, or even the loss of authorization.
Stricter residence permit rules
The reforms would also tighten rules governing student residence permits.
Residence permits would only be granted to adults studying at authorized higher education or vocational institutions. Authorities would be able to revoke permits if students fail to meet academic requirements, violate employment conditions, or are not physically present in Georgia for the period prescribed by law.
According to the government, the measures are intended to ensure that student residency pathways are used for genuine educational purposes.
Sham marriages to become criminal offenses
The legislative package would create a new temporary residence category for spouses of Georgian citizens before they become eligible for permanent residence. A special commission would be established to verify the authenticity of marriages before permits are issued.
In addition, fictitious marriages entered into to obtain Georgian citizenship or residency rights would become criminal offenses. Penalties could include deportation, entry bans of between two and ten years, fines, house arrest, or imprisonment for up to two years.
Implications for international education
The proposed reforms come amid a broader tightening of migration policies in Georgia, including previous measures affecting foreign workers and discussions over limiting international students' access to public universities.
For higher education institutions, the new rules could increase compliance obligations and potentially limit future international recruitment through the introduction of enrollment caps.
The developments reflect a wider trend seen in several destination countries, where governments are seeking to balance the economic benefits of international education with concerns over immigration control and national security.
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