Ambassador’s Virtual Town Hall: Thanks to those who tuned in on Wednesday or sent questions for our Virtual Town Hall as Ambassador Degnan and Consular staff discussed absentee voting, the current COVID situation and more. If you missed it, the recording is available on YouTube here and key information is repeated below.
VOTING: Make your vote count in the November U.S. Elections! Key links and FAQs are now available on our website here.
TRAVEL AND COVID: Information below is organized according to whether you are staying in Georgia, trying to come to Georgia, or trying to leave Georgia to return to the United States:
STAYING IN GEORGIA
Foreign Citizens who overstay their 365 days in Georgia: The Government confirmed that the issue of extension of legal stay for foreign citizens in Georgia (beyond June 30) is still under consideration; no final decision has been made yet.
COVID requirements and restrictions: The Georgian government has tightened regulations and will impose a 20 GEL fine for not wearing a face covering in closed public areas and on all public transport including taxis. Some exceptions will be made for children under 6, people with disabilities or who have health problems that prevent them from wearing a face covering. Georgia has also banned gathering of more than 10 individuals including for weddings, funerals and other social events, subject to fines up to 2,000 GEL on each individual. Please wash your hands frequently and observe social distancing!
Embassy Operations: The U.S. Embassy in Tbilisi continues to provide passport, citizenship and emergency services for U.S. citizens, and emergency visa appointments. Please check the expiration date on your U.S. passport and contact us if you need to renew it, have other questions or would like to make an appointment.
DEPARTING GEORGIA / TRAVEL TO THE UNITED STATES
Entering the U.S. U.S. citizens and Legal Permanent Residents (green card holders) may enter the U.S. at any time, regardless of origin or flight route. Most visa holders may NOT enter the U.S. if they have been present (including transit) in the Schengen Area or other restricted countries within the last 14 days; otherwise, they may enter the U.S. For all travelers, international flights are currently only allowed to land at 13 specific airports in the U.S. which are set up to provide additional health screening for arriving passengers.
After arrival: Although there is no enforced quarantine for anyone entering the U.S., currently the CDC recommends that all travelers from countries with widespread, ongoing COVID-19 transmission arriving in the U.S. should Stay at Home for 14 days after arrival. This guidance is expected to change as the CDC reviews ongoing data.
Flights: Lufthansa plans to resume Munich-Tbilisi service twice weekly beginning July 3rd. We have heard that outgoing flights to Amsterdam are already reaching full capacity. Other airlines are expected to make announcements in the next few days regarding resumption of service in July.
Tbilisi to/from Amsterdam on Georgian Airways June 27, July 4, 6, 11, 13, 18, 20, 23, 25, 27
- Several options for direct connections to USA available
- U.S. citizens permitted to transit ONLY to U.S., not to other Europe destinations
- You MUST have an onward, confirmed ticket to the U.S. (not elsewhere in Europe).; you will not be allowed to leave the transit area for any reason, including luggage. Please make arrangements with the airline for your luggage to be transferred.
Tbilisi to/from Munich on Lufthansa: July 3,6,10,13,17,20,24,27,31
- Travel to Germany for most U.S. citizens is still greatly restricted, but transit is allowed in some circumstances and conditions may change by July. Please consult the latest information from the U.S. Embassy in Germany’s COVID page here and the Government of Germany here.
Tbilisi to/from Vienna on Georgian Airways June 28
- U.S. citizens may transit Austria, but no direct connections to USA are available
COMING TO GEORGIA
Although the Government of Georgia announced the intention to begin reopening the country to foreign visitors on July 1, they have not yet specified what, if any, conditions will be placed on entry based on travel origin, nationality, status in Georgia, or other factors, nor what requirements will be in place to screen or monitor foreign visitors (in terms of screening, quarantine, health certificate, etc.). This situation remains very fluid, so until more information is announced, U.S. citizens and other foreign travelers should assume that the current entry ban may remain in effect, and avoid making any travel plans that cannot be adjusted, modified or refunded as necessary based on changing conditions or restrictions.
For assistance anytime please contact us:
American Citizen Services
Consular Section
U.S. Embassy Tbilisi
AskConsulTbilisi@state.gov
https://ge.usembassy.gov
(+995 32) 227-7724 / after hours (+995 32) 227-7000