The European Parliament gave a go-ahead on 2 February to a proposal to liberalise visas for Georgia, letting citizens of the former Soviet republic travel visa-free to the Schengen area on a conditional basis. The visa policy may, however, be revoked if its terms are grossly violated.

The travel visa exemption approved may come into effect in late March after European Council’s formal approval.

Giorgi Kvirikashvili, the Georgian PM, terming it a truly historic day, conveyed his gratitude to the EU.

He stated that the European Parliament was convinced that the citizens of Georgia would demonstrate remarkable responsibility in accepting this important result and achievement and will follow meticulously the host countries’ laws.

Kvirikashvili was quoted by Al Jazeera as saying on Twitter that this decision would provide evidence that Georgia’s policy on getting closer to the EU would show appreciable results for every citizen of their country.

Georgia will lose visa waiver for nine months if its nationals suddenly make disproportionately more asylum requests; reside in the bloc for more than 90 days in one trip or cause a major risk to public policy or internal security.

If you are planning to travel to Georgia, contact Mahandru Associates, one of UAE’s top immigration companies,