Do IVF companions in Georgia need a visa? Interpretation of China's visa-free policy

Visa policy for IVF companions in Georgia

A patient planning to travel to Georgia for IVF treatment asked me before departure: "Does my husband, as a companion, need to apply for a separate visa? He has never been abroad before, and his passport is blank." This is a question almost every family encounters — the patient may already understand some of the policies, but the entry eligibility of companions (spouse, family, friends) is often overlooked.

Visa-free policy applies to Chinese citizens

Since September 11, 2023, Georgia has implemented a comprehensive visa-free policy for Chinese citizens. This means that Chinese citizens holding ordinary passports traveling to Georgia, regardless of whether the purpose is tourism, business, or medical treatment (including IVF treatment), do not need to apply for a visa in advance.

• Applicable persons: All citizens holding Chinese ordinary passports, including the patient and companions (spouse, parents, siblings, friends, etc.).
• Length of stay: A maximum stay of 30 days per single entry, with a cumulative stay of no more than 90 days within 180 days.
• Number of entries: Valid for a single entry. For multiple entries or a stay exceeding 30 days, an electronic visa (eVisa) must be applied for in advance.

Conditions for visa-free entry

Visa-free does not mean "unconditional entry." Upon entry, Georgian border officials have the right to inspect the following documents:

Documents companions need to prepare

As a companion, it is recommended to prepare the following documents before departure to present proactively upon entry:

• Original passport (valid for more than 6 months)
• Return ticket itinerary (electronic or paper version)
• Treatment invitation letter or confirmation letter issued by the hospital (stating the patient's name, treatment item, and expected length of stay)
• Hotel reservation confirmation (or accommodation certificate provided by the hospital)
• Travel insurance policy (recommended to include COVID-19 medical coverage and emergency repatriation)
• Proof of relationship with the patient (such as marriage certificate, birth certificate, etc., not mandatory but recommended to bring a copy)

Actual entry process

Preparation before departure

1. Check passport validity: Must be no less than 6 months from the date of departure. If the passport validity is insufficient, it must be renewed in advance.
2. Book round-trip tickets: It is recommended to choose a fare class that allows free changes, so adjustments can be made flexibly if the treatment cycle changes.
3. Obtain a hospital invitation letter: Contact the reproductive center in Georgia and request a treatment invitation letter in English or Georgian. Most正规 hospitals provide this free of charge.
4. Purchase travel insurance: Choose insurance that covers the entire stay with a minimum coverage of 300,000 euros.
5. Prepare customs declaration materials: If carrying medications (such as ovulation induction drugs, luteal support drugs, etc.), bring a doctor's prescription and drug instructions.

Inspection upon entry

After arriving in Georgia (usually at Tbilisi International Airport), proceed to the "Foreign Passports" channel:

• Hand your passport, return ticket, hotel order, or hospital invitation letter together to the border officer.
• Answer the purpose of visit truthfully: "Medical treatment for IVF, my spouse/partner is the patient, I am accompanying."
• The border officer may ask about the length of stay, accommodation address, whether you have sufficient funds, etc. Stay calm and answer truthfully.
• The entry stamp will indicate the permitted length of stay (usually 30 days).

Easiest details to overlook

Passport validity less than 6 months

This is the most common issue. Many companions may have passports with only 3-4 months of validity left, thinking "it's enough as long as it's valid." However, Georgian border regulations require passport validity to exceed 6 months, otherwise entry may be denied. Be sure to check before departure.

Companions with non-Chinese nationality

If the companion holds another nationality (such as the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Malaysia, etc.), the visa policy for Georgia must be checked based on their nationality. Citizens of some countries can enter visa-free (e.g., the United States, United Kingdom, EU countries), while citizens of other countries need to apply for an electronic visa or visa on arrival in advance. It is recommended to confirm through the official website of the Georgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the local consulate before departure.

What to do if the stay exceeds 30 days

If the treatment cycle or companionship period exceeds 30 days, the visa-free policy does not cover it. In this case, an electronic visa (eVisa) must be applied for in advance, selecting "Medical" or "Tourism" as the purpose. It is valid for 120 days, with a single-entry stay of 30-90 days (depending on the choice made during the application). Electronic visas are usually processed within 5-7 working days, and it is recommended to apply 2 weeks in advance.

Frequently asked questions

Does the companion need to provide a marriage certificate?

It is not mandatory. However, if the companion's surname differs from the patient's, or if the border officer has doubts about the relationship, proof of relationship may be requested. It is recommended to bring a copy or translation of the marriage certificate just in case.

Can the companion enter Georgia alone?

Yes. The companion can travel on a separate flight and arrive at a different time from the patient. As long as they hold a valid passport, return ticket, and hospital invitation letter (or hotel order), they can enter alone.

Can the companion work in Georgia?

No. Neither the visa-free policy nor the electronic visa permits working or engaging in any profit-making activities locally. If work is required, a corresponding work visa must be applied for.

Does the companion need to undergo nucleic acid testing or get vaccinated?

As of 2025, Georgia has lifted all COVID-19-related entry restrictions, with no need for nucleic acid testing, vaccination certificates, or health declarations. However, it is recommended to check the latest policies within one month before departure.

Handling special situations

Passport lost or expired before departure

Immediately apply for an emergency passport renewal at the local exit and entry administration bureau. With the new passport, you need to reapply for an electronic visa (if the original passport had a valid visa, bring the old passport as well). If visa-free, simply enter with the new passport.

Treatment cycle extended, need to renew visa

The visa-free policy cannot be renewed. If you need to stay more than 30 days, it is recommended to apply for an electronic visa before or as soon as possible after entry. During the electronic visa approval period, the applicant must leave Georgia and wait, or apply for temporary residence with the immigration bureau (the process is complicated and not recommended). The best way is to plan the time in advance to ensure all necessary activities are completed within the visa-free period.

Companion returns early while the patient remains in Georgia

The companion can use the return ticket to leave normally without affecting the patient's treatment. The patient must ensure their visa or visa-free status is legal. If necessary, the hospital can be asked to assist with an extension or electronic visa application.

Observations from practitioners

As an overseas coordinator, in the cases I have handled, about 95% of Chinese citizen companions entered smoothly under the visa-free policy. However, a few recurring issues remain:

• "I thought a blank passport couldn't enter visa-free": In fact, Georgia's visa-free policy for Chinese ordinary passports has nothing to do with whether the passport is blank. As long as the validity is sufficient, entry is allowed.
• "I brought medications, will customs check them?": For prescription drugs such as ovulation induction drugs and progesterone, it is recommended to bring a doctor's prescription (translated into English or Georgian) and keep the original packaging. Generally, a reasonable amount for personal use will not cause problems.
• "I am not an immediate relative of the patient, can I still be a companion?": Yes. Friends, colleagues, and other non-relative relationships can also enter as companions. Simply state that the purpose of the visit is "medical accompaniment."
• "My English is not good, what should I do at entry?": Tbilisi Airport has English and Russian translation services. You can also prepare an English information card in advance, stating the purpose of the visit, hospital name, accommodation address, etc.

Time planning reminders

The visa-free policy provides great convenience for companions, but basic conditions must still be met upon entry. It is recommended to complete the following actions 2 weeks before departure:

• Check passport validity (≥6 months)
• Obtain a hospital invitation letter (electronic version is sufficient)
• Book round-trip tickets that allow changes
• Purchase travel insurance covering medical treatment
• For companions with non-Chinese nationality, confirm visa requirements in advance

If you plan to stay more than 30 days, please apply for an electronic visa at least 3 weeks in advance to avoid delays affecting your trip. After entry, keep the entry stamp and ticket stubs safe, as they may need to be checked upon departure.