A package of legislative amendments “On International Protection” was prepared by the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia in order to improve the regulations related to granting international protection to foreigners or stateless persons, combat illegal migration and prevent abuse of the asylum procedure.
The package of legislative amendments, which was developed in accordance with the directives of the European Parliament and the Council, has been forwarded to the legislative body and parliamentary review procedures have already begun.
According to the amendment:
✓ A new type of punishment is added to the Criminal Code - deportation of an alien from Georgia and a ban on entry into Georgia for a specific period of time;
✓ A new type of administrative penalty is added to the Code of Administrative Offenses - deportation of a foreigner from Georgia and prohibition of entry of a foreigner into Georgia;
✓ Fines for those foreigners who have violated the rules of stay on the territory of Georgia are increasing;
✓ The procedure for deporting foreigners illegally staying in the country is significantly simplified.
In order to prevent abuse of the asylum procedure:
✓ An accelerated asylum review procedure is being introduced for those foreigners who have not requested asylum within 1 month of entering the country;
✓ A new mechanism is being introduced, according to which the issue related to asylum will be reviewed at the state border of Georgia, without allowing the alien to enter the territory of Georgia, if the alien's entry into the country poses a threat to state security;
✓ The terms for asylum review and appeal are significantly reduced;
✓ A simplified (electronic) procedure for submitting decisions will be introduced, significantly facilitating the control of appeal deadlines;
✓ The issuance of a residence permits in Georgia to a foreigner will be limited against whom the issue of deportation has been investigated or a decision has been made to deport from Georgia.
