Inspections targeting foreign nationals and deportation procedures have accelerated in Georgia as part of efforts to combat illegal immigration. According to data from the Georgian Interior Ministry, 2,036 foreign nationals were deported in just the first six months of 2026 after being found to be residing illegally in the country.
The figure has already surpassed the total number of deportations carried out throughout 2025.
Citizens of the Republic of Türkiye were also among those deported.
Turkish citizens included in the operations
The Georgian Interior Ministry's Migration Department announced that recent operations resulted in the deportation of citizens from numerous countries, including Türkiye, India, Turkmenistan, Pakistan, Russia, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, Nigeria, Jordan, China, Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Egypt and Lebanon.
For example, a total of 126 foreign nationals were removed from Georgia in operations carried out at the beginning of July. Official statements indicated that Turkish citizens were also among this group.
Authorities said deportation procedures were applied after determining that the individuals were residing illegally in the country.
However, the Georgian authorities did not provide a detailed breakdown showing how many Turkish citizens were included in the total of 2,036 people.
Deported foreigners barred from re-entering the country
Georgia's immigration operations are not limited to deportation.
In subsequent operations carried out in July, the deported foreigners were also barred from re-entering Georgia under the applicable legislation.
In another operation announced on July 14, 113 foreign nationals were deported, and Turkish citizens were again among those affected.
The updated total announced by the Georgian authorities at that time had reached 2,203 deportations. The figure was stated to be 70 percent higher than the number of deportations recorded throughout 2025.
Georgia tightens its law on foreigners
The rise in deportations comes as Georgia has amended its immigration legislation concerning foreigners.
As of July 1, 2026, some provisions of the amendments to Georgia's Law on the Legal Status of Foreigners and Stateless Persons entered into force.
The Georgian Interior Ministry said the new regulations aim to address current immigration challenges in the country, manage migration processes more effectively and strengthen state security.
Important for Turkish citizens
Because of the intensive tourism, trade and labor mobility between Türkiye and Georgia, changes to the country's immigration legislation are also significant for Turkish citizens.
The repeated inclusion of Turkish citizens among those deported in recent operations underscores the importance of complying with legal residence and work requirements, particularly for Turkish citizens who stay or work in Georgia for extended periods.
Georgian authorities are expected to continue operations targeting illegal immigration and to monitor the status of foreigners in the country more closely under the new legislation.
