The temporary suspension will take effect on January 21, 2026, and will apply to applicants from Georgia as well as more than 100 other countries. The embassy clarified that previously issued immigrant visas remain valid and will not be revoked.The pause also does not affect tourist visas or dual citizens who apply using a passport from a country not included on the list.The statement emphasizes that applicants may still submit documents and attend scheduled interviews, but immigrant visas will not be issued during the suspension period.The full statement published by the embassy reads:"Immigrant Visa Processing Updates for Nationalities at High Risk of Public Benefits UsageLast Updated: January 14, 2026President Trump has made clear that immigrants must be financially self-sufficient and not be a financial burden to Americans. The Department of State is undergoing a full review of all policies, regulations, and guidance to ensure that immigrants from these high-risk countries do not utilize welfare in the United States or become a public charge.Effective January 21, 2026, the Department of State is pausing all visa issuances to immigrant visa applicants who are nationals of the following countries:Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Antigua and Barbuda, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belize, Bhutan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Burma, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Colombia, Cote d’Ivoire, Cuba, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Dominica, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, The Gambia, Georgia, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Haiti, Iran, Iraq, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kuwait, Kyrgyz Republic, Laos, Lebanon, Liberia, Libya, Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Nepal, Nicaragua, Nigeria, North Macedonia, Pakistan, Republic of the Congo, Russia, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, and Yemen.Frequently Asked QuestionsWhat happens to my immigrant visa interview appointment?Immigrant visa applicants who are nationals of affected countries may submit visa applications and attend interviews, and the Department will continue to schedule applicants for appointments, but no immigrant visas will be issued to these nationals during this pause.Are there any exceptions?Dual nationals applying with a valid passport of a country that is not listed above are exempt from this pause.Does this affect my current valid visa?No immigrant visas have been revoked as part of this guidance. For questions regarding admission to the United States, we refer you to DHS.Does this apply to tourist visas?No, this pause is specifically for immigrant visa applicants. Tourist visas are nonimmigrant visas."

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So far, the governments of the three South Caucasus countries have not made official statements regarding this potential threat. Farhad Mamedov, a political analyst close to official Baku, notes that the news from Iran is being perceived emotionally. “If a civil war breaks out in Iran, the issue of Azerbaijanis living there will gain special significance, and Baku will likely provide every possible assistance to its compatriots to ensure their safety,” he said.Armenia reports concerns that its connection with the Armenian community in Iran is disrupted. Diaspora Affairs Commissioner Zare Sinanyan stated that a similar situation occurred last June during the 12-day conflict between Iran and Israel. “At that time, we received information from citizens crossing the border. Probably today it is also better to do the same, as the existing information vacuum worries us greatly,” he said.Experts note that in recent years, Iran has been an active supporter of Armenia’s territorial integrity and a firm opponent of the Zangezur corridor, which would connect Azerbaijan directly with Turkey by land. If Iran weakens, Yerevan’s position will also weaken, while the Baku–Ankara tandem will strengthen. This could also reduce Russia’s influence in the South Caucasus.Against the backdrop of the ongoing protest wave in the Islamic Republic, Armenia’s Foreign Minister met in Yerevan with the Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister. On Tuesday, January 13, the Armenian Foreign Minister will meet with the U.S. Secretary of State in Washington.

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According to the official statement, Garibashvili was convicted under Article 194, Part 3 of the Georgian Criminal Code. In addition to imprisonment, he was issued an additional fine of GEL 1 million.The Prosecutor’s Office also announced that the state will confiscate all funds obtained through the criminal scheme, including the cash seized during a search of Garibashvili’s residence.Garibashvili has admitted guilt and accepted the terms of the plea agreement. The court has already approved the prosecution’s motion, making the agreement legally binding.

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The report notes that Abkhazia will continue seeking international recognition, while South Ossetia will intensify efforts to integrate with Russia. Both regions are entering an election cycle in 2026, ahead of so-called presidential elections in South Ossetia and parliamentary elections in Abkhazia scheduled for spring 2027.Russia occupied South Ossetia and Abkhazia in August 2008 during its large-scale war against Georgia. Tens of thousands of Georgians were displaced. Shortly after the conflict, Moscow declared both regions independent entities, and Russian armed forces continue to control these territories.

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Other members of the commission include: Mariam Kvrivishvili, Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development Davit Songulashvili, Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture Lasha Khutsishvili, Minister of Finance Mikheil Sarjveladze, Minister for Internally Displaced Persons from the Occupied Territories, Labor, Health, and Social Affairs Mamuka Mdinadze, Head of the State Security Service Levan Zhorzholiani, Head of the Government Administration Irakli Lekvinadze, Chairman of the Competition and Consumer Protection Agency On December 24, 2025, Kobakhidze stated that the price difference between Georgian and European food products is significant. He argued that this gap is largely caused by the high markups of distribution companies and supermarkets, which average 86% from border to shelf.At that time, Kobakhidze called on law enforcement agencies to investigate food prices and determine whether there are any signs of criminal activity. He also requested the parliament to establish a parliamentary commission to review the issue. In response, the State Security Service announced that it had begun examining food price-related matters.Previously, in February 2023, former Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili, who has been accused of corruption, stated that in order to regulate food prices, rules on margins for importers and retailers would be established.Since retail sector regulations in Georgia are not harmonized with European standards, the Ministry of Economy, under Garibashvili’s direction, prepared a draft law on fair trade to regulate retail rules.Garibashvili explained the situation as follows:“The picture that emerged is this – importers’ markups in some cases have increased by 100%, which is unacceptable. This issue needs to be regulated.”Following his instructions, the National Competition Agency studied the market for seven staple products (rice, buckwheat, pasta, sugar, salt, oil, butter). The agency concluded that while import-level markups were indeed high, no cartel agreements or legal violations were officially confirmed. The agency issued only recommendations to businesses.

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Prosecutor General Giorgi Gvarakidze made this announcement during a briefing at the Georgian Prosecutor’s Office.Liluashvili faces charges relating to multiple episodes, including bribery, so-called call centres, and procurement contracts at the nursery management agency.“As a result of joint operational and investigative efforts conducted by the Prosecutor General’s Office of Georgia and the State Security Service, the former head of the State Security Service, Grigol Liluashvili, has been arrested. He is currently under investigation for bribery in several criminal cases.First episode: In October 2022, through the then-First Deputy Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development, Romeo Mikautadze, he accepted a bribe of one million US dollars from Turkish investor Çağatay Ülker, to lobby on his behalf for the execution of a memorandum of cooperation related to the construction of wind power stations.Second episode: In February 2022, again through Romeo Mikautadze, he demanded and extorted one million five hundred thousand Georgian lari from Giorgi Khazhalia, founder of the company ‘Expressservice 2008’, in exchange for assistance with gasification tenders.Third episode: This concerns the period between 2021 and 2023, when, despite the government’s declared legal battle in this direction, several dozen fraudulent call centres continued to operate in the country. According to witness testimony, the vast majority of these call centres belonged to a group of individuals who used the proceeds to finance various opposition media outlets, whilst a relatively small portion of the call centres operated under the primary protection of Grigol Liluashvili, who conducted this activity through his relative, Sandro Liluashvili.As a result of this criminal activity, Grigol Liluashvili received approximately USD 1,365,000 in bribes through the intermediary Sandro Liluashvili.We also inform the public that, based on these factual circumstances, the investigation is working intensively, alongside gathering evidence against other individuals involved in the criminal scheme, on a theory according to which Grigol Liluashvili, together with other co-conspirators, ensured that the existence of fraudulent call centres financing opposition media was not exposed, whilst the opposition media, for their part, did not report information about the existence of fraudulent call centres under Liluashvili’s protection, despite possessing this information.Fourth episode: Grigol Liluashvili, exploiting his official position, protected his friend, Kakha Gvantseladze, the former director of Tbilisi City Hall’s Nursery Management Agency, in exchange for bribes, who received exceptionally large sums of money in the form of bribes, so-called kickbacks, from business entities in the execution of procurement contracts for nurseries.In the aforementioned criminal scheme involving Liluashvili and Gvantseladze, Kakha Gvantseladze involved employees from the agency’s financial accounting and settlement division, as well as monitoring staff. Resolutions have been issued to hold all of them accountable as defendants in criminal proceedings.Hundreds of investigative actions have been conducted in the criminal case, including interrogation with witnesses whose testimony confirms the commission of crimes by Grigol Liluashvili and others. Various pieces of evidence substantiating the crimes have also been obtained, including video and audio recordings,” Giorgi Gvarakidze stated.According to the Prosecutor General, Grigol Liluashvili is charged under Article 338, Part 2, Subparagraph ‘g’ and Part 3, Subparagraph ‘e’ of the Criminal Code of Georgia, which refers to bribery by a group acting with prior agreement and on an exceptionally large scale, carrying a sentence of 11 to 15 years’ imprisonment.

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"We urge the government to rethink this educationally harmful proposal and to engage with allstakeholders in Georgia’s higher educational system" - This is stated in the letter from foreign professors to Irakli Kobakhidze, Prime Minister of Georgia."On October 16, you announced a National Reform Concept for Higher Education, consisting of seven major components. In this document and in your speech, you and your government assure Georgian citizens that the National Reform Concept will improve efficiency and quality in Georgian higher education and promote equal access for students. We agree there are longstanding problems in the Georgian higher educational system: universities and institutes are nder-resourced (in 2025, Georgian government spending on higher education was 0.3% of GDP); faculty are underpaid, working two to three jobs to feed their families; government supported research and scientific laboratories have become practically non-existent; and unemployment among university graduates stimulates a massive out-migration abroad every year.The measures you propose in the National Reform Concept for Higher Education will not solve any of these problems. Rather, they will increase government control over the higher educational sector. Management will be placed in the hands of rectors and administrators beholden to the government. University autonomy, and with it, faculty control over academic programs and curricula will be severely weakened. University budgets will be reduced even further, and the removal of dissenting faculty will become easier as part of the reorganization. The “reform” will close the last sphere in Georgia which is open to healthy dissent. A well-functioning university system which incorporates critical thinking, selfgovernment, academic freedom, well-funded research opportunities, and international exchange is vital to growing the Georgian national economy. Without universities where information is freely shared and research freely pursued, the Georgian economy will not thrive.We are international scholars from universities around the world. We are concerned about other measures undertaken by your government which have led to the imprisonment of faculty and students for peacefully defending their rights. Your proposed National Reform Concept for Higher Education will not only nullify Georgia’s democratic progress but will limit the prospects of your citizens, who you were elected to represent. Higher education provides the state with engaged citizens and professionals, who along with working people, will ensure the country’s survival and prosperity in an increasingly competitive global order.We urge the government to rethink this educationally harmful proposal and to engage with all stakeholders in Georgia’s higher educational system to create a genuine reform that will improve the lives of Georgian citizens and those of their children", - It is stated in the letter signed by:1. Professor Stephen Jones, Davis Center, Harvard University2. Professor Ronald Suny (Emeritus), University of Michigan, University of Chicago3. Professor Erik R. Scott, University of Kansas4. Prof. Dr. Hubertus Jahn (Emeritus), University of Cambridge5. Professor Catriona Kelly FBA, Senior Research Fellow, Trinity College, University of Cambridge6. Prof. Dr. Ulf Brunnbauer, Leibniz Institute for East and Southeast European Studies, Regensburg (Germany)7. Professor Kelly O'Neill, Harvard University8. Professor Roy Allison, St. Antony's College, University of Oxford9. Professor Donald Rayfield (Emeritus), Queen Mary College, University of London10. Professor Stephen Neil MacFarlane (Emeritus), University of Oxford11. Lincoln Mitchell, Columbia University12. Professor Florian Mühlfried, Ilia State University13. Professor Paul Manning, Trent University, Canada14. Professor Maia Chankseliani, University of Oxford15. Professor Charles Urjewicz (Emeritus) (INALCO, Paris, France)16. Professor Oliver Reisner, Ilia State University Tbilisi17. Professor Michael Rochlitz, University of Oxford /Director of the Oxford Georgia Programme18. Dr Alexander Morrison, Fellow and Tutor in History, New College, Oxford19. Professor Jeremy Smith, University of Eastern Finland20. Professor Guido Hausmann, Leibniz Institute for East and Southeast European Studies21. Professor Edmund Herzig, Professor of Persian Studies, University of Oxford22. Professor Bruce Grant, New York University23. Professor Jonathan Wheatley, Oxford Brookes University24. Professor Mirja Lecke, University of Regensburg, Germany25. Ambassador William Courtney (US, Retired)26. Ambassador Kenneth Yalowitz (US, Retired)27. Professor Timothy Blauvelt, Ilia State University28. Professor Julie George, CUNY and Columbia University29. Professor Robert Kindler, Freie Universität Berlin30. Prof. Dr. Theocharis Grigoriadis, Freie Universität Berlin31. Dr Tamara Dragadze, Visiting Professor, University of Westminster32. Professor Michael David-Fox, Director, Center for Eurasian, Russian and East European Studies, School of Foreign Service, Georgetown University33. Dr Michel Abeßer, Assistant Professor, University of Freiburg, Germany34. Prof. Dr. Stefan Applis (Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg)35. Prof. Dr. Matthias Theodor Vogt, Dr. h.c. (Pécs University), Dr. h.c. (Ilia State University Tbilisi), Director Institut für kulturelle Infrastruktur Sachsen36. Dr Michael H. Cecire, Affiliated Scholar, Center for Eurasian, Russian and East European Studies, Georgetown University37. Professor Dan Healey (Emeritus), University of Oxford38. PD. Dr. Kirsten Bönker, Nordost-Institut an der Universität Hamburg39. Professor Anne Meneley, Trent University40. Prof. Dr. Susanne Frank, Humboldt University of Berlin41. Prof. Dr. Riccardo Nicolosi, LMU University Munich42. Dr Riccardo Mario Cucciolla (University of Naples l'Orientale, Naples, Italy)43. Professor Alex Krouglov, UCL SSEES (University College London, School of Slavonic and East European Studies)44. Lesia Rubashova, Assoc. Professor, Research and Educational Center of Foreign Languages, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine45. Dr Rasmus Nilsson, Lecturer, UCL SSEES (University College London, School of Slavonic and East European Studies)46. Dr Peter Braga, Lecturer, UCL SSEES (University College London, School of Slavonic and East European Studies)47. Prof. Dr. Thomas Ertl, Freie Universitaet, Berlin48. Prof. Dr. Marc Junge, University of Erlangen, Germany, department for Eastern European history49. Professor Pamela Davidson, Russian literature, UCL SSEES (University College London, School of Slavonic and East European Studies)50. Dr. Philipp Christoph Schmädeke CEO Akademisches Netzwerk Osteuropa, aknoe.V., Director SCIENCE AT RISK Emergency Office51. Professor Richard Mole, Political Sociology, UCL SSEES (University College London, School of Slavonic and East European Studies)52. Olivia Bailey, language coordinator, UCL SSEES (University College London, School of Slavonic and East European Studies)53. Dr Jessie Barton Hronesova, Lecturer, UCL SSEES (University College London, School of Slavonic and East European Studies)54. Dr Jakub Beneš, UCL SSEES (University College London, School of Slavonic and East European Studies)55. Prof. Dr. F. Benjamin Schenk (University of Basel)56. Professor Katie Campbell, King's College, University of Cambridge57. Professor Anke Hilbrenner, Institute for Historical Sciences, Heinrich Heine University, Düsseldorf, Germany58. Megi Kartsivadze, University College London59. Dr Hans Gutbrod, Ilia State University60. Professor Riccardo Nicolosi, LMU University Munich61. Dr. Mike Loader, University of Glasgow, UK62. Dr Yuliya Yurchuk, Assistant Professor, Södertörn University, Sweden63. Professor Antoon de Baets, em. University of Groningen (The Netherlands)64. Professor Gesine Drews-Sylla, Neuphilologisches Institut - Slavistik, Julius-Maximilians Universität Würzburg65. Dr Abraham Florin, Associate Professor in Political Science at the Faculty of Communication of the National University of Political Science and Public Administration, Bucharest

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"We have initiated and facilitated discussions, thereby confirming our commitment to promoting a more stable and cooperative regional environment," the head of government said.According to Kobakhidze, the country continues to develop steadily and maintains macroeconomic stability, achieves impressive growth and demonstrates exceptional economic resilience.Georgia has maintained a stable trend of economic growth for several consecutive years. Between 2021 and 2024, Georgia recorded one of the highest economic growth rates in the world - an average of 9.8%. GDP per capita in USD has more than doubled compared to 2020. High economic growth is expected to continue in the coming years, a forecast supported by assessments from reputable international financial institutions," added Irakli Kobakhidze.In his remarks, the Head of Government of Georgia also highlighted the importance of the Middle Corridor and Georgia's role in promoting regional cooperation."Given the positive economic momentum, Georgia actively promotes regional cooperation, building both physical and diplomatic bridges across the region. The Middle Corridor, connecting Asia and Europe, is a central element of this vision. It is designed not only to facilitate trade, but also to strengthen mutual economic interdependence - the most durable foundation of trust among nations.Indeed, the Middle Corridor is more than a transport route; it is a corridor of trust, connecting people, businesses and cultures across the continent. Guided by a firm commitment to peaceful policy, we strive to contribute to regional stability by offering a neutral and reliable space for dialogue in the South Caucasus. We have initiated and supported discussions aimed at reducing tensions and establishing communication channels among neighbors, reaffirming our commitment to fostering a more stable and cooperation-oriented regional environment.Georgia remains fully committed to partnering with others to transform the ideals of the International Year of Peace and Trust into tangible and lasting progress. We believe that a sustainable future requires both dialogue and action, and that our shared goals rest on joint efforts. Together, we can create a safer, more stable and sustainable future for generations to come," concluded the Prime Minister of Georgia.The global forum dedicated to the International Year of Peace and Trust was opened by Serdar Berdimuhamedov, President of Turkmenistan.

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“It is outrageous that the husband of the GD regime appointed ambassador to U.S. is reportedly helping Russia to evade U.S. sanctions meant to cripple Putin’s war machine. US Treasury should look into this, and I look forward to following up,” Wilson wrote.The statement follows a report by OC-Media, which claims that David Kukhalashvili, husband of Ambassador Tamar Taliashvili, is the founder and managing director of a Moscow-based law firm advising clients on avoiding sanctions and asset freezes imposed by the US and European Union.

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The case concerns the June 20-21, 2019 protests in Georgia following the visit of Russian State Duma deputy Sergei Gavrilov, who chaired a session in the Georgian Parliament. During the protests, riot police used tear gas and rubber bullets, injuring several hundred demonstrators, including 38 journalists, with some losing their eyesight. Several participants were also arrested for alleged involvement in violence.The Grand Chamber ruled unanimously that Georgia violated the procedural aspect of Article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which obliges states to conduct effective, independent, and timely investigations into alleged torture or inhuman treatment. The Court also found violations of Article 10 (Freedom of Expression) and Article 11 (Freedom of Assembly). The Government’s claim that domestic remedies had been exhausted was rejected.The Court awarded the victims a total of €646,000. The applicants included both ordinary demonstrators and journalists, while the State was ordered to cover €100,000 in legal costs.

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