Before you start

Passport
Proof of source of funds (pay slips, contracts, tax returns)
Georgian phone number (+995) for OTP — strongly recommended

Step-by-step

1
Get a Georgian SIM first (for OTP)
Before the bank, buy a local SIM (Magti/Silknet/Cellfie) so you have a +995 number — banks send one-time passwords by SMS and increasingly require a local number to activate mobile banking. See the SIM guide; it takes ten minutes with your passport.
In personWho: All applicants10 minutesGEL 5-10 for the SIM
2
Choose your bank — TBC, Bank of Georgia, or Credo
TBC Bank is the digital leader and most nomad-friendly, with strong English support and the best app. Bank of Georgia is equally large and ubiquitous. Credo Bank is a fast-rising, friendly alternative often more flexible for newcomers. All offer multi-currency accounts (GEL, USD, EUR) and Visa/Mastercard debit cards. TBC has no minimum deposit.
In personWho: All applicantsChoose before visitingNo minimum deposit at TBC
3
Visit a branch in person with your paper trail
Go to a central branch (bring a friend or use Google Translate if needed). You must apply in person — there is no remote opening for individuals. Bring your passport and, crucially, evidence of your source of funds: recent pay slips, client contracts, an employment letter, or tax returns. Since 2022, banks decline applicants who can't explain where their money comes from. Being a registered Individual Entrepreneur visibly strengthens your case.
In personWho: All applicants30-90 minutes; account often same-dayFree to open; card issuance sometimes GEL 0-20
4
Activate the app and (optionally) order multi-currency cards
Set up the mobile app with your +995 number, enable the multi-currency wallet, and you can hold and convert GEL/USD/EUR freely — Georgia has no currency controls. Wise and Revolut work well for funding the account from abroad but don't issue local cards, so a local TBC/BoG card is still useful for day-to-day and for any Georgian-source payments.
Mobile appWho: All applicantsSame dayFree; minor card fees may apply

Documents you’ll need

Passport
Proof of source of funds (pay slips, contracts, employment letter, tax returns)
Georgian phone number (+995)
Proof of address or IE registration (helps, not always required)

Things most newcomers don’t know

Georgia's reputation as a place where anyone can open an account in 20 minutes is out of date — since 2022 (and the influx of Russian money) banks scrutinise source of funds hard, and people do get declined.

Western correspondent-banking pressure forced Georgian banks to tighten KYC/AML dramatically.

Source: TBC / Bank of Georgia

Registering as an Individual Entrepreneur before you apply materially improves your odds — it answers the bank's 'why Georgia, what's your economic substance' question.

Banks favour applicants with a demonstrable local economic footprint over pure tourists.

There are no currency controls: you can hold and freely convert GEL, USD and EUR in one account and move money in and out without restriction — a genuine advantage for nomads with multi-currency income.

Georgia's liberal capital regime is a deliberate competitive feature.

Common mistakes to avoid

Arriving with no proof of source of funds and expecting the old 20-minute open — you may be declined
Skipping the Georgian SIM — you'll struggle to receive OTPs and activate mobile banking
Assuming Wise/Revolut replace a local account — they're great for transfers but issue no local card and can't receive some Georgian-source payments
Trying to open remotely — individual accounts require an in-person branch visit

Some of this may be out of date. Spotted something inaccurate? Help us keep it right for the next newcomer.