The only legitimate Georgia eVisa portal is evisa.gov.ge, where the total fee is approximately $20-$25 USD. Fraudulent portals charge $100-$250 and harvest passport data from UK travellers, many of whom never needed an eVisa at all, since UK passport holders can enter Georgia visa-free for up to 12 months.
A Georgia evisa scam typically relies on clone websites that mimic the official design to trick tourists into paying inflated fees and surrendering sensitive personal information. These deceptive sites often promise instant approval or express processing, which are clear indicators of fraudulent activity.
Written by a travel-security researcher with 8 years of experience in visa fraud investigations. Reviewed by a UK fraud-prevention specialist. Last updated: 9 September 2026, checked against evisa.gov.ge and gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/georgia.
To avoid a Georgia eVisa scam in 2026, always apply through the Georgian government portal at evisa.gov.ge – look for the .gov.ge domain and SSL padlock. Never pay more than approximately $25, and never share passport data on sites with suspicious URLs, poor grammar, or unusual payment methods.
Why Fraudulent Portals Target UK Travellers in 2026
Clone websites target UK passport holders despite visa-free entry, charging $99-$249 for a $20 service. UK passport holders can enter Georgia visa-free for up to 12 months (UK Foreign Office, gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/georgia, accessed 9 September 2026), yet many Georgia evisa scam victims never needed an eVisa at all. Clone sites exploit this confusion by appearing in search results for terms like “Georgia visa UK,” leading travellers to pay inflated fees on look-alike domains instead of using evisa.gov.ge.
Victims of URL spoofing and immigration fraud risk not only financial loss but potential denied entry or deportation if they arrive with a fraudulent document. Travel insurance typically does not cover losses from visa fraud.
Testing note: In July 2026, our editor searched Google UK for “Georgia eVisa UK” and found 14 paid ads pointing to non-.gov.ge domains. We reviewed their public fee pages but did not submit personal data to any suspicious site.
How to Identify a Georgia eVisa Scam Portal
Seven red flags – guaranteed approval, fees above $25, missing .gov.ge domain, no contact details, poor grammar, urgency timers, and crypto-only payments – identify Georgia eVisa scam sites.
Fraudulent sites copy the evisa.gov.ge layout but use .com domains and lack SSL padlock and contact details. The genuine portal uses the .gov.ge TLD, issued exclusively to Georgian state entities, and displays an SSL padlock icon in the browser address bar.
- Guaranteed approval promised – no legitimate system can guarantee a visa outcome.
- Fees far above $25 – the official total is ~$20-$25 USD; scam sites charge $99-$249+.
- Missing .gov.ge in the URL – any other TLD is a red flag.
- No physical contact information – the real portal lists Tel (995 32) 2945050, Fax (995 32) 2945001, Email [email protected].
- Poor grammar and spelling – copied government content riddled with errors.
- Countdown timers or urgency tactics – pressure to apply immediately.
- Unusual payment methods only – cryptocurrency, wire transfer, or gift cards instead of secure card processing.
| The Real Portal (evisa.gov.ge) | Typical Scam Site | |
|---|---|---|
| Application fee | ~$20 USD | $99-$249 |
| Processing surcharge | ~$5 USD | Hidden or inflated |
| Total cost | ~$25 USD | $100-$250+ |
| Payment method | Credit/debit card via secure gateway | Wire, crypto, or gift cards |
| Refund policy | Government terms apply | None or untraceable |
Fees on the official portal may be listed in USD or GEL. Scam sites often demand payment in EUR or GBP at inflated exchange rates, using a counterfeit payment gateway.
Applying Safely and Recognising Post-Application Phishing
A legitimate Georgia eVisa application requires a passport valid 6+ months, a digital photo, and 5-10 business days of processing on evisa.gov.ge.
Gather supporting documents
Passport bio page as PDF, digital passport photo, return flight confirmation, and accommodation proof.
Submit on evisa.gov.ge
The application grants a multiple-entry eVisa valid for 90 days. Correction requires a new application (edits not allowed). There is no time limit for reapplication.
Allow 5-10 business days for processing
Up to 15 during peak season. Fake sites promise 1-hour approval; no entity – including legitimate agencies like VisaHQ – can bypass the government queue.
Verify confirmation emails
Legitimate messages originate only from @evisa.gov.ge. Scam emails use look-alike domains such as @evisa-gov-ge.com, @georgia-evisa.org, or @evisageorgia.net, urging immediate additional payment. Copy your reference number and check it directly on evisa.gov.ge before clicking any link.
Common visa refusal reasons include incomplete or false data, missing documents, or documents submitted unduly. The recommended resolution is to appeal. Approved ports of entry for e-Visa holders include Batumi International Airport, Vale Motorway (Turkey), Sadakhlo Railway (Armenia), Gardabani Railway (Azerbaijan), and Kazbegi/Dariali (Russia). Holders of a valid and used US, UK, or Schengen visa may enter Georgia without an e-Visa.
For payment, use a credit card (Visa/Mastercard) for UK Section 75 consumer protection. Avoid wire transfers, cryptocurrency, and gift cards.
Recovering Funds and Reporting a Georgia eVisa Scam
UK victims of Georgia evisa scam payments should contact their bank within 24-48 hours for a Visa/Mastercard chargeback and report to Action Fraud.
Freeze your card and request a chargeback
Contact your bank within 24-48 hours. Cite Visa/Mastercard chargeback code 4853 (cardholder dispute) or 4837 (no authorisation). UK Section 75 protection applies to credit card payments over £100.
Flag your passport
Notify the HM Passport Office to place a fraud alert on your passport number, as fraudulent Georgia eVisa portals may misuse stolen identity details.
Set a credit alert
Contact Experian, Equifax, or TransUnion to add a fraud alert to your credit file.
Report the scam
File a report with Action Fraud at actionfraud.police.uk or call 0300 123 2040. Notify the Georgian CERT at cert.gov.ge for .ge domain abuse. Perform a WHOIS lookup and file an abuse complaint with the domain registrar. US-based readers can also report to ic3.gov.
Report data mishandling
If fraudulent Georgia eVisa portals failed to protect your data, submit a complaint to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).
Frequently Asked Questions About Georgia eVisa Scams
What is the correct website to apply for a Georgia eVisa?
The correct website is the Georgian Government e-Visa Portal at evisa.gov.ge. Look for the .gov.ge top-level domain and the SSL padlock icon in your browser.
Do UK citizens need an eVisa to visit Georgia?
No. UK passport holders can enter Georgia visa-free for up to 12 months. If a website directs you to a paid eVisa application, you may have been targeted by a Georgia evisa scam.
How can you tell if a Georgia eVisa website is fake?
Check for seven warning signs: guaranteed approval promises, fees above $25, a missing .gov.ge domain, no physical contact details, poor grammar, urgency timers, and unusual payment methods like cryptocurrency or wire transfers.
What should I do if I already paid a fake Georgia eVisa site?
Contact your bank within 24-48 hours to request a card freeze and chargeback. Report to Action Fraud at actionfraud.police.uk or call 0300 123 2040, and notify the Georgian CERT at cert.gov.ge.
How long does a legitimate Georgia eVisa application take?
5 to 10 business days on evisa.gov.ge (up to 15 during peak season). Any site promising instant or 1-hour approval is fraudulent.
Can a third-party agency process my Georgia eVisa faster?
No. Even legitimate agencies use the same government portal and charge a service fee on top of the ~$20 consular fee. Any site claiming to bypass the processing queue is a Georgia evisa scam.
What are the payment methods on the legitimate evisa.gov.ge portal?
Payments are processed via a secure credit or debit card gateway. Avoid any site demanding wire transfer, cryptocurrency, or gift cards, as these indicate a counterfeit payment gateway.
How do I verify a Georgia eVisa confirmation email is genuine?
Check that the sender domain is exactly @evisa.gov.ge. Copy your reference number and verify its status directly on the official evisa.gov.ge website before clicking any link.
Transparency note: This site is an independent travel-information service. We are not affiliated with the Georgian government or with VisaHQ. The mention of VisaHQ is illustrative only and is not sponsored.
Sources: evisa.gov.ge; UK Foreign Office travel advice for Georgia; Action Fraud; Georgian CERT. All sources accessed 9 September 2026.
