How to open a Georgia bank account as a non-resident or company in 2026
A non-resident with at least USD 500,000 in total balance opens a personal account at TBC Bank without travelling — by video call, while a company needs its director to meet the bank in person. The 2026 news: Georgia’s Deposit Insurance Agency has decided to double deposit insurance — up to GEL 100,000 from 1 January 2027.
In short
In short- a non-resident individual with USD 500,000+ opens an account by video
- No visit
- a non-resident individual with USD 500,000+ opens an account by video
- a company’s compliance review usually takes
- 5–10 working days
- a company’s compliance review usually takes
- deposit insurance from 1 January 2027
- GEL 100,000
- deposit insurance from 1 January 2027
What has changed
Georgia’s Deposit Insurance Agency has decided to raise the coverage limit: deposits are now insured up to GEL 50,000 per depositor per bank, and from 1 January 2027 up to GEL 100,000. Coverage extends to deposits of residents and non-residents, individuals and companies — except certain categories, such as financial institutions and major shareholders of the bank itself. Accounts in one bank are added together, and deposits in any currency are reimbursed in GEL at the National Bank of Georgia rate on the date of the insured event.
Who can open an account
TBC’s terms are as of our practice in October 2026; the bank may change them.
- There are no formal nationality restrictions — what decides is the absence of any sanctions link, and the final word rests with the bank’s compliance team
- Individuals and non-operating companies such as holding companies: the Wealth Management segment, from USD 500,000 in total balance
- An operating company — Corporate Banking: no minimum turnover, terms at the bank’s discretion
- Payments go almost anywhere in the world, except Iran, North Korea and a number of African countries
Non-resident individuals: no travel
- 1Questionnaire, passports, CVThe bank’s KYC questionnaire, copies of all valid passports and a business CV. The route is Wealth Management, from USD 500,000 in total balance. No apostille is needed.
- 2Compliance reviewThe bank assesses the profile and sanctions risks — 2–5 working days.
- 3Video identificationA 15–30 minute Identomat session with your original passport. In-person identification is required only for turnover through the bank above USD 5 million.
- 4Accounts and creditingAccounts are usually opened within 1 working day. Funds are credited after the source-of-funds check — another 1–5 working days once the banker’s document list is complete.
Companies: a director meeting and certified documents
- 1Initial applicationBusiness activity, number of transactions and annual turnover through the bank — TBC uses them to choose the segment and assign a banker.
- 2Compliance reviewKYC questionnaire, passports and business CVs of the beneficial owner and director, corporate documents — 5–10 working days. On approval, the bank sends the full list of documents.
- 3Apostille or legalisationThe type of certification depends on the country of registration. The UAE is not a party to the Apostille Convention, so a UAE company needs legalisation, not an apostille.
- 4Originals and the meetingThe original documents and applications go to the bank, and the director meets the bank in person. The account is then usually opened within 1 working day, followed by the source-of-funds check.
What the account costs
- Wealth Management: opening and maintenance are free
- Corporate Banking: opening and maintenance at the bank’s tariff, confirmed for each company
- Incoming SWIFT — no TBC fee; outgoing — 0.2% of the amount, subject to the bank’s minimum fee
- Exchange between account currencies — an FX spread of 1–2%
Sources
- Deposit Insurance Agency of Georgia: limit up to GEL 100,000 from 1 January 2027 (news of 28.09.2026)
- Deposit Insurance Agency of Georgia: coverage of GEL 50,000 per depositor per bank
- Deposit Insurance Agency of Georgia: who is insured — residents and non-residents, individuals and companies, and who is excluded
- Deposit Insurance Agency of Georgia: FAQ — reimbursement in GEL at the National Bank of Georgia rate on the date of the insured event
- HCCH: parties to the Apostille Convention (the UAE is not listed)
Deadlines and rules are based on these materials as of the publication date. Check with us before deciding: rules change.
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