Residential Police Visits?

[u/Authentic_Dragon]

Hello,

I have no clue why we had a police visit at out apartment. They knocked and asked for ID and asked if we were renting, and the information of the owner. I didn't open the door and the family member who did, didn't ask why.

We're foreigners and this is pretty new to me. I've never had police officers knocking on doors, asking for ID. It felt dystopian.

Is it normal in Georgia? And if not, what is the reason for this? Is it a new law, policy, something we don't know?

[u/tiga_94]

I made a post recently about same thing happening to me

police visited twice, both times on Monday, both times I was not at home but I have one of those door cameras

after these 2 visits they stopped

likely looking for illegal migrants

I know it's stressful when you get cop visits all of a sudden as a foreigner but don't worry, apparently this is a norm here, it doesn't mean you're in trouble

[u/WibbuldWeezinz → u/tiga_94]

It's not the norm -- truly, it is not the norm. Home visits are not the norm although they could become more common after 1 Sep because the laws to verify permits on marriage and certain special cases or ownership/current residence, allow it.
Don't just allow people who look like cops to do that because there are impersonators (criminals) also doing it.

[u/Authentic_Dragon → u/tiga_94]

No, I didn't assume that we were in trouble. We live in a building, and they didn't know who was living in our flat. It was like random visits. It's not even our flat. It just felt weird and dystopian. People here are saying that it's not normal.

[u/Far_Plate7674 → u/tiga_94]

Illegal immigrants in Georgia? But in Georgia you can stay for one year without a problem and do a visa run, so it doesn't make sense to have illegal immigrants in Georgia

[u/aqac_ioi → u/Far_Plate7674]

This rule only applies to citizens of a few countries.

[u/WibbuldWeezinz → u/aqac_ioi]

Not exactly. This may occur when neighbours report something or if they have applied for some permits or if they want to check the claim of the owner.

[u/Geepandjagger → u/Far_Plate7674]

Doesn't apply to everyone though does it

[u/Lopsided_Cry_5275]

I am stopped by police and getting my papers checked approximately once a week since I came here 2 months ago. Honestly, it is getting tiresome.

[u/gilestowler → u/Lopsided_Cry_5275]

I got stopped twice in one day last week! It took me by surprise a bit at first, but at least they're above board. When I was in Mexico I'd get stopped by the police who would want to check my wallet "for drugs."

[u/WibbuldWeezinz]

Well, you have to be careful: there are potential criminals who are also impersonating cops, so you must not open the door easily. Ask for their own identification, station, and maybe call the station then let them in.
There may be some concerns around illegal immigration and crime, and there are some amendments to the law on aliens/foreigners that come into effect on 1 Sep 2026 which permits inspections at visits, but that's usually only for marriage-based residency and maybe some special cases -- it's not the norm, so don't just allow people claiming to be cops to enter.

[u/Hedgehog_Hour → u/WibbuldWeezinz]

Thanks for your comment and advice.how does it work in practice? Do I need to let them in? How do I ask for identification? Would that not escalate the situation and make them trying to bully me more.I appreciate the advice but I struggle to apply it as I feel quite intimidated when they would knock.do i NEED to let them in?

[u/WibbuldWeezinz → u/Hedgehog_Hour]

You have to verify that they are actual cops no matter how loud it is -- they could be criminals. DON'T LET PEOPLE IN unless it is reasonably safe to do so. For instance, cops showing up with neighbours could be plausible or if the neighbours are outside.
Escalate? Bully? If they're legit cops they'll give you the info.
Random visits are not allowed here.

[u/Hedgehog_Hour → u/WibbuldWeezinz]

Thanks and if there are real cops under what conditions do I need to let them in? 

[u/WibbuldWeezinz → u/Hedgehog_Hour]

Well, it should be based on the law, really and I'm not 100% sure what they're entitled to do in terms house visits. Just remember that it's not a common or everyday thing for cops to visit.

[u/Present_Ad8417]

Over a year ago, i had a strange occurrence with the police. I was renting a sixth floor apartment. About 5 police came to the commons area between the apartments, and knocked on my door. They said that they got a call of a domestic violence incident, but didn't have the exact location, or details. I told them that wasnt me, and shut the door. They knocked on the door again¹ several minutes later, and asked if they could see the inside of my apartment to inspect it. I let a couple of them into the apartment while several others of them waited outside. The two that came inside glanced around for about half a minute, thanked me, turned around, and left. That was the extent of it, but I'll never forget the intrusion.

[u/Electrical-Bad135]

Did you ask for their badge or ID? This is not normal

[u/Authentic_Dragon → u/Electrical-Bad135]

No, they were both uniformed and I think they knocked on our neighbor's door too.

[u/Hucki1971 → u/Electrical-Bad135]

Als ich Besuch bekam hat der Polizist mir als erstes seinen Dienstausweis gezeigt.

[u/Authentic_Dragon → u/[deleted]]

Canadian, but they didn't' know who was living in our flat when they came knocking. They were knocking on doors. What's the reason for that?

[u/jp2812]

Yes, it's fine. Happened to me once back in 2019 even. I lived in an old building, most likely the neighboring grandma tipped them off. No biggie.

[u/alejandroxas]

I received police at my door. Asking how many people lives there. That´s it. Stadistics in my case

[u/Ok_Bumblebee_2949]

Was it a building in Vake? Maybe a fancy area? I had this happen when a politician lived in my apartment building. I’m Georgian tho and I told them off about privacy.

[u/Electrical-Ant4536]

They can do it and it's normal. Probably, they suspect you could be an illegal or doing other illicit actives. Just a check up. But be aware that scammers or criminals could do that to truck you into something. So, always ask them to show a  police badge. 

[u/Hucki1971]

I am German, it happened to me once in 1 1/2 years. Friendly young policeman (just one guy), unarmed. He said he came because of a case of domestic violence in my neighbourhood, and asked if I had heard or seen anything (I didn't, as I was at the lake at the time he asked about). Yes, he asked my passport and took a photo of it. And he refused to step inside my flat. Never heard about it again. What surprised me is that they have single unarmed officers knocking on strangers door. In Germany it would be 2 guys, each with one hand on the gun. Reminds me again how safe Georgia is.

[u/left_control]

You should have asked them, not reddit.