Deadline March 1, 2026Time left for the new rules in Georgia for foreign working nationals
Important: new version of the Law on Labor Migration
The new legislation requiring foreign nationals to obtain official work and residence permits comes into force in Georgia on March 1, 2026, and will affect employees, freelancers, and individual entrepreneurs engaging in economic activity in the country.
The law does not apply to the holders of permanent residence permits, investment residence permits (for investments of USD 300,000 or more), refugees, asylum seekers, and employees of international media outlets and diplomatic missions.
Because many points remain to be clarified in the coming days, the government has established a transition period. The matter can be deferred until January 1, 2027, for individuals who were registered in the Ministry of Labor’s special register of employees before March 1, though it should be noted this is not the case for individual entrepreneurs, for which reason we recommend dealing with legalization as soon as possible. Our team can look over your particular case and help you understand what needs to be done next.
highlights
Who needs a work permit
(DEFINITELY) Foreign nationals working for a local employer in Georgia under contract
This applies to employees working online and off, whether you live in Georgia or somewhere else. If you live in Georgia, though, you’ll need a (contract-based) residence permit too.
(DEFINITELY) Individual entrepreneurs who live in Georgia but work for the international market
According to the explanations provided by the Ministry of Labor, Georgian work and residence permits are required even if there is no participation in the local labor market.
(DEFINITELY/PROBABLY) Foreign directors of a Georgian company
The contract may differ from a regular employment contract, but both work and residence permits will be required, though if the individual in question is also the founder of the company, the new regulations may not apply…
(PROBABLY) Individual entrepreneurs who live abroad and serve clients in Georgia or abroad
Judging by what the Ministry of Labor has said so far, foreign individual entrepreneurs working from somewhere else will also need to obtain the right to work, though without the residence permit. However, the current law also threatens to revoke the permit for holders who leave Georgia for 6 months or more. Clarification is required.
(DEFINITELY) Individual entrepreneurs who live and do business in Georgia
A residence permit will be required in addition to the right to work. The difficulty is that a work residence permit for a self-employed individual can only be obtained with a turnover of at least GEL 50,000. This creates difficulties for new individual entrepreneurs and requires clarification.
(PROBABLY) Freelancers who work from Georgia for global companies without individual entrepreneur status
Formally, such individuals do not fall under the definition of migrant workers or self-employed persons, though simply being in the country may result in having to register as an individual entrepreneur and obtain a residence permit.
(PROBABLY/MAYBE) Owners of investment property
Purchasing an apartment or commercial property in Georgia for the purpose of renting it out generates income, and that can, in theory, be equated to economic activity, which may require you to register as an individual entrepreneur and obtain a work permit. Awaiting clarification.
Step by step
Legalization procedure
Entering a migrant worker in the register
Obtaining a work permit
Obtaining an entry visa (optional)
Obtaining a residence permit
Notes
Penalties for violating the law
Employing a worker without the appropriate permit is subject to fines of GEL 2,000 for the company manager and the worker
Companies employing more than one such individual illegally will be subject to a fine for each.
The fine for a self-employed individual working without the necessary permit is likewise GEL 2,000
The fine for a repeat violation is GEL 4,000
The fine for a third violation is GEL 6,000
The fine for obstructing an inspection ranges from GEL 1,000 to 7,000
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