On 1 March 2026, Georgia (the country) introduced a new labour-migration framework through Government Resolution No. 70 and Law No. 1509. What was previously covered by residence permits and visas is now governed by a distinct work-permit regime. This page provides a structured overview of who is affected, the exemptions, and the application workflow.
Until early 2026, foreign nationals holding a Georgian residence permit or visa could effectively engage in work without an explicit work authorisation. From 1 March 2026, that assumption no longer holds.
The reform consists of two legal instruments adopted in close sequence:
Together, they restructure how foreign nationals may engage in employment and self-employment in Georgia.
The core principle is that the right to reside and the right to work are now separated. With the exception of permanent residents, holders of certain investment-based permits, diplomats, and a small set of further categories, foreign nationals must hold both a work authorisation and a corresponding visa or residence permit.
Before the reform, about 42,000 foreign nationals were officially registered in Georgia's labour-migration database, while estimates suggested that more than 200,000 foreigners were actually living and working in the country—most of them without formal labour registration. Closing this gap is the principal driver of the reform.
Who needs a work permit, and who does not. Law No. 1509 substantially broadened the list of exemptions.
The reform introduces an IT Residence Permit as an independent pathway for foreign nationals in IT.
This track reflects Georgia's positioning as a regional hub for digital and international IT talent.
The standard workflow under the new regime is a two-stage process. This outline is for general orientation; individual cases should be discussed with a qualified professional.
The first step is to secure the right to perform labour or entrepreneurial activity.
Labour-market test: in most cases, the employer must first post the vacancy on the national job portal for at least 10 working days to demonstrate that no suitable local candidate is available.
After the right to work is granted, the foreign national must obtain one of the following to exercise that right in practice.
The appropriate path depends on current location, the nature of the activity, and the intended duration of stay.
The following are commonly required at Stage 1. Additional documents may be requested depending on the case.
The reform is being phased in, with category-specific deadlines for regularisation.
During the transitional period, existing status may continue, but after the relevant deadline, working without authorisation triggers fines.
Law No. 1509 introduces a new visa category designed for remote workers.
The visa is positioned as a tool to attract high-earning remote professionals to Georgia. It may apply, for example, to a foreign national working remotely for a non-Georgian employer while residing in Georgia.
Note: the government retains discretion, in certain cases, to refuse a visa without stating the reasons, and decisions based on migration policy may not be subject to appeal.
In parallel with the work-permit reform, minimum thresholds for investment-based residency have been revised.
From 2026, the minimum threshold for obtaining residency via real-estate investment has been raised.
The change is intended to discourage speculative property acquisition and attract more stable, longer-term investors.
If a foreign national invests USD 300,000 or more in the Georgian economy and obtains an investment-residence permit, a work permit is not required. This is one of the key exemptions in the new regime.
Yes, in principle. Holders of standard residence permits (i.e., other than permanent residency) generally need a separate work authorisation. Exceptions apply to investment-residency holders (USD 300,000+), IT-residency holders, and certain other categories.
If the employing entity is registered outside Georgia, the C5 visa is a relevant option. It is valid for five years, allowing continuous stays of up to one year, and does not require a Georgian work permit for the in-scope remote work. Note that Georgian tax-residency status is a separate question and depends on facts such as length of stay and centre of vital interests.
Yes, as a rule. Managing a Georgian-registered legal entity is treated as economic activity within Georgia and falls within the scope of the work-permit regime—unless the founder is an investment-residency holder or otherwise exempt.
Not as a matter of law. The application portal is accessible to individuals. However, document preparation, the labour-market test, and the interpretation of exemption categories often benefit from the assistance of a local attorney or administrative specialist.
Administrative-law appeals are generally available. That said, under Law No. 1509, certain decisions made on migration-policy grounds may not be subject to appeal. Specific disputes should be discussed with a local attorney.
Spouses and minor children of work-permit holders may apply separately for residency through family reunification. Under the C5 visa, the spouse and minor children are covered within the scope of the visa itself.
What we provide, and what we explicitly do not, in respect of the work-permit regime.