Work and IEFor all foreigners without a permanent residence permit

Georgia work permit 2026: who needs one and how to get it

From 1 March 2026, foreigners without a permanent residence permit need a work permit. New rules from 10 July: no worknet vacancy; IEs need 50,000 ₾ turnover.

Checked by the editors on 29 September 202619 sources9 minutes

In short

Who needs one: Foreigners without a permanent residence permit who work for a Georgian employer, work for themselves (including as an individual entrepreneur, IE) or run a small category IV company. Exemptions are listed below.
Couriers, taxi, guides: In practice no permits are issued: the annual quota for this work, including any passenger transport, is 0. Mountain and ski guides have a quota of 200 a year
Cost: 200 ₾ for a decision in 30 days, 400 ₾ for a decision in 10 working days
Validity: 6–12 months; up to 3 years for IT
Where to apply: Online, on the labourmigration.moh.gov.ge portal. IEs and the self-employed apply themselves, not through a representative
Deadlines: The self-employed who were working before 1 March 2026 have been checked since 1 May 2026. Employees who were in the labourmigration database on 1 March 2026 must get a work permit and a residence permit by 1 January 2027
Fine: 2,000 ₾, 4,000 ₾ for a repeat offence, then 12,000 ₾. Both the employer and the foreigner pay. From 1 September 2026, there is also a risk of expulsion

Do you need a permit?

Choose how you work. A pointer based on the law as of 29 September 2026 — not legal advice.

Probably not needed

Since 15 April 2026, work for a non-resident company that relates to its activities outside Georgia has been exempt. Keep your contract with the company to hand. If you are registered as an IE and need a residence permit, see the row about IEs.

How to get a permit

Check whether you need a permit
It depends on who you work for. The check is above; grey areas are below.
Prepare your grounds
There are two routes. Choose yours:
EmployeeSince 10 July 2026, the vacancy no longer has to be posted on worknet. The employer attaches a certificate of turnover of at least 50,000 ₾ for each foreign employee. If it hires more than 5 foreigners a year or more than 5% of its staff, it must agree a quota 10 working days before applying.
IE or self-employedYou no longer need a business plan. Get a certificate from the Revenue Service showing turnover of at least 50,000 ₾ over 12 months. If your IE was registered no more than 3 months ago, you do not need the certificate.
Apply online
For an employee, the employer submits the application. IEs and self-employed people apply themselves on labourmigration.moh.gov.ge, not through a representative, and have a video interview in Georgian or English; an interpreter is allowed. Keep the original passport you applied with to hand.
Pay the fee
The employer pays for an employee; IEs and self-employed people pay themselves. The processing time depends on the amount.
200 ₾ — 30 days · 400 ₾ — 10 working days
Apply for a visa or residence permit
If you are abroad, apply for a D1 visa within 30 days of getting the permit. If you are in Georgia, apply for a work-based residence permit within 10 days. If you have any residence permit, you can skip this step. If you miss the deadline, your work permit may be terminated.

Documents

0 of 6 ready ·

Passport valid for at least 6 more monthsfor everyone
Revenue Service certificate of turnover of at least 50,000 ₾ over 12 monthsfor IEs and the self-employed; not needed if the IE is under 3 months old
Extract from the register showing your type of activity, or a Revenue Service certificatefor IEs
Employer's turnover certificate: at least 50,000 ₾ for each foreign employeefor employees; prepared by the employer; 35,000 ₾ for educational and medical institutions
Agreed quota, 10 working days before applyingif the employer hires more than 5 foreigners a year or more than 5% of its staff
Fee payment: 200 or 400 ₾the employer pays for an employee; an IE pays for themselves

Check the exact list on the portal before applying: it changes.

Grey areas: lawyers disagree here

IE with all clients abroad

From 10 July 2026, Resolution No. 70 states that the exemption for work for a non-resident does not apply to an IE who needs a residence permit to stay in Georgia legally. The law has no such condition. Practising lawyers believe that an IE staying visa-free with foreign clients does not need a permit. It is not yet clear how this is applied. Ask a lawyer before you apply.

IE older than 3 months but less than a year old

The text of the resolution requires turnover over 12 months, even if the IE has been operating for less than a year. Practising lawyers report case-by-case clarifications from the agency. Check this rule as of the date you apply.

FAQ · 9

I work from Batumi for a Russian company under a contract. Do I need one?

Probably not. Since 15 April 2026, work for a non-resident company that relates to its business abroad has been exempt. Keep your contract. If you are registered as an IE and need a residence permit, see the grey areas above.

I freelance for clients in different countries. Is that work for a non-resident?

Yes, if the clients are non-residents and the work relates to their business abroad. But Resolution No. 70 does not apply this exemption to an IE who needs a residence permit. See the section above and ask a lawyer.

How long does a decision take?

30 days if you pay 200 ₾, or 10 working days for 400 ₾.

What do I do after I get the permit?

Apply for a visa or residence permit. From abroad, apply for a D1 visa within 30 days. From Georgia, apply for a work-based residence permit within 10 days. If you already have any residence permit, you do not need to apply for anything.

Do I need a vacancy on worknet?

No. This requirement was removed with effect from 10 July 2026. The employer confirms turnover of at least 50,000 ₾ for each foreign employee. If it hires more than 5 foreigners a year, it also agrees a quota.

Does an IE need a business plan?

No, not since 10 July 2026. You need a Revenue Service certificate of turnover of at least 50,000 ₾ over 12 months. An IE under 3 months old does not need it.

Do I need 50,000 ₾ turnover for a residence permit through an IE?

Yes. The requirement was removed from the law in April 2026, but it is still in Resolution No. 520 on residence permits. You also need a monthly income of at least five times the subsistence minimum. An IE under 3 months old does not need the certificate, but the first residence permit will be issued for 6 months.

What happens if I work without a permit?

A fine: 2,000 ₾, 4,000 ₾ for a repeat offence, then 12,000 ₾. The employer is fined for each worker, and the foreigner is fined too. From 1 September 2026, it is also grounds for expulsion.

Can I work as a courier or taxi driver?

If you need a work permit, in practice no: the annual permit quota for couriers, taxi drivers and other passenger transport, and for guides is 0 (Annex 3 to Resolution No. 70). Mountain and ski guides have a quota of 200 a year.

What changed · 8

26 June 2025Law No. 862 amended the Labour Migration Law: foreigners need a work permit from 1 March 2026
20 February 2026Government Resolution No. 70: procedure for issuing permits
1 March 2026The requirement came into force
15 April 2026Law No. 1509: exemptions for work for a non-resident, fully remote work, directors of category I–III companies and short-term professional activity; partners removed from the definition of "self-employed"
1 May 2026Checks began on the self-employed and IEs who were working before 1 March 2026
9 July 2026Resolution No. 321, in force from 10 July: a quota and turnover of at least 50,000 ₾ per foreigner replace the worknet vacancy; IEs provide a turnover certificate instead of a business plan and apply without a representative
1 September 2026Law No. 1803: working without a permit is grounds for expulsion
1 January 2027Deadline for employees in the labourmigration database on 1 March 2026 to get a work permit and a residence permit

Sources · 19

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