16h • General discussion
Georgia’s New Labour Permit System
Georgia just launched a new labour permit system for foreigners who work or do business in Georgia, with major compliance deadlines starting soon.
What changed
- A new Right to Work (Labour Permit) is now required for most foreign nationals who do not have permanent residency
Who is NOT covered
- Permanent residence permit holders, investment residence permit holders, diplomats and certain international org staff, refugees and asylum categories, accredited foreign media journalists, and cases covered by treaties.
The new baseline rule
To legally work or run a business locally in Georgia, most foreigners will need:
- Right to Work (Labour Permit), and
- D1 visa or a residence permit (work, IT, etc.)
Key dates
- Law effective March 1, 2026
- Enforcement mechanisms begin May 1, 2026
Labour Permit basics
- Self employed permits are tied to a specific field or speciality
- Employee permits are tied to a specific employer and position
- Government can apply labour market criteria and quotas
Fees and timelines
- Standard processing (up to 30 calendar days): 200 GEL
- Expedited (10 business days): 400 GEL
- Renewal (up to 30 calendar days): 200 GEL
- You must be in Georgia legally to apply (no overstay or illegal entry)
Visa and residency deadlines after approval
- If you are outside Georgia: apply for D1 visa within 30 days
- If you are in Georgia: apply for work or IT residence permit within 10 days
- Not required if you already have a residence permit, or if your activity is fully remote and you do not need to enter Georgia
Self employed path
- Apply yourself via the Labour Migration portal
- Expect to submit: business ID, experience and qualifications, activity description, and either:
- Includes a required video call verification
Hiring foreigners, what employers must do
- Post the vacancy in the Labour Market portal first
- Wait up to 10 business days for the agency to propose a local candidate
- If a candidate is proposed, employer must accept or justify rejection within strict timelines
- Employment agreement must be fixed term and bilingual, with employee consent via qualified e signature or stamp
Validity
- IT specialists and IT employees: up to 3 years
- Most others: 6 to 12 months
- Renew at least 30 days before expiry
Big risk for new founders
- The 10 day residency deadline is hard for brand new businesses because a common work residence path requires 50,000 GEL declared revenue in the last 12 months per sponsored person. That makes early stage compliance difficult.
Practical workarounds mentioned
- IT route may be easier: IT residence permit can avoid Georgian turnover proof, but requires 2 years IT experience and about 25,000 USD annual income paid in at least two payments
- Apply for a D1 visa before entering Georgia, which may require setting up the sponsoring business remotely first
- Investment residence permits can bypass issues, but thresholds are high
- Permanent residency via family ties can exempt you from this regime
TLDR: Georgia is rolling out a new labour permit system for most foreigners who work for a Georgian company or run a business locally. Starting March 1, 2026 you will generally need a Right to Work plus a D1 visa or residence permit, with enforcement from May 1, 2026. After the permit is approved, you must apply fast: within 10 days for a work or IT residence permit if you are in Georgia, or within 30 days for a D1 visa if you are outside. Self employed apply via the Labour Migration portal with business details and proof of turnover or a business plan; employees are sponsored by the employer after a required local hiring check. Biggest issue for new founders is the 10 day residency deadline, since a common work residence permit route often requires 50,000 GEL declared revenue in the last 12 months, while IT permits may be easier if you meet the experience and income rules.
0
0 comments
Georgia’s New Labour Permit System
powered by
skool.com/expats-nomads-network-7742
For expats, nomads and entrepreneurs. We discuss global living, lifestyle, citizenship and strategies for living your best life.
Suggested communities
Powered by