By Giorgi Khimshiashvili — Attorney, Managing Partner of the law firm Adviser
Since 1 March 2026, a new procedure for granting the right to work to labour immigrants and self-employed foreigners has been in force in Georgia.
In effect, the state’s approach to labour immigrants and the self-employed has changed. The regulations set by a resolution of the Government of Georgia establish specific criteria, procedures and quotas for foreigners who do not hold a permanent residence permit in the country. The new regulations apply to every foreigner who does not have a permanent residence permit and plans, in the long term, to work for a local employer (including remotely) or to carry out entrepreneurial or labour activity independently for financial gain.
Notably, employment opportunities have changed significantly in the services sector, such as taxi, courier and guide services — sectors where the quota for foreigners is 0. This means that foreigners may not be employed in these sectors, and violations of this rule carry fines for both employers and the self-employed. The exception is mountain, alpine and ski guide services, where an annual limit of 200 permits has been set.
If a local company wishes to employ a foreigner, it must submit an application to the State Employment Support Agency of the Ministry of Health through a special portal (www.labourmigration.moh.gov.ge).
An important component is the company’s annual turnover, which must be no less than GEL 50,000 for each foreigner seeking the right to work. Educational and medical institutions are an exception: for them, the threshold is GEL 35,000 per foreigner. This rule does not apply if less than 3 months have passed since the company was founded and it employs no more than 3 foreigners.
If a local company plans to employ more than 5 foreigners during a calendar year (or the number of foreigners exceeds 5% of the total number of employees), it must agree an annual quota with the Agency in advance.
Permit validity: the right to work is first granted for a period of 6 months to 1 year. During the first 5 years, it is extended one year at a time, and after 5 continuous years — for 1 to 5 years. (For those working in the IT sector, the initial permit is issued for up to 3 years.)
Standard procedure (30 calendar days) — GEL 200;
Expedited procedure (10 working days) — GEL 400;
Renewal of the right — GEL 200.
The legislation provides transition periods for persons already working in the country. In particular, for self-employed persons who were already active in Georgia as of 1 March 2026, the mandatory work permit mechanisms took effect on 1 May 2026. A labour immigrant whose registration status was active as of 1 March 2026 must obtain the right to work and the corresponding residence permit, in accordance with Georgian law, no later than 1 January 2027.
Giorgi Khimshiashvili is an attorney and Managing Partner of the law firm Adviser. Since 2018, the firm has advised foreign and Georgian clients on company formation, residence, tax, real estate, and court and arbitration disputes. For more information visit Website: www.advisergeo.com
