Major Changes to Georgia’s Work Permit System: Are You Ready?
- Ucha Chakhvadze
- 3 days ago
- 6 min read
Georgia Introduces New Work Permit Requirements: What Employers and Foreign Nationals Must Know starting from March 2026
Georgia has introduced new work permit requirements that significantly impact foreign nationals and the companies employing them. The updated regulations establish stricter compliance procedures, clearer employer obligations, and new documentation standards. Whether you are a foreign professional planning to work in Georgia or an employer hiring international talent, understanding these changes is essential to avoid penalties, delays, or legal complications. In this article, we break down the key updates and explain what steps you need to take to remain compliant.
To whom does the new rule apply?
The new regulation applies to any non-resident individual who does not hold a permanent residence permit and who intends to enter into a (remunerated) employment relationship with a Georgian employer (either on-site or remotely).
The new regulation applies to any non-resident individual who does not hold a permanent residence permit and who intends to carry out activities in Georgia as an individual entrepreneur, regardless of whether the contracting party is Georgian or foreign.
(hereinafter referred to as a Labour Migrant).
Does the new regulation apply to company directors and partners?
According to the current position of the Agency, the obligation to obtain a work permit applies to company directors, members of the supervisory board, and partners/shareholders.
Although the requirement for such persons to obtain a work permit raises many questions and uncertainties, no additional clarification has yet been provided by the Agency. According to the Agency’s current position, the same requirements applicable to self-employed labour migrants shall apply to company directors, members of the supervisory board, and partners/shareholders.
To whom does the new rule not apply?
Persons with special status: refugees, asylum seekers, etc.;
Members of the diplomatic missions;
Accredited journalists of foreign mass media;
Persons covered by special provisions under international treaties;
Persons holding investment residence permits.
Who should submit the work permit application?
In case of an employment contract, the application shall be submitted electronically by the employer on the Agency’s website: www.labourmigration.moh.gov.ge The application must be confirmed by a qualified electronic signature or a qualified electronic stamp.
In case of a self-employed labour migrant (individual entrepreneur), the application shall be submitted electronically by the self-employed person on the Agency’s website: www.labourmigration.moh.gov.ge
What documentation should be submitted to obtain a work permit?
In case of an employment contract:
Information provided in Annex 1 – confirmed by qualified electronic signature or electronic stamp;
Receipt confirming payment of the application fee;
In this case, the work permit is issued for a specific employer and a specific job position;
In the case of a self-employed Labour Migrant:
Receipt confirming payment of the service fee;
Video interview – after submission of the application, the Agency schedules a video interview with the non-resident. At the end of the interview, the non-resident confirms the submission of the work permit application;
In this case, the work permit is issued for a specific activity and/or a specific field of activity.
If a labour migrant is refused a work permit, a repeated application may be submitted within 1 month from receipt of the negative decision.
A refusal decision may be appealed in court within 1 month from receipt of the refusal.
What additional obligations does the new regulation impose on Labour Migrants?
After obtaining a work permit, the labour migrant is also required to obtain the relevant visa or residence permit within the prescribed timeframes:
If the Labour Migrant is not yet in Georgia - Within no later than 30 calendar days from obtaining the work permit, the labour migrant must apply to a Georgian embassy or consular office abroad for a D1 category immigration visa;
The work permit enters into force from the date of issuance of the D1 visa and is valid for 6 months to 1 year.
If a Labour Migrant is already in Georgia - within no later than 10 calendar days from obtaining the work permit, the labour migrant must obtain one of the following residence permits:
Labour residence permit- In this case, the issued labour permit shall enter into force from the moment of obtaining the labour residence permit and shall be valid for a period of 6 months to 1 year.
Residence permit of a person employed in the field of information technology (IT);
In the case of IT sector employees, the work permit may be issued for up to 3 years if granted on the basis of:
A D1 category visa;
An IT residence permit;
Any other type of residence permit;
No obligation to obtain the above residence permits exists if:
At the time of application for the work permit, the labour migrant already held a valid residence permit under Georgian law (in such case, the work permit is valid from the date of issuance for 6 months to 1 year);
The employment/business activity is performed entirely remotely and does not require entry into Georgia;
What additional obligations does the new regulation impose on local employers?
Before employing a non-resident migrant, a Georgian employer must submit a vacancy announcement for the same position 10 working days in advance via: www.worknet.moh.gov.ge: www.worknet.moh.gov.ge
Within 10 working days, the Agency must present a suitable Georgian candidate from its database. If the Agency fails to present a suitable Georgian candidate within the specified period, the employer may apply for a foreign work permit via: www.labourmigration.moh.gov.ge.
If the employer rejects the Georgian candidate proposed by the Agency, it must notify the Agency within 3 working days and provide justification. Within 3 working days, the Agency reviews the justification and informs the employer whether submission of a foreign labour migrant work permit application is allowed
The above rule does not apply to special exception cases (e.g., international company status, innovative startup status, etc.).
In case of early termination of the employment contract, the employer must notify the Agency within 5 calendar days via: www.labourmigration.moh.gov.ge
If a labour migrant’s work permit is terminated, the employer must terminate the employment relationship within 5 calendar days and notify the Agency accordingly.
Processing times and fees
Standard processing: up to 30 calendar days – 200 GEL
Accelerated processing: up to 10 calendar days – 400 GEL
Extension of work permit: up to 30 calendar days – 200 GEL
In which cases may the Agency terminate a work permit?
Early termination of employment contract;
If verification reveals the migrant does not work in the permitted position/field;
Expiration/termination of D1 visa without obtaining residence;
Expiration/termination of residence permit;
Failure to apply for required visa/residence within prescribed deadlines;
Refusal of D1 visa or residence permit after issuance of work permit;
Initiation of deportation proceedings;
If a self-employed migrant leaves Georgia for more than 6 consecutive months.
Extension of work permit
To extend the period of authorized employment, the employer (in the case of an employment relationship) or the self-employed individual (in the case of self-employment) must submit an electronic application to the Agency no later than 30 calendar days prior to the expiry of the existing work permit. The application must include the information specified in the relevant annexes and be accompanied by payment of the applicable state fee. The procedure for the first extension of a work permit is, in substance, the same as the procedure for obtaining an initial work permit.
Work permits issued on the basis of a D1 category visa or a temporary residence permit for employment purposes may be extended annually for up to five consecutive years, with each extension granted for a period of one year. Where a work permit has been extended continuously for five consecutive years, subsequent extensions may be granted for a period ranging from one to five years.
Activities subject to annual quotas
The annual quota for labor/entrepreneurial activities related to courier services is 0;
The annual quota for labor/entrepreneurial activities related to the transportation of passengers is 0;
The annual quota for labor/entrepreneurial activities related to the provision of guide services to tourists is 0;
An annual quota of 200 for labor/entrepreneurial activities related to the provision of mountain, alpine and ski escort services to tourists.
(As of 01.03.2026)
Transitional legislative deadlines
Self-employed migrants, company directors, supervisory board members, shareholders, already operating as of 1 March 2026 – requirements apply from 1 May 2026.
Labour migrants employed by local employers and registered as active in the portal as of 1 March 2026 – requirements apply from 1 January 2027.
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