Georgia's new labour permit system — officially called the "Right to Work" — went live on March 1, 2026. It's the most significant change to Georgia's immigration and business landscape in over a decade. If you're an expat with an IE, running a company, employed locally, or freelancing for Georgian clients, this directly affects your ability to work legally in the country. This guide covers every detail: who needs it, who doesn't, how to apply, what it costs, what the fines are, and the transition deadlines you can't afford to miss.
Key Takeaways
- • All foreign workers and self-employed in Georgia need a "Right to Work" permit as of March 1, 2026
- • Self-employed (IEs, entrepreneurs): enforcement begins May 1, 2026 for those already operating
- • Employees already in the system: must obtain permit + residence permit by January 1, 2027
- • Cost: 200 GEL (standard, 30 days) or 400 GEL (expedited, 10 business days)
- • Fines for non-compliance: ₾2,000 first offense, ₾4,000 second, ₾12,000 for each subsequent violation
- • Remote workers for foreign companies with no Georgian IE or business registration: likely exempt
- • Some professions are blocked — zero permits for couriers, taxi drivers, and tourist guides
- • Permits are sector-specific — changing your field of work requires a new permit
How We Got Here
Under the old rules, Georgia was remarkably open. Foreign nationals could work with the appropriate visa or residence permit. Citizens of visa-free countries (which includes most of Europe, North America, and many others) didn't even strictly need a residence permit — employers just registered foreign employees with the Ministry of Labour and Health. Self-employed people had virtually no bureaucratic requirements at all.
That era is over.
Parliament adopted the amendments to the Law on Labour Migration in June 2025, but the implementation details — how the permit system would actually work — remained unclear until Government Ordinance No. 70 was published on February 20, 2026. The online portal at labourmigration.moh.gov.ge went live on March 1.
Political Context
This law arrived alongside increasingly strict government rhetoric on migration. In February 2026, the Prime Minister publicly promised that "Georgia will be fully freed from illegal migrants." At the same time, he acknowledged a "serious labour shortage" in construction and hospitality. The law tries to thread that needle — controlling foreign labour while still allowing it where the economy needs it.
Who Needs a Labour Permit?
The new system applies to all foreign nationals without permanent residence who are either:
- Employed by a Georgian business — under an employment contract with a locally registered employer
- Self-employed in Georgia — this includes Individual Entrepreneurs (IEs), partners or directors in Georgian companies, independent contractors, traders, service providers, and anyone conducting business activity in Georgia for financial gain
- Employed remotely by a Georgian employer — working from outside Georgia for a locally registered company
The law defines a "local employer" broadly: any Georgia-registered legal entity, IE, partnership, representative office of a foreign organization registered in Georgia, or any person lawfully residing in Georgia who employs foreigners.
A "self-employed foreigner" is defined as a foreign national who carries out labour activity in Georgia not under an employment contract, with the aim of generating financial gain. This covers trade, services, operating a business as a partner, working as an independent contractor, or being involved in any entrepreneurial or labour-related activity.
Company Founders Need It Too
The law makes clear that foreign nationals who have founded companies in Georgia need a permit not only for any foreign employees they hire, but also for themselves. Running your own LLC or partnership counts as "conducting business activity" and requires a permit.
Who Is Exempt?
The following groups do not need a labour permit:
| Exempt Category | Notes |
|---|---|
| Permanent residence permit holders | Full exemption — requires 10 years of continuous temporary residence (with exceptions for spouses/children/parents of Georgian citizens) |
| Investment residence permit holders | Full exemption — requires 300,000+ GEL (~$110,000) investment in Georgia |
| Refugees and asylum seekers | Including persons with additional or temporary protection granted by Georgia |
| Diplomats and international org staff | Diplomatic missions, consular staff, international organizations |
| Accredited foreign journalists | Must be accredited as an international journalist in Georgia |
| Persons under international treaties | Where different labour arrangement rules apply |
Notice what's not on the exempt list: people on visa-free entry, temporary residence permit holders, and most critically, IE holders. If you've been operating as an IE on your 365-day visa-free stay, you need this permit.
What About Remote Workers and Digital Nomads?
This is the question that generates the most confusion. The law is not explicit about foreign nationals who work remotely from Georgia for a foreign company or freelance for clients outside Georgia.
The law covers anyone "who carries out labour activity in Georgia." But legal experts interpret this as targeting people who occupy positions in the Georgian labour market, not those who happen to be physically in Georgia while working for employers abroad.
As Nika Simonishvili, a lawyer and former chair of the Georgian Young Lawyers' Association (GYLA), told OC Media: "If you're performing certain work for Thailand [from Georgia], why should the [Georgian state] care whether you're participating in Thailand's labour market or not? The whole point is that if you are participating in the labour market in Georgia, you need to coordinate it [with the state]."
✅ Likely Exempt
You work remotely for a foreign company or foreign clients. You have no Georgian employment contract. You don't have a Georgian IE or business registration. You're just a foreigner living here while working for someone abroad.
❌ Need the Permit
You have a Georgian IE and invoice clients through it. You're a partner or director in a Georgian company. You provide services to Georgian clients as a self-employed person. You're employed by a Georgian employer — even remotely.
The IE Grey Area
If you work remotely for foreign clients but also have a Georgian IE for tax purposes (the 1% regime), you almost certainly need the permit. The IE registration creates a formal self-employment relationship in Georgia. Whether your clients are in Thailand or Texas doesn't matter — you're conducting business activity through a Georgian entity. Consult a local immigration lawyer if this is your setup. The cost of a consultation ($50–200) is far less than a ₾2,000 fine.
Transition Deadlines (Grace Periods)
The good news: the government built in transition periods for people already working in Georgia. These are hard deadlines, not suggestions.
| Your Situation | Enforcement Begins | What This Means |
|---|---|---|
| Self-employed (IEs, entrepreneurs) already working as of March 1 | May 1, 2026 | You have 2 months to get compliant. Apply now — processing takes 30 days. |
| Employees with active registration in the Labour Ministry database as of March 1 | January 1, 2027 | Must obtain both a work permit AND a residence permit (if not already held) by this date. |
| New arrivals / new business registrations after March 1 | Immediately | No grace period. Must have permit before starting work. |
IE Holders: Do the Math
If enforcement for self-employed people starts May 1 and standard processing takes up to 30 calendar days, you need to submit your application by early April at the latest to be safe. That gives you about one month from now. Don't wait until the last week — the portal may experience delays as thousands of expats apply simultaneously.
The Self-Employment Path (IEs and Entrepreneurs)
If you're self-employed — which includes every expat with an IE registration, every company director/partner, and every independent contractor — you apply for the Right to Work yourself.
Where to Apply
All applications go through the Labour Migration Electronic System: labourmigration.moh.gov.ge
What You Need
| Document / Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Personal information | Including residence permit info if applicable |
| Business identification number | Your IE registration number or company ID |
| Education and professional experience | Qualifications, work experience, specialised skills |
| Business activity description | Nature and scope of your current or planned activities in Georgia |
| Turnover document (existing businesses) | Issued by the Revenue Service — proves you have an operating business |
| Business plan (new businesses) | Planned investment, projected annual turnover, resources needed, financial documentation |
| Payment receipt | 200 GEL (standard) or 400 GEL (expedited) — must be submitted with the application |
The Application Process
Submit Application Online
Fill out the form on labourmigration.moh.gov.ge with all required information and documents. Attach your payment receipt.
Video Interview
You'll have a video call with a government representative to verify your application. The recording is attached to your file. Be prepared to explain what you do and how your business operates.
Confirm Your Application
At the end of the video interview, you must confirm your electronic application. This finalizes your submission.
Wait for Decision
The State Employment Support Agency reviews and decides within the timeframe: 30 calendar days (standard) or 10 business days (expedited). This is a hard limit.
The Registration Portal: What to Expect (Updated March 2026)
The self-employment registration portal at self-employment.moh.gov.ge went live on March 2, 2026. It's separate from the main labourmigration.moh.gov.ge portal (which handles employer-side applications). If you're an IE holder or self-employed entrepreneur, this is where you go.
The interface is in Georgian, but it's straightforward if you know what to expect. Here's every field you'll encounter, section by section.
Section 1: Personal Information
| Field | What to Enter | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | As it appears on your passport | First name and surname — use Latin characters |
| Date of birth | DD/MM/YYYY format | — |
| Sex | Male / Female | Dropdown selection |
| Email address | Your primary email | Used for all communication — check this regularly |
| ID number | Your Georgian personal number (11 digits) | The number from your residence permit or PSH registration |
| Citizenship | Your nationality | Dropdown list |
| Country of origin | Where you're from | May differ from citizenship for dual nationals |
| Current location | Where you currently reside | Georgia, presumably — but select accurately |
| Passport details | Number, issue/expiry dates | Must match the uploaded scan exactly |
| Residence permit info | Type and number, if you hold one | Leave blank if you don't have one yet |
| Passport upload | Scan or photo of your passport | Accepted formats: PDF, JPG, PNG. Clear, readable copy. |
Tip: Your Georgian Personal Number
If you've registered at a Public Service Hall, you already have an 11-digit Georgian personal number. It's on your residence card or the receipt from when you registered. If you only have a tourist visa stamp and no PSH registration, you may need to register first — this is a common blocker for newcomers. If that part is still fuzzy, use our Georgian personal number guide before you tackle the permit portal.
Section 2: Education
This section is brief but don't skip it — they want to understand your professional background.
| Field | What to Enter |
|---|---|
| Education level | Highest completed education (secondary, bachelor's, master's, doctoral) |
| Profession / Specialty | Your field of study or professional qualification |
| CV upload | Your CV/resume — PDF format recommended. Keep it professional and relevant to your business in Georgia. |
Section 3: Entrepreneurial Activity
This is the most important section — and where applications for new versus existing businesses diverge significantly.
| Field | What to Enter |
|---|---|
| Labour/entrepreneurial activity description | Describe what you do — be specific. "IT consulting for international clients" is better than "consulting." |
| Content of activity | More detail on the actual work — what services or products, who your clients are, how you deliver |
| Position | Your role (e.g., "Individual Entrepreneur," "Director," "Founder") |
| Form of activity | IE, LLC partnership, sole proprietor, etc. |
| Activity document upload | Supporting document — see below for what this means for your situation |
If You Already Have an IE or Company
Enter your company ID number or IE personal number. Upload your annual turnover document from the Revenue Service. You can download this from rs.ge — go to your taxpayer profile and request the turnover certificate. This proves you're actually operating, not just registered.
If You're Starting Fresh
You'll need a detailed business plan covering: planned investment amount, projected annual turnover, resources you'll use, and a financial security document proving you can sustain the business. This is significantly more work — and where hiring a consultant might save you time and headaches.
Final Step: Confirmation and Submission
At the end, you'll check a confirmation box declaring that all information is accurate. After submitting, you'll be contacted to schedule a video call with a government representative. This isn't an interrogation — it's a verification conversation where they confirm you're a real person doing real work. But do take it seriously: be prepared to explain your business clearly, show relevant documentation if asked, and have a stable internet connection.
Processing Speed and Costs
Standard processing: 200 GEL, 30 calendar days. Expedited processing: 400 GEL, 10 business days. Given the May 1 enforcement deadline and the likely flood of applications from thousands of IE holders, seriously consider paying the extra 200 GEL for expedited processing. The standard 30-day window leaves almost no margin if you apply in late March or April.
DIY vs. Hiring Help
If you already have a work residence permit and an operating IE with revenue history, the portal is genuinely straightforward — you can do it yourself in 30–45 minutes. If you're starting from scratch (no residence permit, new business, no revenue history), expect more friction and consider hiring a local consultant. Companies like ExpatHub charge around 450 GEL plus VAT for full assistance. Others charge more. The DIY route saves money but costs time — and time is short with that May 1 deadline.
The Employment Path (Georgian Employers)
If you're employed by a Georgian company, your employer handles the application. But the process involves significantly more bureaucracy than the self-employed path, including a "labour market test" that can block the hire entirely.
Employer-Side Deep Dive
If you are the company doing the hiring, skip the guesswork and read Hiring Foreign Employees in Georgia. It breaks down the Worknet vacancy step, candidate refusal logic, required document pack, and realistic timeline from job post to onboarding.
The Labour Market Test
This is the most significant new mechanism. Before your employer can even apply for your permit, they must prove that no Georgian candidate can fill the role.
Post the Job on Worknet
At least 10 business days before applying for your permit, the employer must publish the vacancy on worknet.moh.gov.ge.
Agency Proposes Local Candidates
The agency has 10 business days to suggest Georgian candidates for the position. If they find no suitable candidates, the employer can proceed.
Employer Must Justify the Refusal
If the employer rejects a proposed Georgian candidate, they must notify the agency within 3 days and provide a reason. The agency then has 3 business days to assess whether the refusal is justified.
Agency Decision
Two outcomes: the agency authorizes the employer to proceed with the foreign hire, OR it finds the refusal of the local candidate unjustified and blocks the permit entirely.
The State Can Block Your Hire
This is a major shift. As immigration lawyer Nika Simonishvili noted: "The state has been granted very broad discretion to intervene in the relationship between employer and employee, effectively preventing an employer from hiring a foreign national." An employer may have a specific person in mind with exactly the right skills — but if the agency decides the refusal of a Georgian candidate was unjustified, the permit process ends there.
Fees and Processing Times
Labour Permit Fees
The processing time is a hard limit — the government cannot exceed 30 calendar days even if they request additional documents. For employers, add the 10-day vacancy posting period + 10-day candidate search before you even start the permit application. Realistically, the employment path takes 6–8 weeks minimum.
How Long Does the Permit Last?
The permit isn't permanent. Here's how validity works:
| Permit Stage | Duration | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| First-time permit | 6 months – 1 year | Takes effect when your visa/residence permit is obtained (or immediately if you already hold one) |
| Extensions (years 1–5) | Up to 1 year per extension | Apply at least 30 days before expiry. Costs 200 GEL. |
| Extensions (after 5 continuous years) | 1–5 years per extension | Reward for long-term compliance |
| IT sector (first-time) | Up to 3 years | Preferential treatment for tech workers |
| IT sector (extensions) | Up to 3 years | Same preferential terms |
IT Workers Get Better Terms
If you work in information technology, your first permit can be valid for up to 3 years (vs 1 year for everyone else), and extensions can also be up to 3 years. This reflects Georgia's stated priority of attracting tech talent. If your work qualifies as IT, make sure to apply under the IT category.
Permits Are Sector-Specific
This is important and easy to miss: your permit is tied to a specific sector or type of work.
- Self-employed: If you want to change the sector you received a permit for — or add a new sector — you must apply to the agency again for a new permit.
- Employed: If you change employers, your new employer must apply for a brand new permit through the full process (including the labour market test).
You can't get a permit as a "software developer" and then pivot to "restaurant owner" without getting a new permit. Each sector requires its own authorization.
After Getting the Permit: Visa and Residence
The labour permit alone doesn't let you work legally. You also need the right immigration status:
| Your Situation | What You Must Do | Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Outside Georgia when permit is granted | Apply for a D1 immigration visa | Within 30 calendar days |
| Inside Georgia, no residence permit | Apply for a work or IT residence permit | Within 10 calendar days |
| Already hold any residence permit | Nothing additional required | Permit takes effect immediately |
| Work entirely remotely (never enter Georgia) | Nothing additional required | Visa/residence not needed |
The 10-day deadline for the residence permit is tight. Start preparing your residence permit documents before your labour permit is approved — don't wait for the decision and then scramble.
When Does the Permit End?
Your work permit terminates automatically in any of these situations:
- Your employment contract expires or is terminated early
- As a self-employed person, you leave Georgia for more than 6 months
- Your labour visa expires or is terminated (unless you already have a residence permit)
- Your residence permit expires or is terminated
- You fail to apply for a visa or residence permit within the required deadlines
- Your visa or residence permit application is rejected
- You are deported from Georgia
The 6-Month Absence Rule
Self-employed permit holders who leave Georgia for more than 6 months lose their permit automatically. If you travel frequently or spend extended time abroad, keep track of your time outside Georgia. You'd need to apply for a completely new permit when you return.
Quotas and Blocked Professions
The government has established annual quotas that cap the number of permits in certain sectors. The most controversial: setting some quotas to zero.
| Profession | Annual Quota | What This Means |
|---|---|---|
| Courier / delivery services | 0 | Completely blocked — no permits issued |
| Taxi / passenger transport | 0 | Completely blocked — no permits issued |
| Tourist guide services | 0 | Completely blocked — no permits issued |
| Mountain / alpine / ski guides | 200 | Limited — first come, first served |
The zero quotas directly target sectors where foreign workers — particularly from South Asian countries — have become increasingly visible. If you're a foreigner driving a Bolt taxi, doing food delivery, or working as a tour guide, this law effectively ends that activity. No exceptions, no appeals on the quota itself.
These quotas are annual and can change. What's blocked today might open up next year based on labour market conditions.
Fines and Penalties
The penalties for non-compliance are real and escalate quickly:
| Violation | 1st Offense | 2nd Offense | 3rd+ Offense |
|---|---|---|---|
| Working without a permit (employee, employer, or self-employed) | ₾2,000 (~$750) | ₾4,000 (~$1,500) | ₾12,000 (~$4,500) |
| Changing employer or work type without renewing permit | ₾2,000 (~$750) | ₾4,000 (~$1,500) | ₾12,000 (~$4,500) |
| Employer fails to report contract termination/changes | ₾1,000 (~$370) | ₾2,000 (~$750) | ₾6,000 (~$2,250) |
Both Sides Get Fined
The fines for working without a permit apply to all parties: the employee, the employer, and the self-employed person. Employers can also be fined separately for failing to report contract changes within 5 calendar days. This isn't just the worker's problem — it's the employer's problem too.
Employer Reporting Obligations
Georgian employers who hire foreign workers have ongoing compliance duties beyond the initial permit application:
- Contract changes: If an employment contract is terminated early, amended, or extended, the employer must update the Labour Ministry's electronic database within 5 calendar days
- Permit validity: The employer must ensure the foreign worker's permit remains valid throughout employment
- New hires: Each new foreign employee requires a separate permit application through the full process
Failure to report contract changes on time triggers its own set of fines (₾1,000 → ₾2,000 → ₾6,000 for repeat offenses).
What This Means for Different Expat Groups
🧑💻 IE Holders (1% Tax Freelancers)
The biggest impact group. You need the permit. Enforcement starts May 1, 2026. Get your turnover document from the Revenue Service, prepare for the video interview, and apply through the portal. Budget 200–400 GEL plus time. Do it now — don't wait until April.
💻 Remote Workers (Foreign Employers, No IE)
If you work for a foreign company with no Georgian business registration and no IE, you're likely exempt. The law targets participation in the Georgian labour market, not the global one. But if you have an IE "just for taxes" — see above. The IE creates the nexus.
🏢 Business Owners (LLC Directors/Partners)
You need the permit both for yourself (as someone conducting business activity) and for any foreign employees you hire. Double the paperwork, double the fees. The self-employment path applies to you personally.
🏠 Investment Residence Holders
You're explicitly exempt. The investment residence permit (300,000+ GEL) grants full work authorization. No labour permit needed. If you're close to that threshold, this exemption might make the investment worthwhile.
🎓 Freelancers Serving Georgian Clients
If you provide services to Georgian businesses or individuals for financial gain — with or without an IE — you likely need the permit. The law covers anyone conducting business activity in Georgia, not just those with formal registrations.
🏔️ Tour Guides & Drivers
Tourist guides: quota is zero. This work is blocked for foreigners entirely. Mountain/ski guides: 200 permits per year, first come first served. Taxi/delivery drivers: also zero. If these are your livelihood in Georgia, you need a new plan.
Eligibility Requirements
You can only apply for the Right to Work if you meet these conditions:
- Legal presence in Georgia — you must be in the country on a valid legal basis
- Not overstaying — if you've overstayed your visa-free period, entered illegally, or are on an extension, you are not eligible
Overstayers Are Locked Out
If you've overstayed your 365-day visa-free period (or any other visa), you cannot apply. You'd need to leave Georgia, re-enter legally, and then apply. The government's illegal presence database (active since 2025) means overstaying now has cascading consequences beyond just the labour permit.
Practical Advice: What to Do Right Now
Get your Revenue Service turnover document now. If you have an existing IE, request this from rs.ge. You'll need it for the application and it may take a few days to process.
Apply early — don't wait for the deadline. The portal is live at labourmigration.moh.gov.ge. With thousands of IEs needing to apply before May 1, expect processing delays. Standard processing is 30 days, so apply by early April at the absolute latest.
Budget for the residence permit too. If you don't already have one, the labour permit triggers a 10-day deadline to apply for a work/IT residence permit. That's an additional 300–600 GEL depending on processing speed.
Consider the investment residence permit. If you have 300,000+ GEL ($110,000+) to invest, the investment residence permit exempts you from the labour permit entirely. For established business owners with significant assets, this might be the cleanest long-term path.
Prepare for the video interview. Be ready to explain what you do, how your business operates, and why you're conducting it in Georgia. This isn't adversarial — it's verification. But have your facts straight: business history, revenue range, field of work, client base.
Consult a local specialist. Companies like ExpatHub, Gegidze, and several immigration lawyers in Tbilisi are already offering guidance on this new system. A one-time consultation ($50–200) is cheap insurance against getting it wrong — especially compared to ₾2,000 fines.
If you're an employer, start the Worknet process immediately. The labour market test adds a minimum 20 business days before you can even submit the permit application. If you need to hire a foreign worker, the total timeline is 6–8 weeks minimum. Plan accordingly.
Set a calendar reminder for renewals. You must apply for renewal at least 30 days before your permit expires. Missing this deadline means your permit lapses and you're back to square one — or worse, working illegally.
Total Cost Breakdown
Full Compliance Cost (Self-Employed, No Existing Residence Permit)
Annual Ongoing Costs (After First Year)
If you already hold a residence permit, you only need the labour permit itself: 200 GEL standard or 400 GEL expedited, plus renewals.
Which Portal Should You Actually Use?
There are now two different government portals in circulation, and this is where a lot of people get tripped up. If you open the wrong one first, you can waste an hour and still not submit anything.
| Your Situation | Portal | What Happens There |
|---|---|---|
| IE / sole trader / self-employed person | self-employment.moh.gov.ge | You submit your own file directly (personal info, CV, activity details, turnover or business plan). |
| Employee hired by a Georgian employer | labourmigration.moh.gov.ge | Employer runs the process, including the Worknet labour market test and candidate justification. |
| Director/partner in your own Georgian company | self-employment.moh.gov.ge | You apply as self-employed for yourself. If you hire foreigners, employer-side obligations apply separately. |
Shortcut Rule
If you already file taxes as an IE in Georgia, start with the self-employment portal. If a Georgian company pays your salary under employment contract, your employer starts on labourmigration.moh.gov.ge. Mixed setups (director + employee contracts) are where people should get legal advice early.
Your First 14 Days: Practical Compliance Plan
Most failures are not legal failures. They are timing failures: wrong portal, missing turnover file, poor activity description, then panic when deadlines get close. Use this two-week plan and you avoid 90% of the chaos.
Days 1-2: Collect Core Documents
Passport scan, Georgian personal number, CV, IE/company number, turnover certificate (for active businesses). Name files clearly before upload.
Days 3-4: Write Activity Description Properly
Be concrete: what service, who pays, delivery model, and why work is performed from Georgia. Vague one-liners trigger questions and delays.
Days 5-7: Submit + Pay
Submit through the correct portal and keep your payment confirmation in a dedicated folder. If your deadline margin is thin, pay for expedited processing.
Days 8-14: Prep for Video Call
Prepare a 60-second explanation of your work and expected turnover. Have stable internet, passport, and uploads ready in case they ask for clarification.
Official Sources
| Resource | URL |
|---|---|
| Government Ordinance No. 70 (full text) | matsne.gov.ge |
| Labour Migration Portal (apply here) | labourmigration.moh.gov.ge |
| Worknet Job Portal (employer path) | worknet.moh.gov.ge |
| 2025 Law on Labour Migration amendments | matsne.gov.ge |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a labour permit if I work remotely for a foreign company?
If you work for a foreign company with no Georgian employment contract, no Georgian business registration, and no Georgian IE, you're likely exempt. The law targets participation in the Georgian labour market. However, if you have a Georgian IE for tax purposes, you likely need the permit — the IE creates a self-employment nexus in Georgia.
What are the fines for working without a permit?
₾2,000 (~$750) for the first offense, ₾4,000 (~$1,500) for the second, and ₾12,000 (~$4,500) for each subsequent violation. These fines apply to employees, employers, and self-employed people alike.
Is there a grace period for existing IEs?
Yes. Self-employed foreigners already working as of March 1, 2026 have until May 1, 2026 to comply. Employees in the Labour Ministry database have until January 1, 2027. New registrations after March 1 must comply immediately.
How long does the work permit last?
Initial permits: 6 months to 1 year (up to 3 years for IT). First 5 years: extensions up to 1 year at a time. After 5 years: extensions up to 5 years. IT workers get preferential 3-year extensions throughout.
Can I change my type of work with the same permit?
No. Permits are sector-specific. Changing your field of work or adding a new sector requires a new permit application. Employees who change employers need their new employer to apply through the full process, including the labour market test.
Can I still do a border run?
Border runs reset your visa-free entry clock but don't satisfy the labour permit requirement. The permit is about work authorization, not entry permission. If you need the permit, you need it regardless of your visa status.
What if I leave Georgia for more than 6 months?
For self-employed permit holders, leaving Georgia for more than 6 months automatically terminates your permit. You'd need to apply for a completely new permit when you return. Track your time outside the country carefully.
Is the investment residence permit worth it just to avoid this?
If you have $110,000+ to invest in Georgia (property, business, etc.), the investment residence permit gives you full work authorization with no labour permit needed. For established business owners planning to stay long-term, the math often works out: you're investing the money (not losing it), and you avoid annual permit renewals, sector restrictions, and bureaucratic risk.
Written by The Georgia Expats Team
We've been tracking Georgia's labour migration reforms since the initial amendments in summer 2025. This guide is based on the full text of Government Ordinance No. 70 (February 20, 2026), official statements from the Health Ministry, and reporting by OC Media and ExpatHub. We hold IEs ourselves — this law affects us directly.
Last updated: March 2026. This law is still in active rollout, so implementation details can shift quickly. Always verify final requirements in the official portals before submitting.
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