Answers to questions from foreign sole proprietors in Georgia from March 2026: work permits, residence permits, remote work

1. What exactly is in the law (basis)

Key regulatory act

This concerns amendments to the Georgian Law on Labor Migration (ცვლილებები „შრომითი მიგრაციის შესახებ“ კანონში). The essence of the changes (already adopted, but effective from March 1, 2026):

A foreigner who:

• does not have permanent residence / investment residence permit / protection status,
• carries out paid activities on the territory of Georgia,

is recognized as a migrant worker, including:

• an employee,
• self‐employed / individual entrepreneur.

The following are mandatory for a labor migrant:

• the right to work;
• legal grounds for residence, if the activity requires presence.

This is a direct provision of the law, not someone’s opinion.

2. Right ro work for sole proprietors: true, but with reservations

✔️ Correct

From March 1, 2026, foreign sole proprietors without permanent residence/investment residence permits must have the right to work if they operate in Georgia.

The right to work:

• for individual entrepreneurs, it is issued by the individual entrepreneur themselves,
• not by the employer,
• separately for each activity.

Important clarification

The law does not say that “any registered individual entrepreneur is automatically required to obtain a right ro work permit.”

The key criterion in the law is the conduct of activities on the territory of Georgia.

This is fundamental.

3. Completely remote activities: what the law actually says

The law makes a distinction

The law explicitly states that:

• if the activity is not carried out on the territory of Georgia,
• and does not require physical presence.

then a residence permit is not required.

This is confirmed by:

• the wording of the law,
• official verbal comments from the relevant authorities (but not a subordinate act).

However

The law does not contain:

• a clear definition of “completely remote activity,”
• criteria for proof,
• or control procedures.

This leaves room for interpretation.

4. Where did the rule to “visit once every 6 months” after March 1, 2026 come from?

In short: from the law — nowhere.

The Labor Migration Law does not contain any provisions obliging individual entrepreneurs with the right to work:

• to enter Georgia once every 6 months,
• or to enter at all.

The “6‐month” rule exists in migration practice and applies:

• to residence permits,
• to maintaining residency,
• to continuity of stay.

BUT:

• The right to work ≠ residence permit;
• The right to work is the right to labor, not residency status.

Where does the logic of the “consultants” come from?

This is an extrapolation: “if you are a migrant worker → the state expects you to have ties to your country.”

But:

• this is not enshrined in law,
• there are no subordinate acts,
• there are no explanations from the Ministry of Labor.

Legally, this is an assumption, not a norm.

5. Ministry of Labor portal: what is actually available now

Facts

As of today:

• the labourmigration.moh.gov.ge portal exists,
• registration is possible,
• there are no questionnaires for self‐employed individuals,
• the procedure for obtaining a right ro work permit for self‐employed individuals has not been approved.

Transition period

The law does indeed contain a provision: if you are actively registered on the portal as of March 1, 2026, a deferral until January 1, 2027 is possible.

However:

• what constitutes “active registration” is not defined;
• there is no subordinate legislation;
• there is no form;
• there are no criteria.

Currently, creating a personal account is a reasonable measure, but there is no guarantee that it will be sufficient.

6. Restrictions on types of activities for foreign individual entrepreneurs

What the law says

The law allows the government to:

• restrict types of activities,
• introduce qualification requirements.

What is important

At present:

• there is no list of prohibited or permitted types of activity,
• there are no quotas,
• there are no IT exceptions at the legislative level.

All talk of “prohibited areas” is speculation, not current law.

7. IT residence permits and “two years of experience” are a separate issue.

This is not a requirement for individual entrepreneurs in general, but a condition for a specific type of residence permit.

Yes:

• income of $25,000+,
• two years of experience,
• proof of activity.

But: this does not mean that individual entrepreneurs without 2 years of experience are “outside the law.” They simply do not qualify for an IT residence permit.

You can:

• get another residence permit;
• get a D1;
• or not have a residence permit at all if your activity is truly remote.

8. What should remote individual entrepreneurs who do NOT live in Georgia do?

The legally correct position today is as follows:

If all of the following conditions are met:

• you do not live in Georgia,
• your business is completely remote,
• your clients are outside Georgia,
• your contracts do not specify Georgia as the place of work,

then there is currently no direct obligation to obtain a residence permit.

However:

• from March 1, 2026, a right ro work permit may be required;
• the procedure for obtaining it for such cases has not been established;
• the requirements for “presence” are not specified.

This is a gray legal area, not a prohibition.

9. General conclusion

The materials presented contain an official regulatory vector, but many conclusions:

• are ahead of subordinate legislation,
• confuse the concepts of residence permits and temporary travel documents,
• replace the absence of norms with “awaiting practice.”

Most importantly:

• there is a law;
• there are no procedures;
• there are many interpretations;
• final answers will only appear after the Ministry of Labor issues subordinate legislation.

Not sure how the changes coming in March 2026 will affect your case?

Issues related to PTD, residence permits, remote work, and registration of foreign sole proprietors in Georgia are currently in a transitional phase: the law has been passed, but the procedures are still being developed.

We can help you:

• analyze your specific scenario (individual entrepreneur, remote work, IT/non-IT);
• understand whether you will need a PTD, residence permit, or if your current status is sufficient;
• prepare for the changes without unnecessary actions and risks;
• track official clarifications from the Ministry of Labor and apply them in practice.

👇 Submit a request — we will analyze your case and provide a clear legal position.