Foreigners working in Georgia from March 1, 2026: what will change and how businesses, employees, and directors can prepare

From March 1, 2026, changes to the procedure for admitting foreigners to work and entrepreneurial activities will come into force in Georgia.

Previously, legal residence in the country (including visa‐free) was often sufficient to start working, but now this is no longer enough.

Most foreigners will need:

• a work permit;
• a residence permit if the work is carried out from Georgia.

This applies to:

• employees,
• individual entrepreneurs,
• company directors,
• freelancers, and self‐employed persons.

This is especially relevant for those who already work in Georgia but have previously been denied a residence permit (including through the courts), which means they will not be able to legalize their work through a visa run.

The main principle after March 1, 2026

Staying in the country is permitted.

Working is only permitted if there is a legal basis for employment: a work permit + residence permit.

A visa‐run or visa‐free regime does not grant the right to engage in employment or entrepreneurial activities.

How will the procedure for hiring foreign employees change?

Until March 1, 2026

1. The employer concludes an employment contract (up to 30 months).
2. Within 30 days, the employer registers the employee on the Ministry of Labor portal.
3. The employee can work without a residence permit.
4. If the company has sufficient turnover (≈ 50,000 GEL per foreigner), the employee can apply for a work residence permit.
5. Upon dismissal, the employer notifies the Ministry of Labor → the Ministry of Justice revokes the residence permit.

After March 1, 2026 (for new employees)

1. An employment contract is concluded. Important: it must come into force only after obtaining a work permit and residence permit.
2. The employer submits an application to the Ministry of Labor for a work permit — the state fee is up to 500 GEL.
3. Next:
   • If the employee works outside Georgia, they can start working after receiving a work permit.
   • If from Georgia, they must apply for a residence permit within 10 days after receiving a work permit.

Upon termination of the contract:

• The work permit is revoked.
• The Ministry of Justice receives notification.
• The residence permit is automatically revoked.

Transition period until January 1, 2027

If an employee:

• already works for the company,
• is registered on the Ministry of Labor portal,
• has an individual code,

they may continue working, but must obtain the following by January 1, 2027:

• a work permit,
• a residence permit.

Special case: company founder and director

This is where the most important — and least obvious — part begins.

You are the company founder

If you:

• are not in an employment relationship,
• do not provide services to the company,

then you do not need a work permit or residence permit.

You are the company director

From the point of view of Georgian law:

• the director is not an employee,
• relations with the company are not regulated by an employment contract,
• the director provides management services.

After March 1, the director is considered a self‐employed migrant worker. This means:

Important detail: there is no transition period

Until March 1, 2026, it is impossible to register a director on the Ministry of Labor portal, as they do not work under an employment contract. Consequently, the transition period until January 1, 2027 does not apply to directors.

Directors will need a work permit and residence permit starting March 1, 2026.

What if the founder = director = employee?

This is a common situation in IT companies. If you manage a company as a director and at the same time perform the functions of a developer, manager, lawyer, etc., the company can:

• conclude an employment contract with you,
• register you on the Ministry of Labor portal,
• obtain an individual code.

In this capacity (as an employee), you will receive a transition period until January 1, 2027.

But only as an employee, not as a director.

How to manage the company while the director is obtaining a work permit and residence permit?

Practical solution: before March 1, 2026, draw up a notarized power of attorney to manage the company:

• to an employee,
• to a second director,
• to a trusted person.

This will allow you to:

• sign documents,
• interact with banks,
• manage current operations.

while you are obtaining legal status to work in the country.

Alternative: IT residence permit

IT specialists may follow a separate path — obtaining an IT residence permit.

Requirements:

• ≥ 2 years of IT work experience,
• income for the last 12 months ≥ $25,000,
• confirmation:
  • contracts,
  • certificates from employers,
  • bank statements.

Income must be received:

• in at least two installments,
• with an interval of ≥ 30 days.

Documents:

• Foreign documents must be apostilled or legalized;
• a notarized translation into Georgian is required;
• documents with an electronic signature without an apostille will not be accepted.

Pros:

• Residence permit valid for 3 years,
• no turnover required for individual entrepreneurs.

Cons:

• Must reside in Georgia for ≥ 183 days per year,
• be a tax resident.

What should you do right now?

If you are:

• the director of a Georgian company,
• a freelancer or sole proprietor,
• a foreign employee,
• or an employer of foreign specialists,

check the following:

• whether employees are registered on the Ministry of Labor portal,
• whether the director has legal grounds to work after March 1,
• whether it is possible to obtain an IT residence permit,
• whether a power of attorney is required for management.

Preparing documents in advance will help avoid a situation where you can stay in the country but can no longer work.