In the next year and a half, sweeping changes will be introduced into Georgia’s migration legislation, affecting IT specialists, self‐employed foreigners, real estate investors and anyone who simply plans to stay in Georgia longer without violations.

We have gathered in one place everything that is important to know — short, clear and to the point.

New “Nomad residence permit” for IT specialists (from September 1, 2025)

Starting in the fall of 2025, Georgia will have a special residence permit for IT professionals, designed to attract digital nomads and highly skilled workers.

Who can apply:

• salaried employees of IT companies registered in the state register;
• individual entrepreneurs in the IT sphere (with small business status);
• representatives of international IT companies;
• their family members.

Conditions:

• Experience in IT: minimum 2 years.
• Confirmed income: from $25,000 per year.
• Compulsory stay in Georgia not less than 183 days per year.
• The residence permit is issued for 3 years, with the possibility of extension up to 12 years.

❗️Если you stay less than 183 days a year — the status is canceled. Documents and list of professions will be determined by the government before the law comes into force.

Residence permit through real estate: the amount of investment will increase to $150,000 (from March 1, 2026)

The Parliament of Georgia approved changes on short-term residence permit through real estate investments. From 2026 it will become more difficult to obtain this type of residence permit:

What will change:

• The minimum market value of real estate must be $150,000 (now — $100,000).
• Renewal of current residence permits (obtained at $100,000) is possible without a second appraisal, provided the same property is maintained.
• As before, a spouse and children can be added to the main applicant (no age limit for children).

Residence permits and work permits (from March 1, 2026)

Now labor residence permits, including those for sole proprietorships and IT specialists, will be available only with an official work permit issued through the Ministry of Labor of Georgia.

Who is affected by the law:

• hired foreign workers,
• individual entrepreneurs‐foreigners (self‐employed).

Procedure for obtaining a permit:

1. Obtain the right to work/entrepreneurial activity (at the Ministry of Labor)
   • Applies: employer or the applicant himself (if self‐employed).
   • Review period: up to 30 days.
   • Cost: up to 500 GEL.
2. To get a visa or residence permit:
   • Outside Georgia — apply for a D1 visa.
   • Inside Georgia — apply for a labor residence permit within 10 days.

Liability:

• Penalty for not having a permit — 2,000 GEL (for individuals and employers).
• Repeated violation — the fine is doubled or tripled.
• Violation of conditions or change of employer without updating data — also 2,000 GEL.

Transition period:

All those registered in the labormigration.moh.gov.ge system before March 1, 2026 must obtain a permit by January 1, 2027.

New fines for violation of the terms of stay (from September 1, 2025)

Until now, relatively mild fines for overstaying in Georgia have been in effect — 180 and 360 GEL. From the fall of 2025 the situation changes radically:

Additionally, expulsion and entry bans are possible for:

• petty hooliganism (Art. 166 of the CAO),
• disobedience to police (Art. 173),
• insulting an official (Art. 173¹),
• violations at rallies (Art. 174¹).

What does this mean in practice?

What needs to be done before 2026:

• IT specialists — prepare documents for Nomad residence permit, confirm income and experience.
• Individual entrepreneurs — obtain a permit for entrepreneurial activity.
• Real estate investors — have time to buy a home before the threshold is raised to $150,000.
• All foreigners — keep an eye on the length of stay — fines will increase dramatically.

How can we help?

ESPERO Group provides a full range of migration and legal services for foreigners in Georgia:

• assistance in obtaining all types of residence permits,
• registration of IE and small business status,
• preparation for work permit application,
• support of real estate transactions,
• consultations on new legislation.

Write to us — we will analyze your situation and offer the best solution.