New Work Permit Rules for Foreigners in Georgia: What You Need to Know

Usually on kimiabroad I write about my experiences living in Georgia, traveling around the country, and sharing practical tips that make life here easier for foreigners. But sometimes something important happens that can affect a lot of people living or planning to work here.

This is one of those moments.

Starting March 1, 2026, Georgia introduced a mandatory work permit system for foreign nationals. In simple terms, foreigners can no longer just start working or running a business in Georgia without official permission.

Because many of my readers are expats, students, digital workers, or people considering moving to Georgia, I felt it was important to explain these new rules in a simple and clear way. The official legal texts can be confusing, so this guide breaks down what actually matters and who it affects.

☎️ If you still have questions after reading this article, you can call the official government hotline at 1505. They do speak English, and hopefully they can help clarify anything that isn’t clear.

Who Needs a Work Permit?

There are two main groups:

1. Labor immigrants – Foreigners employed by a Georgian company in a paid position. Your work permit will be tied to a specific job and employer.
2. Self-employed foreigners – Freelancers, entrepreneurs, or anyone earning money from services or trade. Your permit will be tied to your field of work.

💡 Exemptions: Refugees, people with international protection, diplomats, accredited foreign journalists, and holders of active investment residence permits do not need a permit.

Locals First: The Labor Market Test

One of the biggest changes is the labor market test. Before hiring a foreigner, a Georgian employer must:

• Post the job on the official portal: worknet.moh.gov.ge for at least 10 working days.
• Consider local candidates suggested by the government.
• Justify in writing if they reject a local candidate.

Exceptions: Some companies and roles are exempt:

• International companies
• Innovative startups
• Experts in higher education
• Jobs with salaries above 15,000 GEL/month and related to higher education

Even if your job qualifies for an exception, the authorities may still require proof that a specific foreigner is needed.

How to Apply

All applications are online through the Labor Migration Portal.

• Self-employed foreigners must also do a video interview.
• Decisions take 30 days for normal processing, or 10 working days for expedited applications.

Duration and Renewal

• First-time permits: 6–12 months for most jobs, up to 3 years for IT sector workers.
• Extensions: Non-IT workers can extend up to 1 year at a time; IT workers up to 3 years.
• Long-term: After 5 years of continuous permits, extensions can be 1–5 years.

Permits start when you get the D1 visa or a labor residence permit. Already living in Georgia? Your permit starts when issued.

Quotas and Limits

Some jobs have annual quotas, and some are not open to foreigners:

• Courier services, passenger transport, tourist guides: 0 permits
• Mountain, alpine, ski guides: 200 permits/year

Transitional Period

• Self-employed foreigners already doing business have until May 1, 2026 to apply.
• Labor immigrants already registered must get a permit by January 1, 2027.

If you want to review the full official document, you can read it on the Labour Migration Portal here.

Georgia has always been known as a relatively easy country for foreigners to live and work in. With the introduction of the new work permit system, things are becoming more structured and regulated.

For many foreigners already living in Georgia, this change might feel confusing at first 🤔. But the goal of the new system is to better organize the labor market and make sure foreign employment follows clear rules.

If you are planning to work, freelance, or run a business in Georgia, the most important thing now is to understand the new requirements and make sure you follow the correct process. This will help you avoid potential problems later with visas, residence permits, or employment.

✨As always on kimiabroad, I’ll continue sharing updates and practical information that can make life in Georgia a little easier for foreigners.