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LegalGE
Moris Gigauri is a lawyer whose academic and professional path is distinguished by continuous progress in the legal field. From 2017 to 2021, he completed his Bachelor’s degree with honors at the Faculty of Law of Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University. From 2021 to 2023, he obtained a Master's degree in Private (Business) Law with honors from the same university. In 2024-2025, Moris successfully completed an online specialization course for lawyers at the University of Münster (Germany), focusing on European Information Technology Law. Moris has passed the following professional examinations: * Bar Qualification Exam (General Specialization); * Certification program for aspiring mediators, covering both theoretical knowledge and practical skills assessment. His career experience encompasses work in both the private and public sectors. Since 2022, Moris has been employed as a Lawyer at BDO Legal (BDO Georgia), providing legal services to local and international companies. Since 2023, he has been collaborating with the Training Center of Justice of Georgia, conducting trainings, lectures, and seminars in various fields of law. Moris's practical experience includes legal business support, registration of business entities, drafting legal documents, and managing real estate transactions. However, his strongest expertise lies in Immigration Law, with four years of experience and over 1,000 successfully processed immigration cases.
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<h3>What documents do I need to apply for a work permit in Georgia in 2026?</h3> <p>Under Government Resolution No. 70 of February 20, 2026, labour immigrants applying through a local employer must submit a copy of their passport, personal data, employment contract, and an application confirming their intention to work. Self-employed foreigners must additionally provide either a Revenue Service turnover document for existing businesses or a detailed business plan for new ones. All applications are submitted through labourmigration.moh.gov.ge.</p> <h3>Who is required to get a work permit in Georgia from March 1, 2026?</h3> <p>Most foreign nationals without a permanent residence permit who intend to perform paid employment, self-employment, or entrepreneurial activity in Georgia must obtain a work permit. This includes both on-site and remote employees of Georgian companies, as well as independent contractors, traders, and business partners who derive financial benefit from activity conducted in Georgia. Holders of permanent residence permits, investment residence permits, and certain other categories are exempt under the Law on Labour Migration of Georgia.</p> <h3>Does having a Georgian residence permit still allow me to work legally?</h3> <p>No. Since March 1, 2026, holding a temporary residence permit alone no longer grants the legal right to work or conduct business in Georgia. Foreign nationals must hold both a valid work permit (Right to Labour Activity) and the corresponding D1 visa or work residence permit simultaneously. This is a fundamental change from the previous system under the Law on Labour Migration of Georgia.</p>
<h3>Do foreigners now need a work permit to work in Georgia?</h3> <p>Yes. From March 1, 2026, most foreign nationals without a permanent residence permit must obtain a Right to Labour Activity permit before starting any paid work, freelance activity, or business operation in Georgia. This requirement applies regardless of whether the foreigner already holds a valid visa or temporary residence permit. The permit is issued by the State Employment Promotion Agency under the Law on Labour Migration of Georgia.</p> <h3>Who is exempt from Georgia's new work permit requirement?</h3> <p>Exemptions under the Law on Labour Migration of Georgia apply to recognized refugees, asylum seekers, employees of accredited diplomatic missions and international organizations, accredited foreign journalists, and holders of valid investment residence permits or permanent residence permits. Foreign nationals performing work entirely remotely with no Georgian economic footprint — no local clients, no Georgian business registration — may also fall outside the scope of the requirement, though this distinction is pending full regulatory clarification.</p> <h3>How do I apply for a work permit in Georgia as a self-employed foreigner or individual entrepreneur?</h3> <p>Self-employed foreigners apply independently through the electronic Labour Migration portal at www.labourmigration.moh.gov.ge. The application requires personal and professional documentation, a business plan or proof of existing business activity, and payment of the service fee. Applicants must also complete a mandatory video interview with the State Employment Promotion Agency. The standard processing time is 30 calendar days; an expedited 10-working-day track is available at double the fee.</p> <h3>What are the fines for working in Georgia without a work permit?</h3> <p>Under the Law on Labour Migration of Georgia, both the foreign worker and the employing company face fines of 2,000 GEL for a first offence. Penalties increase for repeated violations within a 12-month period, doubling on the second offence and tripling thereafter. The same fines apply to self-employed foreigners operating without the required permit.</p> <h3>What is the deadline for foreigners already working in Georgia to get a work permit?</h3> <p>Foreign nationals who were registered in Georgia's Labour Migration system with active status as of March 1, 2026 have until January 1, 2027 to regularize their status by obtaining the Right to Labour Activity permit and corresponding residence documentation. Self-employed foreigners already conducting business as of March 1, 2026 face enforcement from May 1, 2026 onwards under the transitional provisions of Government Decree №70.</p> <h3>Does a valid Georgian residence permit automatically allow a foreigner to work?</h3> <p>No. Under the rules effective March 1, 2026, holding a residence permit does not automatically confer the right to work or conduct business. A separate Right to Labour Activity permit is required unless the foreigner holds a permanent or investment residence permit. Simply having a temporary residence permit is no longer a sufficient legal basis for employment or entrepreneurial activity.</p> <h3>Can an employer hire a foreigner in Georgia without going through the local labor market test?</h3> <p>In most cases, employers must first post the vacancy on the national jobs portal for at least 10 working days to demonstrate that no suitable local candidate is available. However, the labor market test does not apply to companies holding International Company status under the Tax Code of Georgia, accredited academic institutions, or positions where the monthly salary exceeds 15,000 GEL and a relevant higher education degree is objectively required.</p> <h3>How can Legal.ge help me navigate Georgia's new work permit requirements?</h3> <p>Legal.ge connects individuals and employers with qualified Georgian lawyers specialising in immigration, labour law, and business registration. Whether you need help preparing a work permit application, assessing your exemption status, or ensuring your company complies with the Law on Labour Migration, you can browse verified specialist profiles and contact a lawyer directly through the platform.</p>