Georgia's Open-Door Era for Foreign Workers: The Status Quo Before 2026
For years, Georgia maintained one of the most accessible labour environments in the region for foreign nationals. Foreigners could register as individual entrepreneurs, open companies, and conduct business with minimal bureaucratic friction. A valid visa or temporary residence permit was, in practice, sufficient to begin working. This open framework attracted digital nomads, remote workers, and international entrepreneurs — many of whom built careers and businesses in Georgia without ever navigating a formal work authorisation process.
The Legal Gap That Triggered Reform
Georgia's Parliament identified a structural weakness in this model: the absence of a regulated work permit system meant the state had limited visibility into who was working in the country, what they were doing, and whether Georgian job-seekers were being considered first. Amendments to the Law on Labour Migration of Georgia, passed in 2024, set March 1, 2026 as the date when this would change — fundamentally. A formal, permit-based system would replace the informal status quo.
Government Resolution No. 70 Defines the New Rules
On February 20, 2026, the Government of Georgia issued Resolution No. 70, approving the precise procedures for granting the Right to Work to labour immigrants and self-employed foreigners. The resolution establishes two distinct application tracks — one for employees of local Georgian employers, another for self-employed individuals — and specifies exactly what information and documents each must submit. Applications are processed through a dedicated electronic system at labourmigration.moh.gov.ge. Fees are set at GEL 200 for standard 30-day processing and GEL 400 for expedited 10-working-day processing.
Complications: Unanswered Questions and Capacity Constraints
Despite the resolution's detail, practitioners have flagged unresolved issues. Self-employed applicants must complete a mandatory recorded video interview with an Agency representative — but the Agency has acknowledged it cannot accommodate all requests immediately at current staffing levels. More significantly, a structural legal gap has emerged: a newly established Georgian company, or a newly self-employed foreigner at startup stage, cannot meet the GEL 50,000 annual turnover threshold required to subsequently apply for a Labour Residence Permit — a document needed to legally work in Georgia. As of publication, the Ministry has not issued formal guidance resolving this contradiction.
What Resolution No. 70 Actually Requires
For labour immigrants employed by a Georgian company, the employer submits the application. Required documents include the employer's registration details, the foreign employee's passport copy and personal data, a copy of the employment contract, and a signed declaration of employment intent. For self-employed foreigners, the individual applies directly and must provide either a Revenue Service turnover certificate for an existing business, or a detailed business plan — covering planned investment, turnover, and financial resources — for a new one.
Consequences for Non-Compliance
Working in Georgia without a valid work permit after March 1, 2026 constitutes a legal violation under the Law on Labour Migration of Georgia. Enforcement mechanisms for self-employed foreigners already in Georgia are formally activated from May 1, 2026. Foreign nationals already registered in the labour migration system before March 1, 2026 have until January 1, 2027 to regularise their status. Certain professions — including courier, taxi, and tourist guide services — have been assigned zero-quota status, effectively making new work permits unavailable in those fields.
A Fundamental Shift in How Georgia Regulates Foreign Labour
Since March 1, 2026, Georgia no longer operates as an open labour market for foreign nationals. A residence permit or visa, standing alone, no longer confers the right to work. Foreign nationals and their Georgian employers must now navigate a structured, document-intensive authorisation process before any paid activity begins. The transition period ending January 1, 2027 provides existing workers a window to comply — but the legal architecture has already changed.
What This Means for Expats, Employers, and New Arrivals
Georgia has joined the mainstream of regulated labour migration systems. Foreign professionals who relied on the country's informality now face mandatory documentation requirements, employer obligations, and enforceable deadlines. The unresolved question of the turnover threshold for new businesses remains the most consequential gap in the current framework — and one that will require official clarification before the full compliance picture is clear.
How can Legal.ge help me navigate Georgia's new work permit requirements?
Legal.ge connects foreign nationals and Georgian employers with verified immigration and labour law specialists who are actively advising clients on Resolution No. 70 compliance. Whether you need help preparing a document package, assessing your exemption status, or responding to an Agency request, you can browse specialist profiles and contact a qualified Georgian lawyer directly through the platform.
