A Labor Residence Permit (often referred to as a "Work Visa" or "Work Permit") is the primary legal basis for foreign citizens wishing to be legally employed and live in Georgia long-term. This document is essential for any foreigner intending to carry out paid labor activities in a local or international company. Labor migration in Georgia is regulated by a strict legislative framework, requiring specific criteria to be met by both the employer and the employee. Specifically, the company must prove its financial stability and turnover to be eligible to invite foreign staff. Obtaining a Labor Residence Permit is not just a formality; it is a critical step that ensures a foreigner's legal status, access to banking services, and protection from deportation risks. Legal.ge offers professional legal assistance to simplify this complex procedure, ensuring your application fully meets the requirements of the Public Service Development Agency.
What does this service cover?
The process of obtaining a Labor Residence Permit involves multi-stage legal services, starting from the initial consultation to receiving the residence card (ID card). Specialists on Legal.ge provide:
- Documentation Audit: Checking the employer company's financial documents (VAT declarations, turnover certificates) to determine if the company meets the statutory minimum threshold (50,000 GEL turnover per foreign employee).
- Drafting Employment Contracts: Creating a bilingual employment contract compliant with the Labor Code of Georgia, containing mandatory clauses regarding remuneration and working conditions.
- Gathering Income Proof: Preparing the employee's personal bank statements and salary certificates, proving an income of at least five times the subsistence minimum.
- Visa Status Regulation: Assisting in obtaining a D1 category immigration visa if necessary, which is often a prerequisite for a residence permit.
- Application Submission and Monitoring: Uploading the application at the Public Service Hall or remotely and constantly monitoring the process.
- Appeals: In case of refusal, preparing and submitting a substantiated appeal to the court or the superior administrative body.
Common Scenarios and Needs
A Labor Residence Permit is needed by various categories of employees in real-life situations:
- International Company Employee: A foreign manager transferred to work in a Tbilisi branch who needs legal status for a long-term contract.
- New Hire for Local Business: A Georgian restaurant or construction company has hired a foreign specialist whose visa is expiring, requiring urgent residence authorization.
- Contract Extension: A person with an existing residence permit whose document is expiring and wishes to extend their status with the same employer.
- Change of Employment: A foreigner who has moved from one company to another and needs to update their residence permit with the new employer's details.
- Family Reunification: An employed foreigner wishing to obtain residence rights for their family members based on their own legal status.
Georgian Legal Framework
The issuance of a Labor Residence Permit is regulated by the Law of Georgia on the Legal Status of Aliens and Stateless Persons. According to the law, a labor residence permit is issued to a person carrying out entrepreneurial or labor activities in Georgia. Critically important is Government Resolution No. 280, which defines the annual turnover of the institution wishing to employ a foreigner. Generally, the employer is required to have a turnover of at least 50,000 GEL per foreign employee (with an exception for educational and medical institutions, where the threshold is 35,000 GEL). Also, a contract concluded in compliance with the Labor Code of Georgia is mandatory, confirming that the foreigner's salary is at least five times the subsistence minimum (for an average consumer). Violation of legislation leads not only to the rejection of the application but may also become grounds for expulsion from the country.
Step-by-Step Process
When working with a specialist, the process proceeds as follows: In the first stage, a full analysis of the company's and employee's documents is conducted, and gaps are identified. In the second stage, a legally sound employment contract and certificates from the Revenue Service are prepared. In the third stage, the lawyer fills out an electronic application on the Public Service Development Agency portal and uploads the necessary documentation. The fourth stage may require an interview or submission of additional documents. Finally, in case of a positive response, the client receives the residence card at the Public Service Hall.
Why Legal.ge?
Legal.ge is a trusted platform connecting you with experienced migration law specialists. Lawyers selected through our platform are intimately familiar with agency practices and the latest regulations, minimizing the risk of refusal due to bureaucratic errors. Finding a specialist on Legal.ge guarantees that your case is in professional hands, protecting your interests and saving your time and energy.
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