Changes in the status of foreign employees

Key Changes to the Status of Foreign Employees in Georgia (Effective 2026)

Beginning 1 March 2026, Georgia introduces a new regulatory framework requiring most foreign nationals engaged in paid work to obtain the Right to Employment Activity (Work Authorization) and to hold a corresponding legal residence status — either a Work Residence Permit or a D1 (Work) Visa.

Who Must Obtain Work Authorization?

Work authorization is required for: 

• Foreign nationals employed under a labor contract with a Georgian employer

• Self-employed foreigners working in Georgia 

• Foreign nationals working remotely for Georgian employers 

Who Is Exempt?

The new rules do not apply to:

• Permanent residence permit holders 

• Investment residence permit holders 

• Refugees or persons under international protection 

• Diplomats and staff of international organizations 

• Foreign journalists accredited by the media 

• Persons covered by special international agreements 

Transition Period

Foreign nationals registered in the official labor migration portal as of 1 March 2026must obtain:

• the Right to Employment Activity, and

• a valid Residence Permit no later than 1 January 2027. 

Work Authorization – Application Process

Who submits the application?

• The employer— for employed foreign nationals 

• The foreign national — for self-employed persons 

Review time: up to 30 days 

Fee: up to 500 GEL

Important: Foreigners residing illegally in Georgia are not eligible to apply.

Authorization Requirements

Applicants must provide:

• A valid employment contract (not required for self-employed individuals)

• Complete documentation, including: – Passport – Photograph – Proof of legal stay in Georgia – Income certificate showing a monthly income of at least 5× the subsistence minimum – Proof that the employer’s annual turnover is at least 50,000 GEL per foreign employee (or 35,000 GEL for educational/medical institutions)

• Compliance with labor-market needs: the applicant’s qualifications must be relevant to Georgia’s labor market 

• No ongoing deportation or removal procedures Grounds for refusal include: incomplete documentation, lack of labor-market relevance, active deportation procedures, or failure to meet renewal deadlines. 

Mandatory Deadlines After Authorization

Once the Right to Employment Activity is granted, the foreign national must initiate residency procedures: 

• If outside Georgia: apply for a D1 visa within 30 days 

• If inside Georgia: apply for a Work Residence Permit within 10 days Exemptions apply only to: – holders of an existing residence permit, or – foreigners working fully remotely from abroad. 

Employer & Employee Obligations and Fines

For foreign nationals: 

• Working without authorization — 2,000 GEL 

• Changing employer or activity without renewing authorization — 2,000 GEL 

For employers:

• Employing a foreigner without authorization — 2,000 GEL per person 

• Failing to report contract changes or termination within 5 days — 1,000 GEL per person

Repeat violations: fines double, and then triple. 

Other Obligations

• Employment contracts must be uploaded to the labor migration system 

• Any changes to the contract or contract termination must be reported within 5 days 

• When authorization ends, the employer must terminate the employment relationship and notify the Ministry 

When Authorization Terminates

 Authorization is terminated if:

• The employment contract expires 

• A self-employed person remains outside Georgia for more than 6 months 

• The D1 visa or residence permit expires 

• The residence permit application is not submitted on time 

• A visa or permit application is refused 

• A deportation decision is issued 

Appeals: Decisions may be appealed in court within 1 month but appeals do not suspend deportation procedures or grant the right to continue working.