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დატოვეთ თქვენი დეტალები და ჩვენ დაგირეკავთ
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Since 2016
Since 2016
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Recent News
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IMMIGRATION LAW/LABOUR MIGRATION/JUNE 2026
Georgia Ends Open-Door Era: Mandatory Work Permits Now in Effect for Foreign Nationals
Since 1 March 2026, holding a Georgian visa or residence permit no longer grants the right to work. Every foreign employee, freelancer, and self-employed individual must now hold a separate "Right to Labour Activity" permit — or face escalating fines. Here is what changed, who is affected, and what you must do.
IN FORCE SINCE
1 Mar 2026
Government Resolution No. 70
FIRST-OFFENCE FINE
GEL 2,000
Worker and employer each
PROCESSING TIME
30 days
10 working days (expedited)
TRANSITION DEADLINE
1 Jan 2027
For workers registered before 1 Mar 2026
What Changed — and Why It Matters Now
26 June 2025
Parliament adopts amendments to the Law on Labour Migration and the Law on the Legal Status of Foreigners in third reading.
September 2025
First phase of amendments enters into force.
20 February 2026
Government Resolution No. 70 signed. Procedures, fees (GEL 200 standard / GEL 400 expedited), quotas, and penalty schedule published.
25 February 2026
Labour market test requirement added: employers must advertise vacancies on the national portal for 10 working days before applying. Exemptions apply to International Company status holders, accredited academic institutions, and positions paying over GEL 15,000/month.
1 March 2026
Mandatory Right to Labour Activity permit enters force. New entrants must comply immediately. Self-employed already operating receive grace period until 1 May 2026.
1 May 2026
Grace period for self-employed foreigners already in Georgia expires. Enforcement begins.
1 January 2027
Who Must Obtain a Permit:
The Right to Labour Activity is required for:
Foreign employees hired by a Georgian company in any paid position
Self-employed foreigners engaged in trade, services, or independent contracting from which they derive financial benefit in Georgia
Freelancers and individual entrepreneurs operating in Georgia
Remote employees of Georgian companies (including those based abroad — confirm case by case)
Who Is Exempt:
Holders of permanent residence or investment residence permits
Staff of diplomatic missions and international organisations
Accredited journalists of foreign media
Refugees and asylum seekers
Fully remote workers with no Georgian employer, no local registration, and no local economic footprint (legal ambiguity remains)
Zero-Quota Professions — Full Block
Resolution No. 70 sets an annual quota of zero for certain professions, effectively prohibiting foreign nationals from working legally in these roles:
Couriers
Passenger transport drivers
Penalties for Non-Compliance
Offence Fine Note
First offence GEL 2,000 Worker and employer each
Second offence (within 12 months) GEL 4,000 Double the standard rate
Third and subsequent offences GEL 6,000 Triple the standard rate
Violating permit conditions GEL 2,000 Separate from hiring offence
Enforcement authority rests jointly with the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Labour Inspection Service, who are empowered to conduct workplace inspections and impose penalties directly.
Application Process
All applications are submitted electronically through labourmigration.moh.gov.ge. Two tracks exist:
Track 1 — Labour Immigrant (Employed by a Georgian Entity)
Employer posts vacancy on the national jobs portal for at least 10 working days (labour market test)
Employer submits application: passport copy, personal data of the foreign national, employment contract, and a statement of intent
Foreign national must then obtain a D1 visa or a work residence permit
The Right to Labour Activity takes effect upon receipt of the D1 visa, work residence permit, or IT-sector residence permit
Track 2 — Self-Employed Foreign National
Application submitted directly by the individual through the electronic portal
Documents required: passport, personal data, Revenue Service turnover statement (existing businesses) or a detailed business plan (new activity)
Permit is tied to a specific field of activity, not a specific employer
Permit terminates automatically if the holder leaves Georgia for more than six consecutive months
Georgia Ends Open-Door Era: Mandatory Work Permits Now in Effect for Foreign Nationals
Since 1 March 2026, holding a Georgian visa or residence permit no longer grants the right to work. Every foreign employee, freelancer, and self-employed individual must now hold a separate "Right to Labour Activity" permit — or face escalating fines. Here is what changed, who is affected, and what you must do.
IN FORCE SINCE
1 Mar 2026
Government Resolution No. 70
FIRST-OFFENCE FINE
GEL 2,000
Worker and employer each
PROCESSING TIME
30 days
10 working days (expedited)
TRANSITION DEADLINE
1 Jan 2027
For workers registered before 1 Mar 2026
What Changed — and Why It Matters Now
Georgia's Parliament adopted sweeping amendments to the Law on Labour Migration and the Law on the Legal Status of Foreigners on 26 June 2025. On 20 February 2026, Prime Minister Kobakhidze signed Government Resolution No. 70, setting the precise procedures, fees, quotas, and penalties. The system went live on 1 March 2026.
26 June 2025
Parliament adopts amendments to the Law on Labour Migration and the Law on the Legal Status of Foreigners in third reading.
September 2025
First phase of amendments enters into force.
20 February 2026
Government Resolution No. 70 signed. Procedures, fees (GEL 200 standard / GEL 400 expedited), quotas, and penalty schedule published.
25 February 2026
Labour market test requirement added: employers must advertise vacancies on the national portal for 10 working days before applying. Exemptions apply to International Company status holders, accredited academic institutions, and positions paying over GEL 15,000/month.
1 March 2026
Mandatory Right to Labour Activity permit enters force. New entrants must comply immediately. Self-employed already operating receive grace period until 1 May 2026.
1 May 2026
Grace period for self-employed foreigners already in Georgia expires. Enforcement begins.
1 January 2027
Final deadline for workers registered in the labour-migration database as of 1 March 2026 to regularize status.
Who Must Obtain a Permit:
The Right to Labour Activity is required for:
Foreign employees hired by a Georgian company in any paid position
Self-employed foreigners engaged in trade, services, or independent contracting from which they derive financial benefit in Georgia
Freelancers and individual entrepreneurs operating in Georgia
Remote employees of Georgian companies (including those based abroad — confirm case by case)
Who Is Exempt:
Holders of permanent residence or investment residence permits
Staff of diplomatic missions and international organisations
Accredited journalists of foreign media
Refugees and asylum seekers
Fully remote workers with no Georgian employer, no local registration, and no local economic footprint (legal ambiguity remains)
Zero-Quota Professions — Full Block
Resolution No. 70 sets an annual quota of zero for certain professions, effectively prohibiting foreign nationals from working legally in these roles:
Couriers
Passenger transport drivers
Tourist guides
Penalties for Non-Compliance
Offence Fine Note
First offence GEL 2,000 Worker and employer each
Second offence (within 12 months) GEL 4,000 Double the standard rate
Third and subsequent offences GEL 6,000 Triple the standard rate
Violating permit conditions GEL 2,000 Separate from hiring offence
Enforcement authority rests jointly with the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Labour Inspection Service, who are empowered to conduct workplace inspections and impose penalties directly.
Application Process
All applications are submitted electronically through labourmigration.moh.gov.ge. Two tracks exist:
Track 1 — Labour Immigrant (Employed by a Georgian Entity)
Employer posts vacancy on the national jobs portal for at least 10 working days (labour market test)
Employer submits application: passport copy, personal data of the foreign national, employment contract, and a statement of intent
Foreign national must then obtain a D1 visa or a work residence permit
The Right to Labour Activity takes effect upon receipt of the D1 visa, work residence permit, or IT-sector residence permit
Track 2 — Self-Employed Foreign National
Application submitted directly by the individual through the electronic portal
Documents required: passport, personal data, Revenue Service turnover statement (existing businesses) or a detailed business plan (new activity)
Permit is tied to a specific field of activity, not a specific employer
Permit terminates automatically if the holder leaves Georgia for more than six consecutive months
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