Attorney and Managing Partner, Adviser law firm, Batumi
Last updated: November 2026
“I’ve been working in Batumi for two years. Do the new rules apply to me?” Since spring, this is one of the questions we hear most often. The short answer: if you don’t have a permanent residence permit, probably yes.
On 1 March 2026, Georgia introduced a new procedure for the work permit in Georgia, formally called the right to work, for labour immigrants and self-employed foreigners. Below, we explain in plain language who needs one, which jobs are now closed to foreigners, what it costs and which deadlines you can’t miss.
Our managing partner, Giorgi Khimshiashvili, first wrote about these changes for Batumelebi. This is an expanded version for our readers.
The new rules in 30 seconds
- Who: every foreigner without a permanent residence permit who plans to work for a Georgian employer (including remotely) or to work for themselves.
- Closed jobs: taxi, courier and guide services have a quota of 0 for foreigners. Mountain, alpine and ski guides are the exception (200 permits a year).
- Employers: need an annual turnover of at least GEL 50,000 for each foreigner (GEL 35,000 for educational and medical institutions).
- Cost: GEL 200 (30 calendar days) or GEL 400 (10 working days).
- Deadline: labour immigrants registered on 1 March 2026 must get the right to work and a residence permit by 1 January 2027.
What changed in 2026?
Until this year, many foreigners in Georgia worked without thinking about permits at all. That has changed. A resolution of the Government of Georgia now sets clear criteria, procedures and quotas for foreigners who don’t hold a permanent residence permit.
In practice, the state’s whole approach to labour immigrants and the self-employed is different now, and the changes come with fines.
Who needs a work permit in Georgia?
You need the right to work if you don’t have a permanent residence permit and you plan, in the long term, to:
- work for a local employer, including remotely, or
- run your own business or work independently for financial gain (self-employed).
The remote part surprises many people. If your employer is a Georgian company, working from your laptop at home still counts.
Jobs foreigners can no longer do: taxi, courier and guide
The biggest change is in the services sector. For taxi, courier and guide services, the quota for foreigners is 0. Foreigners may not be employed in these jobs, and if the rule is broken, both the employer and the self-employed person can be fined.
There is one exception: mountain, alpine and ski guides. For them, Georgia has set an annual limit of 200 permits.
Hiring a foreigner? What your company needs
GEL 50,000 turnover per foreign employee
To hire a foreigner, your company’s annual turnover must be at least GEL 50,000 for each foreigner who needs the right to work. For educational and medical institutions, the threshold is GEL 35,000 per foreigner.
Good news for start-ups: this rule doesn’t apply if your company was founded less than 3 months ago and employs no more than 3 foreigners.
An annual quota if you hire more than 5 foreigners
Planning to employ more than 5 foreigners in a calendar year, or will foreigners make up more than 5% of your staff? Then you must agree an annual quota with the Agency in advance.
How to apply for a work permit in Georgia
The application is submitted by the local company that wants to hire the foreigner. It goes to the State Employment Support Agency of the Ministry of Health through a special portal: www.labourmigration.moh.gov.ge.
How long is a Georgian work permit valid?
- First permit: 6 months to 1 year.
- Years 1–5: extended one year at a time.
- After 5 continuous years: extended for 1 to 5 years.
- IT specialists: the first permit can be issued for up to 3 years.
Work permit cost and processing time
| Procedure | Processing time | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | 30 calendar days | GEL 200 |
| Expedited | 10 working days | GEL 400 |
| Renewal | – | GEL 200 |
Already working in Georgia? Check your deadline
If you were already working here before the new rules, there is a transition period. Your deadline depends on your situation:
- Self-employed and already active in Georgia on 1 March 2026: the work permit rules have applied to you since 1 May 2026.
- Labour immigrant with an active registration status on 1 March 2026: you must get the right to work and the matching residence permit, under Georgian law, by 1 January 2027.
Don’t leave this to December. Standard processing alone takes 30 calendar days, and you also need a residence permit. Our guide to getting a residence permit in Georgia explains that part.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a work permit if I work remotely for a Georgian company?
Yes. The rules cover work for a local employer, including remote work, if you don’t hold a permanent residence permit.
Can a foreigner work as a taxi driver or courier in Georgia?
No. The quota for foreigners in taxi, courier and guide services is 0. Only mountain, alpine and ski guides are an exception, with 200 permits a year.
How much does a work permit in Georgia cost?
GEL 200 for the standard procedure (30 calendar days), GEL 400 for the expedited procedure (10 working days), and GEL 200 for a renewal.
Who applies: the employer or the employee?
The local company that wants to employ the foreigner submits the application through the Agency’s portal.
What is the deadline for foreigners already working in Georgia?
Labour immigrants registered on 1 March 2026 must get the right to work and a residence permit by 1 January 2027. For self-employed foreigners already active on 1 March 2026, the rules have applied since 1 May 2026.
Need help with your work permit?
Every situation is a little different: your job, your employer, your current status. Our attorneys help foreigners and Georgian companies with work permits and residence permits in Georgia, from checking whether the rules apply to you to preparing the documents.
We speak English, Russian and Georgian, and you can meet us at our office in Batumi or online. Not sure what to expect? Read how a legal consultation in Georgia works.
Write to us on WhatsApp, Telegram, email (llclegaladviser@gmail.com) or send us a request to book your consultation.
Note: This article is general information, not legal advice. Rules in Georgia change often, so contact us to check the current requirements for your situation.
