Georgia’s New 2026 Work-Permit Law: Who Needs One and Who’s Exempt

For years, Georgia was famous among entrepreneurs and remote workers for one simple reason: you could live and work here without a separate work authorisation. That changed in 2026. A new “right to work” permit became mandatory on 1 March 2026, and it has reshaped how foreigners are expected to formalise their economic activity in the country. If you are employed by a Georgian company, serve Georgian clients, or run a small business here, the rules now affect you directly. This guide explains the new work permit law Georgia 2026 introduced, who needs a work permit, the main work permit exemptions, and how the remote work Georgia work permit question is being handled in practice.

What changed on 1 March 2026

The new framework was introduced by Government Resolution No. 70, adopted on 20 February 2026 and in force from 1 March 2026. For the first time, foreign nationals carrying out paid work for the local Georgian market need a dedicated “right to work” permit, separate from their residence status. The rules were amended in April 2026 in a way that loosened them: company partners and founders were removed from the category of “self-employed,” reducing the burden on owners who are not personally performing paid local work. Importantly, some of the detailed criteria are set by a pending government ordinance and may still change, so the practical picture is evolving.

Who needs a permit

The permit targets foreigners who earn money from work directed at the local Georgian market. In broad terms, two groups are covered:

• Locally employed foreigners — people on the payroll of a Georgian employer, performing work inside the country.
• Self-employed foreigners serving Georgian clients — individuals who provide services or sell goods to the local market, including many who operate as an Individual Entrepreneur (IE) and invoice Georgian customers.

If your income is generated by serving people and businesses inside Georgia, you should assume the permit applies to you and confirm your status before continuing to operate.

Who is exempt

The law carves out several clear exemptions. You generally do not need the work permit if you fall into one of these categories:

• Holders of a permanent residence permit or an investment residence permit.
• Owners and shareholders of a Georgian company (as distinct from being its salaried worker).
• Directors of larger companies — those classified in Category 1, 2 or 3.
• People working remotely for foreign or non-resident clients.
• Refugees and persons with humanitarian status.
• Accredited diplomats and accredited journalists.

One caveat matters even when you are exempt from the work permit itself: you still need a valid residence permit to stay in Georgia legally. Exemption from the permit is not exemption from immigration rules.

The remote-work / foreign-clients case

This is the question most digital nomads and freelancers ask. If you work remotely for foreign or non-resident clients, the law treats you as exempt — your economic activity is not aimed at the Georgian market. However, the line gets blurry once you start earning Georgian-source income or serving local customers. If part of your work is invoiced to Georgian companies or individuals, you likely fall back into the “needs a permit” category for that activity. Because this is a grey area still being clarified by ordinance, the cautious approach is to document who your clients are and where your income originates, and to seek confirmation before assuming you are fully exempt.

Company directors and company size (Category 1-4)

Company size determines whether a foreign director is exempt. Directors of larger companies — Categories 1 through 3 — are exempt from the work permit. The exception is the smallest companies, Category 4. A foreign director of a Category 4 company is generally not exempt, which means that a newly registered small company will usually need a work permit for its foreign director. This is a common surprise for founders who set up a small Georgian entity expecting their directorship alone to cover them. If you are forming or running a small company, plan for the permit from the start.

Transition deadlines

The law provided transition windows for those already operating before it took effect:

• Self-employed foreigners already operating before the law had until 1 May 2026 to regularise their status.
• Labour immigrants who were registered before the law took effect must regularise by 1 January 2027.

If the first deadline has already passed for your situation, do not wait — bringing your status into order promptly reduces exposure to penalties.

Fines for non-compliance

Working without the required permit, or employing a foreigner who lacks one, triggers administrative liability. Fines apply both to the foreign worker and, where relevant, to the employer that engaged them without authorisation. Repeated or continued non-compliance can escalate the consequences. Because the permit is now a legal prerequisite for local paid work, treating it as optional is a real financial and immigration risk rather than a formality.

How to stay compliant

Staying compliant comes down to a few practical steps. First, determine which category you fall into: locally employed, self-employed serving Georgian clients, exempt remote worker, owner/shareholder, or director — and check your company’s size category if you direct one. Second, if a permit is required, apply through the proper channel; a state fee applies (standard or expedited processing). Third, keep your residence permit valid regardless of work-permit status. Finally, monitor the pending ordinance, since detailed criteria may still shift. Our Work Permit service can assess your case and handle the application so you stay on the right side of the new rules.

Not sure which category you fall into under the new 2026 rules? Get clarity before a deadline or a fine forces the issue. Book a free consultation and we’ll review your situation and map out the right path.