Georgia has introduced a formal work permit system, and from 1 March 2026 a “right to work” (labour-activity) permit became mandatory for many foreigners working for the local Georgian market. Whether you are an employee hired by a Georgian company or a self-employed professional serving Georgian clients, you may now need a work permit before you can legally earn an income here. This guide explains who needs a work permit in Georgia, who is exempt, how to apply, and how the permit fits together with your residence permit or D1 visa.

What are the benefits of getting it right?

• You work legally and avoid fines for working without a permit.
• You secure a stable basis for your stay through a matching residence permit or D1 visa.
• Your employer (or your own business) stays compliant with the new labour-migration rules.
• You can choose standard or expedited processing depending on how quickly you need to start.
• You build a clean immigration record that supports future renewals and permanent residence.

Who needs a Georgian work permit

The work permit requirement targets foreigners who perform paid work for the local Georgian market. In practice, this means two main groups:

• Employees hired locally — a foreigner employed by a Georgian company or organisation to work in Georgia.
• Self-employed professionals — a foreigner who provides services or carries out economic activity for Georgian clients, for example as a sole proprietor.

The framework was set by Government Resolution No. 70 (20 February 2026) and took effect on 1 March 2026. It was then amended in April 2026 and loosened — company partners and founders were removed from the definition of “self-employed,” so simply owning a stake in a Georgian company no longer triggers the requirement on its own. If you run an Georgian business through an Individual Entrepreneur or an LLC, your exact obligations depend on your role, which we explain below.

Who is exempt

Several categories of foreigners do not need a work permit. The main exemptions include:

• Holders of a permanent residence permit or an investment residence permit.
• Company owners and shareholders (in their capacity as owners).
• Directors of larger companies — those falling into Category 1, 2 or 3 by size.
• People working remotely for foreign or non-resident clients (digital nomads serving clients outside Georgia).
• Refugees and persons under international protection, accredited diplomats, and accredited foreign journalists.

Note an important catch: directors of the smallest companies (Category 4) are not exempt. A newly registered small company’s foreign director will generally still need a work permit. And even if you are exempt from the work permit itself, you still need a valid residence permit to stay in Georgia legally.

Documents and requirements

While the precise checklist depends on your route and is partly set by a pending government ordinance (so details may still change), most applicants should be ready to provide:

• A valid passport and recent photo.
• Evidence of the job or activity — an employment contract and employer details, or proof of your self-employed/business activity.
• Documents confirming your qualifications or experience, where required for the role.
• Payment of the applicable state fee (standard or expedited).

How to apply: employee vs self-employed

Applications are made through the state labour-migration portal, and the path differs depending on whether you are employed or self-employed.

Employer-sponsored (employee) route

For employees, the process typically begins with a labour-market test: the employer posts the vacancy (for roughly ten working days) to confirm a suitable local candidate is not available before hiring a foreigner. The employer then submits the application on the portal. A video interview may be required, and the employer chooses between standard and expedited processing.

Self-employed route

Self-employed applicants apply directly through the portal, providing details of their activity and clients in Georgia. The same standard and expedited options apply. Because qualifying criteria are still being finalised by ordinance, it is worth confirming the current requirements before you file.

Work permit plus residence permit or D1 visa: you need both

The work permit is only one half of the picture. The system is two-stage:

1. Obtain the work permit (the right to work for the Georgian market).
2. Obtain the matching status to stay or enter: if you are already in Georgia, apply for a labour residence permit; if you are applying from abroad, obtain a D1 immigration visa first.

In other words, the work permit authorises the activity, and the residence permit or D1 visa authorises your presence in the country. You generally need both to live and work in Georgia lawfully.

Penalties for working without one

Working for the Georgian market without the required permit is now a violation, and fines apply for working without one — for both the foreign worker and, in employment cases, the employer. Beyond the financial penalty, non-compliance can complicate future permit applications and renewals. There are transitional deadlines: self-employed people already operating had until 1 May 2026 to come into line, and labour immigrants registered before the law must regularise their status by 1 January 2027.

How Georgiafy helps

The rules are new, partly governed by a pending ordinance, and the difference between needing a permit and being exempt can come down to your exact role and company category. Georgiafy assesses your situation, confirms whether you (or your director) need a work permit, prepares and files your application on the labour-migration portal, manages the labour-market test for employers, and coordinates the follow-on residence permit or D1 visa so the two stages line up without gaps.