Employment of Foreigners in Georgia: How the Rules Will Change in 2026
June 17, 2025 (updated: June 27, 2025)
1. Introduction
The topic of labor migration in Georgia is once again in the spotlight: on June 16, draft laws amending key legal acts — the Law "On Labor Migration" and the Law "On the Legal Status of Foreigners" — were submitted to the Parliament Bureau. On June 26, the draft laws were adopted in the third reading.
Corporate and migration lawyers at JUST Advisors conducted a detailed analysis of the proposed amendments to highlight the most important changes and their potential impact on the labor market and the legal status of foreign citizens in Georgia. This information will be critically important for everyone interested in employment for foreigners in Georgia or employing foreigners in Georgia.
Corporate and migration lawyers at JUST Advisors conducted a detailed analysis of the proposed amendments to highlight the most important changes and their potential impact on the labor market and the legal status of foreign citizens in Georgia. This information will be critically important for everyone interested in employment for foreigners in Georgia or employing foreigners in Georgia.
2.Reasons for Legislative Changes
As stated in the explanatory notes to the bills, since September 1, 2023, reforms have achieved some progress in accounting for labor migrants. In 8 years (from 2015 to 2023), only 3,800 foreign workers were officially registered, while over the past year and a half after the new rules came into effect — already more than 42,000.
However, the current system remains incomplete: according to Geostat statistics, over 2022−2023 more than 239,000 foreigners entered the country and stayed for more than six months. A significant portion of them is likely engaged in work activities, but without official registration. This creates problems for legal employment in Georgia and obtaining accurate labor market data.
The following problems were also identified:
However, the current system remains incomplete: according to Geostat statistics, over 2022−2023 more than 239,000 foreigners entered the country and stayed for more than six months. A significant portion of them is likely engaged in work activities, but without official registration. This creates problems for legal employment in Georgia and obtaining accurate labor market data.
The following problems were also identified:
- lack of a mechanism for refusing employment;
- no requirement to obtain a special permit for visa-free entry;
- influx of unskilled labor, reducing the quality and protection of local labor resources.
- To address these challenges, new legal mechanisms are being introduced with an emphasis on protecting the local labor market and collecting objective statistics, which will improve migration legislation in Georgia.
3. Who the Law Applies To
The law regulates employment in Georgia of foreigners who do not have a permanent residence permit (PR) and who work under employment or engage in activities for financial gain.
Two new concepts are introduced:
Labor migrant — a foreigner without PR who works for a local employer (including remotely).
Self-employed foreigner — a foreigner without PR who conducts business activities in Georgia (trade, services, etc.) for financial gain.
Who the law does NOT apply to:
Do individual entrepreneurs (IEs) need a work permit?
Yes, they do. Foreigners registered in Georgia as individual entrepreneurs fall under the definition of "self-employed foreigner". The law requires them to independently obtain the "right to labor/entrepreneurial activity".
Two new concepts are introduced:
Labor migrant — a foreigner without PR who works for a local employer (including remotely).
Self-employed foreigner — a foreigner without PR who conducts business activities in Georgia (trade, services, etc.) for financial gain.
Who the law does NOT apply to:
- Refugees and persons under additional or temporary protection.
- Asylum seekers.
- Employees of diplomatic missions, consulates, and international organizations.
- Accredited journalists of foreign media.
- Persons with a valid investment residence permit.
- Persons whose status is governed by international treaties of Georgia.
Do individual entrepreneurs (IEs) need a work permit?
Yes, they do. Foreigners registered in Georgia as individual entrepreneurs fall under the definition of "self-employed foreigner". The law requires them to independently obtain the "right to labor/entrepreneurial activity".
4. Procedure for Obtaining a Work Permit
The process will be two-stage. To legally work or do business in Georgia, a foreigner will need both the right to work and the corresponding residence permit or visa.
Step 1: Obtaining the "Right to Labor/Entrepreneurial Activity"
Who submits the application: The local employer (for employees) or the self-employed foreigner (for IEs). The application is submitted to the Ministry of Internally Displaced Persons from the Occupied Territories, Labor, Health, and Social Affairs.
Review time: up to 30 calendar days.
Cost: up to 500 GEL. The exact amount will be set by the government.
Step 2: Obtaining a visa or residence permit
After receiving the "right to labor activity," the foreigner must:
Important note: A labor migrant is not required to obtain a D1 visa or residence permit if they already have any type of residence permit defined by Georgian law or if they work entirely remotely and do not need to enter Georgian territory.
According to the draft law, the "right to labor activity" may be refused for the following reasons:
Step 1: Obtaining the "Right to Labor/Entrepreneurial Activity"
Who submits the application: The local employer (for employees) or the self-employed foreigner (for IEs). The application is submitted to the Ministry of Internally Displaced Persons from the Occupied Territories, Labor, Health, and Social Affairs.
Review time: up to 30 calendar days.
Cost: up to 500 GEL. The exact amount will be set by the government.
Step 2: Obtaining a visa or residence permit
After receiving the "right to labor activity," the foreigner must:
- If outside Georgia: within 30 days apply for a D1 category immigration visa.
- If already in Georgia: within 10 days apply for a work residence permit or an IT professional residence permit.
Important note: A labor migrant is not required to obtain a D1 visa or residence permit if they already have any type of residence permit defined by Georgian law or if they work entirely remotely and do not need to enter Georgian territory.
According to the draft law, the "right to labor activity" may be refused for the following reasons:
- Incomplete application or missing required documents not corrected within 10 calendar days.
- Application to extend the "right to labor activity" submitted late (less than 30 calendar days before expiry).
- The foreigner’s profession/qualification and position do not meet the requirements or needs of the Georgian labor market or fall under restricted professions (a list not yet available — ed. JA).
- Proceedings to deport the foreigner from Georgia have been initiated or a deportation decision has been made.
5. Annulment of the Work Permit
According to the draft law, the "right to labor activity" (work permit) is annulled for the following reasons:
● Expiration or early termination of the employment contract between the labor migrant and the local employer.
● Departure of a self-employed foreigner from Georgia for more than 6 months.
● Expiration or annulment of the D1 visa if no residence permit has been obtained.
● Expiration or annulment of the labor migrant’s residence permit.
● Failure to apply for a D1 visa, work residence permit, or IT residence permit within the established time.
● Rejection of the D1 visa, work residence permit, or IT residence permit by the authorized body.
A decision is made to deport the foreigner from Georgia.
● Expiration or early termination of the employment contract between the labor migrant and the local employer.
● Departure of a self-employed foreigner from Georgia for more than 6 months.
● Expiration or annulment of the D1 visa if no residence permit has been obtained.
● Expiration or annulment of the labor migrant’s residence permit.
● Failure to apply for a D1 visa, work residence permit, or IT residence permit within the established time.
● Rejection of the D1 visa, work residence permit, or IT residence permit by the authorized body.
A decision is made to deport the foreigner from Georgia.
6. Administrative Responsibility: Fines and Sanctions
The draft law establishes a clear system of sanctions for both employers and foreign workers. Key provisions include:
For employers:
● Hiring a foreigner without a permit: 2,000 GEL fine per worker;
● Violation of contract terms: 200−1,000 GEL depending on the scope of activity;
● Failure to notify of contract termination or change: fine of 1,000−2,000 GEL.
For labor migrants:
● Working or conducting business without a permit: 2,000 GEL fine;
●Repeated violation: fine doubled or tripled;
● Breach of permit conditions (e.g., changing the type of work without reissuing the permit): fine of 2,000 GEL or more.
Additionally, specific articles include fines for:
● Obstructing labor inspection;
● Failing to present ID documents during inspection;
● Violating visa regulations.
For employers:
● Hiring a foreigner without a permit: 2,000 GEL fine per worker;
● Violation of contract terms: 200−1,000 GEL depending on the scope of activity;
● Failure to notify of contract termination or change: fine of 1,000−2,000 GEL.
For labor migrants:
● Working or conducting business without a permit: 2,000 GEL fine;
●Repeated violation: fine doubled or tripled;
● Breach of permit conditions (e.g., changing the type of work without reissuing the permit): fine of 2,000 GEL or more.
Additionally, specific articles include fines for:
● Obstructing labor inspection;
● Failing to present ID documents during inspection;
● Violating visa regulations.
7. Financial and Social Consequences for Migrants
The draft law does not introduce direct taxes or fees for foreign citizens, but it does create additional obligations:
● Need to obtain a permit before starting work;
● Costs associated with the application (not yet set, but likely comparable to administrative fees);
● Possible expenses for assistance in obtaining a visa or residence permit.
Positive outcomes:
● Officially employed migrants will enjoy labor rights protections;
●They may participate in social programs and pension schemes;
● Legal status reduces the risk of deportation and administrative penalties;
● Access to a full package of rights (e.g., healthcare, banking services, etc.).
It is important to note that the law provides for a transition period:
● Changes will apply on — March 1, 2026;
● Foreigners registered in the Ministry’s database and having active status on that date must obtain a labor permit and the corresponding residence permit by January 1, 2027.
These changes will affect employment conditions for foreigners in Georgia.
● Need to obtain a permit before starting work;
● Costs associated with the application (not yet set, but likely comparable to administrative fees);
● Possible expenses for assistance in obtaining a visa or residence permit.
Positive outcomes:
● Officially employed migrants will enjoy labor rights protections;
●They may participate in social programs and pension schemes;
● Legal status reduces the risk of deportation and administrative penalties;
● Access to a full package of rights (e.g., healthcare, banking services, etc.).
It is important to note that the law provides for a transition period:
● Changes will apply on — March 1, 2026;
● Foreigners registered in the Ministry’s database and having active status on that date must obtain a labor permit and the corresponding residence permit by January 1, 2027.
These changes will affect employment conditions for foreigners in Georgia.
8. Conclusion: When It Comes into Force and How to Prepare
The changes are expected to take effect on March 1, 2026. All foreign citizens working or wishing to work in Georgia will be required to:
● Familiarize themselves with the new requirements;
●Undergo the work permit procedure;
● Obtain the appropriate visa (D1 category) and/or residence permit;
● Comply with the terms of the employment contract and migration regime;
● Register in the electronic labor migration system.
What to do now:
● Check your status in the Ministry’s database;
● Clarify the terms of your contract with your employer;
● If necessary — begin preparing to submit documents;
● Follow the Ministry’s awareness campaign, which will be conducted before the law comes into force.
JUST Advisors recommends that all labor migrants consult a lawyer in advance to avoid violations and maintain legal status. We will assist you at every stage of the process — from situation analysis to obtaining a permit and immigration status.
● Familiarize themselves with the new requirements;
●Undergo the work permit procedure;
● Obtain the appropriate visa (D1 category) and/or residence permit;
● Comply with the terms of the employment contract and migration regime;
● Register in the electronic labor migration system.
What to do now:
● Check your status in the Ministry’s database;
● Clarify the terms of your contract with your employer;
● If necessary — begin preparing to submit documents;
● Follow the Ministry’s awareness campaign, which will be conducted before the law comes into force.
JUST Advisors recommends that all labor migrants consult a lawyer in advance to avoid violations and maintain legal status. We will assist you at every stage of the process — from situation analysis to obtaining a permit and immigration status.
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MARIA GUSEINOVA
Leading Manager of Commercial Department
Leading Manager of Commercial Department
