How do you get a work residence permit in Georgia?
Work permit, income and fee.
Short answer
A work residence permit in Georgia requires a work permit, proven employment or your own business in the country, and monthly income of at least five subsistence minimums. You apply to the Public Service Development Agency, and the fee is GEL 300 for 30 days, GEL 450 for 20 and GEL 600 for 10 days (as of 10.11.2026). The first permit lasts 6 months to one year.
Why
- Since 1 March 2026 a foreigner needs a work permit, including for remote work and self-employment.
- The work residence permit is described in Article 15 of the Law on the Legal Status of Aliens, and the first term in Article 16.
- The employer must have annual turnover of at least GEL 50,000 per foreign employee (GEL 35,000 for educational and medical institutions).
Details
The work permit is issued electronically by the State Employment Support Agency, lasts one year and covers one position and one employer; the employer pays the fee, while a self-employed person files and pays personally. The employer must first post the vacancy for at least 10 working days on worknet.moh.gov.ge. If you have no residence permit yet, after the work permit you need a D1 visa and/or a work residence permit. Those registered in the database on 1 March 2026 must obtain the permit and the residence permit by 1 January 2027. Holders of permanent and investment residence permits do not need a work permit.
For the residence permit itself the Agency requires a code from the employment agency, proof of work or business, income of five subsistence minimums a month (a bank balance is accepted under the current rules) and proof of the employer's turnover. More on the work permit in Does a foreigner need a work permit in Georgia, the general procedure in How do you get a residence permit in Georgia and checking your application in How do you check the status of a residence permit application.
Tip
Start with the work permit, because the work residence permit cannot be issued without it. Ask your employer in advance whether its annual turnover is enough to cover you.
What may differ
The labour migration rules took effect on 1 March 2026 and apply in stages, with different deadlines for the self-employed and for those already working in the country. Exempt groups (refugees, diplomatic staff and others) are listed by the Ministry.
Common misconception
You can work remotely for a foreign company from Georgia without a work permit.
What actually happens
Any foreigner who works or is self-employed in Georgia, including remotely, needs a work permit unless they belong to an exempt group.
People also ask
- How do you get a work visa for Georgia?
- What do you need for a work residence permit in Georgia?
Sources
This answer is for reference only and is not legal advice. Fees and rules change, so check official websites.
Residence permit in Georgia: types, documents and deadlinesRelated questions
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Does Georgia have a visa or programme for digital nomads?
Since May 2026 Georgia has had the C5 visa, valid up to 5 years with a 1-year stay, for tourists who work remotely for a non-resident employer.
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How do you register your residential address in Georgia?
Address registration in Georgia is free, and you submit one of three documents proving your right to live at the address to an office of the Public Service Development Agency.
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What exam do you need to pass for Georgian citizenship?
Georgian citizenship requires an electronic test in the Georgian language, history and basic law: the first attempt is free and later attempts cost GEL 40.
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Does a child born in Georgia get Georgian citizenship?
Birth in Georgia alone does not grant citizenship: a child is a citizen at birth if a parent is a Georgian citizen or in a few cases the law names.