From March 1, 2026, the Republic of Georgia is introducing a mandatory Special Labour Permit system for most foreign nationals who intend to work, be self-employed, or engage in paid professional activity within the country. This represents a major shift from Georgia’s historically flexible approach to foreign workers — and it’s a development that every expatriate, international entrepreneur, digital nomad, and employer must understand before planning travel or employment in Georgia.
📍 1. Why Georgia Is Introducing the New Work Permit System
Georgia’s migration and labour law reforms are intended to regulate the inflow of foreign labour, protect the domestic workforce, and createmore transparent labour market mechanisms. According to the government’s legislative package, the old system did not give state authorities the power to refuse employment for foreign nationals even when there were enough local workers available — which was seen as creating imbalance and unregulated labour migration.
Under the previous framework, employers only had to register foreigners in the electronic labour migration system — but there was no real tool for controlling or reviewing work authorisations. This has led authorities to pursue a more structured permit regime that will define both who can work in the Georgian labour market and under what conditions.
This policy shift reflects broader concerns about labour market competition, enforcement of labour rights, and ensuring that foreign-sourced work does not undercut local employment opportunities.
📍 2. From March 1, 2026 — What’s Changing?
Starting March 1, 2026, foreign nationals — whether working for an employer or self-employed — will need a valid Special Labour Permit before they engage in employment or entrepreneurial activities in Georgia.
Key elements of this change include:
✔ 2.1 Mandatory WorkAuthorization
- A foreign national cannot legally work — whether for a Georgian employer, a foreign company operating in Georgia, or as a self-employed individual — without first securing a Special Labour Permit.
- This permit must be obtained before starting work or business activities.
✔ 2.2 Two-Step Compliance
- First, obtain the Special Labour Permit (work permit).
- Second, secure a residence permit with work rights (or D1 immigration visa if applying from abroad).
This two-step process ensures that a foreigner has the legal right to work AND the right to stay in Georgia.
✔ 2.3 Broadened Scope
- The concept of “labour immigrant” has been expanded to cover all paid activities, including remote work for both local and foreign employers.
- Self-employed individuals, independent contractors, and entrepreneurs (e.g., sole proprietors) will also be required to obtain the permit.
✔ 2.4 Modern Labour Migration Framework
- The reforms establish clear criteria for issuing permits, define enforcement mechanisms, and designate state authorities responsible for compliance.
- Employers and foreign workers will be required to upload documentation that justifies the need for hiring a foreigner under the permit regime
📍 3. Who Needs a Special Labour Permit?
✅ Foreign Employees
If you are a foreign national planning to work for a Georgian employer, you must hold a Special Labour Permit before commencing work in any paid position — full-time, part-time, or contract.
✅ Self-Employed Foreigners /Entrepreneurs
Foreign nationals engaging in self-employment, freelance work, or entrepreneurial activity (including sole proprietors under the 1 %tax regime) must also obtain this permit before they operate their business activities.
✅ Remote Workers
Even if a foreign national works remotely for a foreign company but is physically present in Georgia (or if their activity ties them to the Georgian economy), the permit rules will likely apply. The legal interpretation of remote work is broadened under the new law.
📍 4. Who is Exempted?
Not all foreign nationals are required to obtain a Special Labour Permit. Key exemptions include:
🔹 Permanent Residents
Foreigners with a Permanent Residence Permit in Georgia are exempt from the Special Labour Permit requirement, but they must still comply with work authorization standards attached to their residence status.
🔹 Certain Diplomatic or Official Status Holders
Diplomats and individuals working under international agreements may be exempt or treated differently, depending on bilateral legal arrangements.
🔹 Transitional Exemptions
Foreign workers registered in the labour migration system at the moment the law comes into force (March 1, 2026) will not face immediate enforcement of the new requirements until a transitional deadline.Current guidelines set January 1, 2027 as the deadline by which they must regularize work status through the permit system.
📍 5. What Documents Will You Need for the Permit?
The detailed documentation requirements are still being finalized by Georgian authorities, but based on the current legislative framework and practical practices in labour migration, the following are expected:
📌 For Employment with a Local Employer
- Signed labour agreement / employment contract.
- Job title, description, and justification for hiring a foreign national.
- Employer’s company registration documents.
- Evidence that no local worker is available for the role (labour market test).
- Proof of salary level (consistent with local regulations).
- Passport or travel document.
- Other evidence demonstrating compliance with labour and immigration standards.
📌 For Self-Employed or Entrepreneurs
- Business registration details.
- Business plan or statement of entrepreneurial activity.
- Proof of financial ability to sustain activity (e.g., bank statements, capital).
- Registration with Georgian tax authorities.
- Passport and identity documents.
- Professional certificates or qualifications if relevant.
Note: Final submission requirements and document lists will be set by the Ministry (Labour & Health) and official portalscloser to March 2026.
📍 6. Where and How to Apply
All Special Labour Permit applications will be processed through Georgia’s electronic labour migration portal administered by the Ministry responsible for labour and migration. These systems allow employers and self-employed applicants to upload documentation and track the status of applications online.
This portal is separate from general public e-services platforms and will specifically handle labour permit verification and issuance procedures.
📍 7. What Happens After Approval
Once you receive a Special Labour Permit:
✔ If You Are Inside Georgia
You have 10 calendar days from permit issuance to apply for a residence permit that includes work rights (labour residence permit or IT/entrepreneurial residence permit, depending on your case).
✔ If You Are Outside Georgia
You will typically apply for a D1 immigration visa (work visa) at a Georgian consulate or embassy using the permit approval as the basis for the application.
Without valid residence status or visa with associated work rights, the Special Labour Permit alone does not grant the right to reside long-term. It only authorizes the specific permitted work.
📍 8. Penalties for Non-Compliance
The new law also includes sanctions for employers and foreign workers who fail to obtain the required permits:
❌ First Violation
- Foreign worker without a valid permit: Approx. 2,000 GEL fine.
- Employer engaging unauthorized foreign labour: Approx. 2,000 GEL fine.
❌ Repeat Violations
- Fines double for a second offence and triple for further infractions.
Inspectors from relevant Georgian government agencies will be empowered to carry out workplace audits and confirm compliance with the law
📍 9. Transitional Rules
Foreigners already formally registered as labour migrants on March 1, 2026, will not be immediately penalized but must regularise their status under the new system by January 1, 2027 — including obtaining the Special Labour Permit and corresponding residence permit or visa with work rights.
This transition period gives current workers time to comply with the new regime without facing immediate enforcement penalties.
📍 10. Key Takeaways for Foreign Workers and Employers
✔ Work permit required for most foreign workers in Georgia starting March 1, 2026.
✔ The permit is required regardless of whether you already have a labour contract.
✔ Foreign entrepreneurs and sole proprietors must also obtain the permit.
✔ The permit must be obtained before work begins.
✔ A Special Labour Permit does not replace the need for a residence permit or D1 visa with work rights.
✔ Strict penalties apply for unauthorized work activity.
✔ Current labour migrants have a transition period until January 1, 2027.
Georgia’s new Special Labour Permit system marks a major re-calibration of its labour and migration policy. While the country has been known for relatively open rules for foreign workers, the 2026 reforms introduce a structured and enforceable regime for managing labour migration —balancing flexibility with regulation.
For foreign workers, this means planning ahead: ensuring that you have the right paperwork, that your employer understands the new requirements, and that you meet the residence and visa standards tied to lawful employment.
For employers and businesses, proper compliance will require integrating permit applications into your hiring and HR processes,enforcing documentation checks, and possibly adjusting recruitment strategies to prioritize local talent where appropriate.
Staying informed and prepared ahead of March 1, 2026 will make the transition smoother and avoid costly penalties or disruption to your work or business activities in Georgia.
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