Georgia Special Labour Permit

Georgia Special Labour Permit

Georgia Special Labour Permit

New Requirement - Effective March 2026

Georgia's new labour law means every foreigner working in the country needs a Special Labour Permit. Whether you're employed by a Georgian company or self-employed, we handle the full application so you stay legal and avoid fines.

30-Day Processing

Free Consultation

Full Document Support

Get Started

Which services are you interested in

We'll use your info to respond to your inquiry. See our Privacy Policy.

Get Started

Which services are you interested in

We'll use your info to respond to your inquiry. See our Privacy Policy.

Copywriter sitting at a desk

Featured in

individual entrepreneur

About

What is the Special Labour Permit?

The Special Labour Permit is a new government requirement introduced in March 2026. Every foreign national who works in Georgia - whether employed or self-employed - now needs this permit before they can legally earn income in the country.

Think of it as a prerequisite. You need the Special Labour Permit first, and then you apply for your residence permit or D1 immigration visa. Without it, both you and your employer face fines of 2,000 GEL each.

If you already have an Investment-Based Residence Permit or Permanent Residence, you're exempt. Everyone else working in Georgia needs to apply.

Who Needs a Special Labour Permit?

Employees of Georgian Companies

Individual Entrepreneurs

Freelancers Working in Georgia

Self-Employed Professionals

Remote Workers with Georgian Clients

Business Owners & Founders

Requiremens

Who Can Apply for a Work Residence Permit?

Most working foreigners in Georgia need this permit. Here's what's required.

Eligibility Requirements

Valid Employment or Self-Employment in Georgia

You need either a signed employment agreement with a Georgian company, or proof of business activity as a self-employed individual or IE

Valid Passport

Your passport must be valid for the duration of your intended stay

No Active Expulsion Proceedings

You cannot have any pending expulsion orders against you in Georgia

Skills Relevant to the Georgian Labour Market

Applications can be rejected if the Ministry determines your skills don't align with labour market needs - though this is rarely an issue in practice

Residence Permit or D1 Visa (or intent to apply)

You'll need to hold - or apply for - a residence permit or D1 visa alongside your labour permit. We coordinate both applications.

Already have a residence permit? If you hold an Investment-Based or Permanent Residence Permit, you don't need a Special Labour Permit. Not sure about your status? Book a free consultation and we'll clarify.

Who's Exempt

Not everyone is affected by the new law. You're exempt if you hold:

An Investment-Based Residence Permit

A Permanent Residence Permit

A diplomatic or consular posting in Georgia

If you do 100% remote work for a foreign company with no Georgian clients or income, you may also fall outside the scope of this requirement. We can assess your specific situation during a free consultation.

Process

How to Get Your Georgia Work Residence Permit

Four simple steps. We handle the hard parts.

1

Free Consultation

We assess your situation, determine whether you need a labour permit, and explain exactly what documents are required. Employee or self-employed - the process differs, and we'll map out your specific path.

Takes 15 minutes

2

Document Preparation

We gather, translate, and prepare all required documents. Employment agreements, proof of business activity, identification - we know exactly what the Ministry wants and how to present it.

1–2 weeks

3

Application Submission

For employees, we work with your Georgian employer to submit the application. For self-employed applicants, we submit directly on your behalf. Either way, you get a tracking number and we monitor progress.

Same day

4

Permit Approvall & Next Steps

The Ministry issues a decision within 30 calendar days. Once approved, we immediately help you with your next step - applying for a D1 visa (if abroad) or a work/IT residence permit (if in Georgia).

Up to 30 days

Testimonials

What Our Clients Say

Join hundreds of entrepreneurs who've made the move

Bought an apartment in Saburtalo for $120K. Three weeks later, I had my residence permit. No interviews, no complicated paperwork - Tbilisi Expat handled everything. Now I split my time between Georgia and the US with zero visa stress.

Robert M.

Retired Executive

|

USA

Bought an apartment in Saburtalo for $120K. Three weeks later, I had my residence permit. No interviews, no complicated paperwork - Tbilisi Expat handled everything. Now I split my time between Georgia and the US with zero visa stress.

Robert M.

Retired Executive

|

USA

We wanted residency but I work remotely for a US company - the work permit route seemed complicated. Buying property was the perfect solution. Got permits for me, my wife, and both kids based on one apartment purchase.

Alex & Maria S.

Family of 4

|

UK

We wanted residency but I work remotely for a US company - the work permit route seemed complicated. Buying property was the perfect solution. Got permits for me, my wife, and both kids based on one apartment purchase.

Alex & Maria S.

Family of 4

|

UK

I was skeptical that $100K would be enough - in most countries you need 3-5x that. But Georgia delivered. The property has already appreciated 15% and I have legal residency. Best investment decision I've made.

Konstantin V.

Investor

|

Germany

I was skeptical that $100K would be enough - in most countries you need 3-5x that. But Georgia delivered. The property has already appreciated 15% and I have legal residency. Best investment decision I've made.

Konstantin V.

Investor

|

Germany

Services

Transparent Pricing

Transparent Pricing

Everything you need to get your residence permit. No hidden fees.

Everything you need to get your residence permit. No hidden fees.

Special Labour Permit

from

1,200 GEL

≈ $670 USD, price depends on the country of origin. government fees are separate

What's Covered

Initial eligibility consultation

Complete document checklist customized to your situation

Document translation (Georgian certified)

Employment agreement / business activity documentation review

Application form preparation

Full submission handling (employer-side or self-employed)

Ministry liaison and follow-up

Status tracking and updates

Post-approval residency guidance

Labour Permit + Work Residence Permit Bundle

2,000 GEL

≈ $1,120 USD + VAT (18%) where applicable

What's Covered

Full Special Labour Permit application

Full Work Residence Permit application

One streamlined process

Save ₾400

Labour Permit + IE Registration + Work Residence Permit Bundle

2,800 GEL

≈ $1,570 USD + VAT (18%) where applicable

What's Covered

Full Special Labour Permit application

1% tax Individual Entrepreneur registration

Full Work Residence Permit application

One streamlined process

Save ₾600

Expedited Processing

300 GEL

Rush government processing - reduce wait time from 30 days to 10 business days.

Employer Compliance Package

500 GEL

Full compliance setup for Georgian companies hiring foreign workers. Includes document preparation, submission guidance, and ongoing advisory.

Who We Are

A Team You Can Trust

Levan Jojua

CEO

With over a 13 years of experience in taxation, accounting, and financial compliance, Levan leads Tbilisi Expat with a strong focus on helping international individuals and businesses navigate Georgia’s financial and regulatory landscape.

His background includes senior roles in tax management, accounting, and audit, with hands-on experience working with both local authorities and private companies. This has given him deep expertise in Georgian tax law, cross-border income structures, residency and tax status issues, and ongoing compliance for foreign-owned business 

Who We Are

A Team You Can Trust

Levan Jojua

CEO

With over a 13 years of experience in taxation, accounting, and financial compliance, Levan leads Tbilisi Expat with a strong focus on helping international individuals and businesses navigate Georgia’s financial and regulatory landscape.

His background includes senior roles in tax management, accounting, and audit, with hands-on experience working with both local authorities and private companies. This has given him deep expertise in Georgian tax law, cross-border income structures, residency and tax status issues, and ongoing compliance for foreign-owned business 

Who We Are

A Team You Can Trust

Levan Jojua

CEO

With over a 13 years of experience in taxation, accounting, and financial compliance, Levan leads Tbilisi Expat with a strong focus on helping international individuals and businesses navigate Georgia’s financial and regulatory landscape.

His background includes senior roles in tax management, accounting, and audit, with hands-on experience working with both local authorities and private companies. This has given him deep expertise in Georgian tax law, cross-border income structures, residency and tax status issues, and ongoing compliance for foreign-owned business 

FAQ

Your Questions Answered

What is the Special Labour Permit?

What happens if I don't get one?

My employer is Georgian. Who applies?

What happens after I get the labour permit?

I work 100% remotely for a foreign company. Do I need this?

Do I need this if I already have a residence permit?

I'm self-employed / an IE. Do I need this?

How long does it take?

Can my labour permit be revoked?

What documents do I need?

What is the Special Labour Permit?

What happens if I don't get one?

My employer is Georgian. Who applies?

What happens after I get the labour permit?

I work 100% remotely for a foreign company. Do I need this?

Do I need this if I already have a residence permit?

I'm self-employed / an IE. Do I need this?

How long does it take?

Can my labour permit be revoked?

What documents do I need?

What is the Special Labour Permit?

Do I need this if I already have a residence permit?

What happens if I don't get one?

I'm self-employed / an IE. Do I need this?

My employer is Georgian. Who applies?

How long does it take?

What happens after I get the labour permit?

Can my labour permit be revoked?

I work 100% remotely for a foreign company. Do I need this?

What documents do I need?

Ready to Stay Compliant in Georgia?

Ready to Stay Compliant in Georgia?

Georgia's new labour law is here. Don't risk fines or complications with your residency. Book a free consultation, get clear answers, and let us handle the paperwork.

Free Consultation

Full Document Support

Response Within 24 Hours

Ready to Stay Compliant in Georgia?

Georgia's new labour law is here. Don't risk fines or complications with your residency. Book a free consultation, get clear answers, and let us handle the paperwork.

Free Consultation

Full Document Support

Response Within 24 Hours