I. About This Article
A work residence permit in Georgia is one of the principal legal grounds for residence available to foreign nationals who are employed or engaged in entrepreneurial activity in Georgia. From 2026, the legal framework governing labour migration changed significantly, and obtaining a work residence permit became closely connected with first obtaining the relevant right to work in Georgia.
Accordingly, for a foreign national who intends both to work and to reside in Georgia for a longer period, the process consists of several interconnected stages. Under the general model, the foreign national must first obtain the right to work and may then, subject to the applicable conditions, apply for a work residence permit in Georgia.
Georgian legislation establishes requirements relating both to the foreign national personally and to the financial position of the employer. Relevant factors include the applicant’s lawful stay in Georgia, the right to work, employment or entrepreneurial activity, monthly income, and the turnover of the employer.
A work residence permit in Georgia therefore does not depend solely on the existence of an employment contract. A successful application requires several separate legal conditions to be satisfied together.
The principal legal framework for work residence permits is established by the Law of Georgia on the Legal Status of Aliens and Stateless Persons, while procedural requirements are set out in Government of Georgia Decree No. 520. Matters concerning the right to work are additionally governed by the Law of Georgia on Labour Migration and Government of Georgia Decree No. 70.
This article explains who may obtain a work residence permit in Georgia, how it relates to the right to work, what income and employer turnover requirements apply, which documents are required, when an application must be submitted, and for how long the permit may be issued.
II. What Is a Work Residence Permit in Georgia?
A work residence permit in Georgia is a separate category of Georgian residence permit connected with a foreign national’s employment or entrepreneurial activity.
Under the law, a work residence permit is granted to a foreign national who has obtained the right to work in Georgia.
In cases determined by the Government of Georgia, a work residence permit in Georgia may also be granted to a foreign national carrying out an activity to which the Law of Georgia on Labour Migration does not apply. In such cases, a specific documentary regime applies.
Under the general regime, however, the sequence is clear: the foreign national or the employer must first secure the right to work and only afterwards proceed with the work residence permit application.
These two legal instruments should be distinguished. The right to work allows a foreign national to perform a specific employment or entrepreneurial activity in Georgia, while a work residence permit provides the legal basis for residing in Georgia.
III. Who Can Obtain a Work Residence Permit in Georgia?
As a general rule, a work residence permit in Georgia may be obtained by a foreign national who performs employment or entrepreneurial activity in Georgia and satisfies the requirements established by law.
For an employed foreign national, the employment relationship with a local employer is relevant. The relationship may be evidenced by an employment contract or another document confirming employment.
A work residence permit in Georgia may also be connected with entrepreneurial activity carried out by the foreign national. In this case, the relevant activity and financial requirements must also be properly documented.
Under the general regime, the foreign national must hold the right to work. The existence of this right is one of the principal prerequisites for obtaining a work residence permit.
The legislation separately regulates cases in which a foreign national’s activity falls outside the scope of the Law of Georgia on Labour Migration. In such a case, instead of demonstrating the right to work, the applicant must establish that the relevant exempt activity is being carried out and submit the remaining required documents.
Accordingly, before preparing a work residence permit application, it must first be determined whether the particular foreign national is subject to the general requirement to obtain the right to work.
IV. What Is the Right to Work in Georgia?
The right to work is a specific authorization that allows a foreign national, in the cases determined by law, to carry out employment or entrepreneurial activity in Georgia.
For a labour immigrant, the right is granted for a specific local employer and a specific job position.
For a self-employed foreign national, the right to work is linked to a specific profession and to a particular field of employment or entrepreneurial activity.
This is particularly important for a work residence permit in Georgia. The right to work granted to a foreign national is not a general authorization that may be used for any job.
If a foreign national moves to another employer or to another relevant position, a new right to work may be required. However, in the circumstances defined by law, a change only in the level of the position, salary, or working schedule does not in itself create an obligation to obtain a new right to work.
Accordingly, whenever the employment relationship changes, it should be assessed whether that change affects the foreign national’s right to work and, subsequently, the work residence permit.
V. Who Applies for the Right to Work?
For an employed foreign national, the local employer plays the central role in the procedure for obtaining the right to work.
If a foreign national is to be employed by a local employer in Georgia, the right to work is obtained through the employer.
A self-employed foreign national, by contrast, applies directly to the competent agency.
To apply for the right to work, the foreign national must be lawfully present in Georgia. The right is not granted to a person who, at the time of application, is staying in Georgia on the basis of a postponement of the obligation to leave the country.
After successfully completing this stage, the foreign national may proceed with preparing the documents required for a work residence permit in Georgia.
The actions of the foreign employee and the employer should therefore be coordinated in advance, because the right-to-work procedure precedes the residence permit application.
VI. What Documents Are Required for a Work Residence Permit?
A foreign national who holds the right to work must submit the documents required by law to the Public Service Development Agency in order to obtain a work residence permit in Georgia.
The principal documents include:
- the prescribed application form;
- the unique code assigned by the State Employment Support Agency;
- a copy of the foreign national’s travel document;
- a copy of the document confirming lawful stay in Georgia;
- a document confirming employment or entrepreneurial activity;
- the decision granting the right to work;
- evidence of income;
- evidence of the turnover of the employer or of the enterprise established by the foreign national;
- a certificate stating the number of foreign nationals seeking work residence permits through the relevant enterprise;
- a 3/4 colour photograph in electronic form;
- proof of payment of the applicable service fee.
Where the existence of the right to work can be verified through the electronic system, separate submission of the relevant decision may no longer be required.
When preparing a work residence permit application, all documents should be consistent with each other. The employment relationship, job position, income, and information contained in the right-to-work documentation should correspond.
VII. What Income Must the Foreign National Have?
To obtain a work residence permit in Georgia, a foreign national must demonstrate the required minimum monthly income.
The monthly income or remuneration received in Georgia from entrepreneurial or employment activity must not be less than five times the subsistence minimum of the average consumer in Georgia.
This means that Georgian legislation does not establish a single fixed amount in GEL. The required minimum depends on the average consumer subsistence minimum applicable during the relevant period.
If the foreign national’s lawful income cannot be sufficiently established through an employment contract or another document confirming the activity, the law provides an alternative.
In such a case, money held in the foreign national’s personal bank account may be treated as income. Taking into account the requested duration of the work residence permit, the amount available must likewise correspond, on a monthly basis, to at least five times the average consumer subsistence minimum.
Where a bank certificate is used as proof of funds, it is important to obtain the relevant banking document in a timely manner and to ensure that it complies with the formal requirements applicable to residence permit applications.
VIII. What Turnover Must the Employer Have?
A work residence permit in Georgia depends not only on the foreign national’s personal circumstances but also on the financial position of the employer.
As a general rule, the annual turnover of the employer, or of an enterprise established by the foreign national, must be at least GEL 50,000 for each foreign national applying for a work residence permit.
A different threshold applies to educational and medical institutions. In those cases, annual turnover must be at least GEL 35,000 for each foreign national.
For example, if four foreign nationals apply for work residence permits through an ordinary commercial company, the turnover requirement is assessed by applying the GEL 50,000 threshold to each applicant.
The application must also include information on the number of foreign nationals seeking work residence permits through the employer.
The turnover criterion is one of the most important practical requirements because the existence of an employment relationship does not, by itself, replace the employer’s required financial threshold.
IX. How Is the Employer’s Turnover Proved?
As a general rule, for a work residence permit in Georgia, the employer’s turnover is evidenced by an appropriate document issued by the Revenue Service.
If the employer is not registered as a VAT payer, a special rule applies. In such a case, certificates issued by the relevant competent authority or person may be used.
The documentation must establish both that the company is not registered as a VAT payer and the relevant turnover for the continuous 12-calendar-month period preceding the issuance of the certificate.
Where it is objectively impossible to submit the standard turnover certificates, the legislation allows other certificates or evidence that unquestionably establish the required financial indicator.
This flexibility may be particularly important where the turnover required for a work residence permit exists but cannot be demonstrated in the standard form due to the particular tax status of the enterprise.
X. What Exception Applies to a Newly Established Company?
The legislation provides a special exception for a newly established or newly registered enterprise.
Submission of a certificate proving the employer’s turnover is not required where all of the following conditions are satisfied:
- the enterprise employs no more than three foreign nationals;
- no more than three months have passed since the establishment or registration of the enterprise;
- the work residence permit is being granted for the first time without the relevant turnover certificate.
In this case, the foreign national must submit a certificate issued by the enterprise confirming the number of foreign employees.
Where this special regime applies, the work residence permit is issued for six months.
This rule is particularly relevant for newly established Georgian companies that do not yet have a full annual turnover history but intend to regularize the residence status of a foreign employee or foreign founder.
XI. Why Does the Employer Quota Matter?
As part of the right-to-work procedure, certain employers may additionally be subject to a requirement to obtain prior approval of an annual quota for foreign workers.
If a local employer plans to employ more than five foreign nationals during a calendar year, or if foreign nationals exceed 5% of the employer’s total workforce, a special rule on prior quota approval applies.
An exception applies where 5% of the total number of employees amounts to fewer than five persons.
In such a case, the employer must obtain approval of the annual quota through the electronic system at least 10 working days before applying for the right to work.
This requirement applies before the work residence permit stage because the foreign national must first obtain the right to work.
A company planning to employ a substantial number of foreign nationals in Georgia should therefore structure the immigration process before individual applications are filed.
XII. Can a Self-Employed Foreign National Obtain a Work Residence Permit?
Yes. A work residence permit in Georgia may also be based on a foreign national’s entrepreneurial activity.
Labour migration legislation defines a self-employed foreign national as a foreign national who does not hold permanent residence in Georgia and carries out labour activity in Georgia, including trade, services, or another type of activity, acts as an independent contractor, or is otherwise engaged in entrepreneurial or labour activity for financial gain.
A self-employed foreign national obtains the right to work directly.
In this case, the right to work is issued for a specific activity or a specific field of activity.
After that, subject to the applicable conditions, the foreign national may apply for a work residence permit in Georgia.
The right-to-work procedure for a self-employed foreign national differs from that applicable to an employee and includes a direct application and a mandatory video interview.
XIII. Requirement of Lawful Stay in Georgia
To obtain a work residence permit in Georgia, the foreign national must be lawfully present in Georgia.
The application must include a document confirming lawful stay in the country.
However, not every form of lawful stay can automatically serve as a basis for obtaining a work residence permit. Under the general statutory rule, a work residence permit may not be issued on the basis of a Category C ordinary visa.
This is particularly important for foreign nationals who enter Georgia for a short-term visit and later intend to work and reside in the country.
The right to work is also not granted to a foreign national staying in Georgia on the basis of a postponement of the obligation to leave the country.
Before travelling to Georgia, or while already present in the country, it is therefore important to assess whether the existing immigration basis permits the foreign national to apply for a work residence permit.
XIV. When Must the Application Be Submitted?
The 40-day rule applicable to residence permits also applies to a work residence permit.
A foreign national must apply to the Public Service Development Agency for a work residence permit in Georgia at least 40 calendar days before the expiry of the period of lawful stay in Georgia.
A work residence permit is not one of the special categories exempt from this requirement.
Correct timing is therefore particularly important when planning the procedure.
The foreign national must also obtain the right to work before reaching the 40-day threshold, because the right to work is one of the principal prerequisites for the work residence permit application.
The administrative procedure for granting the right to work has its own deadlines. Accordingly, the process should not be postponed until the final weeks of the foreign national’s lawful stay.
XV. Foreign Documents and Formal Requirements
The general documentary rules applicable to residence permits also apply when preparing a work residence permit in Georgia application.
A document executed in a foreign language must, where required, be submitted together with a duly certified Georgian translation.
A foreign national’s passport may be accepted without a Georgian translation if the personal data are stated in Latin transliteration.
As a general rule, documents issued in another country require legalization or an apostille unless an applicable international agreement provides otherwise.
At the time the application is submitted, the foreign national’s travel document must, as a general rule, remain valid for at least 30 calendar days.
If the applicant relies on funds held in a bank account to prove income for the work residence permit, the relevant banking document must also satisfy the requirements applicable to residence permit proceedings.
XVI. How Is the Application Submitted?
To obtain a work residence permit in Georgia, a foreign national applies to the Public Service Development Agency.
The application may be submitted in physical or electronic form in accordance with the applicable rules.
The foreign national may apply personally or through an authorized representative.
It is important that the relevant legal prerequisites already exist before the work residence permit application is submitted, particularly the right to work and the required employment or entrepreneurial relationship.
All necessary documents must be submitted together with the application. During the administrative proceedings, the Agency may request additional information or evidence where necessary to establish a specific circumstance.
A complete legal review of the documents before submission can therefore reduce the risk of additional requests and delays in the procedure.
XVII. How Long Does the Work Residence Permit Application Take?
As a general rule, the total period for considering a residence permit application must not exceed 30 days after all required documents have been submitted.
This rule also applies to a work residence permit in Georgia.
During the administrative proceedings, the Agency examines whether the foreign national satisfies the statutory requirements.
The review may cover the right to work, the actual existence of employment or entrepreneurial activity, income, the employer’s turnover, and other circumstances stated in the application.
The Agency may request additional documents or information and may verify the facts stated in the application within the limits established by law.
For this reason, obtaining a work residence permit should be planned by taking into account not only the final statutory processing period but also the prior right-to-work procedure.
XVIII. How Long Is a Work Residence Permit Valid?
A work residence permit in Georgia is initially issued for a period of six months to one year.
The specific validity period depends on the administrative decision and the foreign national’s expected period of stay.
As noted above, where a newly established enterprise benefits from the special exemption from the turnover requirement, the initial work residence permit is issued for six months.
The permit may subsequently be renewed where the conditions established by law continue to be satisfied.
The validity of the relevant temporary residence permit category may be extended within the statutory limits if the conditions on which the permit was originally granted continue to exist.
The continuation of the employment relationship, income, and other legal grounds is therefore important not only for obtaining the initial work residence permit, but also for subsequent renewal.
XIX. How Is a Work Residence Permit Renewed?
A foreign national may apply for renewal of a work residence permit in Georgia no earlier than 90 days before the expiry of the existing permit.
The relevant legal basis must continue to exist at the time of renewal.
This means that the foreign national’s employment or entrepreneurial activity, right to work, and other applicable conditions must remain in place.
If the foreign national has moved to another employer or another change has occurred that requires a new right to work, the issue should be resolved before the work residence permit is renewed.
Preparing the renewal application in advance is particularly important because obtaining the necessary documents may require additional time.
XX. What Happens if Employment Ends?
A work residence permit in Georgia is based on a specific legal ground — employment or the relevant entrepreneurial activity.
If the foreign national terminates the activity or relationship on which the residence permit was based, a legal ground for termination of residence status may arise.
This issue is particularly important for an employed foreign national whose right to work is linked to a specific employer and specific position.
If the foreign national changes jobs, the need to obtain a new right to work and its effect on the work residence permit should be assessed before commencing employment with the new employer.
Termination of employment, commencement of a new job, or a change in entrepreneurial activity is therefore not merely an employment-law issue. It may also directly affect the foreign national’s immigration status.
XXI. When Can a Work Residence Permit Be Refused?
A work residence permit in Georgia may be refused either because the general legal requirements for residence are not satisfied or because the specific requirements applicable to the work category have not been met.
Problems may arise, for example, where:
- the foreign national does not hold the required right to work;
- the relevant employment or entrepreneurial activity cannot be established;
- the foreign national’s income does not satisfy the required threshold;
- the employer’s turnover is insufficient where the turnover requirement applies;
- incorrect or incomplete material information has been provided;
- the submitted documents do not establish the legal basis for the work residence permit;
- another statutory ground for refusal exists.
Where a foreign national is refused a residence permit, a new application on the same basis may be submitted no earlier than one month after the refusal decision.
Before filing a new application, the specific reason for the refusal should be legally assessed and the relevant deficiency corrected.
XXII. What Should an Employer Consider Before Hiring a Foreign National?
Under the current legal regime, a work residence permit in Georgia is no longer only an individual procedure for the foreign employee. The local employer also plays an active role.
Before employing a foreign national, a company should assess:
- whether the foreign national is subject to the requirement to obtain the right to work;
- whether prior approval of the employer’s annual quota is required;
- whether the company satisfies the required turnover threshold for each foreign national;
- whether the proposed remuneration satisfies the income requirement for the work residence permit;
- whether the employment contract and job position are properly structured;
- whether the remaining period of the foreign national’s lawful stay in Georgia is sufficient to complete the procedure.
Where a company plans to employ a larger number of foreign nationals, centralized planning of the procedure is particularly advisable.
Managing the right to work, employer quota, and work residence permit procedures separately and without coordination may create difficulties with deadlines and documentation.
XXIII. Legal Assistance with a Work Residence Permit in Georgia
A work residence permit in Georgia involves several consecutive legal stages. The first step is to determine whether the foreign national requires the right to work and, where necessary, to secure that right.
The foreign national’s basis for lawful stay, the 40-day deadline, employment or entrepreneurial documents, income requirement, and the employer’s relevant turnover should then be reviewed.
For companies, additional attention may be required in relation to foreign-worker quota requirements and the proper structuring of employment contracts.
TB Legal assists foreign employees and Georgian companies with the right-to-work process, employment of foreign nationals, and work residence permit procedures.
If you intend to work in Georgia, employ a foreign national, or obtain a work residence permit in Georgia, the legal requirements should be assessed in advance so that the right-to-work and residence procedures can be coordinated correctly.
