A work permit in Georgia
The “right to work” (RNR/PTD) — mandatory since 1 March 2026 for employees, sole traders with local clients and self-employed people in Georgia. We'll assess whether you need one and arrange it end to end.
For sole traders — registration by 1 May 2026. For companies — by 1 January 2027, if the employees were entered in the register before 1 March 2026. Fines for working without a permit: GEL 2,000 (first offence), GEL 4,000 (repeat), GEL 12,000 (third and beyond); obstructing an inspection GEL 1,000-7,000.
Decree No. 321 added two documents to the pack. A sole trader confirms their line of business with an extract from the register of economic activities or a Revenue Service certificate. A company shows its annual turnover: at least GEL 50,000 for each foreign national, or GEL 35,000 at educational and medical institutions.
When the law started (1 March 2026) it was unclear whether sole traders working only with foreign clients were exempt. The April 2026 amendment gave the exact wording: the exemption applies if the non-resident client's business is conducted outside Georgia, not merely that “the client isn't Georgian”. With a mixed client base (some clients in Georgia, some not) it's decided case by case — worth confirming on a consultation, as the regulation may still be clarified.
A work permit or work residence
Work residence includes the permit; the permit on its own gives you no right to live here. An employee on a contract usually needs the residence permit: the work permit is arranged inside it, so there is no second service to buy. The standalone permit is for people who don't need residence or already hold it — sole traders serving clients inside Georgia, and the self-employed.
The “right to work” has been mandatory since 1 March 2026. It legalises the work itself; living in the country takes a visa or a residence permit, arranged afterwards as a separate service.
| Work permit | Work residence | |
|---|---|---|
| What you get | The right to work legally; it does not let you live here — a visa or residence permit comes after | Residence status plus the work permit — it is part of the service |
| Who it suits | Sole traders with clients inside Georgia, the self-employed, and anyone who already holds residence | Employees with an employment contract at a Georgian company |
| Service price | From $115 for a sole trader, from $170 for an LLC; the state fee is on top — about $150 for 10 working days or about $75 for 30 calendar days | From $170 plus $225 once approved |
| How long it takes | 7-21 days; residence or a C5 visa afterwards takes up to 10 days | 30-60 days |
| Can it be done remotely | Yes: the video interview is online and takes about 15 minutes | No: you have to file in person |
Working for a Georgian employer entirely remotely, without entering the country, needs no permit: the exemption was added by amendment No. 1509 of 15 April 2026.
Packages
For a sole trader
An application from a sole trader
- Collecting and checking the documents
- Filing the application online
- Preparation for the video interview
- A turnover certificate from rs.ge — for a trading sole trader
- A business plan — for a new sole trader
- The processing fee: 30 days GEL 200 (≈$77), 10 working days GEL 400 (≈$150)
- An interpreter at the interview — separate
For an LLC
An application from a company
- Collecting and checking the documents
- Filing the application online
- Preparation for the video interview
- Extracts from the Public Registry and on types of activity
- A turnover certificate and the minutes appointing the director
- The processing fee: 30 days GEL 200 (≈$77), 10 working days GEL 400 (≈$150)
- An interpreter at the interview — separate
We fix the exact package after reviewing your case. You pay the expert directly.
Who needs work permit and who does not
You need it
- Foreign nationals working for a Georgian employer under a contract
This covers those whose work requires being in the country: alongside the work permit they also need a work residence permit based on the contract. IMPORTANT: if you work for a Georgian employer entirely remotely and the activity does not require entering Georgia, no permit is needed — the exemption was introduced into sub-paragraph “k” of art. 1 para. 4 by amendment No. 1509 of 15.04.2026.
- Sole traders who live in Georgia and provide services to the local market
If the activity is directly tied to serving the local market and you are permanently in the country, the law treats it as active employment on Georgian territory, which requires an official work permit.
You do not
- Sole traders whose clients are non-residents conducting business outside Georgia
The exemption came with the April 2026 amendment and is more precise than simply “the client isn't Georgian”: what matters is that the non-resident client's business is conducted abroad. With a mixed client base (some Georgian clients as well) it is decided case by case. Such sole traders can still apply for a work residence permit for long-term residence in the country.
- Remote employees of Georgian companies who do not enter the country
Sub-paragraph “k” of art. 1 para. 4 (amendment No. 1509 of 15.04.2026): if the work for a Georgian employer is carried out entirely remotely and does not require entering Georgian territory, no permit has to be obtained.
- Directors of category 1, 2 or 3 companies
Regardless of whether the director is in Georgia or runs things remotely. Note that category 4 enterprises are NOT mentioned in the provision — a director of such a company is not covered by the exemption.
- Short-term professional activity
A separate ground (art. 13⁹, introduced by the same amendment No. 1509 of 15.04.2026): a one-off short-term project, event or service within a temporary visit — no permit and no residence permit. Not suitable for long-term employment on the local market.
- Owners of investment property
Buying a flat or commercial property in Georgia to let out produces income, but this kind of income does not create any need to obtain a work permit.
Penalties
- An employee working without a permitGEL 2,000
The fine falls on both the company's director and the migrant, and separately for each illegally employed worker.
- A sole trader (self-employed) working without the right to workGEL 2,000
- A repeat offenceGEL 4,000
The amount is doubled.
- A third and any subsequent offenceGEL 12,000
Three times the fine for a repeat offence, not three times the first fine.
- Obstructing an inspectionGEL 1,000 – 7,000
Residence permits in Georgia
For employees living in Georgia, the work permit is issued together with the employment residence permit, on the basis of a contract. These are the main routes:
Filed once your sole trader or company is registered. A decision takes up to 30 days.
from $170Residence for employees with a contract at a Georgian company. The work permit is arranged as part of the service.
from $170Short-term residence for owners of property worth USD 150,000 or more.
from $340A lighter route to work residence for people who have just registered a sole trader or a company: no turnover to evidence, but the permit runs 6 months.
from $170A separate residence category for people working in IT: employed specialists, sole traders on small business status and managers of international companies. The first permit runs 3 years.
from $170A residence permit for the duration of study at an authorised Georgian university or college. The status is tied to being a student: while you're enrolled, the grounds to live in the country hold.
from $170Residence for people who have invested in the Georgian economy or own property here worth more than the equivalent of USD 300,000. The permit runs 5 years, after which the route to indefinite status opens.
from $340Residence for the spouse, minor child or dependant of someone who already holds Georgian residence or citizenship. The relationship provides the grounds, but the family evidences the income.
from $170Documents and programme requirements
- 1A passport and a current CV evidencing experience in the field you're applying under
- 2Grounds: an employment contract with a Georgian employer, or registration as a sole trader or self-employed
- 3For an LLC: an extract from the register of entrepreneurs, a turnover certificate from rs.ge — at least GEL 50,000 (≈$19,200) for each foreign national (GEL 35,000 (≈$13,500) for educational and medical institutions), the minutes appointing the director or an employment contract
- 4For a sole trader: the registration certificate with the tax number, a document confirming the line of business — an extract from the register of economic activities or a Revenue Service certificate, and a turnover certificate from your rs.ge account if you are already trading
- 5If you haven't started trading yet — a detailed business plan: planned investment, a forecast of annual turnover, proof of funding
Frequently asked questions
Who must have a work permit in Georgia?
What are the deadlines and the transition period?
What are the penalties for working without a permit?
How does the permit relate to a residence permit?
Related breakdowns
Work permits in Georgia 2026: who needs one and who doesn't
From March 2026 a foreigner in Georgia needs a labour right: a fee from GEL 200, employer turnover from GEL 50,000 and a GEL 2,000 fine for working without it.
Georgia's 1% tax: who gets small business status
Small business status gives a sole trader 1% on turnover up to GEL 500,000. Who is refused, which income falls outside it and when the rate rises to 3%.
What Georgian residence costs in 2026: prices from $170
Real prices for Georgian residence in 2026: business and work from $170, property from $340. What's included, timelines and state fees.
We'll check your case before you pay
Send an enquiry — we will check your case and help you arrange “A work permit in Georgia” in Georgia. No markup on top.
We'll cover: whether you qualify, the full cost with fees, realistic timelines, the document list. If it's not for you, we'll say so.