Starting March 1, 2026, new legislation will take effect, amending the status of labor migrants and foreign individuals registered as individual entrepreneurs in Georgia. Based on information from the legal firm LTA, we outline all key changes that will be implemented gradually starting next year - some from March 1 and others from September 1.

• Definition of a Self-Employed Foreigner Added to the Law on Labor Migration

The definition of a self-employed foreigner will be as follows: a foreigner without permanent residence in Georgia who engages in labor activities in the country, including those involved in trade, services, or other types of activities as a partner, independent contractor, or otherwise participating in entrepreneurial/labor activities with the aim of generating financial profit.

• Expanded Definition of Labor Migrant

The definition of a labor migrant will also change. In addition to individuals seeking employment with a local employer in Georgia for paid labor activities, it will now include individuals who work remotely with a local employer and foreigners who are self-employed.

• Right to Engage in Labor Activity Replaces Labor Migrant Registration Requirement

Labor migrant registration will be replaced by the right to engage in labor activity, granting foreigners a special right to carry out labor/entrepreneurial activities in Georgia, either independently or in employment with a local employer, whether on-site or remotely.

• Obtaining Residency Becomes a Mandatory Prerequisite for Conducting Activities in Georgia

Only foreigners who have been issued a labor residence permit, a D1 category immigration visa, and/or another type of residence permit as defined by Georgian legislation, combined with the right to engage in labor activity, will be authorized to engage in labor/entrepreneurial activities in Georgia from which they derive economic benefit.

• Procedure for Obtaining the Right to Engage in Labor Activity

An employed individual obtains the right to engage in labor activity through their employer, while a self-employed individual does so independently. In both cases, the employed and self-employed must submit documentation as required by Georgian legislation. The right to engage in labor activity for a labor migrant is granted for work with a specific local employer, while for a self-employed foreigner, it is granted with reference to a specific profession and labor/entrepreneurial field. During the review process, a local employer or self-employed foreigner may be required to provide additional information. The total review period for applications must not exceed 30 calendar days.

• Procedures Following the Acquisition of the Right to Engage in Labor Activity

A labor migrant, after obtaining the right to engage in labor activity, is obliged to:

1. If not yet in Georgia, apply for a D1 category immigration visa within 30 calendar days of obtaining the right to engage in labor activity, as per Georgian legislation.
2. If already in Georgia, apply for a labor residence permit or a residence permit for individuals employed in the information technology (IT) sector within 10 calendar days of obtaining the right to engage in labor activity, as per Georgian legislation.
3. A labor migrant is exempt from these requirements if they already hold any type of residence permit as defined by Georgian legislation or if they conduct labor activities entirely remotely without requiring entry into Georgia.

• Sanctions for Non-Compliance with the Law

Engaging in labor activity without a labor activity permit by a local employer or self-employed individual will result in a fine of 2,000 GEL per labor migrant, imposed on the self-employed individual, local employer, or service organizer. In the case of repeated violations, the fine is doubled. In specific cases, the law also provides for triple fines and other sanctions.

It is noteworthy that labor migrants registered in the unified database of the Ministry of Internally Displaced Persons from the Occupied Territories, Labour, Health and Social Affairs of Georgia (Labourmigration.moh.gov.ge) with active registration status as of March 1, 2026, must obtain the right to engage in labor activity and the relevant residence permit by January 1, 2027, in accordance with Georgian legislation.

Changes to Georgia’s Residence Permits

1. Obtaining the right to engage in labor activity becomes a prerequisite for acquiring a labor residence permit.
2. A special residence permit is introduced for employees and individual entrepreneurs operating in the information technology sector. This residence permit is issued for a three-year term to labor migrants employed in the technology sector and their family members, foreigners registered in Georgia as individual entrepreneurs with small business status operating in the IT sector, as well as to executives and representatives of international companies operating in the IT sector and their family members.
3. Individuals with small business status in the IT sector or those employed in this field must submit documentation proving at least two years of experience in labor or economic activities in the IT sector, as well as a certificate confirming that their annual income from such activities is not less than the equivalent of 25,000 USD in GEL.
4. Starting September 1, 2025, the temporary residence permit for individuals employed in the IT sector will be terminated if the permit holder is absent from Georgia for 183 days or more during any continuous 12-month period.
5. The minimum value of real estate required to obtain a short-term residence permit has increased to 150,000 USD (up from 100,000 USD).
6. Penalties for violating Georgia’s stay regulations and deportation procedures are being tightened.

If you require legal assistance regarding labor activity permits, the professional team at the legal firm LTA is ready to provide prompt support.

Ad