Georgia Work Permit Guide for Employers (2026)
Standard processing: 30 calendar days | Expedited: 10 working days Authority: Employment Promotion State Agency (SSA). Portal: labourmigration.moh.gov.ge. Last reviewed: May 2026
Major regulatory change: Georgia introduced mandatory work permits for the first time on 1 March 2026
- Government Resolution No. 70 (20 February 2026): Mandatory Right to Work permit for all foreign nationals without permanent residence performing paid work or business activity in Georgia, effective 1 March 2026
- Labour market test added 25 February 2026: Employers must post vacancies on Worknet portal for 10 working days before applying
- Law No. 1509 (15 April 2026): New exemptions introduced including fully remote workers, non-resident client services, and corporate governance roles
- Fine: 2,000 GEL per offence for employer AND employee, doubled or tripled for repeat violations.
- Zero quotas: Couriers, taxi drivers, and tourist guides cannot be hired as foreign nationals in 2026.
Until 1 March 2026, Georgia had no formal work permit system. Most foreign nationals could work legally simply by being present in the country, making Georgia one of the most accessible destinations globally for remote workers and entrepreneurs. That has fundamentally changed. Under Government Resolution No. 70 and the subsequent Law No. 1509, Georgia now operates a mandatory work authorisation system with a labour market test, a two-stage process, fines, and a suite of exemptions. Employers who hired foreign nationals before 1 March 2026 on the basis of the old framework are now operating in an entirely different legal environment.
Quick answer
From 1 March 2026: foreign nationals without permanent residence need a Right to Work permit from the Employment Promotion State Agency (SSA) before starting paid work or business activity in Georgia. Employer posts vacancy on Worknet for 10 working days, then applies electronically — maximum fee 500 GEL, processing 30 days standard / 10 working days expedited. Work permit is a prerequisite for D1 visa. Employer must report contract changes within 5 calendar days. Fine: 2,000 GEL each for employer and employee. Several exemptions apply including permanent residents, remote workers for non-Georgian clients, and corporate governance roles.
The two legislative instruments that define Georgia’s 2026 work permit system
Georgia’s new system is governed by two instruments that must be read together. Neither alone tells the complete story — employers need both to understand who must obtain a permit and who is now exempt.
Government Resolution No. 70 — effective 1 March 2026
- Established the mandatory Right to Work permit regime
- Defines who must obtain a permit: foreign nationals without permanent residence who work for a Georgian employer or conduct self-employed/business activity in Georgia
- Sets up the Employment Promotion State Agency as issuing authority
- Sets maximum fee at 500 GEL
- Establishes standard 30-day and expedited 10-working-day processing
- Sets fines of 2,000 GEL per offence
- Introduced labour market test: 10 working days on Worknet
Law No. 1509 — enacted 15 April 2026
- Introduced six new exemption sub-clauses (Z through M)
- Created the new short-term professional activity institution (Article 13⁹)
- Expanded the definition of self-employed foreigner to capture more categories
- Exempted fully remote workers for Georgian employers with no physical presence requirement
- Exempted management/governance roles at Category I–III enterprises
- Exempted services to non-resident clients for activities outside Georgia
Who must obtain a Right to Work permit in Georgia
The requirement applies to any foreign national without a permanent residence permit in Georgia who falls into either of the following categories from 1 March 2026:
- Category 1 — Employees: Foreign nationals who perform compensated work for a Georgian employer under an employment contract, regardless of where the work physically takes place if the employer is Georgian and the worker is in Georgia.
2. Category 2 — Self-employed and entrepreneurs: Foreign nationals who conduct self-employed, freelance, or entrepreneurial activity for financial gain in Georgia, including individual entrepreneurs, freelancers operating under civil law contracts, independent contractors, and company directors performing operational functions.
Law No. 1509 expanded the definition of self-employed foreigner to explicitly include independent contractors in trade and services, and any persons otherwise involved in entrepreneurial or labour processes where the purpose is financial gain. The burden of proving an exemption applies falls on the individual or their employer — exemptions are not self-applying.
Who is exempt from Georgia’s work permit requirement
| Category | Basis | Key condition |
|---|---|---|
| Permanent residence permit holders | Law on Labor Migration | Must hold a valid permanent residence permit in Georgia — not a temporary residence permit |
| Investment residence permit holders | Law on Legal Status of Foreigners | Investment of USD 300,000 or more in the Georgian economy |
| Refugees and asylum seekers | Law on Refugees | Must hold recognised refugee or humanitarian status |
| Diplomatic mission employees | International law / bilateral agreements | Staff of accredited diplomatic missions in Georgia |
| Foreign media journalists | Law on Labor Migration | Accredited foreign media representatives |
| Fully remote workers — Georgian employer (sub-clause K) | Law No. 1509, April 2026 | Work performed entirely remotely; the activity does not require physical presence in Georgia. Documentary evidence of the remote nature is required. |
| Services to non-resident clients outside Georgia (sub-clause L) | Law No. 1509, April 2026 | Services rendered to a non-resident person where the work relates to that person’s activities outside Georgia. Requires careful structuring and documentation. |
| Corporate governance roles — Category I/II/III enterprises (sub-clause M) | Law No. 1509, April 2026 | Management, governance, or audit committee roles at enterprises as categorised under Georgia’s Accounting, Reporting and Audit Law. Directors also performing operational roles face separate analysis. |
| Short-term professional activity (sub-clause T) | Law No. 1509, Article 13⁹ | Framework for specific short-term professional visits where the activity is tied to a project, event, or service, does not constitute long-term employment, and takes place within a temporary visit. Specific qualifying activities and duration limits to be defined by separate government decree. |
| Public institution / state enterprise workers (sub-clause I) | Law No. 1509, April 2026 | Persons working for public institutions or state-owned/state-participated enterprises |
Transition periods
Zero-quota occupations: hiring prohibited for foreign nationals in 2026
| Category / Group | Deadline / Date | Details / Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-registered employees | 1 January 2027 | Foreign nationals registered in Ministry of Labour’s database by 1 March 2026 have until this date to obtain work and residence permits. |
| Self-employed — already working | 1 May 2026 | Foreign nationals working in Georgia as of 1 March 2026 had until this date to comply; no fines were applied during this transition window. |
| New entrants (post-1 March) | No grace period | Foreign nationals entering the Georgian labour market as employees or self-employed after 1 March 2026 must comply immediately; no transition period applies. |
Georgia has established occupation-specific quotas for 2026. Three occupations have been set at zero quota, meaning no new foreign nationals can be hired in these roles in 2026:
Couriers, taxi drivers, and tourist guides — zero quota. Mountain instructors: quota of 200 per year. Employers should check current quota positions before initiating any work permit application for these or any other quota-regulated roles.
How to hire a foreign national in Georgia
The process is employer-led through steps 1, 2, and 4. Step 3 involves the employee. The Right to Work permit must be issued before the employee begins work and before any D1 visa or residence permit application is submitted.
Confirm the role is not quota-restricted and check exemption status
Before initiating any application, the employer confirms the occupation is not subject to a zero or exhausted quota and reviews whether the proposed arrangement qualifies for any exemption under Law No. 1509. Where an exemption applies, particularly sub-clauses K, L, or M, documenting that exemption clearly at the outset prevents compliance questions later. Where no exemption applies, proceed to the Worknet posting. Check quota availability and exemptions.
Post vacancy on Worknet portal for at least 10 working days
The employer posts the job vacancy on the official Worknet portal (worknet.gov.ge) for a minimum of 10 working days. This is Georgia’s labour market test, introduced on 25 February 2026, just before the permit system launched. The posting must describe the role accurately. If no suitable local candidate is identified after 10 working days, the employer documents this and proceeds to the work permit application. Evidence of the posting and absence of suitable local candidates must be submitted with the application. Mandatory before work permit application — 10 working days on Worknet; cannot be run concurrently with the permit application.
Employer submits Right to Work application to the Employment Promotion State Agency
The employer submits the work permit application electronically through the labour migration portal (labourmigration.moh.gov.ge) to the Employment Promotion State Agency. The application includes the employment contract, Worknet documentation, and supporting documents. The fee is capped at 500 GEL. Processing: 30 calendar days standard, or 10 working days on the expedited track. The permit is issued in the name of the specific employer and employee. Employer action: EPSA via labour migration. | Fee: up to 500 GEL.
Employee applies for D1 work visa or labour residence permit
Only after the Right to Work permit is issued can the employee apply for a D1 immigration visa or labour residence permit. The Right to Work is a mandatory prerequisite, neither the D1 visa nor the residence permit can be issued without it. This two-stage structure (permit first, then visa/residence) is one of the most significant practical changes Georgia’s new system introduces. Employers accustomed to the pre-2026 framework where a visa or residence alone was sufficient must build both stages into their planning timeline. D1 visa and labour residence permit cannot be applied for until Right to Work is issued sequential, not parallel.
Employer reports contract changes within 5 calendar days
When the employment contract with the foreign national ends, is modified, or is terminated for any reason, the employer must report this to the Ministry of Labour’s electronic migration system within 5 calendar days. This is not an optional administrative step, missing the deadline creates penalties and affects the employer’s ability to file future work permit applications. The 5-day clock starts on the date of the change, not from when the employer next logs into the system. 5 calendar days from contract change — no exceptions; affects future permit eligibility if missed.
Documents required for a Georgia Right to Work permit application
| Required Document | Notes |
|---|---|
| Worknet job posting confirmation | Evidence of 10-working-day vacancy posting; confirmation no suitable local candidate was found |
| Signed employment contract | Between the Georgian employer and the foreign national; must specify the role, salary, and duration |
| Foreign national’s valid passport — copy | Including biographical pages; sufficient validity for the intended engagement period |
| Georgian employer’s registration documents | Confirming legal registration in the Georgian legal entities register |
| Employee’s qualifications and professional experience documentation | Relevant where the justification for the foreign hire relies on specialist expertise unavailable locally |
| Application fee payment confirmation | Maximum 500 GEL; payment method confirmed by the Employment Promotion State Agency portal |
| Tax Identification Number (TIN) of the foreign national | Georgian TIN; self-employed foreign nationals will need to provide TIN and individual entrepreneur ID |
Fines and compliance obligations
- Working without a Right to Work permit: 2,000 GEL fine — applied to both the employer AND the foreign national independently.
- Repeat offences: Double or triple the standard 2,000 GEL fine.
- Failure to report contract end or modification: Within 5 calendar days — creates penalty exposure and affects future permit eligibility.
- Zero-quota violations: Hiring a foreign national in a zero-quota occupation (couriers, taxi drivers, tourist guides in 2026) — permit will not be issued; application is refused.
- Employer-side violations: Employers face fines equal to those of the employee — the financial exposure is symmetrical.
- Pre-March 2026 workers not yet regularised: Transition period until 1 January 2027 for registered employees, 1 May 2026 for self-employed — after these dates, full fines apply.
Georgia work permit at a glance. 2026
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| System introduction date | 1 March 2026 — first mandatory work permit system in Georgia’s history |
| Governing instruments | Government Resolution No. 70 (20 February 2026) + Law No. 1509 (15 April 2026) |
| Issuing authority | Employment Promotion State Agency (EPSA — ssa.gov.ge) |
| Application portal | labourmigration.moh.gov.ge |
| Labour market test | 10 working days on Worknet portal (worknet.gov.ge) before application |
| Processing time — standard | 30 calendar days |
| Processing time — expedited | 10 working days |
| Maximum fee | 500 GEL |
| D1 visa / residence permit | Applied for AFTER Right to Work permit is issued — sequential, not concurrent |
| Contract change reporting deadline | 5 calendar days from change date — mandatory for all employers |
| Fine for non-compliance | 2,000 GEL each for employer AND employee; doubled/tripled for repeat offences |
| Zero-quota occupations in 2026 | Couriers, taxi drivers, tourist guides — permits not issuable. Mountain instructors: 200 per year |
| Key exemptions | Permanent/investment residence holders; remote workers for non-Georgian clients; corporate governance roles (Category I–III); diplomatic staff; short-term professional activity (decree pending) |
| Transition — pre-registered employees | Until 1 January 2027 if registered in Ministry database by 1 March 2026 |
Employer of Record in Georgia for Hiring Foreign Nationals
Georgia’s labour migration rules require a registered Georgian employer to handle the employment-linked steps of the work-authorisation process, including the Worknet vacancy posting, the application to the Employment Promotion State Agency, the employment contract, and ongoing contract-change reporting.
For foreign companies without a Georgian entity, this creates a practical barrier. They cannot simply manage these employer-side obligations from abroad.
Acumen International provides a compliant local employment route through its Employer of Record model. Where applicable, Acumen acts as the registered Georgian employer, issues the local employment contract, supports the work-authorisation process connected to that employment, and manages the employer-side reporting obligations.
The client company continues to direct the worker’s day-to-day activity under a commercial agreement, while Acumen manages the local employment structure and related compliance administration in Georgia.
Official government resources
- Employment Promotion State Agency (EPSA)ssa.gov.ge
The authority issuing Right to Work permits in Georgia. Applications are submitted electronically through the Ministry of Labour’s migration portal.
2. Labour migration portal — Ministry of Labour
The electronic portal through which employers submit work permit applications, register foreign employees, and report contract changes. Self-employed foreign nationals also apply here.
3. Worknet — official vacancy portal
The mandatory platform for the 10-working-day labour market test vacancy posting. Employers must register and post vacancies here before a work permit application can be submitted.
4. Matsne — official legal gazette of Georgia
The official legal gazette where Government Resolution No. 70 (February 2026), Law No. 1509 (April 2026), and the Law on Labour Migration are published in their authoritative consolidated forms.
5. US Embassy Georgia — work permit rules announcement
Official US Embassy notice confirming the March 1, 2026 mandatory work permit introduction and its implications for foreign nationals working in Georgia.
Frequently asked questions
Does Georgia’s new system change its appeal for remote workers?
Yes, but not for every remote-work scenario. Visa-free access remains available for many nationalities, but Georgia has added a work-authorisation layer where the foreign national is working for, or serving, the Georgian labour market.
Some remote arrangements may be exempt, including fully remote work for a Georgian employer where no physical presence in Georgia is required, and services delivered to non-resident clients for activities outside Georgia. The key issue is the actual structure of the engagement, not the worker’s location alone.
What happens to foreign employees already working in Georgia before 1 March 2026?
Foreign employees registered in the Ministry of Labour’s unified database by 1 March 2026 fall within the transition period until 1 January 2027. They may continue working during that period, but the employer must secure the required Right to Work permit, and any related residence permission, before the deadline.
Employees who were not registered by 1 March 2026 are treated as new entrants and do not benefit from the transition period.
Can the Worknet posting and work permit application run at the same time?
No. The Worknet labour market test must be completed before the Right to Work application is submitted.
Employers should allow for the 10-working-day Worknet posting, administrative time, permit review, and any related visa or residence steps. In practice, international hiring in Georgia should be planned with a lead time of at least several weeks, not as an immediate start process.
What is exempt short-term professional activity?
Law No. 1509 introduces short-term professional activity as a separate category, but the detailed qualifying activities and time limits depend on implementing rules.
In principle, the activity must be temporary, linked to a specific project, event, or service, and should not amount to long-term employment in Georgia’s labour market. Employers should not rely on this exemption until the worker’s role, duration, and activity type have been reviewed against the final rules.
Does a foreign director of a Georgian subsidiary need a work permit?
Not always. Certain management, governance, and audit committee roles may be exempt, depending on the category of the Georgian enterprise and the individual’s actual duties.
A director acting only in a governance capacity may be treated differently from someone involved in day-to-day operational management. The practical role should be reviewed before relying on the exemption.
Can the employer apply before the employment contract is signed?
No. A signed employment contract is required for the work permit application.
The practical sequence is: complete the Worknet posting, finalise and sign the employment contract, then submit the Right to Work application. To avoid delay, employers can prepare the contract while the Worknet posting is running.
Can the employee start work while the application is pending?
No. Georgia’s new system does not appear to provide interim work rights while the application is under review.
The foreign national should not start work until the Right to Work permit has been issued. Starting early may expose both the employer and employee to penalties.
Hiring foreign nationals in Georgia?
Acumen International’s Global EOR solution gives your business a compliant route to employing workers in Georgia, managing Worknet vacancy postings, Right to Work applications to the Employment Promotion State Agency, D1 visa coordination, 5-day contract change reporting, and full employment compliance under Georgia’s new mandatory work permit framework.
Important: Acumen International operates as a Global Employer of Record and supports businesses employing workers in Georgia. Our involvement flows from our role as the registered employing entity under Georgia’s new mandatory work permit system, specifically, Right to Work applications through the Employment Promotion State Agency and employment compliance under Georgian labour law. We do not provide standalone immigration legal advice. Given that Georgia’s implementing decree for the short-term professional activity category had not been published as of May 2026, employers relying on Law No. 1509 exemptions should obtain specific Georgian legal advice on their particular situation.