Guide to Residence Permits in Georgia

In this section

Work Residence Permit in Georgia (2026) The work residence permit lets a foreign national live in Georgia on the basis of labour activity here — employment with a Georgian employer or self-employment/entrepreneurial activity. The applicant must show sufficient monthly income. Family members can join through family reunification.
The Right to Work in Georgia: Labour-Migration Permit Explained (2026) The 'right to work' is the permission a foreign national needs to take paid employment or run a business for economic benefit in Georgia. Since the 2026 labour-migration reform it is a distinct authorisation, granted by the Ministry of Labour through its electronic labour-migration system, separate from any residence permit.
IT Residence Permit in Georgia (2026) Georgia's IT Residence Permit is a dedicated route for foreign IT professionals, founders and company representatives, and their family members. It is issued for three years and renewable. Three categories qualify — IT migrants, IT entrepreneurs holding Small Business Status, and representatives of international IT companies. This guide sets out the categories, tests, required documents, the IT-sector definition, fees and how to apply.
Investment Residence Permit in Georgia (2026) Georgia's Investment Residence Permit is the country's investor (golden-visa-style) route. It is granted for up to five years to foreigners who invest at least USD 300,000 (in GEL equivalent) in Georgia, or who own non-agricultural real estate with a market value above USD 300,000. The investment route carries annual turnover conditions that rise over the permit's life — at least USD 50,000 in year one, USD 100,000 in year two, and USD 120,000 in years three to five — while the property route requires the qualifying real estate to be held for at least five years. Investors who maintain the investment can later move to permanent residence. State fees run from GEL 300 (30 days) to GEL 600 (10 days), plus a separate residence-card fee. Family members can be included on the same basis.
Short-Term Residence Permit in Georgia by Property (2026) Georgia's Short-Term Residence Permit lets owners of Georgian real estate live in the country on the strength of their property. To qualify, a foreigner must own non-agricultural immovable property in Georgia whose market value exceeds the equivalent of USD 150,000 in GEL, confirmed by a certified valuer. The permit is issued for one year at a time and is renewable while the qualifying ownership continues, and it can extend to the holder's spouse and minor children. Value is set by accredited market valuation, not purchase price, and multiple properties can be combined to reach the threshold. This guide sets out eligibility, the required documents, fees and how the permit differs from the Investment Residence Permit, checked against the primary law.
Permanent Residence Permit in Georgia (2026) Georgia's Permanent Residence Permit gives foreigners the right to live in the country indefinitely. There are two routes: being a close family member of a Georgian citizen — a spouse, a minor child, or a parent of a minor Georgian citizen — or having lived legally in Georgia for the last ten years on temporary residence permits. Applications go to the Public Service Development Agency and require proof of the qualifying basis (family relationship and legal income, or the ten-year residence record).
Indefinite Residence Permit in Georgia (2026) Georgia's Indefinite Residence Permit is the onward step for investors. It is available to a foreigner who has held an Investment Residence Permit for five years — either on the basis of a USD 300,000 investment, with fifth-year turnover of at least the GEL equivalent of USD 120,000, or on the basis of owning immovable property in Georgia valued above USD 300,000 for a total of five years. Once granted, it removes the renewal cycle and lets the holder and their family live in Georgia indefinitely. The application must be filed before the investment permit expires.
Family Reunification Residence Permit in Georgia (2026) The family reunification residence permit lets the family members of a foreign national who legally resides in Georgia — or of a Georgian citizen — live in the country on the basis of family unity. It is usually issued for 6 months to 1 year and is renewable while the sponsor's status and the family relationship remain valid. Applicants must show legal income of at least twice the subsistence minimum per month (or equivalent funds in a bank account) and proof of the qualifying relationship.
Former Citizen Residence Permit in Georgia (2026) The Former Citizen Residence Permit is granted to a foreign national who previously held Georgian citizenship that has since ended — most often renounced or terminated when the person acquired another nationality. It is generally issued for six years and is renewable, giving former citizens a long-term basis to live in Georgia without qualifying under the work, investment or family routes.
Special Residence Permit in Georgia (2026) The Special Residence Permit is a discretionary and protective category granted to foreigners in specific circumstances. It covers four situations: residence initiated in writing by a member of the Government of Georgia; victims and injured parties of human trafficking; persons who previously held the right of temporary stay under the Law on the Legal Status of Aliens and Stateless Persons; and foreign nationals holding the status of a compatriot living abroad.
Temporary Residence Permit for Victims of Domestic Violence in Georgia (2026) Georgia provides a dedicated temporary residence permit for foreign victims of domestic violence and violence against women, issued under the framework of the Law on the Elimination of Violence against Women and/or Domestic Violence. It is available to a foreigner recognised as a victim — for example through a restraining or protective order, an ongoing criminal prosecution, or use of a state shelter — and it deliberately disapplies the usual barriers: the ordinary lawful-stay requirement and the 40-day pre-expiry filing rule do not apply, so a victim whose immigration status has lapsed can still obtain protection.

Georgia offers several types of residence permit, depending on the purpose of stay. Each permit is issued for a specific legal basis and has its own conditions, duration and extension rules.

Main residence permit types

Work Residence Permit — for foreigners who work or run a business in Georgia. Monthly income must be at least 5× the average subsistence minimum, and employer/company annual turnover at least GEL 50,000 per foreign employee (GEL 35,000 for educational or medical institutions).

IT Residence Permit — for IT professionals and entrepreneurs with at least 2 years of experience and annual income of at least USD 25,000. It is issued for three years and is terminated if the holder is absent from Georgia for 183 days or more during any 12-month period.

Investment Residence Permit — for foreign nationals who make a qualifying investment of at least USD 300,000 in Georgia or own non-agricultural real estate with a market value of at least USD 300,000. It is intended for larger investors and may lead to indefinite residence if the statutory conditions continue to be met.

Short-Term Residence Permit (real estate based) — for foreign nationals who own non-agricultural real estate in Georgia with a market value of at least USD 150,000(threshold applicable from 1 March 2026). It is issued for one year at a time and may be renewed while the qualifying property is retained.

Eight further types exist: Family Reunification, Study, Indefinite, Permanent, Former Citizen, Stateless Person, Special, and the Domestic / Gender-Based Violence permit.

How the process works

Check eligibility under the Law — determine the permit type and its legal conditions (income, investment, family ties).
Collect documents — supporting documents, translation/legalisation, filed before any current permit expires.
Submit your application — online, in person, or through an authorised representative.
Agency review — the Agency verifies documents and may request more evidence. It makes decision within 30 days.
Decision — if approved, collect your residence card within one month. If refused, you may re-apply after one month.

Comparison of key permits

Permit type	Key legal criteria	Initial validity
Work	Income ≥ 5× subsistence minimum; turnover ≥ GEL 50,000 / foreigner	6–12 months
IT	2+ years experience; income ≥ USD 25,000; < 183 days absence	3 years (max 12)
Study	Enrollment in an authorised institution	6–12 months
Family Reunification	Family member of a permit-holder or citizen; means of support	6–12 months
Short-Term (property)	Non-agricultural real estate > USD 150,000 (from 1 Mar 2026)	1 year
Investment	USD 300,000 investment OR real estate > USD 300,000	Up to 5 years
Former Citizen	Previously held Georgian citizenship that has ended	Up to 6 years
Special	Government initiative; trafficking victims; Article 60; compatriots	Issued in ~10 days
Domestic-Violence victim	Recognised victim; lawful-stay & 40-day rules waived	Temporary
Stateless Person	Recognised stateless status in Georgia	Temporary
Permanent	Close relative of a citizen OR 10 years legal residence	Permanent
Indefinite	5 years investment permit + Year-5 turnover ≥ USD 120,000	Indefinite

Foreign documents used in any of these applications may need an apostille, consular legalization, or nothing beyond a notarized Georgian translation, depending on the issuing country. Check yours with the document legalization tool for Georgia.

Frequently asked questions

How long does a residence permit decision take in Georgia?

The Agency must decide within 30 days of receiving all required documents. It may request additional evidence or interviews during that period.

Which residence permit is best for remote workers and IT professionals?

The IT Residence Permit is designed for IT professionals and entrepreneurs with at least 2 years of experience and annual income of at least USD 25,000. It is valid for 3 years.

Can I get residency in Georgia by buying property?

Yes. A Short-Term Residence Permit is available to owners of non-agricultural real estate with a market value above USD 150,000 (threshold from 1 March 2026). Property above USD 300,000 can qualify for an Investment Residence Permit.

Sources

Law of Georgia on the Legal Status of Aliens and Stateless Persons

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