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.
Last reviewed: 31 August 2026 · Last checked: 12 November 2026
An IT Residence Permit is the residence permit granted to a foreign citizen — and their family members — engaged in the information technology sector in Georgia. Georgia created it to attract foreign software developers, IT founders and the staff of international technology companies, and it is popular with the remote-tech crowd because it is granted for a relatively long three years and recognises both employees and entrepreneurs.
Validity
The IT Residence Permit is issued for 3 years and may be extended for additional three-year periods, provided that the applicant continues to satisfy the statutory requirements for the relevant IT category (up to a maximum of twelve years). After the twelve-year ceiling, a foreign national may apply for another type of residence permit, including a permanent residence permit or another long-term basis provided the statutory requirements for that permit are met.
Who is eligible
The IT Residence Permit is available to the following categories of foreign nationals and their family members:
A. IT labour migrants. A foreign citizen employed in the IT sector, registered in the unified database of the Ministry of Internally Displaced Persons from the Occupied Territories, Labour, Health and Social Affairs as a labour immigrant. Applicants under this category must first obtain the right-to-work before applying for an IT Residence Permit.
B. IT entrepreneurs. A foreigner registered in Georgia as an Individual Entrepreneur with Small Business Status, carrying out activities in the IT sector as defined by the Government (see below).
C. Managers and representatives of international IT companies. Foreign nationals authorised to manage or represent an organisation holding International Company Status in the information technology sector.
Income and experience tests
For applicants under categories A and B, the following additional requirements apply:
- at least two years’ experience in labour or economic activity in the IT sector;
- annual remuneration of at least the GEL equivalent of USD 25,000 during the previous 12 months;
- remuneration must be evidenced by at least two payments, received at intervals of not less than 30 days.
Applicants under the category C must submit documents confirming their authority to manage or represent the International Company (instead of the income and experience tests).
What counts as the “IT sector”
For the purposes of the IT Residence Permit, a person working in the information technology sector is:
- a foreign national whose occupation falls under ISCO-08 Major Group 25 (Information and Communications Technology Professionals) and its corresponding sub-codes; or
- a foreign national registered in Georgia as an Individual Entrepreneur with Small Business Status, carrying out one of the following economic activities under the Georgian National Classification of Economic Activities:
| Code | Activity |
|---|---|
| 58.21 | Publishing of computer games |
| 58.29 | Other software publishing |
| 62.01 | Computer programming activities |
| 62.02 | Computer consultancy activities |
| 62.03 | Computer facilities management activities |
| 62.09 | Other IT and computer service activities |
| 63.1 | Data processing, hosting and related activities; web portals |
| 63.12 | Web portal activities |
If your work falls outside these classifications, check carefully before applying.
Required documents
Applications are submitted to the Public Service Development Agency of Georgia. The document set depends on your category.
A. IT labour migrant registered in the Ministry system:
- application (including the unique registration code assigned by the State Employment Promotion Agency);
- passport copy;
- proof of lawful stay in Georgia;
- document confirming at least two years of labour or economic activity in the IT sector;
- document confirming annual remuneration of at least the GEL equivalent of USD 25,000 during the previous 12 months (supported by at least two payments received at intervals of no less than 30 days);
- decision granting the right to work in Georgia;
- 3×4cm colour photo (electronic format);
- state fee receipt.
B. IT entrepreneur with Small Business Status:
- application (including the unique code assigned by the State Employment Promotion Agency);
- documents confirming Small Business Status and the carrying out of qualifying labour or economic activity in the IT sector;
- passport copy;
- proof of lawful stay in Georgia;
- document confirming at least two years of labour or economic activity in the IT sector;
- document confirming annual remuneration of at least the GEL equivalent of USD 25,000 during the previous 12 months (supported by at least two payments received at intervals of no less than 30 days);
- decision granting the right to work in Georgia;
- 3×4cm colour photo (electronic format);
- state fee receipt.
C. Representative or manager of an international IT company:
- application (including the unique code assigned by the State Employment Promotion Agency);
- passport copy;
- proof of lawful stay in Georgia;
- document confirming authority to manage or represent the International IT Company;
- decision granting the right to work in Georgia;
- 3×4cm colour photo (electronic format);
- state fee receipt.
D. Family members of an IT Residence Permit holder:
- application;
- passport copy;
- proof of lawful stay in Georgia;
- a copy of the principal applicant’s IT Residence Permit;
- a document confirming the family relationship;
- 3×4 cm colour photograph (electronic format);
- state fee receipt.
See the family reunification residence permit guide for how family status works more broadly.
Documents issued abroad must generally be legalised or apostilled (unless an applicable international treaty provides otherwise) and translated into Georgian and notarised. Foreign documents may also be submitted electronically, without the original, where the authenticity of the apostille or legalisation can be verified through an official electronic register or another recognised verification method.
The absence rule
The IT permit may terminated if the holder is absent from Georgia for 183 days or more in any 12-month period, unless an exception provided by Georgian law applies. If your work involves extended periods abroad, it is advisable to keep a record of your entries to and departures from Georgia, as this may also be relevant for determining tax residency.
Processing time and state fees
| Processing time | State fee |
|---|---|
| 90 calendar days | GEL 500 |
| 60 calendar days | GEL 750 |
Georgian residence (ID) card
After obtaining the IT Residence Permit, a foreign national must apply for a Georgian residence (ID) card within one month. Applications may be submitted through the Public Service Hall or a territorial office of the Public Service Development Agency.
The fee depends on the processing time:
| Issuance time | Fee |
|---|---|
| 10 working days | GEL 60 |
| 5 working days | GEL 80 |
| 3 working days | GEL 100 |
| 2 working days | GEL 120 |
| Same day | GEL 150 |
Frequently asked questions
How long is the IT Residence Permit valid?
It is issued for three years and can be renewed in three-year increments (up to a maximum of twelve years in total), provided the conditions continue to be met. After that, holders who qualify can move to a permanent or indefinite permit on another basis.
Who can apply for the IT Residence Permit?
Three categories: foreign IT employees recorded in the Ministry of Labour's labour-migration database; IT entrepreneurs registered as Individual Entrepreneurs with Small Business Status whose activity is in IT; and managers or authorised representatives of international IT companies operating in Georgia. Their family members can apply on the same basis.
What income do I need to prove?
At least USD 25,000 per year in Georgian lari equivalent (for the employee and entrepreneur categories). The income must have been received during the previous year in at least two payments, separated by intervals of at least 30 days, so a single lump sum is not enough. You also need at least two years of IT-related work or economic activity.
What documents do I need?
It depends on your category, but generally an application (with your labour-migrant registration code where relevant), passport copy, proof of lawful stay, proof of two years' IT experience, an income certificate, a 3×4 photo and the fee receipt. Company representatives submit proof of authority; family members submit the main holder's permit and proof of relationship. Foreign documents must generally be apostilled/legalised and translated into Georgian and notarised.
Can I lose the permit if I leave Georgia?
Yes. The permit is terminated if you are absent from Georgia for 183 days or more within any 12-month period, unless an exception applies. The IT permit is built around genuine residence, so long uninterrupted absences put it at risk.
How much does it cost and how long does it take?
The standard review takes 90 days for a fee of GEL 500; an expedited 60-day review costs GEL 750. A Georgian ID (residence) card is issued separately, from GEL 60 (10 working days) up to GEL 150 (same day). Confirm current fees with the Public Service Development Agency.