Work Residence Permit in Georgia (2026)

A work residence permit is a temporary residence permit granted to a foreign national who carries out labour or entrepreneurial activity in Georgia . In most cases, applicants must first obtain the right to work in Georgia, although Georgian legislation provides exceptions for certain categories of foreign nationals whose activities fall outside the scope of the Law on Labour Migration. Eligible family members may also apply for a Family Reunification Residence Permit.

Who is eligible

A foreigner may obtain a work residence permit if they carry out labour or entrepreneurial activity in Georgia.

Applicants generally fall into one of the following categories:

A. Employment. The foreign national is employed by an employer registered in Georgia and carries out labour activity under an employment relationship. The employment must be supported by an employment contract or another document confirming employment.

B. Self-employment / entrepreneurial activity. The foreign national carries out entrepreneurial activity in Georgia, including:

• registration as an Individual Entrepreneur (IE) in Georgia;
• participation as a partner or shareholder in a Georgian company, with involvement in its activities;
• other forms of lawful entrepreneurial activity recognised under Georgian legislation.

Financial requirements

Applicants for a Work Residence Permit must generally satisfy both income and business turnover requirements.

Minimum monthly income

The applicant must demonstrate a monthly income or remuneration from labour or entrepreneurial activity of at least five times the average consumer subsistence minimum established in Georgia.

If the employment or business documents do not sufficiently demonstrate the applicant’s legal income, funds held in the applicant’s personal bank account may also be taken into account, provided the available amount corresponds to at least five times the average consumer subsistence minimum for each month of the requested permit period.

Employer or business turnover

The employer, or the enterprise established by the applicant, must generally demonstrate an annual turnover of at least GEL 50,000 per foreign applicant.

For educational and medical institutions, the required annual turnover is at least GEL 35,000 per foreign applicant.

Required documents

Applications are submitted to the Public Service Development Agency of Georgia.

A. Employees

Applicants employed by an employer registered in Georgia generally submit:

• a completed application form, including the unique code assigned by the State Employment Promotion Agency;
• a copy of the passport;
• proof of lawful stay in Georgia;
• a document confirming the employment relationship, such as an employment contract or another document confirming employment;
• the decision granting the right to work in Georgia;
• a document confirming that the applicant’s monthly remuneration is at least five times the average consumer subsistence minimum established in Georgia (or, where the employment documents do not sufficiently demonstrate legal income, evidence of sufficient funds held in the applicant’s personal bank account);
• a document issued by the Revenue Service confirming that the employer’s annual turnover is at least GEL 50,000 per foreign applicant, or GEL 35,000 for educational or medical institutions;
• a certificate confirming the number of foreign nationals employed by the employer;
• a 3×4 colour photograph in electronic format;
• the receipt confirming payment of the state fee.

B. Individual Entrepreneurs

Applicants carrying out entrepreneurial activity generally submit:

• a completed application form, including the unique code assigned by the State Employment Promotion Agency;
• a copy of the passport;
• proof of lawful stay in Georgia;
• documents confirming the entrepreneurial activity carried out in Georgia;
• the decision granting the right to work in Georgia;
• a document confirming that the applicant’s monthly income from entrepreneurial activity is at least five times the average consumer subsistence minimum established in Georgia (or, where necessary, evidence of sufficient funds held in the applicant’s personal bank account);
• a document issued by the Revenue Service confirming that the enterprise’s annual turnover is at least GEL 50,000 per foreign applicant, or GEL 35,000 for educational or medical institutions;
• a certificate confirming the number of foreign nationals employed by the enterprise;
• a 3×4 colour photograph in electronic format;
• the receipt confirming payment of the state fee.

Additional documents in specific cases

Depending on the applicant’s circumstances, additional or alternative documents may be required:

• Applicants carrying out activities exempt from the Law on Labour Migration must submit documents confirming the relevant exempt activity.
• Where the employer or enterprise is not registered as a VAT payer, alternative certificates confirming the required turnover and non-VAT status may be submitted instead of the Revenue Service document.
• If the required turnover certificates cannot objectively be obtained, other reliable evidence demonstrating compliance with the turnover requirement may be accepted.
• Newly established enterprises (registered for no more than three months, employing no more than three foreign nationals and applying for a first Work Residence Permit) are exempt from the standard turnover documentation. Instead, they submit a certificate confirming the number of foreign employees. In such cases, the first Work Residence Permit is issued for six months.

Documents issued outside Georgia must generally be legalised or apostilled, unless an applicable international treaty provides otherwise. Documents in a foreign language must be translated into Georgian and notarised. Where permitted by law, foreign documents may also be submitted in electronic form without the original, provided the authenticity of the apostille or legalisation can be verified electronically.

Duration

A work residence permit is usually issued for 6 months to 1 year, Depending on the applicant’s circumstances. It may be extended, provided the foreign national continues to meet the statutory requirements for the permit.

One important exception applies to newly established enterprises. Where an applicant benefits from the turnover exemption for companies registered within the previous three months, employing no more than three foreign nationals and applying for a first Work Residence Permit, the initial permit is issued for six months. Before applying for an extension, the enterprise will generally be expected to satisfy the standard turnover requirements.

Processing time and state fees

The state fee depends on how quickly the application is processed:

Processing time	State fee
30 calendar days	GEL 300
20 calendar days	GEL 450
10 calendar days	GEL 600

Georgian ID (residence) card

After obtaining the 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

Family members

Eligible family members of a foreign national holding a Work Residence Permit may also apply for a Family Reunification Residence Permit. The categories of eligible family members and the applicable documentary requirements are explained in the family reunification residence permit guide.

Frequently asked questions

Who is eligible for a work residence permit?

A foreign national engaged in labour activity in Georgia — either employed by a company registered in Georgia, or self-employed through entrepreneurial activity such as registering as an Individual Entrepreneur, being a partner or shareholder in a Georgian company, or another lawful business generating income in Georgia.

What are the income and turnover thresholds?

The applicant must show monthly income or remuneration of at least five times the average subsistence minimum defined in Georgia, and that the annual turnover of the employing or founded enterprise is at least GEL 50,000 per applying foreign employee — or at least GEL 35,000 per employee for education and medical institutions. If employment documents do not sufficiently prove income, funds held in the applicant's own bank account may be accepted instead.

How long is the permit valid?

A work residence permit is usually issued for 6 months to 1 year, and may be renewed if the foreigner continues their labour activity and the legal conditions remain fulfilled. One case is fixed at the short end: where a young company relies on the turnover relief introduced by Ordinance No 317 of 9 July 2026, the first work residence permit is issued for six months.

My company is new and has no turnover yet. Can I still apply?

Ordinance No 317 of 9 July 2026 added a relief for exactly this. Where the enterprise has no more than three foreign employees and no more than three months have passed since it was founded or registered, and the work residence permit is being issued for the first time without the certificate, the turnover certificate is not required — instead the person submits a certificate issued by the enterprise stating the number of foreign employees. The trade-off is that the permit is then issued for six months rather than up to a year. Separately, where it is objectively impossible to obtain the standard certificates, any other evidence that indisputably proves the required turnover may be submitted.

How much does it cost and how long does it take?

State fees depend on the processing speed: GEL 300 for a 30-day review, GEL 450 for 20 days, and GEL 600 for 10 days. After the permit is granted, the Georgian ID (residence) card costs a further GEL 60 (10 working days) up to GEL 150 (same-day issuance).

Can my family come with me?

Yes. Family members of a foreign worker may obtain residence permits on the basis of family reunification, tied to the worker's status. See the family reunification residence permit guide for who qualifies and what is required.

What documents do I need?

An application, passport copy, proof of lawful stay, proof of employment or entrepreneurial activity, proof of income (or a bank statement), a Revenue Service turnover confirmation for the employer/company, a statement of the number of foreign employees, a 3×4 photo and the fee receipt. Foreign documents must generally be apostilled/legalised and translated into Georgian and notarised.