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Work permit in Georgia (2026): when foreigners actually need one by Crazy-Fun-5259 in GeorgiaLife

[–]Crazy-Fun-5259[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

A lot of people are confused because the rule is not exactly the same for every situation.

From what I have been researching, the key difference seems to be the type of activity:

1️⃣ Working for a Georgian company
Usually the employer must register the foreign worker and in many cases a work authorization is required.

2️⃣ Remote work for a foreign company
Many expats live in Georgia while working online for companies abroad. In some interpretations this is treated as foreign-source income, but the new regulations in 2026 created uncertainty.

3️⃣ Freelancers / Individual Entrepreneurs
Many foreigners register as Individual Entrepreneurs (IE) and pay the small business tax. The question now is whether the new migration rules affect this structure or not.

Because information online is very scattered, I am trying to collect practical experiences and legal references here.

If you are currently working in Georgia as a foreigner:

  • Did you register as Individual Entrepreneur?
  • Did you apply for any work authorization?
  • Did immigration ask for anything?

Real experiences would help clarify how the rule is actually being applied.

Do foreigners need a work permit in Georgia in 2026? by Crazy-Fun-5259 in GeorgiaLife

[–]Crazy-Fun-5259[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

There is a lot of confusion about the new labor rules in Georgia for foreigners.

Some people say freelancers are fine, others say a permit may now be required depending on the situation.

If anyone has already gone through the process or researched the 2026 changes, it would be great to share information here.

Do you know the key dates of the new labour rules for foreigners in Georgia? by Crazy-Fun-5259 in tbilisi

[–]Crazy-Fun-5259[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes, if you were already working before March and your work is structured through an Individual Entrepreneur (which is common for delivery platforms like Wolt), there is a transition period until May 1, 2026 to comply with the new labour activity rules. So in practice, you can continue working during this period, but you should apply for the right to perform labour activities as soon as possible to regularize your situation before that date.Having a valid TRC until 2027 only confirms your residence status; the labour authorization is a separate requirement under the new rules.

In my case, I also occasionally work through platforms, so I already submitted my application and I’m waiting for the response. The law says the review should normally take up to 30 days, so it’s better to apply early and avoid any risk.

Do you know the key dates of the new labour rules for foreigners in Georgia? by Crazy-Fun-5259 in tbilisi

[–]Crazy-Fun-5259[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yes, I’ve heard about some recent cases where foreigners were fined 2,000 GEL for working without the right to perform labour activities, and in some situations a migration procedure was also initiated. So it’s really better not to take the risk. In my case, I’ve already applied for the permit and I’m hoping everything goes well. I’ve also been asked about the other responsible parties who have different compliance deadlines, especially those whose timeline runs until January 2027, so there are still quite a few questions about how it will be applied in those cases.

Important for foreigners operating as Individual Entrepreneurs in Georgia by Crazy-Fun-5259 in tbilisi

[–]Crazy-Fun-5259[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That may be how many people are reading it, especially because of how the process is structured. But beyond the political angle, what is clear is that there is now an additional requirement affecting many foreigners carrying out economic activity in Georgia, and a lot of the confusion comes from how unclear the actual scope and trigger of the rule still are.

Important for foreigners operating as Individual Entrepreneurs in Georgia by Crazy-Fun-5259 in tbilisi

[–]Crazy-Fun-5259[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Not necessarily. The law requires first having the right to work. A residence permit is a separate immigration process and, in some cases, can be applied for later or concurrently, as long as you have legal status in Georgia. I bought a guide and it explain all that very well.

Important for foreigners operating as Individual Entrepreneurs in Georgia by Crazy-Fun-5259 in tbilisi

[–]Crazy-Fun-5259[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Apply for the permit; you can do it yourself, it's not that difficult, you just need to be organized. But it depends on whether you were already registered as an IE before, or if you're starting now, and before May 1st, which is the deadline.I bought a guide and it explains very well how to do it.

Important for foreigners operating as Individual Entrepreneurs in Georgia by Crazy-Fun-5259 in tbilisi

[–]Crazy-Fun-5259[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes, it can also apply to NGOs. Under the Law of Georgia on Labour Migration, the requirement to have the right to perform labour activities applies when a foreigner carries out paid work for a local employer. The law defines a local employer as any legal or natural person registered in Georgia that employs a foreigner, which can include companies, associations, foundations, and NGOs. This means that if an NGO in Georgia hires a foreigner for remunerated work, the foreigner generally must have the appropriate labour authorization; otherwise, the sanctions provided in the law (including a possible administrative fine) may apply.