Legislative Changes in Labour Migration in Georgia: New Work Permit Rules for Foreign Nationals

New Labour Migration Rules in Georgia

Significant amendments to Georgia’s legislation governing the employment of foreign nationals entered into force on 9 July 2026. The new rules introduce important changes to work activity permits, short-term professional activities, requirements for self-employed foreign nationals, employment quotas, reporting obligations, and supporting documentation.

These changes are particularly relevant to foreign employees, self-employed foreign nationals, individual entrepreneurs, Georgian employers hiring foreign workers, and companies employing foreign nationals in Georgia.

Below, we outline the key changes and requirements introduced under Georgia’s updated labour migration framework.

Short-Term Professional Activities: New Rules and Requirements

The updated legislation introduces a new category of short-term professional activity, setting out specific rules for foreign nationals who perform professional activities in Georgia for a limited period.

Duration of Short-Term Professional Activity

The duration of short-term professional activity:

• May not exceed 4 months within a calendar year, and
• May not exceed the foreign national’s permitted period of stay in Georgia.

 

Employer Registration Requirement

An employer engaging a foreign national in short-term professional activity is required to:

• Register the foreign national in the relevant special electronic system; and
• Submit the documentation specified in Annex No. 4 of the applicable legislation.

 

The introduction of this category is also relevant when determining whether a foreign national is subject to the general work permit requirements in Georgia.

Changes to Work Permit Requirements for Self-Employed Foreign Nationals

The rules concerning self-employed foreign nationals in Georgia have also been amended.

Following the legislative changes introduced on 15 April 2026, foreign self-employed individuals providing services to non-resident persons outside Georgia were generally exempt from the requirement to obtain a work activity permit.

The new legislation provides an additional option.

Key Changes to Work Permit Requirements

Where a self-employed foreign national may require a residence permit in Georgia in order to remain in the country legally in the future, they are now entitled to voluntarily obtain the relevant work activity permit.

This provides greater flexibility for foreign self-employed individuals who provide services internationally but may later need to establish or maintain their legal residence in Georgia.

Learn more about our relocation and immigration services for individuals, families and businesses planning an international move.

New Exemptions Under the Labour Migration Rules

The legislation has expanded the list of foreign nationals and activities that are exempt from the relevant requirements.

The exemptions now include several additional categories.

Short-Term Professional Activities

Foreign nationals carrying out activities that fall within the newly defined category of short-term professional activity are exempt from the general requirements applicable under these rules.

Work for State Institutions and State-Owned Enterprises

The updated legislation provides an exemption for foreign nationals whose professional activities are performed for the benefit of a public institution or a state-owned enterprise.

This exemption applies to individuals carrying out activities for:

• A public institution, or
• A state-owned enterprise in which the state holds a share.

 

Accordingly, foreign nationals working within these entities may fall outside the scope of the labour migration requirements established under the updated legislation.

Foreign Nationals Working Remotely for Local Employers

Foreign nationals working fully remotely for a local employer, where entering Georgia is not required for the performance of their work, are also included among the exempt categories.

Managers and governing body members

The exemptions also cover individuals performing managerial or executive functions, or participating in audit committees, within:

• Category I, II or III enterprises defined under the Law of Georgia on Accounting, Reporting and Auditing; or
• Public Interest Entities (PIEs) determined under the applicable legal criteria or criteria approved by the Government of Georgia.

Individuals with temporary residence rights

Persons who have obtained the right to temporary residence in Georgia in accordance with applicable legislation are also excluded from the scope of these requirements.

Employment Contract Changes: New Reporting Rules

The updated legislation clarifies when an employer or employee is required to notify the Legal Entity of Public Law – National Employment Agency about changes to an employment contract.

When Reporting Is Required:

• The employee’s position or vacancy changes; or
• The employee’s field of activity changes.

 

When Reporting Is Not Required:

• The employee’s position level changes, such as in the case of a promotion;
• The employee’s remuneration or salary changes; or
• The employee’s working schedule changes.

 

This clarification is particularly relevant for Georgian employers hiring foreign nationals, as it helps determine which employment changes must be formally reported.

Work Permit Application Requirements for Self-Employed Foreign Nationals

The updated legislation introduces a specific procedural requirement for self-employed foreign nationals applying for a work activity permit in Georgia.

Under the new rules, a self-employed person, including an individual entrepreneur, must submit the relevant application and supporting documents personally. The procedure cannot be completed through an authorised representative.

Accordingly, a power of attorney cannot be used to delegate the submission of documents or complete the work activity permit application on behalf of a self-employed foreign national.

This requirement should be taken into account when preparing and submitting a work activity permit application, particularly where the applicant is unable to complete the procedure in person.

Self-employed professionals may also want to review the Georgia 1% tax regime for Individual Entrepreneurs and the applicable Small Business Status requirements.

Passport Verification During the Video Interview

The updated legislation also introduces a specific requirement for the video interview conducted as part of the work activity permit application process.

During the interview, a self-employed foreign national must have the original passport that was used to submit the application. The passport must be available for verification throughout the video interview.

Applicants should therefore ensure that they have the same original passport used in their application readily available at the time of the interview. This requirement should be considered in advance to avoid issues during the application process.

Foreign Worker Quotas: New Requirements

Another important change concerns employment quotas for foreign nationals in Georgia.

Under the updated rules, local employers are required to agree in advance on the number of foreign employees they plan to hire during the relevant year. This means that employers must determine their anticipated need for foreign workers and obtain approval for the applicable employment quota in advance.

The new requirement introduces an additional planning and compliance step for Georgian companies that employ or intend to employ foreign nationals.

Employers should therefore assess their expected workforce needs ahead of time and ensure that the required quota is approved before proceeding with the recruitment of foreign workers.

Applications That Remain Unreviewed and Refund of Service Fees

The legislation also establishes consequences for certain applications submitted by self-employed foreign nationals.

If a self-employed foreign national submits an application for a work activity permit, but it is subsequently determined that the relevant legislation does not apply to that person because they fall within an exempt category, the application will remain unreviewed.

In such cases, the paid service fee will not be refunded.

This makes it particularly important to determine whether a foreign national is actually subject to the work permit requirements before submitting an application and paying the relevant service fee.

Annual Turnover Requirements and Exemptions

The updated rules also establish an exception concerning the submission of documents confirming annual turnover.

As a general requirement, a foreign self-employed individual may need to provide documentation issued by the Revenue Service confirming a turnover of GEL 50,000 per foreign employee.

However, an exception applies when both of the following conditions are met:

• No more than 3 months have passed since the company was established or the individual entrepreneur was registered; and
• The company or individual entrepreneur employs no more than 3 foreign nationals.

 

In these circumstances, submission of the relevant turnover document is not required.

Requirements for entities that are not VAT payers

If the company or individual entrepreneur is not registered as a VAT payer, the applicant must provide a document issued by the competent authority or person confirming:

• That the entity is not a VAT payer; and
• That the turnover generated during the last continuous 12-month period meets the applicable threshold of GEL 50,000 or GEL 35,000, as applicable.

 

For newly established companies and newly registered individual entrepreneurs, the turnover documentation requirement does not apply where no more than three months have passed since establishment or registration and the entity employs no more than three foreign nationals.

If you are planning to establish a business locally, learn more about company formation in Georgia and the available business structures in Georgia.

What Do the New Labour Migration Rules Mean for Employers and Foreign Nationals?

The amendments introduce several important procedural and compliance requirements for businesses employing foreign nationals in Georgia.

For employers, the key areas to consider include:

• Determining whether a foreign employee requires a work activity permit in Georgia;
• Checking whether the employee falls within one of the newly expanded exemption categories;
• Planning and agreeing on the required foreign employee quota in advance;
• Properly reporting changes to an employment contract where required;
• Registering foreign nationals engaged in short-term professional activities;
• Preparing the required supporting documentation; and
• Reviewing turnover and other eligibility requirements before submitting an application.

 

For self-employed foreign nationals, it is particularly important to understand whether the new rules apply to their activities, whether obtaining a work activity permit is necessary or voluntary, and whether the relevant exemption or documentation requirements apply to their individual circumstances.

For a broader overview of the business, tax, residency and relocation environment, see our guide to doing business in Georgia.

Need Assistance with Labour Migration in Georgia?

Navigating Georgia’s updated labour migration and work permit requirements can be complex for both employers and foreign nationals. Our team can help you assess your specific situation, determine applicable requirements and exemptions, prepare the necessary documentation, and navigate the relevant procedures. Request a Free Labour Migration & Work Permit Consultation.