New Rules on Labor Activity from 2026 - What Should You Know About the Work Residence Permit?

According to the amendments, the right to engage in labor activity is granted to:

1) A foreign national who does not hold a permanent residence permit in Georgia and whose purpose is to be employed by a local employer and carry out remunerated labor activity in Georgia or remotely; in the case of a labor immigrant, it is issued for a specific employer and a specific job position. A labor immigrant obtains the right to engage in labor activity through a local employer, for a specific job position.

2) A self-employed foreign national who does not hold a permanent residence permit in Georgia and who carries out labor activity in Georgia, including engaging in trade, services, or other types of activities, or acting as a partner, independent contractor, or otherwise being involved in entrepreneurial/labor activity, where the purpose of such activity is to obtain financial benefit. In the case of a self-employed foreign national, the right to engage in labor activity is granted for a specific activity and/or a specific field of activity. A self-employed foreign national obtains the right to engage in labor activity directly.

For the purpose of employment of a labor immigrant with a local employer:

To obtain the right to engage in labor activity, the local employer is obliged to submit an application and relevant documentation to LEPL – State Employment Support Agency (hereinafter referred to as the Agency).

The employer is obliged, at least 10 working days prior to submitting the application for obtaining the right to engage in labor activity, to publish information about the vacant job position in the Labor Market Management Information System at www.worknet.moh.gov.ge, for which it intends to employ a labor immigrant; if, within 10 working days from the publication of the vacancy in the Labor Market Management Information System at www.worknet.moh.gov.ge, the Agency is unable to identify and provide the local employer with candidate(s) meeting the requirements of the posted vacancy, the local employer shall apply to the Agency for the purpose of obtaining the right to engage in labor activity for the labor immigrant and shall submit the information and documentation provided for by the rules through a special electronic system at the following address: www.labourmigration.moh.gov.ge;

The procedure shall not apply to:

1. A company holding international company status as provided for by Article 23 of the Tax Code of Georgia, as well as a company holding innovative startup status as provided for by Article 15¹ of the Law of Georgia on Innovations;

2. International experts who are members of the expert corps for authorization of higher education institutions and accreditation of educational programs of LEPL - National Center for Educational Quality Enhancement;

3. Cases where the requirement posted by the employer simultaneously includes the following conditions:

The monthly remuneration provided for for the vacant job position exceeds GEL 15,000 (gross amount);

The employer requires higher education in a specialty related to the work to be performed and objectively required for the qualified performance of such work.

For the purpose of obtaining the right to engage in labor activity by a self-employed foreign national

To obtain the right to engage in labor activity, the foreign national is obliged to directly submit to the Agency the documentation defined by the rules; a document confirming payment of the service fee for granting the right to engage in labor activity; after submission of this documentation, the foreign national shall mandatorily undergo a video interview with the Agency and, at the end of the video interview, confirm the electronic application submitted by the latter for the purpose of obtaining the right to engage in labor activity.

Procedures for granting the right to engage in labor activity for a foreign national seeking self-employment

a) A foreign national seeking self-employment, for the purpose of obtaining the right to engage in labor activity, shall submit an application and documentation to the Agency through a special electronic system at the following address: www.labourmigration.moh.gov.ge;

Grounds for termination of the right to engage in labor activity:

Expiration or termination of the validity of a D1 category visa in Georgia for a labor immigrant/self-employed foreign national, except in cases where, at the time of expiration or termination of the D1 category visa, he/she has already obtained a residence permit;

Expiration or termination of the validity of a residence permit in Georgia for a labor immigrant/self-employed foreign national;

Failure of the labor immigrant/self-employed foreign national to submit an application within the established deadline for obtaining a D1 category immigration visa and/or a work residence permit or a residence permit for a person employed in the field of information technologies (IT);

A negative decision adopted by the authorized body regarding the issuance of a D1 category immigration visa, a work residence permit, or a residence permit for a person employed in the field of information technologies (IT) for a labor immigrant/self-employed foreign national holding the right to engage in labor activity;

Service fee for granting the right to engage in labor activity

1. The service of granting the right to engage in labor activity for a labor immigrant/self-employed foreign national is paid. The service fee is differentiated according to the timeframe and amounts to:

   
   

a) Request for the right to engage in labor activity - issuance on the 30th calendar day after full submission of the application and mandatory documentation - GEL 200;

b) Request for the right to engage in labor activity - issuance on the 10th working day after full submission of the application and mandatory documentation - GEL 400;

Transitional provisions

With respect to self-employed foreign nationals who, as of March 1, 2026, are already carrying out labor/entrepreneurial activity in Georgia, are partners in operating enterprises, or are otherwise involved in entrepreneurial/labor activity from which they derive financial benefit, the enforcement mechanism defined by legislation shall become effective from May 1, 2026.

A labor immigrant registered in the unified database (www.Labourmigration.moh.gov.ge) of the Ministry of Internally Displaced Persons from the Occupied Territories, Labor, Health and Social Affairs of Georgia, who has an active registration status as of March 1, 2026, shall obtain, no later than January 1, 2027, the right to engage in labor activity and the relevant residence permit in accordance with the procedure established by the legislation of Georgia.

The right to engage in labor activity shall not be granted.

For labor/entrepreneurial activity related to courier services, passenger transportation, or provision of tour guide services to tourists.

For labor/entrepreneurial activity related to the provision of mountain, alpine, and ski guiding services to tourists, the annual quota is 200.

Contact IBCCS TAX Georgia for Expert Legal Guidance

The 2026 amendments introduce a mandatory two-stage procedure, strict documentation requirements, defined eligibility criteria, and new compliance deadlines for both employers and foreign nationals.

Whether you are:

• Hiring a foreign employee

• Operating as a self-employed individual

• Holding D1 visa status

• Planning to apply for a Work Residence Permit

  
  

Our legal team provides structured, case-specific support, including eligibility assessment, documentation preparation, compliance planning, and strategic guidance aligned with your residence status.

Contact us at helloGeorgia@ibccs.tax or +995 32 24 24 837

1. Who is subject to the new labor activity regulations?

The amendments apply to foreign nationals who do not hold a permanent residence permit in Georgia and who:

• intend to be employed by a local employer;

• carry out/intend to carry out activities as a self-employed person.

2. What is the difference between a labor immigrant and a self-employed foreign national?

• Labor immigrant - employed by a specific employer in a specific position.

• Self-employed foreign national - carries out activities independently (entrepreneur, partner, contractor, etc.) for the purpose of obtaining financial benefit.

3. How is the right to engage in labor activity obtained in the case of employment?

The employer is obliged to:

• publish the vacancy at least 10 working days in advance on worknet.moh.gov.ge;

• If a suitable local candidate cannot be found, apply to the Agency through labourmigration.moh.gov.ge

4. What is the procedure for a self-employed person?

The foreign national shall personally submit the application and documentation through the special electronic system;

• pay the service fee;

• undergo a mandatory video interview.

5. What is the cost of obtaining the right to engage in labor activity?

• Review within 30 calendar days - GEL 200;

• Expedited service within 10 working days - GEL 400.

6. Does the procedure apply to all companies?

No. Exceptions include:

• Companies holding international company status;

• Companies holding innovative startup status;

• Certain highly paid (above GEL 15,000) and specialized positions.

7. When can the right to engage in labor activity be terminated?

The right is terminated if:

• The D1 visa or residence permit is canceled or expires;

• The application is not submitted within the established deadline;

• A negative decision is issued.

8. Are there restricted activities?

The right to engage in labor activity shall not be granted for:

• Courier services;

• Passenger transportation;

• Tour guide services.

• An annual quota of 200 applies to mountain/ski guides.

Contact Us Today