Work Permit in Georgia
We provide full assistance in obtaining a work permit in Georgia for employees, individual entrepreneurs, and freelancers.
300 GEL
+ state fee depending on the review period
Processing period
30 days- 200 GEL
10 days - 400 GEL
Work Permit in Georgia with Georgia Assistant
A work permit is required for foreign nationals who plan to work or conduct business activities in Georgia.
Starting from 2026, the system is becoming stricter, and obtaining a work permit is mandatory before employment.
Our service includes document preparation, application submission, and full assistance until approval.
Included in the price:
preparation of documents, obtaining the necessary extracts, submission of an application for a work permit, assistance with payment of the state fee, full support
Required Documents:
- For Individual Entrepreneurs (already operating):
a scan of the international passport, details of the current residence permit (if any), the individual entrepreneur identification code, CV, an extract on annual turnover from rs.ge, information on education, profession and work experience
- For Individual Entrepreneurs (planning to start activity): a scan of the international passport, details of the current residence permit (if any), the individual entrepreneur identification code, CV, a business plan (information on planned investments and IE turnover), documents confirming financial status, information on education, profession and work experience
- For Employees of a Georgian Company: a scan of the international passport, details of the current residence permit (if any), employment contract, employer details, details of the responsible person (HR, accountant or director), information on the vacancy for which the employee is being hired, information on the employee’s education, profession and work experience
Who needs a Work Permit in Georgia
- Employees and directors of Georgian companies regardless of place of residence
- Individual entrepreneurs regardless of place of residence
- Self-employed individuals providing services under civil contracts within Georgia and physically residing in Georgia
Who does not need a Work Permit
- Individuals not engaged in employment or business activity in Georgia
- Tourists
- Freelancers without a registered IE in Georgia employed by foreign companies
- Individual entrepreneurs not conducting business activity (IE status “inactive”)
- Founders, co-founders and shareholders of Georgian companies
- Individuals with permanent residence (permanent residence permit) or investment residence permit in Georgia
- Persons with refugee status, humanitarian status, political refugees, employees of diplomatic missions, accredited foreign media journalists
Deadlines for submitting an application for a Work Permit
For employees of Georgian companies registered on the Ministry of Labor website before 01.03.2026, a grace period applies for penalties for working without a work permit until 01.01.2027.
For employees hired after 01.03.2026, a work permit must be obtained before starting employment
For individual entrepreneurs registered in Georgia before 01.03.2026, a grace period applies for penalties for conducting business without a work permit until 01.05.2026.
Please note: as of 01.05.2026, a work permit must already be obtained.
Thus, the deadline for submitting an application:
16.04.2026 – expedited processing (10 working days),
31.03.2026 – standard processing (30 calendar days)
For individual entrepreneurs registered after 01.03.2026, obtaining a work permit is mandatory to conduct business.
Penalties for working without a Work Permit
For Georgian companies that failed to obtain a work permit for employees within the установленный срок, a fine of 2000 GEL is imposed per employee.
For individual entrepreneurs conducting business without a work permit within the установленный срок, a fine of 2000 GEL is imposed.
Repeated violation results in a fine of 4000 GEL.
Validity period of a Work Permit
The initial work permit is issued for a period from 6 months to 1 year.
Extension must be carried out no later than 30 days before expiration; extension is granted for up to 1 year.
After 5 years of continuous renewal, it is possible to extend the permit for a longer period from 1 to 5 years.
For IT specialists, both initial issuance and extension are granted for 3 years.
For which activities a Work Permit can be obtained
A work permit is issued for specific conditions:
For an employee – for a specific position with a specific employer
For an individual entrepreneur – with indication of a specific specialization and business activity.
Using the permit for other types of activity is not allowed – a new permit must be obtained.
An individual entrepreneur may apply for a work permit in any field except activities prohibited for IE and activities with state quotas.
Currently, a work permit is NOT available for:
Courier services
Passenger transportation
Tour guide services
Information on quotas and restrictions for other activities will be updated.
Step-by-Step process of labor migration to Georgia
Opening an IE or employment in a Georgian company
Submission of application and documents for a work permit
Passing a video interview with a representative of the Employment Promotion Agency (in Georgian or English, interpreter allowed)
Obtaining a work permit
If the applicant is in Georgia – mandatory application for residence permit within 10 days
If outside Georgia – mandatory application for D1 visa within 30 daysObtaining residence permit or D1 visa
Work permit comes into force and grants the right to work and conduct business
Reasons for refusal or cancellation of a Work Permit
Refusal reasons:
Application submitted with errors, missing required documents, deficiencies not corrected within 10 calendar days
Applicant’s profession or activity does not meet labor market needs or quota is exhausted
Legal stay in Georgia exceeded or deportation process started
Cancellation reasons:
Failure to apply for a residence permit or D1 visa within the prescribed timeframe
Termination or expiration of employment contract
Expiration or cancellation of residence permit or D1 visa
Refusal to obtain residence permit or visa
If it is established that the applicant does not actually conduct the declared activity
If the applicant stays outside Georgia for more than 6 consecutive months
In case of refusal or cancellation, reapplication is possible no earlier than after 1 month.
Georgia Assistant – is your reliable partner for obtaining a work permit in Georgia. We make the process clear and simple.
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