Georgia remains one of the most attractive destinations for foreign nationals seeking employment, starting a business, or pursuing education. However, staying in the country legally for more than one year requires obtaining a residence permit. A residence permit allows a foreign citizen to reside, work, study, or reunite with family members in Georgia on a long-term basis.
When and Why Should You Apply for a Residence Permit?
Citizens of countries that enjoy visa-free entry to Georgia (e.g., Ukraine, the United Kingdom, Canada, the United States, Germany, the Netherlands, and others) are permitted to stay in the country for up to one year without a visa.
If you plan to stay in Georgia for more than one year, for work, study, or other purposes, you must obtain a residence permit.
Important: The application for a residence permit must be submitted no later than 40 calendar days before your legal stay in Georgia expires.
Categories of Residence Permits
Under Georgian legislation, there are two main categories of residence permits:
1. Temporary Residence Permit
The following types of permits fall under this category:
- Work Residence Permit – issued based on employment or entrepreneurial activity
- Study Residence Permit – issued to students enrolled in authorized educational institutions
- Residence Permit for Family Reunification – for family members of a residence permit holder
- Residence Permit for Former Citizens of Georgia
- Residence Permit for Stateless Persons
- Special Residence Permit – issued to victims of trafficking or based on state interest
- Investment Residence Permit – granted based on a minimum investment of USD 300,000 or ownership of qualifying real estate
- Short-Term Residence Permit – for owners of real estate worth more than USD 100,000
- Temporary Residence for Victims of Violence
2. Permanent Residence Permit
A Permanent Residence Permit is granted to family members of Georgian citizens or to foreign nationals who have resided in Georgia for more than 10 years under a temporary residence permit.
An Unlimited (Indefinite) Residence Permit is available to holders of an investment residence permit who demonstrate required financial turnover. The applicant must prove the maintenance of a minimum investment of USD 300,000 in Georgia and provide documents confirming that, over the past five years, a registered company in Georgia generated an annual turnover of at least 50,000 GEL (or 100,000 GEL in subsequent years).
Current Requirements for Work Residence Permits
As per current legislation, the following requirements apply when applying for a work residence permit:
- The employer must have a minimum annual turnover of 50,000 GEL per foreign employee (or 35,000 GEL in the education or healthcare sector).
- The foreign national’s monthly income must exceed five times the official subsistence minimum.
- An employment contract or relevant business documentation is required.
- Additional financial or professional documents may be required, particularly for freelance professionals.
Planned Legal Amendments – Effective from 2026
In July 2025, the Parliament of Georgia passed, in the first reading, proposed amendments to the Law on Labor Migration, aiming to tighten regulations and improve mechanisms related to labor migration. The planned reforms include:
- Introduction of a special work authorization mechanism for employing foreign nationals
- Clear criteria and procedures for obtaining such authorization
- Regulation of cases that fall outside traditional employment relationships
- Fines for employers who hire foreign nationals without the required authorization
- Fines for foreign nationals who work or engage in business without proper authorization
- Designation of responsible agencies and implementation of enforcement mechanisms
The objective of these reforms is to protect the local labor market, promote legal integration of the workforce, and ensure transparent tracking of labor migration statistics.
Important: The income and turnover thresholds mentioned above are already in effect. The upcoming changes apply to additional regulatory mechanisms only.
Application Submission
If you are applying for renewal of a residence permit, you can submit your application through the official website of the Public Service Development Agency of the Ministry of Justice of Georgia.
Document Requirements
All required documents must be:
- Submitted in Georgian language
- Notarized, and legalized or apostilled as applicable
The physical submission of documents must take place within 10 calendar days after completing the online application.
Processing Times and Government Fees
| Processing Time | Temporary Residence | Permanent Residence |
|---|---|---|
| 30 calendar days | 300 GEL | 350 GEL |
| 20 calendar days | 450 GEL | 500 GEL |
| 10 calendar days | 600 GEL | Does not apply |
Residence Card
Once your permit is approved, you must collect your residence card within 6 months. Failure to do so will result in cancellation of your residence permit.
Conclusion
Whether for work, study, or investment, securing the correct residence permit is essential for long-term life in Georgia. Upcoming legal changes mean now is the time to review your status – prepare your application early and ensure compliance with current and future rules to secure your legal status.