Georgia Work Permit: Do Foreigners and Freelancers Need One? [Complete FAQ]

Updated: September 8, 2025

From March 1, 2026, Georgia is introducing a work-permit requirement that covers most foreign nationals who work in the country—whether as employees or as Individual Entrepreneurs (IE). Below is a plain-English FAQ for expats, remote workers, and small business owners in Georgia.

Do foreigners need a work permit from March 1, 2026?

🟧 Yes. All foreigners working in Georgia—both employees and self-employed IEs—will be required to hold a valid work permit.

I have a job-based residence permit. If I also freelance as an IE, do I need another permit?

🟧 Yes. A residence permit based on employment covers only your work with that specific employer. Freelance activity through an IE requires a separate permit.

If I have permanent residence (e.g., marriage), do I need a permit?

🟧 No. Permanent residents and Georgian citizens are exempt from the work-permit requirement.

My clients are abroad and I’m paid via acquirers/crypto/“Zolotaya Korona.” Do I still need a permit?

🟧 Yes. If you operate as an IE with a Georgian taxpayer number and pay taxes in Georgia, the activity is considered to be conducted in Georgia—even if all clients are overseas.

If I get regular transfers from a private individual, is that “work”?

🟧 Yes. Regular incoming transfers can be treated as income from work. From 2026, conducting such activity without a permit will be unlawful.

Can a permit be denied?

🟧 Possibly. The law allows refusals if a profession does not require qualifications or if there are sufficient specialists on the local labor market. In practice, IT, digital, and export-oriented roles are generally expected to be acceptable.

What happens with taxes for IEs?

🟧 Benefits remain: turnover tax from 1%, simplified reporting, and no “offshore” status. Georgia continues to be one of the most attractive, transparent jurisdictions for small business.

Is the permit one-time or do I need to renew it?

🟧 It’s time-limited. Permits are issued for the term of your residence permit or visa (for remote workers—based on contract length). When you renew your residence permit, you’ll also apply to renew the work permit.

Have questions we didn’t cover? Drop them in the comments. We’ll keep this page updated as new clarifications roll out in fall 2025 and into 2026.

Need help settling in? Explore our guides on living and working in Tbilisi over at Tbilisi.tours.