Everything you need to know about Georgia’s new rules for hiring foreign workers

Georgia 01.04.2026: New Regulations Impacting Foreign Workers

Everything you need to know about Georgia’s new rules for hiring foreign workers. Tbilisi Share Share. From 1 March 2026, Georgia has significantly restricted employment opportunities for foreign citizens, marking a substantial shift in the country’s approach to immigration.

Foreign nationals now require a special permit to work within Georgia, a process overseen by the State Employment Support Agency under the Ministry of Labour. This necessitates navigating bureaucratic procedures, paying associated fees, and awaiting approval from relevant authorities, a process that must be repeated annually. Prime Minister of Georgian Dream stated, “The migration issue is of particular concern to Georgian society.”

Economists are assessing the potential political impact of these changes.

The regulations bar foreign nationals from specific sectors, including passenger transport, courier services, and tour guiding – industries previously reliant on a large number of foreign workers. Self-employed individuals, encompassing freelancers and service providers, also require work permits. Violations carry fines for both employers and employees.

Previously, hiring decisions were solely private, with the state informed afterward. Now, the state determines eligibility. These amendments to the Law on Labour Migration, adopted in June 2025, are enforced through a government decree issued on 20 February 2026.

The key innovation is the “right to work” permit, legally required for all foreign employment. This change affects all foreign nationals without permanent residence in Georgia, including employed foreigners, self-employed individuals, remote workers, and those engaged in business activities. A residence permit, granting indefinite residency, is available to spouses of Georgian citizens, minor children, parents of minor Georgian citizens, and those with ten years’ residency on a temporary permit.

Investment residence permits, requiring a minimum $300,000 investment or property ownership, are also a pathway. Local employers are defined as registered legal entities or individuals within Georgia. The scope is broad, impacting individuals like a French teacher, an online course provider, a medical intern, and a business owner.

Exemptions include refugees, those with temporary protection status, diplomatic staff, accredited journalists, holders of investment residence permits, and seafarers. Georgia currently hosts approximately 188,000 students, with 20% originating from foreign countries. This new legislation aims to ensure a more controlled and regulated workforce within georgia, impacting the employment of foreign individuals.

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