Work Permit Georgia 2026: Major Reform Relieves Expats
Batumi Investment Club – Member Briefing
Dear Members,
What happened?
On 15 April 2026, the Georgian Parliament passed Law No. 1509, introducing significant amendments to the "Law on Labour Migration" (No. 3418-IIს of 01.04.2015) that substantially ease the original regulation. In doing so, the government effectively acknowledges what we have been actively discussing within the club from day one: foreign entrepreneurs and self-employed individuals without local business operations should never have fallen under this requirement in the first place.
📄 Source / Legal Text: matsne.gov.ge – Law on Labour Migration (consolidated version of 15.04.2026)
The Key Changes for You
No work permit required anymore for the following groups, newly exempted under Article 1, Paragraph 4 of the Law:
- Remote workers operating entirely from Georgia for local employers, provided the activity does not require entry into Georgia → Art. 1 Para. 4 lit. "კ" (k)
- Sole entrepreneurs (IE) and freelancers providing work or services exclusively for non-resident (foreign) clients, where the activity relates to that client's business conducted outside Georgia → Art. 1 Para. 4 lit. "ლ" (l)
- Directors and supervisory bodies of Georgian companies in Category 1, 2, or 3 (under the Law "On Accounting, Reporting and Auditing"), including members of audit committees → Art. 1 Para. 4 lit. "მ" (m)
- Short-term professional activity (projects, events, services) – the list of qualifying activities will be set out in a government decree → Art. 1 Para. 4 lit. "თ" (h), in conjunction with the new definition in Article 3 lit. "ს" (s)
📌 Note: Shareholders ("partners") of Georgian LLCs are additionally exempted through the removal of the term "partner" from the definition of a self-employed foreigner in Article 3 lit. "გ²" (g²). Simply holding shares therefore no longer triggers any permit requirement.
Good News on Residence Permits
The previous income threshold of 50,000 GEL for the work-based residence permit has been removed from the statutory text. The new criteria will be set out in a forthcoming government decree – and the direction is clearly one of relaxation. Under the new rules, residence permits can now also be issued to persons engaged in activities to which the Law on Labour Migration does not apply at all.
Our Recommendations
| Your Situation | Our Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Application already submitted | Do not withdraw – fees are paid, the process is running |
| Remote worker without application | Do not apply – save time and money (Art. 1 Para. 4 "კ"/"ლ") |
| Local business activity planned | Consider LLC structure – directors are exempt (Art. 1 Para. 4 "მ") |
| Everyone | Secure a residence permit as soon as possible |
Our Take
Despite the bumpy rollout, there is a positive takeaway: the Georgian government listens to the business community and corrects course within just a few weeks. For us as an investment club, Georgia – and Batumi in particular – remains an attractive destination for foreign investment and entrepreneurial activity.
For individual questions regarding your situation, LLC formation, or residence permits, we are available as usual at our next club meeting as well as through our partner law firms.
Disclaimer
This member briefing is provided for general information purposes only and reflects the state of knowledge at the time of publication. It does not constitute legal, tax, or immigration advice and is no substitute for an individual case assessment by a qualified lawyer or tax advisor. Despite careful research, the Batumi Investment Club makes no warranty as to the accuracy, completeness, or timeliness of the information presented. Georgian statutes, regulations, and administrative practice are subject to change at short notice; furthermore, not all implementing decrees under Law No. 1509 have yet been adopted. No liability is accepted for decisions taken on the basis of this briefing. For binding advice on your individual situation, please consult our partner law firms or a qualified advisor of your choice.
Best regards,
Your Batumi Investment Club
