Employment and self-employment of foreigners in Georgia
Funded by the European Union<p>
IOM UN Migration<p>
A foreign citizen who wishes to be legally employed or self-employed in Georgia is required to obtain:<p>
✓ The right to work;<p>
✓ A category D1 immigration visa or a residence permit.<p>
<p>
Who is exempt from the following rules?<p>
• Refugees, persons with subsidiary/temporary protection, asylum seekers;<p>
• Individuals employed in diplomatic, consular, and international organizations;<p>
• Journalists of accredited foreign media;<p>
• Persons for whom international treaties provide different regulations;<p>
• Persons holding an investment-based residence permit;<p>
• Persons working fully remotely;<p>
• Individuals whose activities fall under other exemption categories defined in Article 1 of the Law on Labour Migration.<p>
<p>
Right to Work<p>
The right to work is issued by the LEPL (Legal Entity of Public Law) State Employment Support Agency (hereinafter “the Agency”) fully in electronic form via the portal:<p>
www.labourmigration.moh.gov.ge<p>
It is issued:<p>
For a labour immigrant — for a specific employer and position;<p>
For a self-employed foreigner — for a specific activity and/or field.<p>
Processing time:<p>
Standard: 30 calendar days<p>
Expedited: 10 working days<p>
It is issued for the first time for a period of up to one year.<p>
A refusal may be appealed in court within 1 month from the date of notification of the decision. The appeal does not grant the foreigner the right to work and does not suspend the obligation to leave the country / deportation procedure.<p>
The permit is mandatory. Working without it results in a fine (2,000 GEL) for both the employer and the foreigner.<p>
The procedure for granting the right to work is shown in photo 3 of the gallery.<p>
<p>
Labour Market Test Exemptions<p>
The labour market test does NOT apply to:<p>
• Companies with international status;<p>
• Companies with innovative startup status;<p>
• Experts of the National Center for Educational Quality Development;<p>
• High-paying positions where the monthly salary exceeds 15,000 GEL and which require a higher education degree in the relevant field.<p>
<p>
After Receiving the Permit<p>
Are you abroad? <p>
Within 30 days, apply to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia to obtain a D1 immigration visa.<p>
Are you in Georgia? Within 10 days, apply to the Public Service Development Agency to obtain a residence permit.<p>
<p>
Scan the QR codes for additional information.<p>
For more information: labourmigration.moh.gov.ge | 1505<p>
This publication was produced with the support of the European Union. The contents are the sole responsibility of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) Mission in Georgia and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union.
Employment and self-employment of foreigners in Georgia
Funded by the European Union<p>
IOM UN Migration<p>
A foreign citizen who wishes to be legally employed or self-employed in Georgia is required to obtain:<p>
✓ The right to work;<p>
✓ A category D1 immigration visa or a residence permit.<p>
<p>
Who is exempt from the following rules?<p>
• Refugees, persons with subsidiary/temporary protection, asylum seekers;<p>
• Individuals employed in diplomatic, consular, and international organizations;<p>
• Journalists of accredited foreign media;<p>
• Persons for whom international treaties provide different regulations;<p>
• Persons holding an investment-based residence permit;<p>
• Persons working fully remotely;<p>
• Individuals whose activities fall under other exemption categories defined in Article 1 of the Law on Labour Migration.<p>
<p>
Right to Work<p>
The right to work is issued by the LEPL (Legal Entity of Public Law) State Employment Support Agency (hereinafter “the Agency”) fully in electronic form via the portal:<p>
www.labourmigration.moh.gov.ge<p>
It is issued:<p>
For a labour immigrant — for a specific employer and position;<p>
For a self-employed foreigner — for a specific activity and/or field.<p>
Processing time:<p>
Standard: 30 calendar days<p>
Expedited: 10 working days<p>
It is issued for the first time for a period of up to one year.<p>
A refusal may be appealed in court within 1 month from the date of notification of the decision. The appeal does not grant the foreigner the right to work and does not suspend the obligation to leave the country / deportation procedure.<p>
The permit is mandatory. Working without it results in a fine (2,000 GEL) for both the employer and the foreigner.<p>
The procedure for granting the right to work is shown in photo 3 of the gallery.<p>
<p>
Labour Market Test Exemptions<p>
The labour market test does NOT apply to:<p>
• Companies with international status;<p>
• Companies with innovative startup status;<p>
• Experts of the National Center for Educational Quality Development;<p>
• High-paying positions where the monthly salary exceeds 15,000 GEL and which require a higher education degree in the relevant field.<p>
<p>
After Receiving the Permit<p>
Are you abroad? <p>
Within 30 days, apply to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia to obtain a D1 immigration visa.<p>
Are you in Georgia? Within 10 days, apply to the Public Service Development Agency to obtain a residence permit.<p>
<p>
Scan the QR codes for additional information.<p>
For more information: labourmigration.moh.gov.ge | 1505<p>
This publication was produced with the support of the European Union. The contents are the sole responsibility of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) Mission in Georgia and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union.