Work permit in Georgia

Hiring foreign employees in Georgia requires strict compliance with Georgian migration law. Understanding how work permits, residence permits, and corporate sponsorship work is essential for any employer planning international expansion into Georgia.

Unlike many countries, Georgia does not issue a traditional “work permit” as a standalone document. Instead, the right to work is granted through a Work Residence Permit, which is directly tied to lawful employment with a registered Georgian employer.

Brain Source International supports global companies hiring staff in Georgia by acting as their legal Employer of Record (EOR), ensuring full compliance under Georgian law.

What Is a Work Permit in Georgia?

In Georgia, the “work permit” concept functions differently compared to the EU or the Gulf.
Foreign nationals acquire work authorization through:

Work Residence Permit (სამუშაო ბინადრობის ნებართვა)

This permit gives a foreign citizen the right to:

• Live in Georgia
• Work legally for a Georgian employer
• Pay taxes under Georgian law
• Access social and labour protections

This permit can be obtained only after securing employment and submitting documentation that proves a formal, legal employment relationship.

How Work Authorization in Georgia Works

1. Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility depends on nationality and purpose of stay:

EU/EEA/SWISS Citizens

• Visa-free entry for up to 365 days.
• To work legally, they must still obtain a Work Residence Permit after securing employment.

Non-EU Citizens

• Visa-free entry for many nationalities for up to 365 days, OR entry via short-term visa.
• To work legally, they must apply for a Work Residence Permit after receiving a job offer.

2. Securing Employment in Georgia

Work authorization cannot be issued unless the candidate already has a job offer or an employment contract with a Georgian employer.

The employer plays a critical role, as proof of employment is required by the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

3. Applying for a Work Residence Permit

Applications are submitted:

• At the Public Service Hall (საჯარო მომსახურების სახლი), or
• Online through the Public Service Development Agency portal.

Required Documents Include:

• Completed application form
• Passport + copy (valid 6+ months)
• Employment contract / job offer
• Proof of employer’s financial capacity (mandatory for companies)
• Proof of income or business activity
• Photo for residence card
• Receipt of state fee (cost varies by processing speed)

Processing Time:

• 30 days — standard
• 20 days — accelerated
• 10 days — fast-track

If approved, the foreign national receives a residence card.

4. Types of Employment-Related Residence Permits in Georgia

• Work Residence Permit — for foreign employees
• Short-Term Residence Permit — tied to business or property
• Investment Residence Permit — for investors
• Family Residence Permit — for spouses/children

Within the EOR model, the most relevant category is the Work Residence Permit.

5. Duration & Renewal

Most work residence permits are issued for:

• 1 year, renewable annually
• After 5 years of continuous lawful residence, an employee may be eligible for Permanent Residence

6. Penalties for Non-Compliance

Working without proper authorization can result in:

• Administrative fines
• Deportation
• Entry bans
• Employer liability for illegal employment

Employers are obligated to ensure that foreign nationals have active, valid documentation.

Now the Most Important Part:

Many People Misunderstand What We Do.

So here it is, VERY CLEARLY, specifically for Georgia.

WE DO NOT PROVIDE (100% NOT):

• We do NOT help individuals find a job in Georgia.
• We do NOT assist private job seekers.
• We do NOT sponsor visas for individuals who “want to move to Georgia and find work.”
• We do NOT process personal work permits for freelancers or people without an employer.
• We do NOT help with immigration unless you are hired by a company through our EOR service.

If you are an individual looking for a job → We cannot help you.

WE EXCLUSIVELY WORK WITH COMPANIES

Everything we do is designed for corporate clients only.

WE PROVIDE (for companies hiring foreign workers):

1. Corporate Work Permit & Work Residence Permit Sponsorship in Georgia

We sponsor work authorization only for employees hired through our EOR structure in Georgia.

2. Employer of Record (EOR) in Georgia

We legally employ workers on behalf of international companies, ensuring:

• Fully compliant employment contracts
• Payroll according to Georgian tax law
• Monthly income tax & pension contributions
• Benefits administration
• Local labor code compliance
• Renewals of residence permits
• Termination procedures aligned with Georgian legislation

3. Expatriate Lifecycle Management in Georgia

Full support for foreign employees, including:

• Onboarding
• Payroll & tax withholding
• Contract changes
• Residency renewals
• Termination and offboarding
• Legal compliance monitoring

If You Are a Company Hiring in Georgia → YES, We Can Help

If you are:

• Expanding into Georgia
• Hiring remote staff based in Georgia
• Relocating foreign employees to Georgia
• Outsourcing team operations
• Building a distributed workforce

Then our Employer of Record in Georgia solution is the fastest, safest, and most compliant model.

If You Are a Private Individual → NO, We Cannot Help

We cannot assist with:

• Finding a job
• Personal visa applications
• Residency requests not tied to corporate employment
• Tourist-to-worker status changes
• Immigration advice for individuals

Why Choose Brain Source International for Workforce Expansion in Georgia?

• Expertise in Georgian labor, tax, and migration law
• Fast onboarding (1–5 days)
• Full compliance with local HR, payroll & immigration rules
• Zero need to establish a Georgian legal entity
• Complete operational freedom for your company
• Multilingual HR support
• Presence in 150+ countries