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Georgia · work sponsored · Leads to settlement

Work Residence Permit

By · Last reviewed:

Guidance updated 11 September 2026. Full-review date shown above.

Source check: all 10 official citations reconfirmed 13 September 2026

Georgia's main residence permit for foreign nationals working for, or carrying out entrepreneurial activity through, a Georgian-registered entity.

Requires sponsorshipLeads to permanent residencyIssued as a temporary residence permit, commonly for up to a year at a time and renewable; longer initial validity can apply - confirm on the official page.In flux
Processing time
Indicative only - the Agency publishes standard and expedited timelines; confirm current processing on the official portal.
Government fees
Indicative only - a state fee applies and varies with the chosen processing speed; confirm current amounts on the official page.
Typical duration
Issued as a temporary residence permit, commonly for up to a year at a time and renewable; longer initial validity can apply - confirm on the official page.
Sponsorship required
Yes
Leads to permanent residency
Yes
Reviewed Public Service Development Agency (Ministry of Justice of Georgia) ↗

In short

Georgia's main residence permit for foreign nationals working for, or carrying out entrepreneurial activity through, a Georgian-registered entity. Guidance updated 11 September 2026. Costs, application stages and eligibility conditions are set out with their sources below.

Cite this: https://visaatlas.org/visas/georgia/work-residence-permit#answer

What is the Work Residence Permit in Georgia?

Work Residence Permit is a sponsor-led Georgia route. Indicative government fees are Indicative only - a state fee applies and varies with the chosen processing speed; confirm current amounts on the official page; indicative processing time is Indicative only - the Agency publishes standard and expedited timelines; confirm current processing on the official portal; typical duration is Issued as a temporary residence permit, commonly for up to a year at a time and renewable; longer initial validity can apply - confirm on the official page. This route can lead to permanent residence.

Primary guidance checked with Public Service Development Agency (Ministry of Justice of Georgia) on 1 June 2026.

Overview

The work (labour) residence permit is issued to foreign nationals who carry out entrepreneurial or labour activity in Georgia, normally on the basis of employment by, or engagement with, a locally registered entity. It is decided by the Public Service Development Agency and is typically tied to evidence that the role and the employing entity are genuine. Time held on a temporary residence permit counts toward eligibility for permanent residence after around ten years.

Recent changes to this route

Additional sources

Eligibility

Typical criteria

Common blockers

Typical evidence

Application pathway

  1. Check the route fit

    Confirm you have, or can secure, a genuine employment or entrepreneurial relationship with a Georgian-registered entity that meets the Agency's conditions.

  2. Resolve work authorisation and prepare residence evidence

    For covered activity, the employer applies for the employee’s right to work; self-employed applicants apply personally. Assemble the contract or business records and residence evidence, and check the post-approval D1 or residence-application deadline before proceeding.

  3. Submit through the official channel

    File the application with the Public Service Development Agency in person or via its online service and pay the state fee.

  4. After approval

    Collect the residence card, comply with stay conditions, and renew before expiry; track time held toward permanent residence.

After approval: prepare for your next step

For Work Residence Permit, use the actual decision and the issuing authority’s instructions to establish what has been granted. A successful application, permission to enter, permission to work and a residence document are not interchangeable.

  1. 1. Check the decision. Confirm the name, passport, status granted, start date and any next action. Resolve an error with the authority before relying on the document for travel or employment.
  2. 2. Establish the travel step. Read any entry window, activation, collection or in-country registration instruction. For an extension or change of status, do not assume leaving the country is required or safe while a further step remains pending.
  3. 3. Confirm what you may do. Agree the lawful start date and onboarding with the employer or sponsor. Check whether the permission names an employer, role or activity before changing the arrangement.
  4. 4. Organise the household. Check each accompanying person’s permission separately, then arrange healthcare, accommodation, access to money and the relevant local registrations. A tax number or bank account does not by itself prove a right to work.
  5. 5. Keep the ongoing conditions visible. Record the actual expiry, renewal process, permitted absences and any duty to report changes. An initial grant does not automatically establish permanent residence or citizenship.
Official Work Residence Permit instructionsBuild my moving plan for this routeMoving to Georgia

Plan the practical side of your stay

Once you have checked the official route, you can prepare for day-to-day life in Georgia. These optional services are separate from the application and do not establish visa eligibility.

Official application links

Where to actually go next

Government links only

These are the official pages to use for this route. Open them before preparing documents: the forms, fees, appointment systems, and sponsor steps can change without warning.

  1. Official guidanceApplicant + sponsor
    Use official Work Residence Permit route page ↗

    Use this official page to confirm requirements and follow the government filing route for Work Residence Permit.

    Public Service Development Agency (Ministry of Justice of Georgia) · verified

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Frequently asked questions

Does the work residence permit lead to permanent residence?+

Time lawfully held on temporary residence permits counts toward permanent residence, which is generally available after around ten years. Confirm the current rule on the official SDA page.

Can I apply from inside Georgia?+

Applications are made to the Public Service Development Agency and can often be submitted in person or online while lawfully present. Confirm where and how to apply on the official SDA page.

Can I get a Georgian work permit by setting up my own company instead of being hired?+

Yes - the Work Residence Permit covers foreign nationals carrying out entrepreneurial activity through a Georgian-registered entity, not only those employed by one. The Agency assesses whether the role and entity are genuine, including the entity's turnover and employment conditions. Confirm the requirements on the official SDA page.

As a remote worker, can I formalise my status with a work permit instead of staying visa-free?+

The Work Residence Permit is for foreign nationals carrying out labour or entrepreneurial activity through a Georgian-registered entity, so it normally requires a genuine local employer or registered business. Remote workers formalising a local employment relationship are listed among those it suits, but it is not designed for those earning solely from foreign clients without a Georgian entity. Confirm the conditions on the official SDA page.

Need tailored advice?

We do not provide legal advice. For an application that depends on your exact circumstances, consult a regulator-listed immigration advisor.

Find a regulated advisor in Georgia

How we verified this

We check every figure on this page against the primary government source, record the date it was last checked, and re-check it on a regular schedule. Rules change, so always confirm time-sensitive details with the official source before you rely on them. Visa Atlas is an information-only publication and does not give legal advice.

Primary source: Public Service Development Agency (Ministry of Justice of Georgia)

Last checked: 1 June 2026

See the full evidence trail and methodology

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