A local employer may be:
a legal entity;
an individual entrepreneur;
a partnership;
a representative office of a foreign organisation registered in Georgia;
a person lawfully residing in Georgia who has the right to enter into employment relations with a foreign national who does not hold permanent residence (PR) and to employ them in Georgia.
Minimum annual turnover for the past 12 months:
GEL 50,000 — for all employers.
GEL 35,000 — for educational or medical institutions.
1) Work permit
The employer submits the application after concluding an employment contract.
Processing time: up to 30 calendar days.
The permit is tied to a specific employer (if the employer changes, a new permit is required).
2) Employee obligations after the permit is issued
If the employee is in Georgia:
Submit an application for a residence permit (based on employment or an IT residence permit) within 10 calendar days.
If the employee is outside Georgia:
Submit an application for a D1 visa within 30 calendar days.
A residence permit / D1 visa is not required if the foreign national already holds a residence permit (on any basis) or works remotely without entering Georgia.
Attention: Entering Georgia while working remotely may result in the work permit being revoked.
1) Notification of the Ministry
In the event of early termination of the contract or a change in the terms of the contract:
Notify the Ministry of Internally Displaced Persons from the Occupied Territories, Labour, Health and Social Affairs of Georgia within 5 calendar days.
In the event of refusal to issue a permit:
Terminate the employment relationship, terminate the contract and notify the Ministry.
2) Renewal of the permit
Submit the renewal application no later than 30 calendar days before the permit expires.
3) Data entry
Information about the foreign national employed must be entered on the portal: labourmigration.moh.gov.ge.
Sanctions for non-compliance
| Violation | Fine (Employer / Employee) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| First violation | GEL 2,000 (per each employee) | The fine is imposed on both the employee and the employer. |
| Second violation | GEL 4,000 (fine doubled) | The employment relationship must be terminated. |
| Subsequent violations | GEL 12,000 (GEL 4,000 × 3) | Imposed for each subsequent case. |
The new regulations strengthen control over labour migration and increase employers’ liability.
For businesses, this means:
more bureaucracy and control functions,
a need for strict compliance with deadlines and procedures,
financial contingency planning in case of fines,
careful planning of recruitment and HR policy.
REVERA’s legal team is ready to support you and provide the following services:
Consultations prior to hiring foreign nationals
Preparation of documents
Development of internal procedures (monitoring the submission of applications for the work permit and its renewal)
Compliance audit under the new regulations
Authors: Dmitry Arkhipenko, Nino Zautashvili.
