Promotion of Technological Immigration to Georgia: New Legislative Changes for the IT Sector

Georgia is actively striving to develop its information technology (IT) sector not only by strengthening internal resources but also by attracting international specialists. Legislative amendments to the Law of Georgia “On the Legal Status of Foreigners and Stateless Persons,” scheduled for 2025, proposed in the draft law, serve this very purpose.

This change represents a clear step towards enhancing the country’s technological potential. Simplifying the process of obtaining residency for foreign IT professionals will not only improve the investment climate but also help attract global talent to the country. Here are the planned changes.

New Residence Permit for IT Sector Representatives

According to the draft law, a completely new section has been introduced, which concerns a special residence permit for foreigners working in the information technology sector. This permit aims to:

• Facilitate the employment of foreign IT professionals in Georgia,
• Legalise foreign entrepreneurs registered as small business entities, provided they are en-gaged in the information technology sector,
• Support the activities of managers and representatives of international IT companies in Georgia.

Requirements and Conditions

To obtain the residence permit, applicants must provide:

• A document confirming at least 2 years of experience in the IT field,
• A certificate or statement confirming that their annual income is at least the equivalent of 25,000 US dollars in Georgian lari.

In addition, a representative of the management of an international company operating in the IT sector must provide a document confirming their relevant authority.

Residence Permit Duration and Monitoring

According to the draft law:

• The initial residence permit is issued for a period of 3 years,
• The period can also be extended for an additional 3 years, but not exceeding 12 years in total.
• If the holder of the residence permit is not present in Georgia for 183 days or more in a year, their residence permit will be annulled (except in cases of travel for medical treatment).

The monitoring rules will be determined by the Government of Georgia, enabling the state to effectively control the actual presence of foreigners in the country.

Legislative Process and Timeline

The government must develop by 1 July 2025:

• Rules for submitting documents,
• A list of additional documentation,
• Mechanisms for monitoring the activities of those holding residence permits.

Applications must be reviewed within 90 days from the submission of the complete required documentation.

The law will come into full force on 1 September 2025.

In a global environment where competition for technological resources is intensifying, such a pol-icy creates the opportunity to provide Georgia with a significant advantage in the region.

If you are interested in Georgia as a jurisdiction for starting a business, REVERA Georgia’s lawyers can assist you with this process.

Authors: Oksana Iashagyan, Yaroslavna Zadesenskaya

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