Employer Change in Georgia: What to Know About a Work Residence Permit

Georgia remains an attractive destination for foreign professionals. However, when changing jobs, it is important to take legal aspects into account, especially if you hold a Work Residence Permit (WRP). In this article, REVERA lawyers explain how to maintain legal status when changing employer.

What is a Work Residence Permit?

A Work Residence Permit is a residence authorisation based on official employment in a duly registered Georgian company. It allows a foreign national to legally reside and work in the country.

Key conditions for obtaining it include:

• a valid employment contract;
• official registration of employment;
• payment of taxes by the employer;
• the company’s annual turnover must be at least GEL 50,000 per foreign employee.

Why does changing employer require reissuing a WRP?

A Work Residence Permit is linked to a specific employer. Upon dismissal or change of employment, the legal basis for the current WRP is lost. Even if a new contract is signed immediately, a new application for a WRP must be submitted.

Case handled by REVERA: A Belarusian citizen holding a WRP changed jobs without interruption. The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia annulled her permit due to the absence of reapplication. This confirms: changing contracts ≠ automatic preservation of residence status.

Deadlines for application

The recommended timeframe for submitting a new WRP application is within 30 days after dismissal. While the law does not prescribe strict deadlines, delays may lead to revocation of status.

What documents are required?

Registration on the portal labourmigration.moh.gov.ge (carried out by the employer);

• New employment contract;
• Extract from the company register;
• Certificate of the company’s income;
• Copy of passport;
• Application form;
• Photograph;
• Proof of payment of the state fee (ranging from GEL 180 to 300 depending on urgency).
• Alternative: changing the type of residence permit
• If finding a new employer promptly is not possible, it is possible to switch to another type of residence permit:
• Family residence – if relatives with legal status reside in Georgia;
• Investment residence – in case of investment into business or real estate;
• Educational residence – upon enrolment in an accredited educational institution.

How to avoid problems?

• Plan the job change in advance;
• Monitor application deadlines;
• Seek advice from immigration lawyers.

REVERA lawyers can assist you with:

• Conducting an audit of your current immigration status;
• Preparing a full set of documents for reapplication;
• Accompanying the submission process;
• Offering alternative legalisation options.

Contact us to maintain your legal status in Georgia without risks or delays.

Authors: Oksana Iashagyan, Yaroslavna Zadesenskaya.