Right to work for a foreign employee: what to do under Georgian law

What to do

1. Who and when: the right is obtained through the employer, who applies after the contract is concluded (Law of Georgia on Labour Migration, Art. 13⁴). Work is allowed only after the right is obtained (Rules on the Right to Work, Art. 2). Prior registration in the migrant database is not enough. Those registered in the database as of 1 March 2026 must obtain the right and a residence permit by 1 January 2027 (Law on Labour Migration, Art. 17).
2. Contract: the contract may only be fixed-term, in writing, in Georgian and in a language the worker understands (Law on Labour Migration, Art. 13²).
3. Employer’s steps: the vacancy must be posted on worknet at least 10 working days before the application (Rules on the Right to Work, Art. 5). The exception includes, among others, a salary above GEL 15,000 per month together with a relevant higher education (Art. 5). The decision follows by the 30th calendar day, or by the 10th working day on an expedited basis (Art. 5). The fee is GEL 200 (expedited processing costs more) (Art. 11), paid by the employer (Art. 11).
4. After the decision: in Georgia, a work residence permit must be applied for within 10 calendar days at the latest (from abroad, within 30 days for a D1 visa) (Law on Labour Migration, Art. 13⁵). With any other residence permit a work residence permit is not required, but the right to work is (Art. 13⁵). The first right is valid for 6 months to 1 year (Rules on the Right to Work, Art. 10). The right is tied to the employer and the position (Rules on the Right to Work, Art. 2).
5. Risks: working without the right carries a fine of GEL 2,000 for the worker (and for the employer) (Law on Labour Migration, Art. 16¹). A refusal may be appealed to court within 1 month (Art. 13⁵).
6. Where to apply: Employment Support Agency (right to work); Public Service Development Agency (residence permit); consulate (D1 visa).
7. Evidence: passport, fixed-term employment contract, diplomas, information on the residence permit or visa.
8. Traps: starting work “on probation” before the decision; believing that a family residence permit or one based on real estate grants the right to work; changing employer or position without a new right; believing that registration in the database of labour migrants before 2026 is sufficient.

Be sure to check

• the employer applies after concluding a fixed-term contract; no work before the decision
• labour-market test (vacancy on worknet) and its exemptions
• review period and fee, and who pays it
• work residence permit or D1 visa after obtaining the right, and its tie to the employer
• fines for working without the right and the transitional period for those already working