Residence Permits in Georgia

Key Update: Starting March 1, 2026, all foreigners who work or run a business in Georgia will need a work permit in addition to their residence permit. This amendment has already been approved by Parliament.

Goal: Transparent labor market oversight and protection. This is a major change for the most common category of applicants.

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Main Types of Residence Permits

1) Work Residence Permit

For employees and individual entrepreneurs (IEs).

• Income/Salary Requirement: At least 5× the subsistence minimum (currently about ₾1,900–2,000 per month, ~$700 USD; checked on the date of application).
• Turnover Requirement: Annual turnover of at least ₾50,000 (~$18,500 USD) for each foreign employee/founder.
• Important: Turnover means gross income credited to a bank account. Employment contracts must be valid for at least 6 months.

2) Short-Term Residence Permit (Real Estate)

Issued for 1 year with renewal rights while the property remains in ownership.

• Property Value: Minimum $150,000 USD, confirmed by an accredited appraiser’s report.
• Important: Can be extended to family members (spouse and children). However, this type does not directly lead to permanent residence (PR).

3) Investment Residence Permit

The only RP issued immediately for 5 years, with permanent renewal (PR).

• Investment Amount: At least $300,000 USD in business or real estate.
• Important: If investing in a business (not real estate), the investor must show turnover of:
  • $50,000 in year 1
  • $100,000 in year 2
  • $120,000+ in following years

Key Facts: Rejections and Process

• Common refusal reasons: insufficient proof of income, suspicion of fake contracts, incomplete or incorrect documents, and security checks.
• Residency & Taxes: Getting a residence permit does not automatically make you a Georgian tax resident. Tax residency applies after 183+ days of physical presence in a 12-month period, or by application for high-income individuals.
• Resident Card (ID): After RP approval, you must apply for a resident ID card within 30 days. Without it, the RP decision may be canceled.

4) Study Residence Permit

For students of accredited Georgian universities.

• Requirements: Enrollment confirmation and proof of sufficient living funds.
• Important: Issued strictly for the study period. Time spent on a student permit usually does not count toward citizenship residency requirements.

5) Family Reunification Residence Permit

For family members of Georgian citizens or foreigners who already hold RP.

• Eligible: Spouse, underage child, or dependent adult under guardianship.
• Important: The main applicant must prove sufficient income to support the joining family member.

6) IT Residence Permit

Launching September 1, 2025 — a new 3-year RP (extendable up to 12 years) for IT professionals and freelancers.

• Goal: Attract skilled talent.
• Requirements: Proof of qualifications (diplomas, certificates), at least 2 years of work experience, and a contract showing $25,000+ annual income from declared sources.

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Application Process & Costs

1. Prepare the basis: Employment, IE, property, investment, study, family + consultation.
2. Collect documents: Passport, proof of eligibility, photos, income certificates/bank statements, receipts, translations.
3. Submit application: At the House of Justice.
4. Review timelines & fees:
   • 10 / 20 / 30 calendar days — ₾600 / ₾450 / ₾300 (~$220 / $165 / $110 USD)
   • Resident ID card — ₾60–150 (~$22–55 USD), depending on urgency
   • Application photo — ₾5 (~$2 USD)

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Updated: September 8, 2025