(GEORGIA) — A new restriction taking effect March 1, 2026 bars many foreign nationals without a permanent residence permit from working in several high-volume service jobs, including as a tour guide, taxi driver, or courier, tightening Georgia’s work authorization rules for both employees and gig-style operators.
What changed, when, and what is covered
The change stems from legislative amendments adopted by Parliament in June 2025, with the main operative date set for March 1, 2026. The policy was publicly emphasized by Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze in statements on February 13 and 18, 2026.
In practical terms, the amendments prohibit non-citizens who do not hold permanent residence status from engaging in specified roles—both employment and self-employment/entrepreneurial activity—in sectors identified in the draft summaries as:
- Courier/delivery services
- Passenger transportation, including taxis
- Tour guiding (including certain specialty guiding)
Readers should confirm the final statutory text and implementing rules, because job definitions and any subcategories can determine coverage. The announcement materials also referenced a cap on foreign tour guides for 2026 (including ski guides), which may affect how permits are allocated even for otherwise eligible applicants.
This is not a U.S. immigration change. INA provisions and U.S. regulations (8 C.F.R.) do not govern Georgian work authorization. However, U.S.-based employers contracting with Georgia-based personnel, and UAE/Dubai agencies placing staff into Georgia, should treat this as a compliance trigger.
Deadline Watch (Effective Date): The core restriction begins March 1, 2026, with separate transition dates for certain groups described below.
Key requirements: the work authorization framework
Georgia’s approach centers on a work permit issued by the Ministry of Internally Displaced Persons from the Occupied Territories, Labour, Health and Social Affairs (often shortened in English to the Ministry of Health and Labour). Official information is typically posted through the ministry’s web presence (see Ministry site).
Who files can vary by work model:
- A local employer may file for a foreign employee.
- A self-employed individual may be able to file directly for their own activity.
At a high level, the sequence is: gather supporting evidence, submit the application, wait for a decision, and then take immigration status steps (visa or residence) depending on where the worker is located when approved. Processing time can run to the maximum stated by the authorities, and incomplete files or verification can extend real-world timelines.
For Dubai- and UAE-based tour operators, the key operational shift is that “send the guide on a tourist entry and pay per tour” may create risk if the activity is treated as covered work without the required authorization.
Warning (Scope Trap): Platforms and “independent contractor” models are not automatically outside the rule. If the activity is covered, self-employment may still require a permit.
Scenario-based actions and deadlines (abroad vs. inside Georgia)
The amendments create different next steps after the work permit is issued:
1) Applicant abroad. The general pathway described in the summaries is: obtain the work permit first, then apply for a D1 work visa through a Georgian embassy or consulate within the stated post-issuance window. Missing that window can force a restart or create entry/work timing problems.
2) Applicant already in Georgia. A worker in-country typically must apply for a residence permit through Georgia’s public service system—commonly via the House of Justice (see House of Justice)—within the stated post-issuance window. Delays can create unlawful-stay or unlawful-work exposure.
3) Self-employed abroad. Draft descriptions indicate a work permit may be treated as sufficient without a visa or residence permit for certain self-employed work performed from abroad. Even then, the worker must still separately maintain lawful entry/stay authority for any physical presence in Georgia, and should verify what activities are permitted while present.
Deadline Watch (After Approval): If the rules impose a post-issuance filing window, calendar it immediately. Late filing can place both worker and counterparty out of compliance.
Eligibility thresholds: salary tests, IT route, and labor-market posting
The summaries describe several screening mechanisms that function like eligibility “tests,” and they also shape what documents employers should keep.
Compensation linked to subsistence level. Work-residence eligibility may require proof of salary or compensation tied to a multiple of Georgia’s minimum subsistence benchmark. Because subsistence levels can change, employers should document both the wage and the applicable benchmark at the time of filing.
IT specialist pathway. A specialized track is described for IT workers, based on experience and an income threshold. Companies relocating technical staff from UAE hubs into Georgia should confirm whether the role fits the IT category or the general work route.
Vacancy advertising / labor-market test. Employers may have to post the position on the state labor platform for a set period to show no qualified local candidate is available. Practically, this means keeping a clean recruitment file: posting proof, applicant review notes, and the rationale for selection.
Transition periods and exemptions
The summaries describe delayed enforcement for certain groups and categorical exemptions.
Transition concepts include:
- Self-employed foreigners already working in Georgia as of March 1, 2026 may face enforcement starting later.
- Labor immigrants with active registrations as of March 1, 2026 may have a longer runway to obtain permits.
Exempt categories described include permanent residents, refugees, certain investment-related permit holders, diplomats, and accredited journalists. Exemptions typically depend on documentation. Workers should be ready to prove status, not just claim it.
Penalties and compliance exposure
The framework described imposes fines for both sides of the transaction:
- Employers/hirers for hiring without a valid permit.
- Workers for working without a valid permit.
Repeat violations can escalate significantly (doubling or tripling), which matters for delivery fleets, ride-hailing operations, and subcontracting chains where documentation is often inconsistent.
If cited, preserve contracts, app screenshots, pay records, and status documents, and seek qualified Georgian counsel promptly.
Permanent residency: why it matters, and what changes March 1, 2026
A permanent residence permit changes the compliance picture because the restriction is framed around foreigners without permanent residence. For individuals committed to long-term work in covered sectors, permanent residency may be a strategic option, subject to eligibility.
Summaries describe core requirements such as a clean criminal record, financial proof, and a health certificate, plus processing timelines and fees that can vary by case type and change over time. Applicants should confirm current charges and filing rules with the issuing authority.
A key planning point: the real-estate investment threshold reportedly increases effective March 1, 2026. That effective-date alignment means transactions and filings straddling March 1 may require careful sequencing.
Recommended actions (next 30–60 days)
- Role-map your activities: confirm whether your courier, taxi, or tour guide work falls within covered definitions.
- Pick the correct pathway: employer-sponsored vs. self-employed work permit, and whether you must pursue a D1 visa or residence permit after approval.
- Build a compliance file: contracts, recruitment posting records, pay evidence, and proof of exempt status if applicable.
- Get local legal review if your model involves gig work, subcontracting, or cross-border staffing from UAE/Dubai into Georgia.
Resources (official):
- Georgian Ministry of Health and Labour: https://www.moh.gov.ge/
- House of Justice (public services): https://www.justice.gov.ge/
Resources (legal help):
⚖️ Legal Disclaimer: This article provides general information about immigration law and is not legal advice. Immigration cases are highly fact-specific, and laws vary by jurisdiction. Consult a qualified immigration attorney for advice about your specific situation.
