Georgia Residence Permits for
Digital Nomads & Business Owners
Choose the right residence permit for your situation — digital nomad visa, IT worker permit, real estate investment, or work permit. We handle the paperwork so you can focus on what matters.
Get Free Consultation Compare OptionsKey Points
- Georgia offers five main residence pathways: digital nomad visa, work permit, IT worker permit, real estate investment, and business investment
- March 1, 2026: Real estate threshold increases from $100,000 to $150,000 and work permits become mandatory for foreign workers
- Digital nomad visa is free, valid for 12 months, and requires $2,000/month income — but it cannot be renewed
- Small Business Status (1% turnover tax) is available for annual revenue under GEL 500,000 (~$180,000)
- Permanent residence is available after 5 years (investment path) or 10 years (general path)
- Existing workers have until January 1, 2027 to obtain a work permit under the new rules
Your Options at a Glance
Georgia has become one of the most attractive bases for remote workers, tech professionals, and entrepreneurs in the Caucasus region. Visa-free entry for citizens of 95+ countries, a low cost of living, and a flat 1% tax option make it a compelling choice.
But choosing the right residence permit matters. Each option has different costs, timelines, rights, and paths forward. Below, we break down every option so you can pick the one that fits your situation — and your plans for the future.
⏰ Act Before March 1, 2026
Georgia is tightening immigration rules. If you're considering a real estate investment permit, completing your purchase before March 1, 2026 saves you $50,000 in investment requirements. Properties purchased before this date qualify under the current $100,000 threshold. After March 1, the minimum jumps to $150,000.
Residence Permit Options Compared
Each permit suits a different profile. Here's how they compare:
| Permit Type | Duration | Key Requirement | Path to PR | Work Permit Exempt? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Digital Nomad Visa | 12 months (non-renewable) | $2,000/month income | No (must switch) | N/A |
| Work Residence Permit | 6–12 months, up to 12 years | 5× subsistence minimum income + GEL 50,000 annual turnover | Yes (10 years) | No |
| IT Worker Permit | 3 years, up to 12 years | 2+ years IT experience, $25,000/year salary | Yes (10 years) | TBD* |
| Real Estate Permit | 1 year, renewable annually | $100,000 property (→$150,000 from March 2026) | Yes (10 years) | No |
| Investment Permit | 5 years | $300,000 investment or real estate | Yes (5 years) | Yes |
*The IT worker permit was introduced in September 2025. Detailed work permit exemption rules are still being finalized.
Each Option in Detail
Digital Nomad Visa
- Valid for 12 months — cannot be renewed
- Minimum income: $2,000/month or $24,000 in savings
- Available to citizens of 95 countries
- Free — no government fee
- Processing: ~10 working days
- Requires health insurance, proof of employment or business
After 12 months, you must transition to a residence permit or leave and re-enter under visa-free rules.
Work Residence Permit
- Initially 6–12 months, extendable up to 12 years
- Monthly income: 5× subsistence minimum
- Annual turnover: GEL 50,000 per applicant
- Processing: 10–30 days (300–600 GEL)
- Requires employment contract or business registration
- Path to permanent residence after 10 years
IT Worker Residence Permit
- Valid for 3 years, extendable up to 12 years
- Minimum salary: $25,000/year (GEL equivalent)
- Requires 2+ years IT experience
- Covers employed IT workers, self-employed with Small Business Status, and IT company managers
- Must stay 183+ days/year in Georgia
- Includes spouse and children
Introduced September 2025 — one of the longest initial permits available.
Real Estate Investment Permit
- Valid for 1 year, renewable annually
- Current threshold: $100,000 (non-agricultural property)
- After March 1, 2026: $150,000
- Multiple properties can be combined
- Value certified by accredited Georgian appraiser
- Includes spouse and children
- Permit terminates if you sell the property
Properties purchased before March 1, 2026 qualify under the $100,000 rule. Existing permit holders can renew without re-valuation.
Investment Residence Permit ($300,000)
- Valid for 5 years — longest single-issue permit
- Two routes: $300,000 business investment or $300,000+ real estate
- Business route requires annual turnover: $50K (year 1) → $100K (year 2) → $120K (years 3–5)
- Real estate route: maintain ownership for 5 years — no turnover requirements
- Exempt from new work permit requirement
- Leads to indefinite/permanent residence after 5 years
- Includes spouse, minor children, and dependent family members
Which Option Is Right for You?
🧳 Choose the Digital Nomad Visa if…
You want to try Georgia for up to a year, work remotely for a foreign employer or your own business, and you don't need to register a local company yet.
💼 Choose the Work Permit if…
You have a Georgian company or employment contract, plan to stay long-term, and earn enough to meet the income and turnover thresholds.
💻 Choose the IT Worker Permit if…
You're a tech professional with 2+ years experience earning at least $25,000/year. This gives you 3 years upfront — the best ratio of requirements to duration.
🏠 Choose Real Estate if…
You want to buy property in Georgia anyway and use it as a basis for renewable annual residence. Budget $150,000+ if purchasing after March 2026.
📈 Choose the $300K Investment if…
You want the fastest path to permanent residence (5 years), work permit exemption, and long-term stability. This is the premium option — highest cost, but by far the most benefits and the most secure long-term status in Georgia.
What's Changing on March 1, 2026
Georgia is implementing significant immigration reforms. Here are the two biggest changes and what they mean for you.
1. Real Estate Threshold Increases to $150,000
The minimum property value for the short-term (1-year) real estate residence permit jumps from $100,000 to $150,000 USD — a 50% increase. This affects new purchases only. If you already hold a permit under the current rules, you can renew without a new valuation, provided you maintain ownership of the property.
Properties must be delivered and ownership registered before you submit your residence application. If you're buying under-construction property, factor in developer delays — if delivery slips past March 1, you'll need to meet the higher threshold.
2. Mandatory Work Permits for Foreign Workers
Georgia is introducing a formal work permit system for the first time. Starting March 1, 2026, most foreign nationals will need a work permit to work in Georgia — including self-employed individuals, freelancers, and digital nomads.
Key details:
| Detail | What You Need to Know |
|---|---|
| Who needs one | All foreign employees and self-employed workers |
| Who's exempt | Permanent residents, refugees, investment permit holders |
| Processing | Up to 30 calendar days |
| Application | Employers submit on behalf of employees |
| Transition period | Already working before March 2026? You have until January 1, 2027 to comply |
| Penalties | Fines for both workers and employers; doubled or tripled for repeat offenses |
⚡ Practical Impact
If you're a freelancer or digital nomad planning to stay in Georgia long-term, the work permit requirement makes it worth considering either the IT worker permit (if you qualify) or the $300,000 investment permit (which is exempt from work permit rules). Detailed eligibility criteria and fees for the new work permits are expected to be published before the March deadline.
Path to Permanent Residence
Permanent residence (PR) grants unlimited residence rights in Georgia — no renewals, no time limits, and exemption from the new work permit requirement. There are two main paths.
Path 1: Investment Route (5 Years)
Hold a $300,000 investment residence permit for 5 years. If your investment is a business, you must demonstrate the required annual turnover each year. If it's real estate, maintain ownership for the full 5 years. After 5 years, apply for an indefinite (permanent) residence permit before your investment permit expires.
Path 2: General Route (10 Years)
Live in Georgia on temporary residence permits for 10 consecutive years. Time spent studying, receiving medical treatment, or on diplomatic assignment does not count.
Permanent Residence Requirements
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Criminal record | Clean — no convictions in Georgia or abroad |
| Financial sufficiency | Proof of income to support yourself and family |
| Health | Medical certificate (good health) |
| Language | Not required for PR (may be required for citizenship) |
| Processing time | 20–30 days |
| State fee | 350 GEL (standard, 30 days) or 500 GEL (expedited, 20 days) |
| Maintenance | PR can be revoked if absent from Georgia for 6+ consecutive years |
PR holders enjoy full access to banking services, healthcare, and the ability to work without restrictions. It also significantly simplifies Schengen visa applications.
Tax Benefits: Georgia's 1% Small Business Status
One of Georgia's biggest draws for digital nomads and entrepreneurs is the Small Business Status (also known as the "entrepreneur tax regime"), which replaces the standard 20% income tax with a 1% tax on gross turnover.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Tax rate | 1% on gross turnover |
| Annual turnover limit | GEL 500,000 (~$180,000 USD) |
| Standard rate (if not eligible) | 20% personal income tax |
| Social contributions | None required |
| Tax residency trigger | 183+ days in Georgia per year |
| First 183 days | No Georgian tax liability |
Eligibility for Small Business Status is assessed individually — not all digital nomad visa holders will qualify. If you register as an individual entrepreneur in Georgia, your advisor can help determine whether the 1% rate applies to your specific situation.
For specific tax advice, consult with a qualified tax advisor. This information is for general guidance only.
How We Help You Get Your Residence Permit
Free Consultation
We assess your situation, goals, and timeline — then recommend the best permit option for you.
Document Preparation
We prepare all required documents, handle translations, notarizations, and ensure everything meets Georgian requirements.
Application Filing
We submit your application to the Public Services Development Agency (PSDA) — in person or online.
Processing & Follow-Up
We track your application and respond to any requests from authorities. Standard processing: 10–30 days depending on permit type and speed selected.
Permit Issued + Residence Card
Once approved, you receive your residence permit. You must obtain a residence card within 1 month (60–150 GEL depending on processing speed).
Processing Fees (Government)
| Speed | Temporary Permits | Permanent Permits |
|---|---|---|
| Standard (30 days) | 300 GEL | 350 GEL |
| Accelerated (20 days) | 450 GEL | 500 GEL |
| Fast track (10 days) | 600 GEL | N/A |
Residence card fees: 60–150 GEL depending on processing speed.
Our Service Pricing
We are expanding our Georgia practice. For current pricing on Georgia residence permit services, please contact us directly for a personalized quote.
| Service | Price |
|---|---|
| Initial consultation (Georgia residence) | Free |
| Digital nomad visa assistance | Contact for pricing |
| Residence permit application | Contact for pricing |
| Company registration in Georgia | Contact for pricing |
| Tax residency setup & Small Business Status | Contact for pricing |
Government fees are additional. We provide a detailed breakdown before you commit.
What Our Clients Say
It is always daunting when dealing with immigration and visas in a foreign country. The team at Vardanyan & Partners made the process for registering the business and applying for residency so much easier. I had no worries at all.
We were impressed by business ethics, accuracy and professionalism. Starting a business while abroad and having to rely 100% on online communication is a big challenge. We are very happy with the work done for us.
Practical, cost-effective, and trustworthy legal services. They respond promptly to communications, and their English/Armenian language skills are of professional standard.
Frequently Asked Questions
Georgia's digital nomad visa gives you 12 months, but it cannot be renewed. After that, your best options are a work residence permit (if you have Georgian income), the IT worker permit (if you have 2+ years tech experience and earn $25,000+/year), or a real estate or investment residence permit. Many digital nomads use the first year to explore Georgia and then transition to a longer-term permit.
Two major changes take effect March 1, 2026. First, the minimum real estate investment for a residence permit increases from $100,000 to $150,000 USD. Second, Georgia introduces mandatory work permits for all foreign workers, including self-employed individuals and freelancers. If you're already working in Georgia before March 2026, you have a transition period until January 1, 2027 to obtain a work permit.
Georgia's Small Business Status replaces the standard 20% income tax with a 1% tax on gross turnover, provided your annual revenue stays under GEL 500,000 (approximately $180,000 USD). No social contributions are required. It's available to qualifying individual entrepreneurs — eligibility depends on your specific activities and must be assessed individually.
Starting March 1, 2026, yes. The new work permit requirement explicitly covers self-employed foreign nationals, freelancers, and individual entrepreneurs. If you hold permanent residence or a $300,000 investment residence permit, you're exempt. The detailed application process and fees are expected to be finalized before the March deadline.
Two main paths: (1) invest $300,000 in a Georgian business or real estate, hold the investment permit for 5 years, and then apply for indefinite/permanent residence; or (2) live in Georgia continuously for 10 years on temporary residence permits. Family members of Georgian citizens can qualify through simplified procedures. Permanent residents don't need work permits and can live and work without time limits.
Yes. You can combine multiple non-agricultural properties (apartments, commercial spaces, houses) to meet the minimum threshold. Each property must have its market value certified by an appraiser accredited by Georgia's National Accreditation Body. Agricultural land does not qualify.
Yes. Non-citizens and foreign legal entities can form and fully own Georgian companies (LLCs, JSCs, partnerships). There's no minimum capital requirement for LLCs, no local partner needed, and single-person companies are permitted. You'll need an instrument of incorporation, identification documents, and a legal address in Georgia. Registration is handled by the National Agency of Public Registry.
No. Georgian language knowledge is not required for any residence permit, including permanent residence. Applications can be submitted in English or Russian with notarized Georgian translations. Language requirements only apply if you eventually pursue Georgian citizenship through naturalization.
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Disclaimer: This guide reflects current rules as of February 2026. Georgian immigration and tax law changes frequently — verify current requirements with qualified professionals before making decisions. Final decisions on residence permits are made by Georgian authorities. This information is for general guidance and does not constitute legal advice.
Sources: Law of Georgia on the Legal Status of Aliens and Stateless Persons; Law of Georgia on Entrepreneurs; Law of Georgia on Promotion and Guarantees of Investment Activity; Fragomen Immigration Alert (August 2025).
