New Labour Migration Rules in Georgia – What Employers Need to Know

Legal Overview (Effective March 1, 2026)

IBL Law Office's Advice to Local Employers

Nato Natenadze, Labour Law Expert at IBL Law Office, Former First Deputy Head of the Labour Inspection Service

According to current data, the population of Georgia is 3,914,000, of which approximately 257,000 are foreigners (including irregular migrants). Around 20,000 of them are irregular migrants residing in Georgia, while the number of registered employed immigrants on the official portal is 51,448.

As of March 1, 2026, amendments to the Law of Georgia on Labour Migration make the employment of foreign nationals in Georgia more complex. One of the key innovations introduced by the law is the mandatory requirement to obtain a Right to Work, without which it will be prohibited to conclude either an employment agreement or a service contract with a foreign national.

Carrying out labour activity without a Right to Work will result in fines for both the foreign employee and the employer.

1. Who is subject to the New Labour Migration Rules?

The amendments apply to:

• a) A foreign national without a permanent residence permit in Georgia who enters into an employment relationship with a local employer (a labour immigrant);
• b) A foreign national without a permanent residence permit who performs work remotely for a local employer;
• c) A self-employed foreigner without a permanent residence permit (including freelancers, consultants, and individuals working through digital platforms).

The law broadly defines the concept of a self-employed foreigner and extends regulation not only to foreigners employed by or providing services to local employers, but also to directors, partners, and members of supervisory boards of legal entities registered in Georgia;

• d) Service organizers — legal entities that conclude agreements with self-employed foreigners, as a result of which the foreigner receives financial benefit (e.g., platform-based companies such as Glovo, Wolt, and similar service providers).

The concept of a self-employed foreigner is interpreted broadly, meaning the regulation is no longer limited to traditional employment agreements.

2. What is the "Right to Work" and why has it become mandatory?

The Right to Work is an individual administrative-legal act issued by the state that grants a foreign national the right to lawfully carry out labour activity in Georgia.

It is important to note that:

• The Right to Work is issued with reference to a specific employer and a specific position;
• It is not automatically transferable to another employer or another position;
• In case of a change of position, a new administrative procedure must be completed.

Through this mechanism, the state exercises prior control over labour migration. Employment will no longer begin solely on the basis of a contract, but will require prior administrative authorization.

3. What conditions must be met to employ a foreigner?

A local employer may employ a foreign national without a permanent residence permit only if the following conditions exist simultaneously:

1. A written employment agreement that fully complies with the Labour Code of Georgia and migration legislation;
2. The foreign national has obtained one of the following legal grounds:
   • A Right to Work;
   • A labour residence permit;
   • A D1 category immigration visa;
   • Or another appropriate legal status as defined by Georgian legislation.

4. Who has the monitoring mandate and how is control implemented?

Compliance with labour migration regulations is subject to multi-level supervision.

State Agency for Employment

The Agency not only issues the Right to Work but also monitors compliance with its conditions. Its mandate includes:

• Verifying compliance with the conditions of issued authorizations;
• Requesting information from employers and foreign nationals;
• Monitoring termination of employment agreements or changes of position;
• Suspending or revoking the Right to Work in case of violations;
• Conducting interagency data verification.

Labour Inspection Service

The Labour Inspection Service supervises the legality of labour relations and verifies:

• Compliance of employment agreements with legislation;
• The existence of a valid Right to Work;
• Whether the work actually performed corresponds to the issued authorization.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs

The Ministry of Internal Affairs supervises the legality of stay in Georgia, including visa and residence status matters.

5. What sanctions apply in case of violation?

Failure to comply with the requirements of the law may result in fines ranging from GEL 2,000 to GEL 14,000 imposed on the employer, service organizer, labour immigrant, and/or self-employed foreigner.

In addition to financial penalties, the issued Right to Work may also be suspended or revoked.

6. Practical recommendations for employers

Local employers are advised to:

• Verify the legal status of the foreign national before concluding an agreement;
• Ensure that the employment agreement fully complies with applicable legislation;
• Apply to the Agency in a timely manner for extension of the Right to Work;
• Complete a new administrative procedure in case of change of position;
• Notify the relevant authority within the legally established timeframe in case of termination of the employment agreement.

From 2026 onward, employing a foreigner in Georgia constitutes not only a labour law matter but also a migration-law procedure.

The key message for employers is clear: employment of a foreign national should begin not with the signing of a contract, but with thorough verification of legal status and obtaining the appropriate administrative authorization.

Compliance with the regulations is not merely about avoiding fines — it is an essential component of a company's legal and reputational security.

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For consultations or inquiries regarding labour migration compliance, please contact our office.