Entry into Force: 1 September 2025

Legal Basis: „Amendments to the Law of Georgia on the Legal Status of Aliens and Stateless Persons

Date of Publication: 13 June 2025

Effective from 1 September 2025, Georgia will introduce a new category of temporary residence permit tailored specifically for foreign professionals working in the information technology (IT) sector. This legislative amendment to the Law of Georgia on the Legal Status of Aliens and Stateless Persons forms part of a broader strategy to position Georgia as a regional tech hub by attracting skilled international talent and supporting digital entrepreneurship.

Eligibility

The Temporary Residence Permit for IT Professionals will be available to the following categories of foreign nationals:

• Executives and authorized representatives of international IT companies operating in Georgia;
• Foreign individual entrepreneurs with registered small business status in Georgia, engaged in IT activities as defined by the Government of Georgia;
• Foreign labor immigrants employed in the IT sector and officially registered with the Ministry of Internally Displaced Persons from the Occupied Territories, Health, Labour and Social Affairs of Georgia;
• Family members of all eligible individuals listed above.

Key Requirements

To qualify for the permit, applicants must provide:

• Documentation demonstrating at least two years of labour or economic activity in the IT sector;
• Evidence of an annual income from such activities of no less than USD 25,000 equivalent in Georgian lari - GEL.

Permit Duration and Renewal

• The permit will be issued for an initial term of three years;
• • It may be renewed in three-year increments, for a maximum total duration of 12 years.

Revocation Criteria

The permit will be subject to revocation if the permit holder is absent from Georgia for 183 days or more within any 12-month period, unless the absence is due to documented medical treatment abroad.

Residency monitoring and physical presence verification will be conducted in accordance with procedures to be defined by the Government.

Government Responsibilities Prior to 1 September 2025

Before the new permit enters into force, the Government of Georgia is required to:

• Define the scope of eligible IT activities;
• Establish application requirements and documentation procedures;
• Adopt a regulatory framework for monitoring permit holders’ presence in Georgia;
• Ensure consistency of all relevant sub-legislative acts with the amended law.

New Rules, New Market Potential

At MKD Law, we view the introduction of this tailored residence permit as a pivotal development in Georgia’s evolving legal framework for international business and talent mobility. More than a legislative reform, it represents a deliberate shift towards reducing legal and administrative barriers for international IT professionals and companies operating in Georgia.

We anticipate strong interest from global IT companies, remote professionals, and tech entrepreneurs seeking to establish long-term operations in Georgia. The new framework removes several legal pain points, such as short visa validity periods, income verification inconsistencies, as well as the requirement for frequent border crossings, thereby allowing foreign professionals to focus on innovation, scaling, and growth.

We are closely tracking forthcoming sub-regulations to ensure our clients remain fully compliant and strategically aligned under the evolving framework.

In light of these developments, we encourage all stakeholders in the technology and mobility sectors to begin preparations early, particularly those considering relocation or regional expansion into Georgia’s dynamic and fast-growing market.