GEORGIA

Georgia is an emerging destination for international professionals and skilled workers, with employment opportunities in information technology, construction, hospitality, tourism, logistics, manufacturing, healthcare and other sectors. Indian citizens planning to work in Georgia must comply with Georgia’s labour-migration and immigration requirements and obtain the appropriate authorization before starting employment.

Under Georgia’s current labour-migration framework, which applies from 1 March 2026, foreign nationals who intend to undertake employment in Georgia generally need the required right to work, subject to applicable exemptions. Depending on their circumstances and whether they are inside or outside Georgia, they may also need a D1 immigration visa and/or a work residence permit.

Types of Georgia Work Authorization

Important

The Right to Work, D1 Immigration Visa and Work Residence Permit are different authorizations.

The Right to Work relates to the legal ability to undertake employment in Georgia. A D1 Immigration Visa is an entry visa for eligible foreign nationals who require one for employment. A Work Residence Permit provides residence rights to eligible foreign workers.

The exact requirements depend on the applicant’s nationality, employment, qualifications, employer, place of residence and applicable exemptions under Georgian law.

Step-by-Step Georgia Work Visa Process

1. Get a Job Offer From a Georgian Employer

The first step for an employee is normally to obtain a genuine job offer or employment agreement from a company or employer in Georgia.

The employment terms should clearly specify the position, duties, salary, working conditions and other relevant information.

The employer should be legally established and able to employ foreign nationals under Georgian law.

2. Complete the Right-to-Work Procedure

Under the labour-migration rules applicable from 1 March 2026, a foreign national subject to the requirements must obtain the appropriate right to work before carrying out employment in Georgia.

For an employed foreign worker, the relevant application and employment information are generally handled through the applicable employer/employee procedure.

The authorities may assess the employment and supporting information before granting the right to work.

3. Prepare the Required Documents

Depending on the application and immigration route, documents may include:

• Valid passport

• Employment contract or job offer

• Employer information and employment details

• Proof of professional qualifications, where applicable

• Educational certificates, where required

• Evidence of relevant work experience, where applicable

• Proof of income or employment, where required

• Proof of accommodation, where applicable

• Passport-size photograph

• Required application forms

• Documents relating to the right-to-work application

• Other documents requested by the competent Georgian authorities

Documents issued in India may need appropriate legalization or apostille and translation where required by the relevant Georgian authority.

4. Apply for the D1 Immigration Visa, If Required

A foreign worker who is outside Georgia and requires an immigration visa for employment may need to apply for a D1 Immigration Visa after obtaining the required right to work.

The D1 category is intended for persons coming to Georgia for employment and other qualifying labour activities.

The applicant must submit the required visa application and supporting documents through the appropriate Georgian diplomatic mission or applicable visa process.

5. Travel to Georgia

Once the required entry authorization has been obtained, the applicant can travel to Georgia.

The applicant should carry:

• Valid passport

• D1 visa, where required

• Right-to-work documentation

• Employment documents

• Other relevant immigration documents

Entry into Georgia remains subject to border-control requirements.

6. Apply for a Work Residence Permit, If Required

Foreign nationals who need to reside in Georgia for employment may need to apply for a Work Residence Permit.

The applicant must meet the applicable residence-permit requirements and submit the required documents to the competent Georgian authority.

The residence application may require evidence of employment, income and other supporting information.

7. Receive the Residence Authorization

After the application is reviewed and approved, the applicant can complete the required residence formalities and obtain the relevant residence documentation.

The worker should ensure that the employment and residence authorization remains valid throughout the period of employment.

8. Start Employment Legally

After completing all applicable labour and immigration requirements, the foreign worker can begin employment in Georgia in accordance with the conditions of the authorization.

A foreign national should not start employment if the required right to work or other applicable authorization has not been obtained.

Georgia Work Visa Processing Time

Processing times can vary depending on the type of application, the authority handling the application, document completeness and whether additional verification is required.

Because Georgia’s labour-migration framework was updated from 1 March 2026, processing times should not be presented as a guaranteed fixed number of days unless confirmed for the applicant’s specific procedure.

Applicants should allow sufficient time for document preparation, application processing and any additional verification.

Important Information for Indian Applicants

Before applying to work in Georgia, Indian citizens should:

• Obtain a genuine job offer from a Georgian employer.

• Verify the employer and employment agreement.

• Determine whether they are subject to the current right-to-work requirement.

• Check whether a D1 Immigration Visa is required for their circumstances.

• Determine whether a Work Residence Permit is required.

• Keep educational and professional documents ready.

• Complete apostille, legalization and translation requirements where applicable.

• Provide accurate information in all applications.

• Follow the instructions of the relevant Georgian authorities.

• Do not begin employment before obtaining the authorization required under Georgian law.

Important Legal Notice

Georgia’s immigration and labour-migration requirements can change. Eligibility, exemptions, required documents, processing procedures and decisions are determined by the competent Georgian authorities.

Applicants should verify the latest requirements with the Public Service Development Agency, Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia, State Employment Support Agency and/or the relevant Georgian diplomatic mission before submitting an application.