Georgia begins enforcing stricter rules for employment of foreign nationals

New regulations governing the employment of foreign nationals in Georgia have come into force, with authorities warning of fines for both workers and employers who fail to comply.

Under amendments to the law on labour migration, enforcement has now begun, granting the Labour Inspection Office of Georgia authority to monitor compliance.

The changes, which formally took effect on 1 March, require foreign citizens to obtain a “right to work” permit in order to be legally employed or self-employed in Georgia, including for remote work. Failure to meet these requirements may result in financial penalties for both employees and employers, including self-employed individuals.

To qualify, foreign nationals must hold valid documentation such as a labour residence permit, a D1 category immigration visa, or another form of legal residence as defined by Georgian law. Work permits are issued by the State Agency for Employment Promotion.

The legislation also introduces obligations for businesses. Employers must advertise job vacancies on the official labour market platform Worknet for at least 10 working days before hiring a foreign national. Only if no suitably qualified local candidate is identified during that period can an employer proceed with an application through the dedicated labour migration system.

Permits are issued for a specific position and employer for a period of up to one year. Self-employed foreign nationals must apply independently and pay the required fee, with permits granted based on a defined field of activity.

Authorities say the new rules are aligned with international standards and are intended to ensure that foreign workers are employed only where there is a genuine labour market need, while also protecting local workers. The reforms are also aimed at reducing illegal employment, strengthening oversight and clarifying responsibilities for both employers and foreign nationals.

The regulation is available here.