Georgia introduces three-year residency permit for foreign IT professionals

The Georgian Parliament has approved a legislative amendment establishing a three-year residency permit for foreign specialists in the information technology sector, providing a legal pathway for international professionals to live and work in the country.

The initiative targets developers, designers, analysts, and other IT experts with verified qualifications, including formal education, relevant work experience, or recognized international certifications. Verification of documents will be conducted through a dedicated platform or authorized government bodies.

To qualify for the permit, applicants must meet the following conditions:

• At least two years of professional experience in IT
  
  

• Annual income of no less than $25,000
  
  

• Valid health insurance
  
  

• Confirmed place of residence in Georgia
  
  Georgia’s authorities stressed that the program had been designed to attract highly skilled professionals to the country’s growing tech ecosystem, which “offers a stable legal environment, low bureaucratic barriers, proximity to Europe, and expanding digital infrastructure.”

The new permit aligns with international initiatives such as Estonia’s e-Residency, Portugal’s D8 visa, and Canada’s Global Talent Stream, aiming to integrate top-tier professionals into a local market that has already demonstrated strong domestic and international growth.

Recent trends highlight the rapid development of Georgia’s tech sector:

• Registered small IT entrepreneurs have increased 50-fold
  
  

• Tax revenues from IT grew from GEL 401,000 to GEL 21.9 million
  
  

Average salaries at international tech companies rose from GEL 16,722 to GEL 90,396

The authorities highlighted that the figures reflected a “rapidly growing domestic market,” and the involvement of foreign professionals was expected to further accelerate the trajectory.

“The three-year IT residency permit is more than just a legal instrument - it marks a strategic transformation that positions Georgia as a regional technology hub and opens new prospects for both international professionals and the national economy”, they claimed.