Georgia offers a modern, European-adjacent capital, low taxes, and 365-day visa-free entry that let many expats simply live there indefinitely. From 1 March 2026, the new work permit system closed the legal grey area that remote workers and freelancers had been operating in. For retirees, passive-income earners and property investors the options remain excellent; for working expats the structure is now clearer and needs attention. This guide covers every current pathway.

Visa-Free Entry — Who Qualifies and What It Covers

Georgia offers 365-day visa-free entry to citizens of around 95 countries, including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, all EU member states, Australia and New Zealand, and most other developed economies.

This is not a 30- or 90-day provision — it is a full year. Citizens of these countries can enter and remain for up to 365 days within any 12-month period with no visa, permit or application of any kind. Bring your passport; that’s it.

For the right person — a retiree drawing income from abroad, a remote worker employed by a foreign company, an investor living off passive income — 365-day visa-free entry can be a complete long-term strategy. If your income is genuinely from outside Georgia and you are not employed by a Georgian entity or operating a Georgian business, there is currently no legal requirement to formalise your status further.

The 2026 Work Permit — Right to Labour Activity

From 1 March 2026, Georgia implemented a mandatory work authorisation system for foreign nationals who work, run a business, or are self-employed while in the country. The permit is officially the Right to Labour Activity, and it must be paired with a D1 long-stay (national) visa.

Who needs it

• Employees of Georgian-registered companies (local employment)
• Self-employed individuals and freelancers serving Georgian clients
• Remote workers employed by Georgian entities
• Independent contractors deriving income from activity conducted in Georgia
• Business owners and directors of Georgian companies actively engaged in the business

Who is exempt

• Holders of permanent residence permits in Georgia
• Investment residence permit holders
• Refugees and asylum seekers under formal protection
• Employees of diplomatic missions and international organisations
• Accredited foreign journalists
• Foreign students in accredited programmes

What “work” means under the new rules

The requirement is triggered by any paid activity conducted within Georgia — regardless of where the employer or client is based. If you are physically in Georgia and being paid to perform services, you need a permit. That includes sitting in Tbilisi doing work for a US employer over Zoom, providing freelance design or development to European clients, or running a consultancy serving foreign clients while based in Georgia. The position that “my employer is American, so Georgia has no claim” is no longer valid — the test is where the work is performed, not where the employer sits.

Penalties

Working without the Right to Labour Activity permit carries fines of 2,000 GEL, borne by the employer or the self-employed individual. Repeat or deliberate non-compliance can bring more serious consequences.

The application process

Applied for through the relevant Georgian authority, typically with an immigration lawyer’s support. It requires proof of employment or business activity, a D1 visa (applied for at a Georgian consulate in your home country), supporting contract or business-registration documents, and standard personal documentation (passport, background check). Permits are usually granted for 1 year and are renewable; IT professionals are eligible for permits of up to 3 years.

Investment Residence Permit

Georgia’s property investment route is one of the most accessible residence-by-investment programmes in the region. Buy property above the qualifying threshold and you can obtain legal residence tied directly to that investment.

Both options include the investor’s spouse and dependent children at no additional investment.

Permanent Residency Paths

Time-based path

Legal residency for 6 consecutive years leads to eligibility for permanent residency. Those 6 years must be on a formal legal status — not visa-free tourist entry — which in practice means holding and annually renewing an investment or work permit for 6 years.

Marriage

Marriage to a Georgian national qualifies for a simplified permanent residency path.

High-value investment

Georgia has periodically offered permanent residency directly for significant investment above set thresholds. Terms change — confirm current rules with a specialist.

Special contribution

Permanent residency can be granted by presidential decree for exceptional contribution to Georgia in cultural, scientific, academic or national-interest areas. Rarely applicable to most expats, but worth noting.

The D1 Visa (Long-Stay National Visa)

The D1 is Georgia’s long-stay national visa — the prerequisite for formal residency. Issued by Georgian consulates outside Georgia, it allows entry for a period beyond the visa-free provision within a given cycle, or as a precondition for work permit applications. If you need to formalise your status — for work permit purposes, investment residence, or permanent residency — the D1 is typically the entry point. Your immigration lawyer will advise on when and how to apply.

What Residency Status Is Right for You

• Retirees & passive-income earners (income entirely from outside Georgia): visa-free entry (365 days) is typically enough, no formal application required. You may choose to formalise via the investment route for a Georgian ID or easier banking, but there is no legal requirement to for pure passive income.
• Remote workers & freelancers: from March 2026, a Right to Labour Activity permit is required if you work from Georgia. Obtain a D1 visa from a Georgian consulate, then apply for the work permit. Use an immigration lawyer to confirm the right process for your employment setup.
• Property investors: the Investment Residence Permit if your purchase meets the $150,000+ threshold — formal legal residence, a Georgian ID card, easier banking, and a route toward permanent residency.
• People wanting formal long-term status: the investment permit route, held and renewed over 6 years, leading to permanent residency.

Banking and Practical Life with Residency

One practical benefit of formalising residency is banking access. Georgia’s dominant retail banks — TBC Bank and Bank of Georgia — have become more selective about opening accounts for non-residents following international AML pressure. Holding formal residency (investment permit or other status) significantly simplifies account opening. For anyone managing local expenses, paying local bills, or receiving rental income from Georgian property, a local bank account is practically necessary.