What is the Work Residence Permit and what turnover is required?

It is tied to an active IE or LLC registered in Georgia. Each foreign applicant needs 50,000 GEL of gross turnover: within a rolling 12 months for an IE, or in the current fiscal year for an LLC, plus proof of personal financial means. Since 15 July 2026 this turnover is not required if the company or IE has not been registered for longer than 3 months and employs fewer than 3 foreign nationals. This applies to a first-time application only, and the resulting permit is valid for up to six months.

How long does residence permit processing take?

The state fee depends on speed: 30 calendar days standard, 20 accelerated or 10 fast-track. Before filing at the Public Service Hall we assemble your dossier, which takes about 5 days.

What other residence permits exist in Georgia?

A short-term real estate permit for investing at least $150,000 in residential or commercial property, a family reunification permit for the spouse, minor children or dependent parents of a permit holder, and a 5-year investment permit for at least $300,000 invested.

Georgia Residence Permit for Foreigners

Q: Do I need a residence permit if I can stay 365 days visa-free?

Not at first, but a permit gives legal permanence. It protects you against changing border policies, guarantees entry during global disruptions, streamlines international banking and is the basis for bringing immediate family through reunification.

The Immigration Landscape in Georgia

While Georgia’s legendary 365-day visa-free regime offers incredible flexibility, securing a formal Residence Permit provides essential legal permanence. A residence permit protects you against changing border policies, guarantees entry during global disruptions, streamlines international banking, and serves as the legal foundation for bringing your immediate family members to Georgia through reunification pathways.

D5 Visa Georgia - How to Start Your Residence Permit Application

To launch a residency application from within Georgia, foreign nationals must typically possess a valid immigration footprint. For corporate pathways, we guide you through obtaining or converting to an official Immigration D5 Visa prior to lodging your file with the Public Service Hall.

Focus: Work Residence Permit

The most popular and reliable residence permit in Georgia for foreigners is the Work Residence Permit. This framework is directly tied to an active corporate vehicle registered in the National Agency of Public Registry (NAPR) - either an Individual Entrepreneur (IE) profile or a Limited Liability Company (LLC).

The House of Justice evaluates these applications based on absolute strict financial benchmarks calculated per foreign applicant. The baseline rule states that the entity's annual turnover must meet a specific economic threshold relative to the number of foreign citizens seeking status through it.

Business Compliance & Financial Matrix

To successfully pass the Public Service Hall's financial screening, your corporate infrastructure must meet the following parameters:

Corporate Vehicle	Minimum Economic Turnover Requirement	Applicant Financial Means Proof
Individual Entrepreneur (IE)	50,000 GEL (~$18,500+ USD) gross turnover within a rolling 12-month period per foreign applicant.	Official bank statement showing funds at least 5 times the Georgian minimum subsistence level.
Limited Liability Company (LLC)	50,000 GEL gross turnover for the current fiscal year for each foreign national employed or founding the entity.	Documented monthly salary allocation or dividend distribution passing through a Georgian bank account.

Update since 15 July 2026: no turnover needed for a new company's first application

The 50,000 GEL turnover requirement is not necessary if the company or IE has not been registered for longer than 3 months and there are fewer than 3 foreign nationals employed in the company or IE. This applies to a first-time application only, and the permit issued this way is valid for a maximum of six months.

Other Georgia Residence Permit Types: Real Estate, Family, and Investment

If your primary focus is not active commercial trading, our legal team can help you navigate alternative legislative categories:

Real Estate Residence Permit (Short-Term): Granted to individuals who invest a minimum of $150,000 USD in residential or commercial real estate (excluding agricultural land) within Georgia. Requires an official market valuation certificate.
Family Reunification Permit: Available to the spouse, minor children, or dependent parents of a foreign citizen who already holds an active, valid Georgian residence permit.
Investment Residence Permit: A premium, 5-year permanent track granted to individuals who inject at least $300,000 USD into the Georgian economy via capital investment or long-term real estate acquisition.

The Complete Application Timeline

The processing cycle follows a rigid structural flow managed by the Public Service Hall and the Public Service Development Agency:

Step 1: Document Gathering & Verification (Days 1–5)

We assemble your dossier: official turnover reports from the Revenue Service, corporate registration extracts, passport biometric scans, photos, and formal bank statements verifying personal financial sufficiency.

Step 2: Submission at the Public Service Hall (Day of Filing)

We physically accompany you to the Public Service Hall in Tbilisi to lodge the file. The state fee varies based on your chosen processing speed: 30 calendar days (standard), 20 days (accelerated), or 10 days (fast-track).

Step 3: Security Clearance & Biometric Card Pick-up (Approval Day)

The state conducts internal compliance checks. Upon approval, you receive an SMS notification. We then return with you to the Public Service Hall to give your biometric fingerprints and collect your physical Residence Card (Binaoba).

Important Legal Notice on Renewal: Work residence permits are initially granted for a duration of 6 months to 1 year. To secure a multi-year extension, your business must maintain consistent compliance, consistently lodge accurate tax declarations, and confidently sustain the 50,000 GEL annual turnover benchmark per applicant.