From 1 March 2026, paid activity by a foreign employee or self-employed person is linked to a separate work-right regime; the authorisation, D1 visa or relevant residence status and transition rules must be coordinated for the individual case.
Direct answer and scope
From 1 March 2026, paid activity by a foreign employee or self-employed person is linked to a separate work-right regime; the authorisation, D1 visa or relevant residence status and transition rules must be coordinated for the individual case.
Every immigration matter must be checked against nationality, the basis of entry, remaining lawful stay and the status sought. From 2026, cases involving paid work or entrepreneurial activity also require a separate review of the new work-right regime.
- Foreign nationals moving to or living in Georgia, their families, employers and investors
- Responsible authority: The Public Service Development Agency, the labour-migration authority or the Ministry of Internal Affairs, depending on the issue
- Jurisdiction: Georgia
Documents and evidence to prepare
Start the assessment with a complete and consistent file covering: employer or self-employment details, employment or service contract, evidence of lawful stay, labour-migration registration and decision.
A foreign document may require apostille or legalisation and a compliant Georgian translation. Check the copy, date, issuer and its connection to the fact being proved.
- employer or self-employment details
- employment or service contract
- evidence of lawful stay
- labour-migration registration and decision
Procedure and working sequence
A safer method is to build a chronology, confirm current status, select the exact legal basis and only then file evidence. Official fees, service periods and forms should be rechecked on the day of action.
For this issue, the practical sequence is: check exemptions and transition status; apply for the work right; coordinate the required visa or residence route; report relevant changes and termination. Before each step, recheck the competent authority, filing form and current deadline.
- check exemptions and transition status
- apply for the work right
- coordinate the required visa or residence route
- report relevant changes and termination
Principal risks and common mistakes
The principal risks are: working without the right; treating old registration as an automatic exemption; unreported change of role or activity; missing the immigration follow-on step. Assess each risk not only by legal outcome but also by time, cost, enforceability and its impact on any other current status.
Where documents conflict, explain and correct the inconsistency first; an unplanned additional filing may deepen the problem.
- working without the right
- treating old registration as an automatic exemption
- unreported change of role or activity
- missing the immigration follow-on step
Decision plan for the next step
Create one working file containing the chronology, objective, document register, official-source links, deadlines and responsible people. Foreign worker authorisation from 2026 should not be handled as a form-filling exercise; the final step must fit your facts and risk tolerance.
If the outcome affects liberty, lawful stay, a child, significant property or business continuity, obtain an individual legal assessment before acting.
- Confirm facts and current status
- Recheck the current official source
- Record the deadline and fallback route
- Obtain the written decision or registration evidence
Important noteThis material is general information, not personalised legal advice. Recheck current law, official practice, fees and deadlines against your facts before acting.