Georgia to Simplify Residence Permit Rules for IT Specialists

The government plans to simplify the procedure for obtaining a Georgian residence permit for IT sector employees. The changes are expected to make it easier for international companies to hire staff and resolve difficulties that emerged after the 2025 reform, Apsny.ge reports.

Georgian Residence Permit for IT Specialists: Current Requirements

A special residence permit in Georgia for IT sector employees has been available since September 1, 2025. It can be obtained by labor migrants working in information technology, individual entrepreneurs registered in Georgia, as well as executives of international IT companies and their authorized representatives. The permit is issued for three years and can be extended for another three-year period, while the total duration of residence under this category cannot exceed 12 years.

Employees and individual entrepreneurs must prove at least two years of work or business activity in IT and an income of at least $25,000 over the previous 12 months. The money must have been received in at least two payments made more than 30 days apart. Work experience and income earned both in Georgia and abroad are taken into account.

Holders of this residence permit must spend at least 183 days per year in Georgia. After six months of residence under the permit, their family members can also apply for residence permits.

New Georgian Residence Permit Rules for IT Professionals

The government plans to expand the range of people eligible for the special residence permit. Employees of international IT companies registered in Georgia will be able to apply regardless of their profession. The authorities also intend to simplify the requirements for obtaining this status, although the specific parameters of the future changes have not yet been disclosed.

The government says the reform is needed because of difficulties that arose after the current rules were introduced. International IT companies have found it more difficult to hire foreign workers, which, according to the explanatory note accompanying the initiative, has had a negative impact on the sector.

Another possible change concerns the right to work. The government is considering a provision under which the IT residence permit would also include the right to engage in employment in accordance with Georgia’s Law on Labour Migration. The final wording of this provision has not yet been determined.

Georgia’s IT Sector Accounts for 7% of GDP

The government stresses that simplifying residence permit rules is linked to the growing importance of the IT sector to the economy. Georgia currently has 179 organizations with international company status, while in 2025 the sector accounted for 7% of GDP and 8% of the country’s exports.

Earlier estimates by Galt & Taggart also highlight the significant role of foreign business in the sector. According to the company, around 75% of approximately 30,000 IT employees remained non-residents, while 84% of the sector’s 24,000 companies were linked to foreign capital.

The government considers support for international IT companies an important factor in the sector’s further development. This is why the authorities say it is necessary to remove legislative barriers that make it more difficult to attract employees from abroad.

Advantages of Georgia for Specialists and Investors

In 2026, Georgia changed a number of rules for foreign nationals. Since March 1, a special work permit has been required for employment, while the minimum property value required for a short-term residence permit has increased from $100,000 to $150,000. At the same time, the country continues to offer relatively simple conditions for relocation, doing business and investment.

Citizens of a large number of countries can stay in Georgia visa-free for up to one full year, with no requirement to register their place of residence during that period. Another advantage is the low tax burden: individual entrepreneurs with small business status can benefit from a tax rate starting at 1% of income.

Analysts at International Investment note that Georgia’s real estate market remains largely open to foreign buyers: there are virtually no restrictions on purchasing apartments and commercial property, with the main exceptions applying to agricultural land. High returns on real estate investment are another factor attracting investors. The strongest yields are seen in tourist destinations, particularly in high-quality premium hotel properties.