Obtaining a Digital Nomad Visa in Georgia

Many entrepreneurs and investors are looking at obtaining a Digital Nomad visa in Georgia as a practical way to secure legal presence in the Caucasus region. The amendments adopted in 2025–2026 to the Law on Labor Migration reshaped the rules for long-term residence of foreign professionals. The legal landscape has shifted noticeably. Businesses now need to prepare documentation in advance if they want uninterrupted access to banking services and state platforms.

Structuring Legal Presence: Understanding the Digital Nomad Model in Georgia

Georgia does not formally define a Digital Nomad visa in its national code. Instead, the country operates through a hybrid model — open entry combined with regulated legalization for professional activity. In practice, obtaining a Digital Nomad visa in Georgia means navigating existing migration programs. This allows the authorities to keep oversight of the labor market without restricting tourism flows.

There is a clear distinction between physically staying in the country and having the right to conduct business. Digital Nomad status in Georgia does not automatically grant permission to operate commercially within the jurisdiction. Migration law sets the limits for lawful stay, while tax obligations arise once the 183-day threshold is exceeded. Labor regulations require independent formalization of professional engagement if activity targets the local market.

The regulatory framework rests on three core legal sources. The Act on the Legal Status of Foreigners and Stateless Persons defines the basic entry requirements. Rules for remote professionals in Georgia were revised in 2025–2026, placing stronger emphasis on verifiable income streams. Government Decree No. 255 establishes the list of countries eligible for extended visa-free entry.

Migration regulatory acts:

A foreign specialist working in Georgia under the Digital Nomad format must pay close attention to the updated provisions of the Law on Labor Migration. The competent authority now requires confirmation of actual professional engagement if the applicant intends to secure a full residence permit.

Applying for authorization for remote work in Georgia means checking current bylaws and administrative procedures carefully. In practice, prior registration in the Ministry of Labor’s registry is often necessary before submitting documents to the Public Service Hall. Following each procedural step reduces exposure to compliance risks when authorities assess the grounds for residence.

Navigating Legal Stay While Obtaining a Digital Nomad Visa in Georgia

Government Decree No. 255 sets out a special rule for citizens of countries listed in its annex. The document clearly states how long a foreigner may live in Georgia without applying for a visa: twelve consecutive months. After 365 days, a person can leave the country, cross the border again, and reset the clock. That simple mechanism is exactly why Georgia attracts founders working on short-term projects and consultants testing new markets. For many, obtaining a Digital Nomad visa in Georgia starts with this flexible entry model.

The Digital Nomad stay regime in Georgia covers more than 95 jurisdictions — including EU member states, the United States, and CIS countries. As of February 2026, official portals such as GeoConsul and Matsne confirm that this rule remains in force. Still, long-term residence without formal status creates limitations. Signing extended contracts with Georgian partners becomes complicated. Renting property or arranging insurance often costs more without a residence permit.

Visa-free entry under Decree No. 255 applies to:

• member states of the European Union;
• the United States, Canada, and Australia;
• Israel, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates;
• countries of the post-Soviet region.

The system deliberately separates tourism from professional activity. Simply crossing the border is not enough if your goal is obtaining a Digital Nomad visa in Georgia for remote work. The 2025–2026 amendments introduced a specific authorization procedure for confirming employment status. Anyone planning to move their business into Georgia’s legal framework needs to treat this step seriously.

Securing permission for digital nomads in Georgia also matters when dealing with banks. Once your stay exceeds three months, legislation requires transparent confirmation of income sources. Regulators are clearly trying to prevent entrepreneurs from hiding business activity under a tourist label. Entering visa-free and then moving toward obtaining a Digital Nomad visa in Georgia must be paired with timely tax registration.

Georgia’s visa policy remains open and business-friendly, yet switching status demands precision. Automatic entry rights do not come with subsidies or social privileges. Registering with the Revenue Service on time keeps your migration record clean and avoids unnecessary friction with authorities.

Resolving Migration Rules When Obtaining a Digital Nomad Visa in Georgia

Georgia’s migration framework recognizes five main types of permits available to foreign nationals. In practice, the legal stay of a digital nomad in Georgia is usually tied to visa category C (short-term) or D (immigration). The law does not focus on the nature of remote work itself. Instead, it defines physical presence — how you enter, how long you stay, and under what conditions your permit can be revoked.

The legal domains are clearly divided. Migration law governs lawful presence. Tax law handles fiscal obligations. When obtaining a Digital Nomad visa in Georgia through an immigration track, proof of sufficient financial resources becomes essential. The grounds for residence are set out in a closed list, where employment and entrepreneurship hold central positions. Choosing the wrong basis often results in refusal to issue an ID card.

Migration legislation covers several core areas:

• defining visa categories (A, B, C, D, T) and their subtypes;
• establishing legal grounds for obtaining residence in Georgia through employment, capital investment, or property ownership;
• regulating procedures for extending and renewing migration documents;
• setting parameters for deportation and entry bans.

Over the past two years, migration law in Georgia has become noticeably stricter about documentation for remote professionals. Simply declaring a contract with a foreign company is no longer enough. Authorities now expect verified income — typically supported by bank statements or official tax forms. The shift reflects a broader policy: integrating independent contractors into a transparent economic environment.

For many applicants, the goal is obtaining a Digital Nomad visa in Georgia that effectively converts into a Labour Residence Permit. The process includes a criminal background check and valid medical insurance. Applying for remote work authorization in Georgia usually means submitting documents through accredited service centers. Any procedural mistake can force you to restart the entire application cycle.

Violating migration rules in Georgia carries real consequences. Overstaying or working without proper authorization leads to fines ranging from 180 to 2000 GEL. In more serious cases, entry bans can be imposed for two to five years.

Choosing Georgia Visas That Actually Help When Obtaining a Remote Work Visa in Georgia

Georgia’s entry-permit map is split into five big visa types. For digital nomads, the visa categories in Georgia cover everything from diplomatic and special options to ordinary, immigration, and transit routes. Each group has its own purpose, its own limits, and its own “you can’t do that here” lines.

A short-stay Georgia visa in category C is built for travel. It’s not designed for building a long-term professional setup inside the country. The stay cap in this mode is 90 days. Visas in Georgia for remote workers usually require a move into immigration status D—unless the person already has the right to a full visa-free year.

The legal classification includes:

• diplomatic (A) and special (B);
• ordinary (C) for tourism and guest visits;
• immigration (D) for work and business;
• transit (T).

Georgia’s D1 visa is the base layer for professional migration. Starting March 1, 2026, the issuing rules become stricter. Now it’s tied to advance confirmation of the right to work. In plain terms: obtaining a D1 visa in Georgia becomes realistic only after you register employment relations or business activity.

A long-stay visa in Georgia is still just a bridge, not the finish line. A stamp in the passport doesn’t magically turn you into a resident. The D1 immigration visa in Georgia simply opens the window for filing a residence permit request at the Public Service Hall.

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Picking Real Grounds for Obtaining a Digital Nomad Visa in Georgia

A separate, less stringent regulatory framework is being established for the IT industry. It usually takes less time to get a dwelling permit for an IT expert in Georgia compared to other labor permits. The thinking behind it is straightforward: the government is trying to make things easier for competent workers in tech-heavy businesses.

An IT specialist can obtain a residence permit in Georgia with a contract from an employer that holds recognized international status.

Applicants who often qualify for simplified filing include:

• software developers and engineering specialists;
• infrastructure administrators and cybersecurity experts;
• leaders of tech initiatives;
• individual entrepreneurs holding a small-business certificate in an IT direction.

Temporary resident status in Georgia for IT-profile specialists can allow lawful stay for up to three years. Unlike the general route, turnover-related benefits are often used here. A Georgian residence permit while working remotely for an international company helps you stay legal without being chained to the local labor market.

Even if you don't pay attention to the date, taxes will still bite you. IT experts in Georgia still need to keep track of the days they spend in the country even if they have a dwelling permit. You are a tax resident once you have been here for 183 days.

A residence permit for developers in Georgia is often paired with the small business regime with a 1% tax. It’s a neat combo: lower tax pressure, cleaner legal footing, fewer awkward questions later. Getting a visa for IT specialists in Georgia can happen through employment with a hiring company, or through a self-managed route—by registering as an individual entrepreneur. And yes, if you claim skills, be ready to prove them: authorities may request education details or portfolio materials.

Following a Clear Path to Obtaining a Digital Nomad Visa in Georgia

Legalization in Georgia doesn’t begin with paperwork — it begins with a border crossing. Citizens of most EU and CIS countries enter under the visa-free regime and receive up to 365 days of lawful stay. If your plan involves obtaining a Digital Nomad visa in Georgia through entrepreneurship, you need one practical thing in advance: a registered legal address. Without it, the state registries simply won’t open their doors to you.

Key legalization checkpoints:

It takes a while to get Digital Nomad status in Georgia through a residence permit. Three to six months of real work are to come. While this is going on, you keep clear records of your finances under your startup account and write down how your business actually works.

Once your sales hit at least 50,000 GEL, you can apply for a residence permit in Georgia. The limit drops to 35,000 GEL for businesses in the school or health care fields. Timing is important. The law says that you have to turn it in no later than 40 calendar days before the end of your legal stay. If you miss that time, the whole plan might need to be rethought.

Preparing Documents and Budgeting Costs When Obtaining a Digital Nomad Visa in Georgia

Building a solid application file is not about stacking papers — it’s about getting every detail right. Translation quality matters. Apostilles matter. In 2026, the legal force of foreign documents in Georgia is confirmed under international conventions and bilateral treaties. If a document crosses borders, it must cross them properly.

Document Package

If you are intent on obtaining a Digital Nomad visa in Georgia through a residence permit route, the core set is fairly straightforward: You must possess a passport with the most recent entry stamp. You include a notarized Georgian translation. Then, you submit a new registry extract that verifies your registration as an individual entrepreneur.

The part that decides everything is money proof. Migration officers don’t want dreams, they want a trace: stable remote income from abroad, shown in a way that can be checked.

What people usually submit:

• bank statements for the last 3–6 months;
• contracts with foreign clients;
• income confirmations (official forms work best);
• proof of savings (because sometimes that’s what keeps the story coherent).

There’s also an unofficial “comfort” level they tend to look for: around 2,000 USD per month, or enough funds to cover life in Georgia without turning into a problem for the system.

Full checklist of required materials:

• Passport + official Georgian translation.
• NAPR extract confirming your entrepreneur registration.
• Financial proof: entrepreneur turnover statement (rough benchmark: the equivalent of 2,000 USD per month over the past 12 months) or a Georgian bank statement showing enough balance to live on.
• Original Special Labour Permit from the Ministry of Labor (this becomes mandatory starting March 2026).
• Medical insurance covering the entire requested status period.
• Receipt for the state fee (amount depends on how fast you want the review).
• Digital photo taken on-site at the Public Service Hall.

And yes: anything issued outside Georgia needs a professional Georgian translation. No shortcuts, no “my friend translated it.”

Timeframes

Registering as an entrepreneur in Georgia is usually done in one working day. Residence permit review normally takes 10 to 30 calendar days. Faster options exist — but they are not “faster because you ask nicely.” They are faster because you pay more.

Fees and Real Costs

Your total bill is never just one fee. It’s a stack of small payments that show up at different moments.

Entrepreneur registration at the Public Service Hall typically costs 20 to 100 GEL, depending on processing speed. Then come the quiet extras: notarization, translations, and whatever you need to make your documents “official” in Georgian reality.

Insurance is its own line item. The policy must cover the whole requested period and meet migration requirements. And if you’re aiming at obtaining a Digital Nomad visa in Georgia, don’t treat translations and insurance as optional decoration — without them, the file is simply incomplete.

Renewing a Georgia Residence Permit

Renewal happens once per year. To extend your status, you’ll need to prove that the financial threshold is still being met — usually 50,000 GEL turnover per foreign applicant.

Renewal documents are submitted in advance through the unified government services portal. The safe approach is simple: don’t push deadlines to the edge, because migration systems don’t reward last-minute bravery.

Taxation for Remote Work in Georgia

If you work on your own and invoice clients from abroad, Georgia does not try to complicate your life. The core instrument here is the Small Business regime. Once registered as an individual entrepreneur and properly activated, you may pay 1% of your total turnover. The rule holds as long as annual revenue stays within 500,000 GEL. Go beyond that figure and the rate moves to 3% — still relatively moderate compared to many jurisdictions.

To switch the preferential regime on, you complete activation through the rs.ge portal. After that, reporting and calculations for an individual entrepreneur in Georgia are handled online. The system is built for digital use; you are not expected to navigate offices every month.

Not every activity qualifies. The preferential format does not apply to:

• financial and consulting services;
• gambling operations;
• production or sale of excisable goods;
• medical and legal practice.

Freelancers in Georgia often confuse two separate matters: migration status and tax status. A long-term residence permit does not automatically enroll you in the Georgian social system, nor does it by itself determine your fiscal position. A foreigner becomes a tax resident in Georgia after 183 days of physical presence. These days are calculated by summing all time spent in the country during the twelve months preceding the relevant period.

Full tax residency may create an obligation to declare worldwide income. Payments from foreign clients, rental income from property abroad, or dividends received outside Georgia can fall under reporting requirements. The legal foundation is contained in Article 34 of the Tax Code. While Georgia applies a territorial taxation approach to certain types of income, resident status expands the scope of responsibility. Anyone obtaining a Digital Nomad visa in Georgia should also consider double tax treaties. Georgia maintains such agreements with more than fifty countries, allowing taxes paid at the source to be credited where applicable.

For individual entrepreneurs whose turnover remains below 500,000 GEL, the current structure can significantly reduce overall tax exposure. The state supports participation in preferential programs, yet the economic activity code must be selected carefully. An incorrect classification of income may lead to the loss of Small Business status and transition to the general regime, where profit tax reaches 15%.

Final Considerations for Obtaining a Digital Nomad Visa in Georgia

Georgia continues to attract remote professionals because its rules are transparent and comparatively straightforward. However, obtaining a Digital Nomad visa in Georgia requires more than relying on visa-free entry. It involves formalizing your position through entrepreneurial registration and complying with updated Ministry of Labor requirements.

Low taxation and a flexible migration framework work well together — but only when administrative procedures are respected.