Georgia drops the 50,000 GEL turnover bar

Georgia’s parliament approved the change on April 16 and it took effect right away, so the old work-residence hurdle is gone for eligible foreign workers. The rule was a headache, honestly, because it tied residence access to an annual turnover test that many remote professionals simply couldn’t meet, even when they were earning abroad and not touching the local market.

The revised setup also exempts remote workers, freelancers, contractors, IT developers and consultants serving non-Georgian clients from needing a labor permit. LLC owners, directors and supervisory board members are also carved out and a separate short-term professional activity category is now in play, though the fine print still waits on a government ordinance.

Who gets the break and who doesn’t

This is good news for digital nomads and expats with overseas clients, because it makes Georgia’s residence path less awkward and, frankly, more usable for real remote work. It doesn’t open the door for everyone, though, since people selling into the Georgian market or doing mixed work with meaningful local activity, may still need permits.

Tourists and visa-free visitors are mostly untouched unless they start working in-country, which is the line Georgia still cares about. The policy is aimed at outside income, not local labor, weirdly enough, so the state is easing rules for foreign-earned money while keeping control over domestic jobs.

What to do next

If you’re applying now, you can go through the Public Service Hall without showing the old 50,000 GEL turnover proof and existing permit applications don’t need to be withdrawn. The government still needs to publish the new income criteria, so the cleanest move is to gather your passport, accommodation proof, insurance and funds evidence, then watch for the ordinance.

This matters most if you’re planning a longer stay, because Georgia is trying to make remote work easier without fully opening the local labor market. Keep an eye on visa updates and check the Georgia guide for the complete picture.