Georgia residence permit in 2026: which to choose
Visa-free for up to 365 days, but since 2026 local work needs a residence permit with a work permit. Five grounds, fees from $200 and the path to permanent residence.
A Russian citizen can live in Georgia visa-free for up to 365 days, but since 1 March 2026 working on the local market requires a work permit and a residence permit. There are five main routes: work, IT, your own business, property from $150,000 and investment from $300,000. State fees for a work residence permit come to about $200 per adult.
The full breakdown of grounds, documents and refusals is on the Georgia residence permit page. Here is the short answer: whether you need a permit at all, which one to choose and what it costs.
Who needs a Georgian residence permit
Not always. A remote employee or sole trader working for a foreign company or a client outside Georgia does not need a work permit and can live in the country visa-free for up to 365 days. More on the living in Georgia without a nomad visa page.
You need a residence permit if you have Georgian clients, local work, or need to stay longer than a year without leaving. Since 1 January 2026, health insurance with cover of about $12,000 is checked at entry, and since 1 September working without a permit has become grounds for expulsion. All of this year's changes are in our article on Georgia's migration rules.
Which Georgian residence permit to choose
| Ground | Permit term | Main condition |
|---|---|---|
| Employment | 6 months to a year, renewable | Work permit |
| IT residence | First permit up to 3 years | Work in IT |
| Own business | Through a work permit | Sole trader or company on the Georgian market |
| Property | One year, renewable | Property from $150,000 at market valuation |
| Investment | 5 years at once | From $300,000 in property or business |
| Marriage to a Georgian citizen | One year, then renewals of 2 years | Registered marriage |
| Study | For the study period | Accredited university or college |
For work with foreign clients, a sole trader with 1% tax on turnover fits well; see our article on sole traders in Georgia. Buyers of property will find buying an apartment in Georgia useful: since 1 March 2026 the threshold for a residence permit rose from $100,000 to $150,000.
How much a Georgian residence permit costs in 2026
- Residence permit fee: about $120 for a 30-day review, about $180 for 20 days, about $240 for 10 days.
- Work permit: about $80, or about $160 for a fast-track 10 working days.
- Residence permit for the spouse of a Georgian citizen: about $200.
In total, from $200 in state fees per adult for a work residence permit: the work permit plus the 30-day residence permit. This excludes translations, notarisation, insurance and Murblz support. A manager will calculate the support fee in chat.
Fees from $200, but working without a permit now leads to expulsion
The law does not stop you from applying for a Georgian residence permit on your own. But mistakes cost more than the fees: local clients without a work permit, which since September 2026 can lead to expulsion, property below the threshold by market valuation, applying from abroad without a visa, the wrong ground that will not be renewed. Murblz support removes these risks: Murblz specialists choose the ground for your work, obtain the work permit and run the application at the Public Service Hall to a decision. We guarantee professional work and a transparent process, and in most cases a result on the first filing.
The support fee depends on the ground and family size; a manager will calculate it in chat.
What a residence permit gives and the path to permanent residence
A residence permit lets you live in Georgia beyond 365 days, and a work permit also lets you work on the local market. Work, study and family permits are renewed on the same terms, up to 12 years in total.
Permanent residence is generally granted after 10 years on temporary permits, and visa-free years do not count. Three routes are faster: marriage to a citizen after 5 years, a Georgian citizen child gives a parent permanent residence at once, and investment from $300,000 leads to a permanent permit after 5 years.
Georgian citizenship is granted after 10 consecutive years of lawful residence, with knowledge of the Georgian language and history, and as a rule the Russian passport has to be given up. More in our article on Georgia and Russia dual citizenship.
Common mistakes
- Working for Georgian clients without a permit. Since 1 September 2026 this is grounds for expulsion.
- Buying property below the threshold by valuation. The permit is granted for property from $150,000 at market valuation, not the price in the contract.
- Applying from abroad without a visa. Those applying for a work permit from outside Georgia need an entry visa.
- Counting visa-free years. They do not count towards permanent residence.
Which Georgian residence permit fits your work and family? Tell us who you work for, whether you have local clients and whether you plan to buy property. We will choose the ground and take you through the work permit and the Public Service Hall.
FAQ
How can a foreigner get a Georgian residence permit?
Do you need a Georgian residence permit for remote work?
How much does a Georgian residence permit cost in 2026?
Can you get a Georgian residence permit by buying property?
What does a Georgian residence permit give?
Don’t want to figure this out alone?
We handle the whole process end to end: we check your documents, match a program to your situation and give you honest timelines and costs. Ask your question in the chat: the free consultation starts right here. Legal representation before authorities and courts is handled by Murblz specialists together with locally licensed partners.
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