Residence permit for IT Specialists in Georgia

The information technology sector is playing an increasingly important role in Georgia’s economy. The country is actively creating conditions to attract foreign professionals, entrepreneurs and international companies by offering relatively simple business registration, favourable tax regimes and opportunities for long-term residence. One of these options is a dedicated residence permit for people working in IT.

This article explains who can apply for an IT residence permit, what requirements applicants need to meet and which documents are required.

Who can apply for an IT residence permit

Since 1 September 2025, foreign professionals working in information technology have been able to apply for a temporary residence permit in Georgia. The permit is initially issued for three years and can then be renewed for another three years at a time. The total period of residence under this permit may be up to 12 years.

The following applicants may qualify for an IT residence permit:

• Employed IT professionals. This category includes people employed by a company or an individual entrepreneur registered in Georgia. Applicants must be formally employed, obtain the right to work and confirm that their occupation is related to information technology. This category may include software developers, systems analysts, database and computer network administrators, information security engineers and people working in other occupations included in Group 25 of the ISCO-08 International Standard Classification of Occupations.
• Individual entrepreneurs registered in Georgia. This option is suitable for applicants who are not employed by a Georgian company and instead provide services independently, including to clients based outside Georgia. To obtain the residence permit, a foreign national must register as an individual entrepreneur in Georgia, obtain small business status and carry out an IT activity recognized by Georgian law. Eligible activities include programming, software and computer game development, IT consulting, computer systems management, data processing and web portal activities.
• Managers and representatives of international IT companies. This category includes foreign nationals authorized to manage an organization with international company status in Georgia or officially represent its interests. It does not apply to any foreign company that works with international clients, but specifically to an organization that has obtained the relevant status under Georgian law. Applicants must confirm their authority by providing a registry extract, corporate resolution, power of attorney or another official document. They must also obtain the right to work.

Family members of the principal applicant, including a spouse and minor children, may also obtain a separate IT residence permit.

Key eligibility requirements

The following requirements apply to employed IT professionals and individual entrepreneurs:

• Professional experience. Applicants must provide evidence of at least two years of employment or business activity in information technology. This may include employment contracts, employer certificates, agreements with clients, employment history records or business registration documents.
• Verified income. Applicants must have earned the equivalent of at least $25,000 in Georgian lari from IT activities during the previous year. The documents must show at least two payments received no fewer than 30 days apart. Income may be confirmed through bank statements, salary certificates, tax returns and agreements with employers or clients. If an applicant works with several clients, income received under different agreements may be combined, provided that its connection with IT activities can be confirmed.
• Legal stay in Georgia. At the time of application, the foreign national must be legally present in Georgia, for example, under a visa, the visa-free regime or a valid residence permit.

After obtaining an IT residence permit, the holder must spend at least 183 days in Georgia during each continuous 12-month period. If this requirement is not met, the residence permit may be terminated. An exception applies to time spent outside Georgia for medical treatment.

Documents issued outside Georgia must be legalized or apostilled unless an international agreement provides otherwise.

Fees and processing times

According to the Public Service Development Agency of Georgia, the processing time depends on the selected service option:

• within 90 calendar days – 500 GEL (approximately $185);
• within 60 calendar days – 750 GEL (approximately $278).

These fees do not include additional expenses that may arise when preparing the documents. These may include obtaining the right to work, apostilling or legalizing foreign documents, translation into Georgian, notarization, production of the residence card and professional representation services.

Fees and processing times may change. Before applying, applicants are advised to check the latest information on the official website of the Public Service Development Agency of Georgia or contact a Public Service Hall.

Conclusion

The IT residence permit allows foreign professionals, entrepreneurs and representatives of international companies to obtain long-term resident status in Georgia. However, this option is primarily intended for those who genuinely plan to live and work in the country, as permit holders must spend at least 183 days in Georgia during each continuous 12-month period to maintain their status.

Before applying, it is important to identify the appropriate applicant category, make sure the experience and income requirements are met and prepare documents confirming professional activity in advance. Applicants should bear in mind that registering as an individual entrepreneur or obtaining employment does not automatically lead to an IT residence permit. They will also need to obtain the right to work and confirm that they are legally present in Georgia.