How to choose a Georgia residency service

What a provider can do

The Aliens Law allows you to apply in person or through a representative (Article 17(1)). That gives a service real work to do:

• check which permit type fits your facts, and say so when none does;
• build the document list for that type and check each document before it is apostilled;
• arrange certified Georgian translations and notarised copies;
• for work and IT permits, prepare the right-to-work application first;
• file at a Public Service Hall, the state office where applications are made, or online;
• answer requests from the Agency and help you prepare for a site visit or interview;
• track the dates that end permits: the 40-day filing rule, the 1-month deadline to collect the residence card, the 90-day extension window and the 10-day appeal deadline.

What a provider cannot do

No provider can guarantee approval, speed up the state beyond the paid fee tiers, or change the legal requirements. The Agency can refuse under Article 18 of the Aliens Law, and one ground is that residence is inadvisable for state security or public safety. Under Article 21¹ the information behind that ground is presented in a way that protects state secrets. If you are refused, the remedy is a court appeal within 10 calendar days or a new application after 1 month. A provider can help with both, but cannot promise the result.

A service also cannot make you a tax resident. A residence permit and tax residency are separate. Tax residency depends on days of presence under Article 34 of the Tax Code. See Georgian tax residency.

Red flags

"Guaranteed approval"

The state decides, and the law gives it broad refusal grounds. A guarantee is either a refund promise or a claim no one can keep. Ask which it is, in writing.

"Register as an individual entrepreneur and you get residency"

Before March 2026, registering a company or an individual entrepreneur and meeting a GEL 50,000 turnover test was a common route to a work residence permit. That no longer works alone. An individual entrepreneur registration is a tax status. Since 1 March 2026 a self-employed foreigner needs a right to work before a work residence permit (Laws 863 and 1510, and Ordinance 146). The right to work involves a video interview with the State Employment Support Agency. See the work permit page and individual entrepreneur.

"Buy property for USD 100,000 and get residency"

The threshold for the short-term property permit rose from USD 100,000 to more than USD 150,000 on 1 March 2026 (Law 863). The investment permit needs property or an investment above USD 300,000. Investment permit holders are exempt from the work permit rule. The Labour Migration Law does not list short-term permit holders among its exemptions. See the property permit page.

"Permanent residence after 6 years"

The general route moved from 6 to 10 years in March 2021 (Law 428). Since 1 September 2026 spouses of Georgian citizens also no longer get permanent residence directly. They first hold a spouse permit for 5 years. See permanent residence.

"No work permit needed" for self-employed work in Georgia

Since 1 March 2026 the Law on Labour Migration requires a right to work for paid work and business in Georgia, with a list of exemptions. Enforcement against self-employed foreigners who were already active started on 1 May 2026. The fine for working without the right to work is GEL 2,000 for the foreigner, doubled for a repeat. Some exemptions exist, for example for investment permit holders and for work for a non-resident tied to that person's activity outside Georgia. A provider should name the exemption that applies to you and show you the article.

"Initial permit for several years"

Since 1 October 2025 first work, study and family reunification permits are issued for 6 months to 1 year (Law 865). A plan that assumes a multi-year first permit is based on old rules.

Prices with no breakdown

Government fees are public: GEL 300, GEL 450 or GEL 600 for most permits, and GEL 200 or GEL 400 for the right to work. A quote should show them separately from translations, apostilles and the provider's own fee. See the cost page.

Questions to ask before you pay

1. Which permit type do you recommend for me, and under which article of the Aliens Law?
2. Do I need a right to work, or does an exemption apply? Which one?
3. What is the full document list, and which documents must I get apostilled in my own country?
4. Who files: you as my representative, or me in person? Do you need a notarised power of attorney?
5. Which government fee tier are you quoting, and what do translations and notary work add?
6. Does your fee cover the right to work, the residence permit, the card and the first extension, or only part of that?
7. What happens if the Agency asks for more documents, or refuses? Do you handle the appeal, and at what cost?
8. When did you last check the rules you are quoting? The law changed several times in 2025 and 2026.

What our service does

We help foreigners apply for Georgian residence permits. In general terms, we:

• check your facts against the current permit types and tell you if no route fits;
• prepare the document list and check documents before you apostille them;
• arrange certified translations and file the application on your behalf where the law allows a representative;
• coordinate the right-to-work step when your route needs it;
• keep track of card collection, extensions and deadlines.

We cite the law for what we tell you, and our pages mark what we have not confirmed. We do not promise approvals or processing times beyond the published fee tiers. Our fees are not public yet. See the pricing section for the current status, or ask a question through the contact form.

Start with the facts

• Georgia residency overviewAll permit types and how they fit together
• Application processFrom choosing the permit to collecting the card
• DocumentsChecklist by permit type, apostille and translation
• CostGovernment fees and the costs outside them
• Work permitThe right to work required since March 2026