Georgia to Launch New Work Permit System
Overview
The government of Georgia has announced that it will roll out a new work permit system designed to regulate and simplify the process of obtaining employment authorization for foreign workers. In practice, the reform is expected to streamline how applications are submitted, reviewed, and approved, reducing administrative burdens for both employers and international talent. The forthcoming system is expected to introduce clear procedures, digital workflows, and updated eligibility requirements, with the objective of making decision-making more predictable and ensuring that documentation and compliance standards are applied consistently across cases.
Beyond operational improvements, the initiative is intended to create a more transparent and business‑friendly environment for companies that rely on cross‑border recruitment, including large multinationals and fast‑growing mid‑market organizations. By formalizing rules that were previously fragmented or handled through ad hoc processes, the authorities aim to give HR, global mobility, and legal teams greater visibility on timelines, required documents, and conditions for hiring foreign nationals.
This initiative reflects Georgia’s broader effort to modernize its immigration and labour frameworks to support foreign talent while safeguarding local workforce interests. The reform sits within a wider policy agenda to attract investment, address skills gaps in key sectors, and align the country with international best practices in labour mobility and immigration compliance. At the same time, the new system is expected to reinforce checks on eligibility, labour market protections, and employer obligations, so that increased openness to foreign talent goes hand in hand with responsible oversight and protection of domestic employment conditions.
What the New System Will Do
Once implemented, the new work permit system will:
Establish standardized application procedures
Introduce digital or online submission channels
Clarify eligibility requirements for foreign employees and employers
Improve transparency in processing times and approvals
Enhance compliance monitoring and enforcement
The work permit system is intended to replace or supplement existing patchwork modalities, consolidating current ad hoc processes into a single, coherent framework. By centralizing procedures and introducing standardized, digital channels, the reform aims to reduce inconsistencies between different authorities, minimize reliance on manual paperwork, and provide clearer guidance for both employers and foreign nationals. In doing so, it is expected to bring Georgia more in line with other jurisdictions that use streamlined online mechanisms for immigration processing, improving transparency, predictability, and overall user experience for stakeholders managing cross‑border hiring.
Who Will Be Affected?
The new system will be relevant to:
Foreign nationals seeking employment authorization in Georgia
Employers planning to hire or sponsor expatriate talent
HR and global mobility teams managing cross-border assignments
Legal representatives and immigration advisors supporting clients
Once in effect, the system will cover both first-time work permit applications and renewals.
Key Features and Expectations
Although full procedural details have not yet been published, the new system is expected to:
Allow online application submission
Provide a tracking system for application status
Define standard documentation and eligibility criteria
Clarify roles and responsibilities for sponsors and applicants
Publish estimated processing timelines
These features are designed to bring more predictability to work permit applications and reduce reliance on manual or in-person filings.
Implications for Employers
Employers planning to hire foreign nationals should consider:
Reviewing current hiring practices for expatriate talent
Preparing for a transition to an online submission environment
Training HR teams on the new procedures once launched
Incorporating new compliance requirements into workforce planning
Anticipating updated documentation and eligibility criteria
Advance preparation can help minimise disruptions once the system goes live.
Considerations for Applicants
Foreign workers seeking employment authorization in Georgia should:
Monitor official announcements for launch details
Prepare digital copies of personal and professional documentation
Familiarise themselves with eligibility criteria once published
Consult with immigration professionals for guidance
Being ready ahead of implementation can shorten wait times and improve outcomes.
Timeline and Next Steps
Georgia has signalled that the work permit system is forthcoming, though no fixed launch date has been announced. Stakeholders should watch for official communications that will detail:
The official launch date
System access and registration procedures
Full lists of required documents
Fees and processing expectations
As further details are confirmed, guidance documents and training materials are likely to be released.
Key Takeaway
Georgia’s forthcoming work permit system represents a meaningful step toward modernising employment authorisation for foreign workers and bringing greater predictability to cross‑border hiring. While details are still emerging, the reform is expected to centralise procedures, reduce reliance on paper-based filings and in-person visits, and align Georgia more closely with international best practices in immigration processing.
In practical terms, employers and applicants alike should begin preparing for a shift to a more standardised, digital immigration process by reviewing internal policies, identifying documentation that will likely need to be submitted electronically, and planning for potential changes in eligibility criteria and compliance obligations. Early preparation will help organisations adapt quickly once the system is launched, minimise disruption to recruitment and assignment timelines, and ensure that foreign talent can be onboarded efficiently and in full compliance with the new framework.
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About Anywr
Anywr is a French international group specializing in global mobility solutions.
Founded in 2012, Anywr operates in 12 countries across 4 continents. Our mission is to support companies in addressing their Human Resources challenges. We respond to your needs in terms of international mobility, particularly in terms of immigration policies, relocation, the implementation of mobility policies and EOR.
Do you have a mobility project for your teams? Contact us!