Seven months after amendments to Georgia’s Law on Labour Migration, foreign nationals seeking construction jobs still face lengthy and complicated procedures to obtain work authorization. Enri Abuladze, senior lawyer at GLCC, told Business Course that the requirements are creating barriers for developers, as foreign workers must submit applications at Georgian embassies or consulates abroad before entering the country. This can extend recruitment procedures by two to three months and delay project completion.
“Difficulties in employing foreign nationals in construction stem from the fact that the workers recruited from abroad mostly come from countries whose citizens cannot enter Georgia visa-free for an extended period. As a result, they must begin the entire procedure before arriving in Georgia, which takes at least two to three months or longer. Given the needs of specific projects, it is not possible to recruit workers, replace them or fill staffing shortages in a timely manner,” Abuladze said.
Georgia changed the rules for employing foreign nationals on March 1, 2026. Foreign workers were required to obtain a special right to work, provide an employment contract or proof of self-employment, and hold the relevant residence permit or a D1 visa. In April, the Georgian Dream government fast-tracked amendments to the Law on Labour Migration, introducing exemptions for certain categories, including foreign nationals serving state-owned enterprises and directors of first-, second- and third-category companies.
