The Executive Director of the EU-Georgia Business Council (EUGBC), Giorgi Kacharava, warned that upcoming restrictions on foreign employment in Georgia, effective March 1, could impact a wide range of foreigners and create challenges for public institutions. The new regulations require foreign nationals to obtain work permits, which could increase administrative demand on relevant agencies.
Kacharava stressed the importance of balancing the law’s goals with practical implementation. He noted that the legislation covers a broad spectrum of foreigners, including company shareholders and board members, which may strain the capacity of public agencies to issue permits promptly. Without proper preparation, delays or bottlenecks could occur.
The EUGBC executive emphasized that extensive prior consultations would have helped identify a “golden middle ground” for implementing the reforms. He cautioned that, because such broad consultations did not take place, it remains unclear whether the public sector and businesses are fully ready to comply with the new requirements.
The March 1 changes in Georgia’s labor migration law impose new mandatory conditions for foreigners seeking paid employment. While intended to regulate migration and prevent illegal work, experts like Kacharava warn that the practical rollout could face significant hurdles if demand for permits exceeds institutional capacity.
