The Georgian government has adopted new regulations governing the employment of foreign nationals, introducing annual labor quotas, employer eligibility criteria and changes to work and residence visas. While some provisions are already in force, the remaining rules will take effect on September 1, 2026.
Under the amendments, the government has clarified the grounds for refusing a foreign national the right to work, expanded the list of exemptions from the employment rules, introduced annual quotas for foreign workers and established criteria for assessing an employer's financial capacity. The changes also create a new D6 visa for underage students and their family members, while the D1 work visa will now require applicants to obtain the right to work before applying.
According to labor migration expert and lawyer Sophio Dugashvili, the amendments do not make hiring foreigners more difficult but instead make the process more transparent and legally predictable by clearly defining the applicable procedures and requirements.
Dugashvili advises employers to review their HR policies, determine whether they fall under the new quota system and ensure their hiring procedures fully comply with the updated regulations to avoid legal risks.
