The Government of Georgia, under a decree signed by the GD Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on February 20, has established a new regulatory framework for foreign labor. This decree, which officially takes effect on March 1, 2026, formalizes the "Work Authorization Right" for labor immigrants and self-employed foreigners.
The decree provides a legal structure for the management of foreign workers in Georgia.
Via the authorization process, it defines what the "work authorization right" entails and the procedures for obtaining it. It sets specific conditions and paperwork for the application or extension. Through the compliance and oversight processes it established mechanisms for monitoring foreign workers and enforcing the conditions of their authorization. It also outlines legal reasons why an authorization may be denied or revoked.
Exemptions include: permanent residence permit holders; refugees or those under international protection; diplomats and accredited journalists and investment residence permit holders.
The Quota System for 2026
A central component of the decree is the establishment of annual quotas for specific professions and entrepreneurial activities. These quotas limit the number of work authorizations available for foreign nationals in certain sectors during a calendar year.
The newly issued decree establishes zero quotas for some sectors, banning new foreign labor in these fields:
• Courier Services: 0 (Zero) quota.
• Passenger Transportation: 0 (Zero) quota (includes taxi/ride-sharing).
• General Tourist Guides: 0 (Zero) quota.
• Mountain/Ski Guides: 200 permits available annually (the only exception in the tourism guide category).
By setting a quota of 0 for couriers, passenger transport, and general guides, the decree effectively reserves these sectors exclusively for Georgian citizens or those exempt from the law.
The document clarifies that 2026 quotas do not apply to cases falling under subparagraph "z" of the first paragraph of Article 5 of these rules (which generally covers specific high-level specialists or international treaty obligations).
The only "guide-adjacent" sector with an opening is specialized mountain/alpine escorting, which allows for 200 foreign specialists per year.
The government is also introducing strict monitoring to ensure compliance:
(a) Engaging in labor activity without the permit carries a fine of 2,000 GEL for both the worker and the employer.
(b) Fines double or triple for subsequent offenses, and can lead to deportation and entry bans ranging from 2 to 20 years.
(c) Foreigners already registered in the system before March 1, 2026, generally have until January 1, 2027, to fully regularize their status under the new rules.
The decree marks a significant shift in Georgia's labor policy, transitioning from a relatively open labor market to a strictly regulated one.
