Stay compliant with
Georgia's new regulations
Two mandatory compliance requirements are now in force in Georgia. FBC.ge helps businesses and foreign nationals navigate both — quickly and correctly.
Two compliance obligations.
One trusted partner.
Georgian law has introduced significant changes affecting both registered companies and foreign nationals conducting business in the country. Non-compliance carries serious consequences.
Corporate Data Update
All companies registered in Georgia before January 1, 2022 must update their corporate registration data to comply with the new Law on Entrepreneurs. Banking and operational restrictions have already begun.
Work Permit for Foreigners
Since March 1, 2026, foreign nationals — including self-employed entrepreneurs and company partners — must hold a Right to Labour Activity permit before conducting any business in Georgia.
Corporate Data Update
& Re-registration
The Law of Georgia on Entrepreneurs, which entered into force on January 1, 2022, requires all companies registered prior to that date to bring their corporate registration documents into full compliance. The deadline of April 1, 2026 has passed — penalties and restrictions are now being enforced.
What the law requires
Companies must update their instrument of incorporation and registered data to reflect the requirements of the new law. This includes reviewing and aligning the following information held with the National Agency of Public Registry (NAPR):
- Company name, legal form, and registered legal address
- Identification data of all partners and founders
- Powers of representation and management structure
- Company object and scope of activities
- Capital structure, shareholding percentages, and share classes
- Supervisory board composition (if applicable)
- General commercial powers of attorney (if any)
"An undertaking registered before the entry into force of this Law, except for an individual entrepreneur, shall, before 1 April 2026, ensure the compliance of the registration data of the undertaking and/or a branch with the requirements of this Law."
— Law on Entrepreneurs, Article 254(1)"If an undertaking registered before the entry into force of this Law fails to fulfil the obligation specified in paragraph 1 of this article, its registration shall be suspended, the respective record thereon shall be made in the register, and an extract from the register shall no longer be issued."
— Law on Entrepreneurs, Article 254(1¹)"Suspension of registration implies the restriction of the representative powers of the person/persons having the powers of representation of an undertaking/branch, as well as the restriction of the right of the undertaking, whose registration has been suspended, to dispose of its property, to participate in tax operations, to manage a bank account, to open a new account, to dispose of the money on the account, and to take a credit."
— Law on Entrepreneurs, Article 254(1¹)"The registration authority shall provide the identification data of such undertaking to the Legal Entity under Public Law called the Revenue Service, the Service Agency of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia, and the banks operating in Georgia."
— Law on Entrepreneurs, Article 254(1¹)Source: Law of Georgia on Entrepreneurs, No. 875-Vრს-Xმპ, August 2, 2021 — as published on matsne.gov.ge
Consequences of non-compliance
| Phase | When | Consequence | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registration suspended | From April 1, 2026 | Full banking, fiscal and operational blockade | Active now |
| Bank notification | Immediate | Data transmitted to all Georgian banks, Revenue Service and Ministry of Interior | Active now |
| Compliance public | Ongoing | Registry data is public — clients, partners and banks can verify your status | Ongoing |
| Registration defect declared | From January 1, 2027 | Formal defect notice + 3-month final window to regularize | Upcoming |
| Registration cancelled | From ~April 2027 | Irreversible dissolution of the company | Final |
"The data registered with the Registry shall be public. Any person shall have the right to look through the data registered with the Registry and to obtain an extract from the registration authority. Electronic copies of the documents submitted in the process of registration are published on the central electronic platform of the registration authority and are available for any person free of charge."
— Law on Entrepreneurs, Article 13(1) and (3)Your company's compliance status — or non-compliance — is publicly visible to any client, supplier, bank or business partner at any time.
Individual entrepreneurs are not affected
As confirmed in Article 254(1⁶) of the law, the obligation to update registration data does not apply to individual entrepreneurs (IE). This requirement applies exclusively to companies — LLCs, JSCs, partnerships, and cooperatives.
What our service includes
- Review of current registration status at NAPR
- Gap analysis against the 2022 Law requirements
- Preparation of updated instrument of incorporation
- Filing with the National Agency of Public Registry
- Management of the full process until confirmation
- Written confirmation of compliance
Cost breakdown
TBC Bank has already notified clients
As of March 27, 2026, TBC Bank sent formal notifications to business clients warning that failure to update registration details would result in the restriction of banking services. This is now in effect.
Work Permit for
Foreign Nationals
On February 20, 2026, Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze signed Government Decree №70, establishing mandatory work authorization for foreign nationals in Georgia, effective March 1, 2026. This fundamentally changed the conditions under which foreigners can work, operate a business, or act as company partners in the country.
Why this law was introduced
While approximately 42,000 foreign nationals were officially registered to work in Georgia, government estimates placed the actual number of foreign labour migrants staying six months or longer at approximately 239,000 — a nearly sixfold discrepancy. Parliament cited this gap as distorting the local labour market. Georgia has now moved from open-access to a regulated migration framework.
Who must obtain a work permit
- Employees working under a local employment contract
- Self-employed foreigners conducting business in Georgia
- Foreign partners actively involved in a Georgian company
- Independent contractors with economic activity in Georgia
- Foreign Individual Entrepreneurs (IE) registered in Georgia
Who is exempt
Important note on remote workers
If you work completely remotely with no Georgian clients, no Georgian company registration, and no local economic footprint, you may fall outside the scope of the requirement. However, if you have a Georgian IE registration or local clients, the permit is required.
"From March 1, 2026, most foreign nationals without a permanent residence permit must obtain a Right to Labour Activity permit before starting any paid work, freelance activity, or business operation in Georgia. This requirement applies regardless of whether the foreigner already holds a valid visa or temporary residence permit."
— Law on Labour Migration of Georgia, as amended June 26, 2025"Both the foreign worker and the employing company face fines of 2,000 GEL for a first offence. Penalties increase for repeated violations within a 12-month period, doubling on the second offence and tripling thereafter."
— Law on Labour Migration of Georgia"Self-employed foreigners already conducting business as of March 1, 2026 face enforcement from May 1, 2026 onwards under the transitional provisions of Government Decree №70."
— Government Decree №70, Transitional Provisions"One of the main grounds for termination of the work permit is when a self-employed foreigner leaves the territory of Georgia for a continuous period of more than 6 months."
— Government Decree №70"A labour immigrant/self-employed foreigner is obliged, if already present in the territory of Georgia, to apply to the State Services Development Agency for a labour residence permit no later than 10 calendar days after obtaining the right to work."
— Government Decree №70Source: Law on Labour Migration of Georgia (amended June 26, 2025) · Government Decree №70, signed February 20, 2026
Penalties for non-compliance
| Offence | Fine (GEL) | Approx. USD |
|---|---|---|
| 1st violation | 2,000 GEL | ~$730 |
| 2nd violation (within 12 months) | 4,000 GEL | ~$1,460 |
| 3rd+ violation | 6,000 GEL | ~$2,190 |
Fines apply to both the foreign national and the employing company.
Application process — self-employed foreigners
Online application
Submit your application through labourmigration.moh.gov.ge with personal documentation and a business plan or proof of existing activity.
Mandatory video interview
A video interview with the State Employment Promotion Agency is required. Our team prepares you fully for this step.
Agency review
Standard processing: 30 calendar days. Expedited processing: 10 working days (at double government fee).
Residence permit (within 10 days)
Once the work permit is approved, apply for a Labour Residence Permit at the State Services Development Agency within 10 calendar days.
Deadlines by profile
| Profile | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Self-employed / entrepreneurs already active | May 1, 2026 |
| Employees with active contracts | Jan 1, 2027 |
| New arrivals / no prior activity | Immediate |
What our service includes
- Profile assessment and obligation analysis
- Complete dossier preparation
- Submission through the official portal
- Full preparation for mandatory video interview
- Management of the entire process to approval
- Guidance on subsequent residence permit application
Cost breakdown
Georgia's tax advantages remain
The 1% Individual Entrepreneur tax regime, visa-free access for 90+ nationalities, and the IT residence permit pathway all remain available. What has changed is the requirement to obtain formal work authorization first.
Common questions
If your question is not answered below, contact us directly — we respond within 24 hours.
My company was registered after January 1, 2022 — do I need the corporate update?
No. The re-registration obligation applies exclusively to companies registered before January 1, 2022. Companies incorporated from that date forward were already subject to the new Law on Entrepreneurs.
Does holding a Georgian residence permit allow me to work?
No. Under the rules effective March 1, 2026, a residence permit does not automatically confer the right to work or conduct business. A separate Right to Labour Activity permit is required unless you hold a permanent or investment residence permit.
I am a freelancer working only for foreign clients. Do I need a work permit?
If you carry out your work completely remotely with no Georgian clients and no local company registration, you may be outside scope. However, if you have a Georgian IE registration, you are likely required to obtain a permit. Contact us to assess your situation.
What happens if I leave Georgia for more than 6 months?
Leaving Georgia for a continuous period exceeding 6 months is one of the main grounds for revocation of a work permit. This is particularly relevant for digital nomads and entrepreneurs who travel frequently.
Can the corporate re-registration be done if the company's banking is already suspended?
Yes. The re-registration process is initiated through NAPR, not through the bank. Once NAPR confirms the update, the suspension is lifted and banking operations are restored. We manage this entire process.
Do both services need to be obtained? Can I do only one?
They are independent obligations. A foreign national running a company in Georgia may need both. We assess each case individually and advise on exactly which services apply to your situation.
Act before it's too late
Penalties and restrictions are already in force. Our team is ready to start your process immediately — contact us today.
Contact us: info@fbc.ge · fbc.ge
