Georgian residence permits — four pathways to long-term lawful residence.

What you get#

A Georgian residence permit grants long-term lawful residence with broader rights than the visa-free regime — formal residency status documented on a card you carry, a possible route toward permanent residence and, later, a citizenship application, work authorisation in some categories, and family-reunification pathways. Different pathways ground the permit on different qualifying configurations.

The structure has four other clean properties:

Four primary pathways for foreign founders. Property residence permit (grounded by Georgian property with a market value above USD 150,000), work residence permit (grounded by IE economic activity for foreign clients), investment residence permit (grounded by a qualifying investment of at least USD 300,000 in Georgia, or Georgian real estate worth more than USD 300,000), IT-specialist residence permit (grounded by qualification under Article 15(l) for specific IT activities). The right pathway depends on which configuration you're already in or planning to be in.

Two steps need you in Georgia. The first application is filed while you are in Georgia. We can file it for you under Power of Attorney; SDA also offers online filing with a live video call where that channel is available to you. SDA can ask an applicant to attend in person. Once the permit is granted, the residence card is a separate step. It carries your fingerprints and signature, so plan to request it in person in Georgia, at an SDA office or a Public Service Hall branch. The law requires the card to be taken out within one month of receiving the permit, so we plan your time in Georgia around that deadline; depending on how long the decision takes, that can be one stay or a return trip timed to it. We confirm the hand-over arrangements when you request the card. Some pathways combine the residence permit visit with the underlying qualifying activity (property purchase, brokerage account funding for HNW Layer 2 alongside investment residence).

Extensions under Power of Attorney. Each permit type has its own term, so not every permit is extended annually. We file extensions under Power of Attorney while you are in Georgia; SDA's rules also allow an electronic extension application from abroad. Each extension of a temporary permit needs a new residence card: we confirm whether yours can be requested electronically, using the data on your current electronic card, or has to be requested in person. The extension file shows that the qualifying configuration still holds. A permanent or indefinite residence permit is a new application, filed while you are in Georgia.

Distinct from work permits and tax residency. A residence permit grants the right to reside in Georgia long-term — separate mechanism from the work permit framework (the right to perform labour activity, from which some activities are exempt — see Work Permit) and separate from tax residency (Georgian tax-resident status under the 183-day rule or HNW programme — see Tax Residency). The three can run independently or be coordinated; the consultation maps which combination fits your situation.

What we do#

The first 30 minutes of any residence permit conversation is identifying which pathway actually fits your situation.

Step 1 — Pathway mapping. We work through your specific configuration: existing structures (do you already hold an IE, a Georgian LLC, Georgian property, a Georgian brokerage portfolio, or are these forward-looking?), your goal for the residence permit (long-term presence, foundation for citizenship pathway, Layer 3 of HNW Tax Residency programme, family-residency support), your timeline. The output is a clear pathway recommendation — sometimes one pathway fits cleanly, sometimes two pathways could work and the choice is between operational simplicity and configuration alignment with other goals.

Step 2 — Qualifying configuration setup (when needed). For pathways where the qualifying configuration isn't already in place, we coordinate the setup: property purchase for property residence, IE registration for work residence, investment configuration for investment residence, IT-specialist qualification documentation for the Article 15(l) pathway. The qualifying configuration must be in place before the residence permit application can be filed — sequencing matters.

Step 3 — Residence permit application. With the qualifying configuration documented, we file the residence permit application with SDA under Power of Attorney while you are in Georgia (SDA's online channel with a video call is an alternative where available). We prepare the file before you arrive and plan your time in Georgia around the filing and the card request.

Step 4 — Residence card and extensions. Once the permit is granted, you request the residence card in person in Georgia, within the one-month period the law sets for taking out the card. For each extension we prepare the file showing the qualifying configuration still holds and file it under Power of Attorney while you are in Georgia, then arrange the new card with you.

What's included#

Across all four pathways:

• Pathway mapping consultation identifying the right residence permit category for your situation
• Qualifying configuration setup coordination (property purchase, IE registration, investment, or IT qualification documentation as needed)
• Residence permit application file preparation
• Coordination of the initial Georgia visit (timing, scheduling, accompanying you through SDA interactions)
• Residence card request preparation (you request the card in person after the permit decision)
• Extension filings under Power of Attorney
• Briefing on residence-permit interaction with work permit framework, tax residency, banking, and forward-looking citizenship pathway

Specific pathway engagements (property residence permit, work residence permit, investment residence permit, IT-specialist residence permit) are quoted separately based on which fits your situation.

The four pathways#

Property residence permit. Grounded by Georgian property with a market value above USD 150,000 (raised from USD 100,000 with effect from 1 March 2026). The pathway built around Georgian real estate you already hold or plan to buy. Extended one year at a time, no minimum stay requirement, supports HNW Tax Residency Layer 3 satisfaction. Talk to us about how years on this permit count toward permanent residence. See Property Residence.

Work residence permit. Grounded by Individual Entrepreneur economic activity for foreign clients — the natural pathway for IE founders running a Georgian-registered business serving foreign clients. The IE itself is the qualifying configuration; the residence permit grounds long-term lawful residency in Georgia for the IE holder. First issued for six months to a year and extended on the same conditions; suits the foreign-client IE configuration. See Work Residence.

Investment residence permit. Two routes: a qualifying investment of at least USD 300,000 in Georgia, or Georgian real estate — apartments, houses or commercial property, though not agricultural land — with a certified market value above USD 300,000. The investment route also needs annual turnover from business activity in Georgia; the property route has no turnover test, only continued ownership. The investment permit runs five years; holders who meet the conditions can then apply for an indefinite residence permit, which carries a right of permanent residence. See Investment Residence.

IT-specialist residence permit. Grounded by qualification under Article 15(l) for specific IT activities (NACE/ISCO code framework). Designed for foreign IT professionals operating under specific qualifying configurations. Narrower fit than the other three pathways — many IT professionals fit better under work residence (IE-grounded) or one of the company-setup-grounded paths rather than Article 15(l) specifically. See IT Residence.

When each pathway fits#

Choose property residence when:

• You already hold or plan to hold Georgian property worth more than USD 150,000 (the threshold matches the property residence requirement; if your property's certified market value is in this range or higher, property residence is operationally efficient)
• You want long-term Georgian residency with no minimum stay requirement (property residence has no annual presence threshold)
• You're pursuing HNW Tax Residency where Layer 3 satisfaction matters (property residence cleanly satisfies Layer 3; if the property value reaches USD 500,000+, the same property also satisfies Layer 2 for double-up)
• Your work-permit position is already settled (an exemption applies, or the right to work is in place)

Choose work residence when:

• You operate a Georgian Individual Entrepreneur structure serving foreign clients (the typical IE+SBS configuration we set up)
• You want residency grounded in your existing business activity rather than property ownership
• You don't have or don't want Georgian real estate worth more than USD 150,000
• The IE configuration matches your operational pattern (solo professional, foreign-client revenue, 1% Small Business Status tax)

Choose investment residence when:

• You're making a qualifying investment of at least USD 300,000 in Georgia, or you own Georgian real estate worth more than USD 300,000
• You want a route to an indefinite residence permit after five years (the investment permit pathway, subject to its conditions)
• On the investment route, your Georgian business can document the required annual turnover
• You're coordinating residency with Georgian operational expansion

Choose IT-specialist residence when:

• You meet the specific Article 15(l) qualification criteria (NACE/ISCO code framework)
• Your IT activity fits the regulatory definition narrowly rather than broadly (general "IT-related work" doesn't qualify; specific code-defined activities do)
• The other pathways don't fit your configuration cleanly (most IT founders fit work residence via IE+SBS better, or investment residence where they meet the qualifying investment or property requirements)

The Residency Scoping engagement walks through which pathway actually fits — sometimes the "obvious" choice (an IT founder choosing IT residence) isn't the right answer because a different pathway suits the configuration better.

Why Happy Georgia#

Independent advisory. No tied immigration or property services. We recommend the residence permit pathway that fits your situation honestly — including pathways like work residence (IE-grounded) where we don't sell expensive add-ons, or scenarios where no residence permit is needed yet (occasional-visitor configurations with visa-free regime).

Foreign clients only. Our entire practice is foreigners setting up in Georgia. Every engagement starts from your own situation: where you live and pay tax, who your clients are, and what you plan to do in Georgia.

Fixed pricing, no tourist tax. Specific pathway pricing depends on which residence permit fits — property residence permit, work residence permit, investment residence permit, and IT-specialist residence permit are each separately quoted. We quote in EUR, we honor the quote, no surprises later.

Frequently asked questions#

Do I need a residence permit if I'm only visiting Georgia occasionally?#

Almost certainly not. Visa-free entries cover short-trip-and-multiple-re-entry patterns without any residence permit. Residence permits become useful when you want long-term status with broader rights, are working toward permanent residence and citizenship, or need Layer 3 satisfaction for HNW Tax Residency. For occasional-visitor configurations, visa-free is the simpler path.

How does residence permit interact with the work permit framework?#

They are distinct mechanisms, but linked. The residence permit governs the right to reside in Georgia long-term; the right to work governs labour activity. Some activities are exempt under Article 1(4) of the Law on Labour Migration, but each ground has conditions:

• Paragraph (k) covers work for non-resident clients. The implementing rules exclude an individual entrepreneur who needs a residence permit to stay in Georgia lawfully.
• Paragraph (l) covers management roles at Category I, II or III companies.
• Holders of a valid investment residence permit are outside that Law altogether (paragraph (f)).

A work residence permit is issued to someone who has obtained the right to work or, since July 2026, on proof of an activity covered by Article 1(4) of the Labour Migration Law (Government Ordinance No. 520). Other residence permits don't grant the right to work by themselves. See Work Permit.

Can I switch pathways if my situation changes?#

Yes, in many configurations. Clients sometimes start with property residence (because they bought property first) and later add work residence (after registering an IE for business activity), or explore investment residence once the qualifying investment or property requirements are met. How years on each permit count toward permanent residence depends on the permit type, so we check it before you switch. We brief clients on the configuration changes that warrant pathway review.

What's the timeline from application to first card?#

Typically 4–10 weeks depending on pathway, including the qualifying configuration setup if not already in place. Property residence is on the shorter end (4–6 weeks once the property purchase is complete). Work residence is 6–8 weeks once the IE is registered and operating. Investment residence and IT residence are typically 8–10 weeks. Every pathway needs you in Georgia when the application is filed and in person for the card request.

Does the residence permit grant Georgian citizenship?#

No, not directly. A residence permit grants the right to reside in Georgia. After 10 years living in Georgia on temporary residence permits (periods of study or medical treatment don't count), you can apply for a permanent residence permit; investment-permit holders who meet the conditions can apply for an indefinite residence permit after five years. Citizenship is a separate application with its own conditions — normally 10 consecutive years of lawful residence, the language, history and law tests, and a work, property or business tie to Georgia; a permanent permit is not one of them. Georgia applies single citizenship, so holding two is exceptional. Citizenship is a long-horizon goal, not a near-term outcome of residence permit application.

How does residence permit interact with HNW Tax Residency?#

Residence permit can satisfy Layer 3 of the HNW Tax Residency programme. Most HNW candidates use property residence (Georgian property worth more than USD 150,000 grounding the permit, with the same property potentially also satisfying Layer 2 if value reaches USD 500,000+). Investment residence also satisfies Layer 3. Work residence (IE-grounded) satisfies Layer 3. IT residence satisfies Layer 3. See HNW Tax Residency for the full Layer 3 mechanic.

Can my family come on the same residence permit?#

Not on the same permit — each family member holds their own. Which route applies depends on your category: the investment, IT and property-based permits extend to the holder's family members directly (for property: spouse and children), while other categories, such as the work permit, rely on a separate family-reunification permit. Each family member's application is assessed on its own. We can assist with family members' applications on request, subject to eligibility and the agreed scope.

What happens at renewal time?#

Each permit type has its own term: the property permit is extended one year at a time, the IT permit three years at a time, and the work permit for the expected period of stay, while the investment permit runs five years without extension. The extension file shows the qualifying configuration still holds (continued property ownership, continued IE operation, continued IT qualification). We file extensions under Power of Attorney while you are in Georgia; SDA's rules also allow an electronic extension application from abroad. Each extension of a temporary permit needs a new residence card: we confirm whether yours can be requested electronically, using the data on your current electronic card, or has to be requested in person.

What if my application is refused?#

Refusals are uncommon for properly prepared applications, but they happen — typically when the qualifying configuration documentation doesn't meet SDA expectations or the immigration policy environment shifts. We minimise refusal risk through file preparation discipline. An SDA refusal can be challenged in court within 10 calendar days of its delivery, and a new application on the same ground can be filed one month after the refusal. Often the better answer is restructuring the application to address SDA's concerns or pursuing an alternative pathway.

Ready to map your pathway?#

A free consultation maps your specific configuration against the four residence permit pathways and identifies which fits — or whether the visa-free regime, with your work-permit position settled, is actually the better answer for your near-term situation. For configurations where a residence permit is the right path, we coordinate the qualifying configuration setup and the residence permit application end-to-end. Most consultations resolve the pathway question in 30 minutes.