Georgia to introduce special residence permits for foreign IT professionals

Foreign nationals working in the IT sector will soon be eligible for a special type of residence permit in Georgia.

This new category of residence permit is being introduced through amendments to the Law on the Legal Status of Aliens and Stateless Persons, Caliber.Az reports referencing Georgian media.

The legislative proposal has already been initiated in the Georgian Parliament by members of the ruling party, "Georgian Dream."

The special residence permit will be available to labour migrants employed in the IT field — both those working for international companies and those registered as "small business" owners in Georgia — as well as their family members.

Applicants for the special residence permit will be required to register with the Ministry of Labour, Health, and Social Protection. As part of the application process, they must provide documentation proving at least two years of work experience in the field, along with proof of an annual income of no less than $25,000.

The special residence permit for IT professionals will initially be issued for a period of three years, with the possibility of extension for up to a total of twelve years.

Permit holders must reside in Georgia for at least 183 days per year. Failure to meet this residency requirement will result in the revocation of the permit.

The proposed amendments to the law are expected to be adopted through a fast-track procedure in the near future.