Move to Georgia

Mountains, wine and legendary hospitality at the edge of Europe and Asia

Citizens of most Western and many other countries can stay in Georgia visa-free for up to a year, but since 1 January 2026 every visitor needs health and accident insurance (at least 30,000 lari) for the whole stay. Since 1 March 2026 foreigners working in Georgia, including locally registered freelancers, need a work permit plus a work residence permit, and residence by property requires real estate worth over $150,000.

Routes we checked
5
Digital nomad visa
Not in our data
Budget from
$1,120 a month
Language
Georgian
Currency
GEL
Last checked
30 October 2026

Work permitStudent visaInvestment and golden visa

Ways to live in Georgia

These are the residence routes in Bordr's guide that we have checked against official sources. Each one links to the government page.

Programme details are shown in English.

Work permit Work permits →

Work residence permit (employees and entrepreneurs)

Temporary residence for foreign employees and people running a business in Georgia, including registered sole traders. Since March 2026 you first need a work permit from the State Employment Support Agency.

What you need
A work permit (code from labourmigration.moh.gov.ge), an employment contract or proof of business, and monthly income of at least five subsistence minimums (about 1,400 lari, roughly $540) or the same amount in the bank. The employer or your own business needs an annual turnover of at least 50,000 lari per foreign worker.
Income
from about $540 a month
How long
Temporary, tied to the work permit
Renewable
Yes
Cost
300 lari (30 days), 450 lari (20 days), 600 lari (10 days)
Processing time
10, 20 or 30 days depending on the fee
How to apply
At a Public Service Hall in Georgia or online at sda.gov.ge
Family
Family members can come with you
Path to permanent residence
Yes, permanent residence after 10 years on temporary permits

Official page

IT residence permit

Temporary residence for IT workers, small IT businesses and representatives of international IT companies, plus their families.

What you need
At least 2 years of IT experience and pay of at least $25,000 a year, received at least twice in the last year, at least 30 days apart. Also a code and right-to-work decision from the State Employment Support Agency; foreign documents must be apostilled or legalised.
Income
from about $2,080 a month
How long
Temporary, renewable
Renewable
Yes
Cost
500 lari (30 days), 750 lari (20 days), 1,000 lari (10 days)
Processing time
10, 20 or 30 days depending on the fee
How to apply
At the Public Service Hall in Tbilisi
Family
Family members can come with you
Path to permanent residence
Yes, permanent residence after 10 years on temporary permits

Official page

Student visa Student visas →

Study residence permit

For adults enrolled in a higher or vocational programme at an authorised Georgian institution.

What you need
An enrolment certificate stating the study period, and proof of legal income or a personal bank balance of at least twice the subsistence minimum per month. Income of a related Georgian citizen or resident also counts.
How long
Tied to the length of study
Renewable
Yes
Cost
300 lari (30 days), 450 lari (20 days), 600 lari (10 days)
Processing time
10, 20 or 30 days depending on the fee
How to apply
At a Public Service Hall in Georgia or online at sda.gov.ge

Official page

Investment and golden visa Investment and golden visas →

Short-term residence permit for property owners

Residence for owners of non-agricultural real estate in Georgia worth over $150,000, plus spouse and children. The threshold rose from $100,000 on 1 March 2026.

What you need
Ownership of property (not farmland) with a market value over $150,000, confirmed by an accredited valuer. You must be in Georgia legally when you apply.
Savings
about $150,000
How long
Temporary, renewable while you own the property
Renewable
Yes
Cost
300 lari (30 days), 450 lari (20 days), 600 lari (10 days)
Processing time
10, 20 or 30 days depending on the fee
How to apply
At a Public Service Hall or online at sda.gov.ge
Family
Family members can come with you
Path to permanent residence
Yes, permanent residence after 10 years on temporary permits

Official page

Investment residence permit

Residence for people who invest at least $300,000 in Georgia or own property worth over $300,000. Can lead to permanent residence after 5 years.

What you need
An auditor's report on an investment of at least $300,000, or a valuer's report on property worth over $300,000, plus a written reference from a government member or 3 citizens representing a Georgian business. Business investments need turnover of $50,000 in year 1, $100,000 in year 2 and $120,000 in years 3–5.
Savings
about $300,000
How long
5 years
Renewable
No
Cost
300 lari (30 days), 450 lari (20 days), 600 lari (10 days)
Processing time
10, 20 or 30 days depending on the fee
How to apply
At a Public Service Hall or online at sda.gov.ge
Family
Family members can come with you
Path to permanent residence
Yes, permanent residence after 5 years if the investment or property conditions are met

Official page

Cost of living

Monthly amounts in US dollars.

Room in a shared flat$300
One-bedroom flat$350
Two-bedroom flat$630
Bills$40
Typical local salary$890
Budget for one person$1,120

Cities to consider

Climate by month, neighbourhoods and costs for each city are in the Bordr guide.

What life is like

Programme details are shown in English.

Why people move

Feasts with khachapuri and natural wine, Caucasus hikes and Black Sea beaches fill the calendar. Tbilisi hosts the largest community of remote workers, while Batumi offers a seaside alternative and Kutaisi a slower, cheaper pace.

Day to day

Marshrutka minibuses and a few trains connect cities; driving is often faster. Private clinics in Tbilisi are decent. Banking is quick and modern apps are common, internet is good in cities, and Russian or English helps alongside Georgian.

Trade-offs

Driving is aggressive and pedestrian safety is poor. Tbilisi suffers from air pollution and patchy urban planning. Healthcare outside the capital is limited, and politics can be tense.

Before you move: visa-free entry

Most people arrive as visitors first, then apply from inside the country or come back with the right visa. How long you can stay as a visitor depends on your passport:

Visa rules for every passport

Questions

Does Georgia have a digital nomad visa?

Not among the routes we have checked. Remote workers usually come as visitors within the visa-free limit or use one of the other routes on this page.

How much money do I need to live in Georgia?

A single person can live on from about $1,120 a month. A one-bedroom flat costs about $350 a month.

How can I move to Georgia?

The routes we have checked are: Work permit, Student visa, Investment and golden visa.

When was this information checked?

The residence routes for Georgia were last checked against official sources on 30 October 2026.

Sources and last check

Residence routes for Georgia were last checked against official sources on 30 October 2026.

This page is general information, not legal or immigration advice. Requirements change; confirm with the official government page or a licensed adviser before you apply.

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