Remotely from Georgia

The Remotely from Georgia program was a government initiative launched in August 2020, targeting remote workers, freelancers, and entrepreneurs from countries eligible for visa-free entry to Georgia. Prepared by the Georgian National Tourism Administration (GNTA) in coordination with several government ministries, it was introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic to allow qualifying remote workers from 95+ visa-free countries to bypass pandemic-era border restrictions and live in Georgia for extended periods. The program was not a visa or residence permit itself but an administrative registration built on top of Georgia's existing one-year visa-free regime. Following the lifting of COVID-19 travel restrictions, the program has been phased out. Citizens of 94+ visa-free countries can now enter and stay in Georgia for up to one year without any special application.

• Citizenship or residency of one of 95+ countries eligible for visa-free entry to Georgia (including EU member states, the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Japan, South Korea, and Australia)
• Self-employed, full-time remote employee, or entrepreneur able to work from anywhere
• Minimum income of USD 2,000 per month or USD 24,000 in savings
• Health insurance covering at least 6 months of stay in Georgia
• All documents submitted in English
• No specific educational or professional qualifications required

• Copy of valid passport
• Bank statements from the preceding 12 months showing minimum USD 2,000/month income or USD 24,000 in savings
• For employees: employer details and confirmation of employment letter
• For freelancers: copies of client contracts from the last 12 months
• For entrepreneurs: proof of company ownership or partnership
• Health insurance policy covering at least 6 months

The program allowed stays from a minimum of 180 days up to the full one-year visa-free period (365 days). The registration was a one-time process. To stay beyond one year, individuals could exit and re-enter Georgia to reset the clock, or apply for a separate temporary residence permit. There was no formal renewal mechanism for the program itself.

The program did not include specific provisions for dependants. Family members who are citizens of visa-free countries could enter Georgia independently under the same one-year visa-free regime without any special application. For family members from non-visa-free countries, standard Georgian visa and residence permit procedures apply.

Georgia levies a flat 20% personal income tax. An individual present in Georgia for 183 or more days in any continuous 12-month period becomes a tax resident. Resident individuals are generally exempt from tax on foreign-source income, though income earned while physically present in Georgia may be treated as Georgian-source regardless of the employer's location. Remote workers who register as Individual Entrepreneurs may be eligible for Small Business status (1% tax on turnover up to GEL 500,000) or Micro Business status (tax-exempt on business income up to GEL 30,000).

Applicants completed an online registration form on the stopcov.ge portal. The form required personal details, proof of employment or self-employment, financial documentation, and health insurance. There was no application fee. Decisions were delivered by email within 7 to 14 days. Upon approval, participants could travel to Georgia and enter under the standard visa-free regime.

Holders were expected to work remotely for employers or clients outside Georgia. The program did not authorise local employment in Georgia.

The Remotely from Georgia program has been phased out following the end of COVID-19 travel restrictions. Georgia's one-year visa-free regime remains available to citizens of 94+ countries. Significant legislative changes adopted in June 2025 introduce a mandatory work permit system effective 1 March 2026, which may affect the legal framework for remote workers in Georgia going forward.