Georgia Digital Nomad Visa: Remote Work Now Needs a Permit

Georgia's been a favourite for remote workers for years. A year visa-free, cheap rent in Tbilisi, great food. But the rules quietly changed this year, and a lot of people haven't noticed.

Can you still visit Georgia visa-free?

Yes. The FCDO says British citizens can visit Georgia without a visa for up to one year.

Do you need a permit to work remotely in Georgia?

Yes, since 1 March 2026. The FCDO says foreign nationals who want to work in Georgia, including working remotely or running a business, must have a work permit. The permit lasts a year and covers one specific job with one employer, and after that you apply for the right visa or residence permit.

So if you're planning to sit in a Tbilisi café on your laptop for six months, read that twice.

What is Georgia's C5 digital nomad visa?

Georgia's parliament approved a new C5 visa for digital nomads in April 2026. From what's been reported so far:

• It's multiple-entry and valid for up to five years
• You can stay up to one year at a time
• The fee is $300, paid through Georgia's e-visa system
• It's for people working for clients or employers outside Georgia, not local businesses
• Spouses and children can apply too

Who is eligible for the C5 visa?

Foreigners who come to Georgia as tourists but work for someone outside the country: remote workers for foreign employers, freelancers with international clients, consultants and people running a business with income from abroad. You can't work for a Georgian employer or serve local businesses on it.

How long does the application take?

Standard processing is five working days, or up to ten if your case needs more checks. The application and the $300 fee go through Georgia's e-visa system.

Can you be refused?

Yes. Approvals are at the government's discretion, state immigration policy can be a reason to refuse, and some refusals can't be appealed. So don't book a year in Tbilisi on the assumption you'll get it.

What's still unclear?

When it opens for applications, and how much you'll need to earn to get it. Neither had been published when we checked. Approvals are also discretionary, so it's not a box-ticking exercise.

On income, specialists expect you'll need to show it comes from foreign sources, but no minimum amount has been set publicly yet.

Our take

If you're going for a holiday, nothing changes. If you're going to work, check the latest on the FCDO's Georgia page before you book anything long, and don't rely on the old visa-free year to cover it.

Sources: FCDO Georgia entry requirements. Investor.ge, Georgia's C5 visa, June 2026. Photo: falco, CC0.