Residency in Georgia: Updates and Document Preparation Guide

As of September 1, 2025, Georgia has introduced a groundbreaking mechanism for issuing residency permits (IT-VNЖ) tailored for IT professionals and entrepreneurs. This initiative presents enhanced opportunities for those in the IT sector looking to establish or expand their presence in Georgia.

The new framework applies to both individual entrepreneurs engaged in IT-related activities and employees of Georgian IT companies. The eligibility criteria are clearly defined:

• A minimum of 2 years of IT experience;

• An annual income of at least USD 25,000 over the past year.

The Association of Georgian Virtual Zone Persons has compiled a comprehensive overview to simplify your understanding of the process.

Verifying Professional Experience

To submit your application, you must substantiate your IT experience. Acceptable documents include:

• Active or completed employment contracts with Georgian employers;

• Contracts with international companies;

• Civil-law service agreements;

• Certificates from employers or clients detailing the duration of engagement.

A comprehensive document package will facilitate a smoother review process.

Confirming Your Specialization

For employees, it is essential that your role and responsibilities align with the ISCO-08 classification (Group 25 and relevant subcodes). This can be verified through:

• Employment contracts;

• Job description documents;

• Employer-issued certificates.

For individual entrepreneurs, the primary document is the business registration with corresponding NACE activity codes.

A notable distinction: An IT specialist employed by a legal firm may qualify for IT residency, whereas a lawyer working for an IT company does not.

Demonstrating Income

The income requirements are equally specific:

• Employees should provide income certificates or payroll records, accompanied by bank statements confirming salary payments;

• Individual entrepreneurs must submit client certificates and bank statements verifying receipt of funds;

• Payments must be processed in at least two installments, with a minimum interval of 30 days.

Document Submission Guidelines

Foreign documents must adhere to strict standards:

• Originals or notarized copies with apostille or legalization;

• Mandatory notarized translation into Georgian;

• Electronically signed documents without apostille are not accepted.

The Association of Georgian Virtual Zone Persons actively monitors these developments and regularly updates our members with the latest information. Should you have questions or require assistance, our trusted partners—legal experts and specialists—are available to guide you through document preparation and application submission.

Association members benefit from exclusive offers, including legal support and tax residency consultations. If you are not yet a member, we invite you to join and gain access to these valuable resources and more.