As part of proposed legislative changes submitted to the Parliament of Georgia, a new type of residence permit – the “Residence Permit for Individuals Employed in the Field of Information Technology (IT)” – is expected to be introduced. This initiative aims to further Georgia’s development as a regional tech hub and attract qualified foreign IT professionals.
Who Can Apply?
The residence permit will be available to:
- Labor immigrants employed in the IT sector;
- Foreign entrepreneurs with small business status in Georgia, operating within IT-related fields as defined by the Government of Georgia;
- Executives and authorized representatives of international IT companies operating in Georgia.
Eligible applicants’ family members will also be able to apply for and receive this residence permit.
Duration and Renewal
Under the draft law, the IT residence permit will initially be issued for a term of three (3) years. It can subsequently be extended for additional three-year periods, with a maximum total duration of twelve (12) years.
Economic Impact
The legislative changes are expected to significantly boost:
- The number of IT companies in Georgia;
- Employment in the IT sector by up to 20%;
- Total salaries paid in the industry by 71%;
- Income tax revenue from IT sector salaries by 60%.
Projections indicate that over a five-year period, total salaries in the field may increase by 745%, and income tax collected may grow by 564%, compared to 2024 benchmarks.
Legal Basis and Timeline
The draft law includes amendments to the Law of Georgia on the Legal Status of Aliens and Stateless Persons. The authors of the bill have requested an expedited review process.