Can US citizens really stay in Georgia for a whole year without a visa?

Yes — completely. US citizens (and citizens of 100+ other countries) can enter Georgia by simply showing their passport and stay for up to 365 days per calendar year. No application, no embassy appointment, no fee, no immigration card to fill out. It's the world's most relaxed long-stay policy for Western passport holders.

What is the Virtual Zone company and how much tax do I really pay?

A Georgian Virtual Zone company is a legal entity registered for IT/tech services that pays just 1% flat tax on foreign-sourced revenue. When you withdraw the profit as a dividend, a 5% dividend tax applies — making the effective total rate around 2–4% depending on how you structure withdrawals. Compare that to 20–45% in most Western countries. It's legitimate and used by thousands of expats.

What is the 2026 labour permit requirement and does it affect digital nomads?

From March 2026, foreign nationals need a 'Right to Labour Activity' permit to legally work while in Georgia — including remote freelancing. This is enforced inconsistently, but violations can result in fines or deportation. Many nomads are restructuring through Virtual Zone companies (which still function) or ensuring their activity falls under permitted categories. Consult a Georgian immigration lawyer for your specific situation.

How do I get a Georgia residence permit for more than a year?

The easiest paths are: (1) buy property worth 35,000+ GEL (~$13,000), or (2) register a Georgian company and demonstrate business activity. Apply at the Civil Registry Agency (cra.gov.ge). Processing takes 1–30 days; fees are modest (GEL 210–355). Temporary permits are valid 1–6 years and are renewable.

How do I get Small Business Status (SBS) in Georgia?

Register as an Individual Entrepreneur with the Revenue Service (online or in-person, 1–2 days). SBS allows income up to 500,000 GEL/year (~$185,000) taxed at just 1% (3% if VAT registered). You'll need a Georgian bank account and to file quarterly returns. SBS holders can apply for a 1-year residence permit. It's the most popular tax structure for remote workers and freelancers.

Expat Topics

D7, digital nomad, golden visa & more

💰

Cost of Living

Monthly budgets from €1,200 to €4,000+

🏥

Healthcare

Public, private & expat health insurance

🏠

Housing

Rent prices, best areas & lease tips

💼

Work & Business

Permits, remote work & freelancing rules

✈️

Moving Guide

Step-by-step relocation checklist

📚

Education

International schools & universities

🌆

Daily Life

Transport, food & expat communities

🌅

Lifestyle

Climate, culture & quality of living

📈

Investing

Property, stocks, tax & wealth building

View all resources →

Rankings Compare Blog

🛂

🇬🇪 Georgia

Visa & Residency

Georgia has the world's most open long-stay visa policy — citizens of 100+ countries can live here for up to 1 year with zero visa application needed. The Virtual Zone company scheme offers 1% flat tax on foreign-sourced income.

1 year

Visa-Free Stay

100+ nationalities — no application required

$2,000/mo

Digital Nomad Program Income

'Remotely from Georgia' official program

Virtual Zone Tax Rate

Flat tax on foreign-sourced revenue only

Required for paid work

Labour Permit (from 2026)

New regulation effective March 2026

After 1+ year stays

Residency Permit Path

Via residence permit application at Civil Registry

Last updated: March 2026

Overview🏛️Tbilisi 🌴Batumi

🛂Visa 🏥Healthcare 💰Finance 🏠Housing 💼Working 🌆Daily Life ✈️Moving 📚Education 🌅Lifestyle 📈Investing

Overview

Key Takeaways

Eligible countries: USA, UK, all 27 EU member states, Canada, Australia, Israel, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, and 90+ others
Eligibility: IT/technology services companies or qualifying professional services
Effective date: March 1, 2026 — monitoring and enforcement increasing
Temporary Residence Permit: valid 1–6 years; requires proof of legal presence and financial means

1-Year Visa-Free Policy

Georgia's open visa policy is genuinely extraordinary — citizens of over 100 countries including the USA, UK, all EU member states, Canada, Australia, Israel, and Japan can simply arrive and stay for up to 1 full year. No application, no embassy appointment, no fee.

Eligible countries: USA, UK, all 27 EU member states, Canada, Australia, Israel, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, and 90+ others
Entry: just arrive at Tbilisi or Kutaisi airports (or land border) with a valid passport
Duration: up to 365 days per year — the calendar year (Jan 1–Dec 31), not 12 months from entry
No registration required for stays under 90 days; registration at Civil Registry recommended for longer stays
Extension possible: apply for a residence permit at the Civil Registry Agency before the year expires
Re-entry: most people simply leave (Armenia, Turkey, and Azerbaijan all easily reachable) and re-enter to reset the year

Virtual Zone Company — 1% Tax for Freelancers

Georgia's Virtual Zone program lets foreign professionals register a Georgian IT/tech company online in one day, paying just 1% income tax on all foreign-sourced revenue. It's one of the world's most favorable tax structures for location-independent workers.

Eligibility: IT/technology services companies or qualifying professional services
Registration: done online via business.gov.ge in 1–2 business days; no physical presence required
Tax rate: 1% flat on foreign-sourced revenue (compared to 20–45% in most Western countries)
VAT: 0% on services provided to non-Georgian clients
Dividends paid to yourself: 5% dividend tax when withdrawing profit
Profit retained in company: 0% until distributed
Many digital nomads report effective overall tax rates of 2–4% using the virtual zone structure
Consult a Georgian accountant (Leavingstone, TBC Business) — fee $100–$300 to set up properly

2026 Labour Permit Requirement

From March 1, 2026, foreign nationals must obtain a 'Right to Labour Activity' permit before performing paid work — including freelancing and remote work — while physically in Georgia. This is a significant change from the previous open system.

Effective date: March 1, 2026 — monitoring and enforcement increasing
Applies to: all paid work including remote freelancing, contracting, and employment
Application: through the Ministry of Internally Displaced Persons; requires employer/client documentation
Virtual Zone companies: the 1% tax structure remains valid but workers must ensure permit compliance
Tourist visa holders: technically cannot work; enforcement has been light but is increasing
Penalties: fines and potential deportation for violations
Many expats working for non-Georgian clients are exploring interpretations — consult a Georgian immigration lawyer

Long-Term Residence Permit

For stays beyond 1 year, or for expats wanting official residency status, Georgia offers temporary and permanent residence permits through the Civil Registry Agency.

Temporary Residence Permit: valid 1–6 years; requires proof of legal presence and financial means
Property ownership: owning real estate worth 35,000+ GEL (~$13,000) qualifies for residency
Investment residency: investing 300,000+ GEL (~$111,000) in Georgian business qualifies
Employment permit: sponsored by a Georgian employer
Processing: 1–30 days depending on category; fees GEL 210–355
Permanent residency: available after 6 years continuous legal residence
Civil Registry Agency (cra.gov.ge) is the application authority

FAQs