work while studying in Georgia ⚠️ Important note before you read on: The information you’ll find on many older websites and articles about “working freely in Georgia on a student visa” became outdated as of March 2026. Georgia fundamentally changed its foreign employment law, and anything you read before that point needs re-checking. This guide explains the current, updated legal situation based on the official text of Georgia’s Law on Labour Migration, published on the official legislative gazette (matsne.gov.ge).
The Old Situation (Before March 2026): Why You Used to Hear “No Restrictions”
Until February 2026, Georgia had no formal work permit system for foreigners at all. Any foreign national legally residing in the country (whether on a visa or visa-free, for citizens of over 90 exempt countries) could work without any separate formal authorization — it was enough for the employer to register them in the electronic labour migration system. This is why the common claim spread that “Georgia has no restrictions on student work,” and why you’d see figures like “up to 20 hours per week during term and 40 hours during breaks” — but that figure was an unofficial estimate borrowed from general EU practice, not an actual provision of Georgian law.
The New Reality (From March 2026): The Mandatory “Right to Work” System
Under amendments to Georgia’s Law on Labour Migration, introduced via Government Resolution No. 70 dated February 20, 2026, and effective March 1, 2026 (with further amendments on April 15, 2026), any foreign national without permanent residence must now obtain a “Right to Work” before engaging in any paid work activity in Georgia — whether employed by a local employer, working remotely for a local employer, or self-employed.
The official text of the law (Article 131, paragraph 2) states that a foreign national must simultaneously hold both: (1) a work residence permit, a D1 visa, or another type of legally recognized residence permit, and (2) the “Right to Work” itself, in order to lawfully engage in any activity from which they gain economic benefit.
Are Students Exempt From the New Law?
This is the point every student needs to understand clearly: the official list of exemptions in Article 5, paragraph 4 of the law includes: refugees, asylum seekers, staff of diplomatic missions and international organizations, accredited journalists, investment residence permit holders, holders of special residence permits issued by government initiative, and a few specific categories such as executives/directors of certain enterprise categories and workers in cultural heritage conservation.
International students (D3 visa holders) are not included in this exemption list at all. Under a literal reading of the legal text, this means a student who wants to work part-time for a local employer in Georgia (a café, restaurant, private company, etc.) must obtain the Right to Work just like any other foreign national — though the law does provide one important carve-out: if the student already holds a legally valid residence permit (such as the temporary residence card, TRC, tied to their D3 visa), they don’t need to apply for a new D1 visa or a separate work residence permit (per Article 135, paragraph 2) — but this does not exempt them from obtaining the Right to Work itself, which is the separate core requirement stated in Article 131.
Specialized legal sources that reviewed the new law explicitly confirmed that foreign students who want to work part-time or earn income will be subject to the same permit requirements, and that holding a residence permit alone (such as a study permit) is not sufficient on its own to work legally unless the Right to Work is separately obtained.
work while studying in Georgia How Does the “Right to Work” System Actually Work?
According to the official text of the law, the core procedure is:
- The local employer submits the application on behalf of the foreign student/employee (not the student themselves, except in cases of self-employment).
- Local labour market test: Before applying, the employer must post the vacancy on the designated government portal for 10 business days, to confirm no qualified Georgian citizen is available for the role (with limited exceptions for certain high-salary or technical positions).
- Application review time: Up to 30 calendar days from receipt of a complete application.
- Fees: Up to 500 GEL maximum as a service fee, payable to the State Employment Support Agency.
- After approval: If the student already holds a legal residence permit, nothing further is required on the visa side; if not, they must apply for a D1 visa within 30 days (if outside Georgia) or a work residence permit within 10 days (if inside Georgia).
What Does This Mean Practically for Students?
The important practical outcome: informal or “under the table” work, which used to be common (like a part-time café or restaurant job without formal paperwork), is now explicitly illegal, carrying a 2,000 GEL fine for both the student and the employer separately, doubling for repeat violations.
Also, since the employer is responsible for submitting the application, paying the fees, and posting the vacancy for 10 days, many small businesses (like cafés and shops) may become reluctant to hire an international student part-time to avoid the administrative complexity — making informal part-time work opportunities noticeably harder to find compared to the situation before March 2026.
Are There Any Exceptions That Could Help Students?
Yes, the law does exempt certain specific situations that could benefit some students:
- Fully remote work for a foreign (non-Georgian) employer that doesn’t require entering Georgian territory to perform is exempt from the requirement. This means if a student is doing online freelance work for a client or company outside Georgia, the legal situation is different and doesn’t fall under the “Right to Work” requirement.
- Short-term professional activities tied to a specific project, event, or service (as defined by a separate government regulation) are also exempt, but this doesn’t cover regular or ongoing employment.
⚠️ Important: These exception categories are governed by precise details and separate implementing regulations, so we strongly recommend confirming your specific situation before relying on any exemption.
Our Practical Advice for Students Who Want to Work During Their Studies
- Don’t rely on outdated information from articles or agencies still claiming “you can work freely on a D3 visa” — that was accurate only before March 2026.
- If you find an employer willing to hire you formally, make sure they understand they’re responsible for submitting the Right to Work application on your behalf, and are prepared to meet the 10-day vacancy posting requirement.
- Remote freelance work for clients outside Georgia is currently a clearer legal path than direct employment with a local Georgian employer, but consult a legal specialist before relying on this fully.
- The law is still evolving (the most recent amendment was in June 2026, with further amendments expected from September 2026), so it’s essential to follow the latest update before making your decision.
The Al-Batool Group team tracks legal updates as they happen, and can point you toward the right source or legal consultation if you’re considering working alongside your studies in Georgia.
Frequently Asked Questions About work while studying in Georgia
Can I work on a D3 (student) visa in Georgia? Theoretically yes, but as of March 2026 you now need to separately obtain the “Right to Work” from Georgia’s Ministry of Labour in addition to your student residence status — this isn’t automatic, and the employer is responsible for submitting the application on your behalf.
Is there a maximum number of work hours allowed for students? The new law focuses on the “Right to Work” requirement itself rather than a specific hour limit, which is different from the old commonly cited “20 hours per week” figure that was never actually based on official Georgian legislation to begin with.
What’s the penalty for working without a Right to Work? A fine of 2,000 GEL, imposed separately on both the student (worker) and the employer, doubling for repeat violations.
Does online freelance work for clients outside Georgia require a permit? Under the law’s text, fully remote work for a non-resident entity, tied to activities carried out outside Georgia, is exempt from the Right to Work requirement — but we recommend confirming your individual situation with a specialist before fully relying on this exemption.
Will this law change again soon? The law has already seen successive amendments in April and June 2026, with further amendments related to certain residence categories expected to take effect from September 2026, so continued legislative development in this area is likely.
Laws governing foreign employment in Georgia are changing quickly. The Albatoul Group team tracks every official update as it happens — if you need to confirm your specific situation before making any decision about working alongside your studies, get in touch.
Sources: Law of Georgia “On Labour Migration” (consolidated updated text), published on Georgia’s official legislative gazette matsne.gov.ge; Government of Georgia Resolution No. 70 dated February 20, 2026; specialized legal analyses from Georgian immigration law firms (Legal.ge, BLB, INC.GE).
