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Digital Nomad Visa in Georgia

Digital Nomad Visa in Georgia

The recently introduced digital nomad visa in Georgia is an attractive option for freelancers and entrepreneurs from other countries who wish to obtain residence. Subject to a number of accessible conditions, this type of visa that offers residence is available to individuals who can prove that they are self-sufficient. If you run your own business and are location independent, relocating to Georgia can be a good option and one that will present interesting opportunities.

Our Georgia immigration experts highlight the main requirements for the digital nomad visa in Georgia below. If you have questions about eligibility and need a special assessment for your case, our team is ready to answer them.

Conditions for the digital nomad visa in Georgia

The digital nomad visa is designed for freelancers, business owners or full-time employees who do not need to be present in a physical office.

Some of the most important conditions are highlighted below by our team specializing in Georgia immigration:

  • applicants from 95 countries are eligible to apply for the digital nomad visa in Georgia;
  • the applicant, and therefore the visa holder, will need to remain in the country for 12 months;
  • the individual needs to be financially independent, and the minimum monthly income is approximately $2,000 or to have 24,000 dollars in savings;
  • applicants must show remote, non-Georgia income with their application;
  • the foreigner who remains in the country with this visa will need to have health insurance valid for the entire duration of the stay in Georgia.

Freelancers and entrepreneurs who wish to apply for this visa in 2024 can reach out to our immigration specialists for details.

Application process

The documents required to apply for a digital nomad visa in Georgia include the following:

  1. The filled in visa application form;
  2. Passport copy; the travel document must be valid after the expiry date of the visa;
  3. Proof of business activity or employment (self-employment, employment contract with a foreign company and a letter of confirmation for remote work from the organization, etc.);
  4. Medical insurance: comprehensive international health insurance that offers full coverage both in Georgia and in the home country;
  5. Proof of income: the applicant must be able to show through a bank statement or pay slip that he or she satisfies the minimum monthly income requirements.

This type of visa allows the holder to be joined by dependents, subject to conditions.

Continuing to stay as a digital nomad in the country is based on having obtained a residence permit in Georgia. This is mandatory for lawful stays, and, for most digital nomads, this will be the work residence permit which is also valid for freelancing. Our team can give you more details about the minimum income requirement and the documents you will be required to show.

Remaining as a digital nomad in the country repeatedly can mean that, in time, an individual who continues to reside here will be eligible for citizenship in Georgia. While not all digital nomads are looking to settle in one location, marriage to a Georgian citizen will reduce the minimum residency period after which one can apply for citizenship by naturalization.

Taxes for digital nomads in Georgia

In Georgia, if you have a digital nomad visa, you’re not required to pay taxes until you’ve been a resident for 183 days. After that, you become a tax resident and face an income tax of approximately 20%, but you won’t have to pay social contributions.

You might qualify for the entrepreneur tax regime, where you pay only 1% tax on your turnover, as long as it doesn’t exceed GEL 500,000 (about $190,000). Note that this option may not be available to all applicants.

Georgia follows a territorial tax system, meaning you don’t pay taxes on foreign income, but eligibility depends on your specific circumstances.  Our Georgian immigration specialists can help you with taxes.

Can you renew the Georgian digital nomad visa?

It is not possible to renew the Georgian digital nomad visa. If you wish to stay in Georgia after your digital nomad visa has expired, you have several options to consider.

If you’re eligible, you may be able to get a tourist visa. A Georgian eVisa for tourism allows for multiple entries into the country and typically permits a stay of 30 days within every 120 days for most nationalities. Some foreign citizens may be eligible for an online tourist visa that grants them a longer stay of 90 days within 180 days.

Alternatively, if you wish to remain longer, you need to apply for a temporary residence permit in Georgia. This permit is issued for various purposes, including employment, family reunification, and study. The requirements for this permit category will differ from the digital nomad visa, but our immigration lawyers in Georgia can help you with more information.

Some programs can also allow you to stay in Georgia for a longer period. There is the residency by investment program, for which you can apply if you invest 300,000 USD or its equivalent in Georgian Lari (GEL) in a company. An alternative pathway to qualify for residency in Georgia is by purchasing property, excluding agricultural land. The property purchased must be appraised for a value of over 300,000 USD or its equivalent in GEL.

These programs can ultimately help you obtain citizenship in Georgia.

Assistance with visa applications

Our Georgia immigration specialists can help you if you are a freelancer who wishes to relocate to Georgia. We provide guidance and advice throughout the pre-application phase for the digital nomad visa in Georgia and our local team is also able to answer your questions once you arrive in the country.

For some foreign nationals, obtaining a digital nomad visa can be the first step toward moving to Georgia permanently. If this is your case, our team can help you with assistance for immigration, family reunification, as well as applying for citizenship.

We assist foreign nationals who wish to come to Georgia to work remotely, as well as those who are willing and able to start a business and benefit from the advantages of the residency by investment program.

Benefits of Georgian digital nomad visa

There are several benefits to applying for a Georgian digital nomad visa. The application for a Georgia digital nomad visa is straightforward, with a process that typically requires ten days. Applying for this visa is free of charge, and is accessible to numerous citizens from different countries.

There are no taxes during the initial 183 days of your stay in Georgia. The income tax is also relatively low after this period (20%).

Georgia makes it easy for digital nomads to open a bank account upon arrival. Having a local bank account can enhance your convenience while staying in the country. Our immigration lawyers in Georgia will assist you in every step of obtaining this visa.

The country offers one of the most affordable lifestyles for digital nomads, boasting a low cost of living. This affordability can make your nomadic lifestyle more sustainable and enjoyable.

This visa is also a great way to accommodate a new culture and lifestyle and perhaps apply for Georgian citizenship in the future.

Georgia seems to be a popular destination for digital nomads, according to these statistics:

  • In 2023, it was ranked number 5th on a list of most popular digital nomad destinations for male nomads;
  • 49% of digital nomads in Georgia were female in 2023;
  • Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia, is one of the established digital nomad destinations that has experienced continuous and stable growth over the past five years.

Contact us if you want to know more about the digital nomad visa in Georgia, as well as if you have any questions concerning relocation.