C5 Visa in Georgia: What It Is and Who Needs It

On April 16, 2026, the Parliament of Georgia adopted, at its third reading, amendments introducing a new visa category — C5, the so-called “digital nomad visa.” We explain what this document is, who can apply for it, how much it costs, and how the new visa fits into the broader changes to Georgia’s migration legislation that came into force on March 1, 2026.

Georgia remains one of the most popular relocation destinations for Russians, Ukrainians, and other Russian-speaking expats. According to the Georgian government, foreigners have registered around 20,000 individual entrepreneur (IE) statuses in the country since 2022, while the number of officially employed foreigners is about 42,000 — although unofficial estimates reach 200,000. In 2025–2026, Georgia has been gradually tightening its labor migration rules: since March 1, 2026, working under visa-free status has become illegal, a mandatory work permit has been introduced, and the D1 visa is now required for entry in certain cases. The C5 visa is a separate instrument, designed specifically for those who work for foreign companies and do not enter the Georgian labor market.

In practice, relocation to Georgia is not only about visas and permits, but also about financial logistics: how to legally bring money into the country, exchange crypto for cash, or transfer funds to a Georgian bank account. This can be done through the licensed exchange service Werty. The company operates in Tbilisi — its office is in the Vera district, right in the city center — and in Rustavi, and also handles bank transfer requests from anywhere in Georgia. Werty has held a license from the National Bank of Georgia since 2025; all transactions are transparent and processed through Georgian banks. For a consultation before an exchange, leave a request through the form or contact a manager on Telegram or WhatsApp.

What the C5 Visa Is and Why It Was Introduced

The C5 visa is a new multiple-entry short-term visa that allows foreign nationals to stay in Georgia for up to 12 months. The visa itself can be issued with a validity of up to five years, meaning that during this period, the holder can enter and leave the country multiple times while staying in Georgia for up to one year in a single continuous period.

The visa is aimed at “digital nomads” — high-income individuals who work remotely exclusively for non-resident (foreign) companies and enter Georgia for tourism purposes. The key point is that these individuals do not enter the Georgian labour market, are not employed by local companies, and do not provide services to Georgian businesses. This distinguishes the C5 visa from the D1 (work) visa.

The authors of the initiative from the Georgian Dream party present the C5 visa as a way to attract solvent professionals to the Georgian economy. High-income visitors rent housing, frequent restaurants, and use local services, but do not compete with locals in the labour market. Similar visas already exist in dozens of countries, including Portugal, Croatia, Estonia, and the UAE.

Who Can Apply for the C5 Visa

The law sets several basic conditions. The C5 visa will be available to citizens of “safe countries.” The exact list has not yet been published, but the logic appears to be similar to Georgia’s existing visa-free arrangements. The main requirement concerns the applicant’s work: they must work remotely and exclusively for non-resident companies — namely, employers or clients located outside Georgia.

The visa also covers family members — spouses and minor children. This is convenient for those relocating with their families, as they will not have to resolve their relatives’ legal status separately.

A typical eligible applicant could be:

• A freelancer with foreign clients (e.g., through Upwork, Fiverr, or direct contracts with foreign companies);

• A remote employee of a foreign company (not a Georgian one);

• An entrepreneur whose business is registered abroad and who works with foreign clients;

• A content creator whose audience and monetisation are outside Georgia.

Cost and Application Procedure

The application fee for a C5 visa is set between $20 and $500. This range likely reflects the difference between standard and expedited processing, as the law provides for both options. The final application procedure and the list of requirements are yet to be clarified by the government in subordinate legislation: the amendments were adopted on April 16, 2026, while detailed regulations will be published later.

There is one important caveat: the law introduces a new ground for refusal — “state migration policy.” A refusal based on this ground cannot be appealed. In practice, this means the authorities retain discretionary power to reject an application without providing a justification, which makes the process somewhat unpredictable.

Do Foreigners Registered as Individual Entrepreneurs Need a C5 Visa?

The C5 visa and the labour migration reform are two separate legislative tracks. They operate in parallel but apply to different categories of individuals. To avoid confusion, let’s look at who needs what.

The C5 Visa: For Those Outside the Georgian Market

If you are a freelancer with foreign clients, do not have individual entrepreneur (IE) status in Georgia, and do not plan to register for one, the C5 visa is designed precisely for your situation. You live in Georgia and spend money locally, but you do not enter the Georgian labour market or conduct business activity within the country.

In practice, this is a legal way to stay in Georgia for an extended period without a residence permit or a Georgian work permit, as long as you work exclusively for non-residents.

Individual Entrepreneur (IE) Status in Georgia

If you have registered as an individual entrepreneur in Georgia, then since March 1, 2026, you have fallen under the labour migration law — even if your clients are foreign and your income is in foreign currency. You need to obtain a work permit (PTD) from the Ministry of Labour. Having a visa or a temporary residence permit does not, by itself, grant the right to work without a PTD.

For foreign self-employed individuals who were already operating in Georgia prior to the reform, the transition period runs from March 1 to May 1, 2026. During this time, they must apply for a PTD and, in most cases, also regularize their residence permit if they do not already have one.

Those who already hold a valid residence permit — based on real estate ownership, an employment contract, or other grounds — do not need a D1 visa. However, they will still require a work permit if they are actually working in Georgia, either as an employee or as an individual entrepreneur. The good news is that if you already have a residence permit, you can complete the entire process without leaving the country.

Parallel Changes to the Labour Migration Law

Alongside the introduction of the C5 visa, in April 2026, the parliament clarified the controversial labour migration law. The official explanations and amendments state that labour migration rules are not intended to apply to people who work remotely for foreign companies and do not enter the Georgian labour market, or to certain categories of specialists who come to Georgia for short-term projects without integrating into the local market.

This is an important clarification that significantly reduces uncertainty for digital nomads and short-term specialists.

C5 Visa vs. D1 Visa vs. Residence Permit: A Comparison

The C5 visa. The C5 visa is suitable for remote specialists who work for foreign companies and do not enter the Georgian labour market. It allows them to stay in Georgia for up to 12 months and can be issued as a multiple-entry visa valid for up to five years. A Georgian work permit is not required, provided the applicant exclusively works for non-residents. The application fee ranges from $20 to $500. The applicant’s spouse and minor children are also eligible to apply.

The D1 Visa. This is a work immigration visa for those who plan to work in Georgia as employees, self-employed individuals, or individual entrepreneurs. It is usually required for individuals residing outside of Georgia who enter the country after their work permit has already been approved. In this case, the D1 visa serves as an entry document, while the residence permit is obtained subsequently within Georgia. If a person is already legally in Georgia (for example, under the visa-free regime), they can apply for a residence permit immediately after receiving a work permit — without applying for a D1 visa. Processing times vary by consulate but usually take several weeks.

Residence permit. A residence permit is a status for long-term stays in Georgia. It grants the right to live in the country and, subject to a relevant legal basis, to work. The grounds for obtaining a residence permit vary: employment, entrepreneurship, real estate ownership, study, family reunification, or special programmes, including those for specialists in high-demand sectors such as IT. A standard residence permit is usually issued for six months to one year, with the possibility of renewal. Some special regimes may allow for longer periods of stay.

What This Means in Practice: What to Do Now

Scenario 1: You live in Georgia under the visa-free regime, work for foreign clients, and do not hold individual entrepreneur (IE) status. Wait for the official C5 visa regulations — this visa is designed specifically for your situation. While the law has been adopted, the detailed application procedure and the list of required documents are yet to be published. Keep an eye on updates regarding the C5 visa.

Scenario 2: You hold individual entrepreneur (IE) status in Georgia and live in the country. You need to obtain a work permit (PTD) by May 1, 2026. If you do not hold a residence permit, it is advisable to apply for one within Georgia at the same time, or apply for a D1 visa after leaving the country. The C5 visa is not suitable for your case.

Scenario 3: You already hold a valid residence permit. You are in a relatively secure position: to continue working or running a business, you can apply for a PTD from within Georgia. You do not need to leave the country to obtain a D1 visa. However, if you are actually working in Georgia, you still require a PTD.

Scenario 4: You are planning to move to Georgia in 2026. The C5 visa could be a viable option if you work with foreign clients. The alternative is to register as an individual entrepreneur and follow the standard route involving a PTD and a residence permit. The second option provides a more stable status but requires a confirmed turnover.

Pitfalls to Be Aware of in Advance

“State migration policy” as a ground for refusal gives the authorities broad discretionary power. In other countries with similar rules, citizens of certain nations sometimes receive refusals regardless of their individual circumstances. This does not mean the same will happen in Georgia, but it is important to be aware of this risk in advance.

How the requirement of “working exclusively for non-resident companies” will be verified remains unclear. Whether applicants will need to prove this through contracts, bank statements, or other documents will only become clear once the subordinate regulations are published. If your situation is hybrid — for example, if some of your clients are Georgian and others are foreign — the C5 visa may not be available to you.

Tax status is a separate issue. The C5 visa does not automatically grant tax exemption in Georgia. If you spend more than 183 days within a calendar year in Georgia, you generally become a tax resident. This needs to be assessed separately: it is a tax matter, not an immigration one.

Conclusion

The C5 visa is a significant step towards accommodating digital nomads. Georgia is tightening rules for those working in the local market while creating a separate, more flexible route for individuals who bring money into the economy without competing for local jobs. The logic is clear and market-oriented.

For foreigners with individual entrepreneur (IE) status in Georgia or a residence permit, the C5 visa is not the appropriate document. Your path involves obtaining a PTD along with the renewal of your residence permit or applying for a new one. If your turnover is insufficient or you lack another basis for a residence permit, it is worth consulting an immigration lawyer, as each situation is unique.

Updates on the C5 visa regulations should be tracked on the official website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia and in the Legislative Herald of Georgia (Matsne). This is where the document requirements, exact fees for different processing times, and the list of “safe countries” will be published.