HOW TO FIND A JOB IN GEORGIA
Georgia is a beautiful state with an ancient history, rich cultural heritage and unique atmosphere. The friendliness of the locals, delicious cuisine, stunning architecture and famous resorts – all this attracts a large number of tourists to the country every year.
Many foreigners literally fall in love with the famous Georgian landscapes and dream to stay here. Some are looking to open their own business, others want to study at local universities, but most still try to find a job in Georgia. Preferably high-paying, for example, in the construction industry or finance.
Working in Georgia for foreigners from third countries is quite a difficult, but manageable task. Despite the moderate recovery of the economy, foreign investment in the country is coming in less intensively than it was even 10 years ago. Moreover, Georgia's economy is very dependent on imports, especially in terms of energy resources.
However, the local authorities are making significant efforts to reform the state – eliminating corruption, reducing taxes and making important amendments to the labor code. Many traditional sectors, such as agriculture and textiles, as well as construction, trade, tourism, logistics and more, will offer jobs in Georgia for foreigners in 2024.
Specifics of labour migration to Georgia
The population of Georgia in 2024 is about 3.7 million people. According to the latest census, the country is home to 86.8% of Georgians, 6.3% of Azeris, 4.5% of Armenians, 0.7% of Russians, 0.2% of Ukrainians and a small number of other nationalities. At the same time about 71% of the population speaks Georgian and up to 10% Russian. The official religion of Georgia is Orthodox Christianity, practiced by 84% of the population, and the second most widely practiced is Islam, about 10%.
In the economic structure of Georgia the lion's share is occupied by service sector – 68%, followed by industry – 22% and agriculture – 10%. A large number of locals are engaged in growing grapes and citrus fruits, and these activities are the main source of income for them. In general, employment in Georgia in 2024 is possible in different areas, but foreigners need to carefully analyze the situation on the local labor market.
According to official data of the National Statistics Bureau, the unemployment rate in Georgia is 15–18% and among young people the figure is reaches 30%. Moreover, between 20 and 34 years old up to 50% of citizens are unemployed. These figures are largely due to the large-scale shadow economy in the country, but one cannot deny the employment problems in Georgia.
Fortunately, citizens of over 100 countries can now visit Georgia without a visa requirement and stay in the country for 12 months. This time is quite enough to find a job, but it is not allowed to work officially without going through a certain procedure.
In order to carry out professional activities in Georgia, you must first open a long-term immigration visa D1 or D2, and after moving to Georgia, obtain a residence permit with the right to work. The document is issued for a period of 6 to 12 months and then extended up to 5 years.
Documents for obtaining the work and residence permit in Georgia
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Application of the established form.
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A copy of a passport.
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Two color photos (3x4 cm).
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Copy of the document confirming you are legally in Georgia (D1 or D2 visa).
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Proof of legal employment (employment contract).
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Receipt of payment for administrative services.
The Civil Service Development Agency under the Ministry of Justice of Georgia is responsible for issuing permits to migrant workers.
How to find a job in Georgia
According to some studies, about 40% of Georgians are fluent in English, and among the younger generation up to 60%. Also, the vast majority of locals have varying degrees of Russian language skills. This does not mean that there are vacancies for Russian-speaking people in Georgia at every step. Knowledge of English and, of course, Georgian is a big plus. Work experience, unique skills and higher education do not hurt either.
Modern Georgia has quite flexible and liberal labor legislation. There are no special requirements and restrictions for foreign workers. Be active on the Internet, and it is better to visit Georgia in person. Check out job fairs and try to find a local employer. For example, in Tbilisi there are many international companies, organizations and foundations, which often invite applicants from abroad.
Make a competent resume and cover letter to apply directly to Georgian and foreign companies. Look for foreigners permanently residing in Georgia in social networks, forums and specialized websites. Do not be afraid to ask for advice. Talk to experienced migrant workers. Most jobs are not publicly available, so be patient and use all available sources of information.
Finding a Job in Georgia
Ministry of Labor, Health and Social Protection – moh.gov.ge
Public Sector Jobs – hr.gov.ge
Professional Social Network – linkedin.com
Popular job search websites in Georgia
International job portals in Georgia
List of famous newspaper websites in Georgia – onlinenewspapers.com
Jobs and wages in Georgia
The official average salary in Georgia in 2024 is 2,044.5 Georgian GEL (about $765) per month. By the way, according to statistics, men earn somewhere around $285 more than women. The minimum monthly wage in the country is 20 GEL ($8). The rate of income tax in Georgia is 20%.
The leading positions in terms of salaries belong to the Georgian capital Tbilisi, the Autonomous Republic of Adjara, and the Mtskheta-Mtianeti administrative region. In these regions, foreigners can expect salaries of $ 600-750 dollars and above. The lowest salaries are in Racha-Lechkhumi and Guria.
Available jobs in Georgia in 2024 for foreigners are concentrated mainly in construction, financial sector, information technology and production. According to official information from the local Ministry of Labor, Health and Social Protection, the Georgian labor market lacks export and sales managers, electricians, mechanics, pharmacists, accountants, cooks and some categories of drivers.
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