The short answer
Only if you hold permanent residence or the rules do not apply to you (for example, as a refugee or an investment residence permit holder). Since 1 March 2026, the annual quota for passenger transport work by foreigners without permanent residence is zero.
On 20 February 2026 the Government of Georgia adopted Resolution No. 70. It sets out how a foreigner obtains the right to work in Georgia, and it took effect on 1 March.
Annex 3 of the resolution sets annual quotas for some activities. For courier services, passenger transport and tourist guide services the quota is zero. A taxi is passenger transport. A zero quota means no right to work in that activity is issued, so a permit application does not open the way to taxi work.
An earlier version of this article said a work permit was enough for taxi work and that individual entrepreneurs were exempt. Both statements were wrong. We corrected the article on 14 October 2026.
Who the rules cover
Every foreigner without permanent residence in Georgia, whether employed or self-employed.
The resolution covers two groups: labour immigrants working for a local employer, and self-employed foreigners. The second group explicitly includes people who trade or provide services, business partners and independent contractors.
A foreigner without permanent residence is one who holds neither a residence permit with the right of permanent residence nor a permanent residence card.
Registering as an individual entrepreneur does not take you outside the rules: self-employed foreigners are included in the resolution explicitly.
Who the rules do not apply to
Georgian citizens, permanent residents and the groups the resolution lists, including refugees and investment residence permit holders.
The resolution does not apply to:
- Georgian citizens;
- foreigners with a residence permit carrying the right of permanent residence, or a permanent residence card;
- refugees and people with additional or temporary protection;
- asylum seekers registered in Georgia;
- staff of diplomatic missions, consulates and international organisations;
- journalists accredited by foreign media;
- people to whom an international treaty applies a different rule;
- holders of a valid investment residence permit.
Key dates
The resolution took effect on 1 March 2026. For self-employed foreigners who were already working on 1 March, enforcement began on 1 May.
Article 14 of the resolution sets the transition dates:
| Date | What happened |
|---|---|
| 20 February 2026 | The government adopted Resolution No. 70. |
| 1 March 2026 | The resolution took effect; the passenger transport quota is zero. |
| 1 May 2026 | Enforcement began for self-employed foreigners who were already working on 1 March. |
| 1 January 2027 | Labour immigrants registered in the database must obtain a right to work and a residence permit by this date. |
What happens if you work without the right
Breaking the resolution carries administrative liability under the Law on Labour Migration.
Under Article 12 of the resolution, a labour immigrant or self-employed foreigner who breaks the rules faces administrative liability under the Law of Georgia "On Labour Migration".
ProRide does not connect a driver to Yandex if that driver has no right to do taxi work.
What a foreign driver can do now
Check your status with official sources. If you hold permanent residence, you register as usual. If you drove with ProRide before, you can still withdraw the money left on your balance.
A few practical steps:
- 1Check which residence permit you hold. The rules do not apply to permanent residence or investment residence permit holders.
- 2If you hold permanent residence, register like any driver: how to join a taxi park.
- 3If you drove with ProRide before, you can still withdraw the money left on your balance in the app.
- 4Take information only from official sources: matsne.gov.ge and www.labourmigration.moh.gov.ge.
- 5For questions, call our hotline: +995 504 221 696.
