Known as “Remotely from Georgia”, the Georgian digital nomad visa was made available in 2020, following the drop in tourism from the global pandemic. Bordered on the north by Russia, the east by Azerbaijan, the south by Armenia and Turkey, and the west by the Black Sea, Georgia is not always the first country that comes to mind for digital nomads. However, dig a little deeper and it quickly becomes clear that it could the perfect destination for remote workers.

The digital nomad visa can be easily applied for online and, with a processing time of less than two weeks, it is one of the easiest remote working visas to obtain globally. With a low cost of living, fascinating historic cities, and an emerging digital nomad scene, Georgia might just top the list for your next workcation.

Find out everything you need to know about the benefits, requirements, and how to apply for the Georgian digital nomad visa in our guide below.

READ MORE: 30 Best Places in Tbilisi for Digital Nomads

What is the Georgia Digital Nomad Visa?

The Georgia digital nomad visa allows international remote workers to live and work in the country for up to 12 months on a specialist visa. Designed for freelancers, business owners, and remote workers, the digital nomad visa offers visitors the ability to legally live and work in the country with official resident paperwork. The remote working visa proved popular upon its launch and more than 700 digital nomads applied for the documents at the beginning of 2021. 

Why is the Georgia Digital Nomad Visa Better Than a Tourist Visa?

Digital nomads are able to benefit from a range of different benefits offered as part of the Georgian digital nomad visa. One of the benefits listed as part of the Georgian digital nomad visa lies in the length of time that can be spent in the country. The Remotely from Georgia program lasts for up to 365 days, offering remote workers a full year to live and work in the country. However, this has led to some criticism from digital nomads due to the lack of difference in traveling to Georgia as a tourist. The majority of travelers do not need a visa to visit Georgia and they are able to spend up to 365 days within the country. 

Visitors that spend at least 180 days of the year in Georgia will become tax residents in the country with favorable tax brackets offered. Nomads that make less than $155,000 per year will pay only 1% in taxes when living in the country. 

Georgia Digital Nomad Visa Requirements 

When applying for the Georgia digital nomad visa, all applicants are required to satisfy the following criteria for successful submission.

• Valid Passport: The applicant's passport must be valid for the entire visa duration
• Monthly Income of $2,000 or 24,000 in Savings: Applicant’s must prove a minimum monthly income of at least $2,000 or applicants must show proof of a minimum of $24,000 in savings if the monthly income is either inconsistent or less than $2,000 per month.
• Proof of Remote Work: All applicants must prove that their income is earned remotely from outside of Georgia with their application submission. 
• Health Insurance: Applicants must show proof of health insurance with coverage in Georgia. 

How to Apply 

It’s both quick and easy to apply for the Georgia digital nomad visa and the entire process is available online. Below we’ve created a step-by-step guide, walking remote workers through the application process for successful submission. 

Step 1: Collect all necessary documents 

The first step when applying for the Georgia digital nomad visa is to collect all of the necessary documents, ready for submitting the application. All applicants will be required to attach digital copies of the following documents in their visa submission: 

• Copy of Passport
• Proof of Income (Can be done with recent bank statements)
• Proof of Remote Work (Can be proven with remote work contracts)
• Health Insurance Policy

These documents must be scanned (where appropriate) and digitized ready for use. 

Step 2: Submit a Visa Application

The visa application form can be found and completed online, preventing the need for remote workers and digital nomads from traveling to an embassy or consulate. Alongside personal information, applicants are also required to add their estimated date of arrival to the form. The digitized documents can then be attached to the application form. From start to finish, the process takes less than 10 minutes.

Step 3: Await Approval

The processing time of the Georgia digital nomad visa is one of the fastest of any in the world with just 10 days taken for the government to make a verdict. There are no digital nomad visa application fees to pay and, once approved, remote workers are able to travel and live in the country for a one-year period. 

Why Choose Georgia for Your Next Remote Working Trip?

Georgia is a fascinating country that is packed full of culture and history, offering a wonderful location for digital nomads. The capital city of Tbilisi is a hive of activity and with so many remote workers flocking to the destination, the small cobbled streets are alive with diverse digital nomads. There’s a long list of great places to work in the city, but Impact Hub tops the list.

Away from the capital, the Caucasus Mountains offer a more tranquil experience with the range stretching between the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea. It may be rare for nomads to cart their laptops to the peaks, but with incredible hiking opportunities and some of the best landscapes to be found anywhere in the world, the mountains are a must-visit for any adventurous traveler. 

From a competitive point of view, Georgia ranks 53rd on the Legatum Prosperity Index, an independent study taking into account more than 100 different indexes to rank more than 160 countries. However, the country falls short in the rankings when taking into account both healthcare (ranked 93rd) and the natural environment for everyday life (ranked 124th).

Remote Work Culture in Georgia

Georgia's capital, Tbilisi, is by far the most popular destination in the country for digital nomads and is currently ranked as one of the most popular destinations for remote workers. The low cost of living, inexpensive rental opportunities, and top-quality coworking spaces have led to an influx of digital nomads visiting and staying in the country. 

The internet quality in the country is fair, although remote workers with high bandwidth requirements may find issues in accommodation. Streaming, virtual meetings, and large file downloads/uploads can prove to be tricky when working in the country. The top coworking spaces do aim to provide the best possible connections for nomads in the city.

Cost of Living and Quality of Life in Georgia 

One of the main benefits for remote workers on a budget visiting Georgia is the low cost of living that can be achieved in the major cities. On average, the cost of living in Georgia is 48.7% lower than in the United States with the rental prices in the country, on average, a huge 64.3% lower than in the States. Basic utilities are expected to set back the average digital nomad at approximately $75 per month with internet prices around the $15 per month mark. 

The quality of life in Georgia is ranked low with issues surrounding pollution, purchasing power, and property price-to-income ratio as the most troubling areas. Conversely, the country is noted to have both a very high climate index and a very low cost of living index. This is complemented by a high safety factor making the country a good destination for remote workers. 

Healthcare in Georgia

The healthcare system in Georgia is not rated highly with the country ranked 93rd of 167 different countries in the 2021 Legatum Prosperity Index. Healthcare in the country is provided by a state-funded universal healthcare system in a primarily privatized system of facilities. All digital nomads applying for the visa are required to show proof of health insurance that covers the length of their stay. 

READ MORE:

• Tbilisi Digital Nomad Travel Guide
• 13 European Countries with Digital Nomad Visas
• How to Get a Digital Nomad Visa

Our Take

Georgia is quickly becoming one of the most popular destinations for remote workers and global travelers with the country’s capital, Tbilisi, taking the lion's share of visitors. Georgia is brimming with incredible opportunities and experiences. From the Caucasus Mountains to the smaller cities of Batumi, Kutaisi, and Zugdidi, there’s a lot to explore. The country is, however, rated low in both healthcare and in the quality of life for locals. For digital nomads that have not yet visited the country, we would recommend a short trip on the powerful tourist visa. This allows remote workers to make personal judgments before committing to a full 12 months in Georgia on the digital nomad visa. 

This article was originally published on October 7, 2022.

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