Moving to Georgia from the USA

Checklist for Americans moving to Georgia (the country) — 1-year visa-free entry, Individual Entrepreneur (1% tax) status, Tbilisi housing, banking, and the first 30 days.

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Visa & legal right to stay

Americans get 365 days visa-free on entry — no application or extension needed
Must
For longer stays, get a temporary residence permit (work, study, family, or investment)
Border-bouncing to reset the year is technically allowed but unreliable — get residency for long-term plans

Paperwork to gather before you fly

Passport with 6+ months validity (no apostilles needed for visa-free entry)
Must
Proof of accommodation (Airbnb booking is fine for arrival)
International health insurance for the first months
Must
Apostilled documents only if applying for a formal residence permit later

Money & banking

Open a Georgian bank account (Bank of Georgia or TBC) — straightforward as a tourist with passport + local address
Must
Register as an Individual Entrepreneur (IE) at the Public Service Hall and apply for Small Business Status
1% turnover tax up to ~$155k/yr revenue — one of the world's best regimes for freelancers.
Get a Personal Number (ID) once you have residency or IE status
Personal foreign-source income is generally NOT taxed (territorial system)

Housing

Use MyHome.ge, SS.ge, or local Facebook groups for long-term rentals
Tbilisi neighborhoods: Vake, Vera, Saburtalo (modern); Old Tbilisi (charming, older)
Budget 1 month deposit + 1 month rent; many landlords prefer USD
Furnished leases are the norm — month-to-month or 6–12 months common

Healthcare

Buy private/international insurance — public system is limited for foreigners
Must
Use private clinics (Mediclub, American Medical Center) in Tbilisi
Many expats fly to Turkey or Europe for major procedures

First 30 days on the ground

Open your bank account and request internet banking + a debit card
Must
Get a Georgian SIM (Magti, Geocell, or Beeline) at the airport
Buy a Metromoney card for Tbilisi metro + buses
Register as an IE at the Public Service Hall if freelancing
Register with the US Embassy in Tbilisi (STEP)

FAQ

Is the Individual Entrepreneur 1% regime really that simple?

For most remote freelancers, yes — 1% turnover tax up to ~$155k/yr revenue with monthly online filings via Revenue Service. Above that threshold, it jumps to 3%. Some service types are excluded — verify with a Georgian accountant.

Should I avoid the country given the war next door?

Most of Georgia is safe and far from the Russian-occupied regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, which should be avoided. Tbilisi has remained calm and stable for international residents.

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NextLatitude is for organization and guidance only. Visa rules, tax thresholds, and procedures change — always confirm with the relevant consulate or a licensed professional before acting. Last reviewed 2026-06-01.