Foreigners barred from driving taxis or working as tour guides in Georgia

Foreign nationals without permanent residency will no longer be allowed to drive taxis or work in delivery or tourism services in Georgia.

Local sources, citing a decree signed by Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, report that new rules have been established for issuing work permits to foreigners.

The rules introduce a quota system that limits the number of foreign workers in the service sector. While quotas vary across different industries, the allocation for delivery workers, tour guides, and drivers providing passenger transport (including taxis and public transit) has been set at zero. This means that only individuals with permanent residency may hold such jobs.

The new regulations do not apply to highly qualified professionals earning more than $5,600 per month.