Registering a Company in Georgia as a Non-Resident: What Foreigners Need to Know

Georgia (the country) is one of the easiest places in the region for a foreigner to own and run a company. There is no citizenship requirement, no need for a local partner, and — in most cases — no need to set foot in the country. This guide answers the questions non-residents ask most before they start.

Can a foreigner own a Georgian company?

Yes. Georgia permits 100% foreign ownership of a Limited Liability Company (LLC). A non-resident can be the sole founder and the sole director; there is no requirement for a Georgian citizen or resident to hold any share. Ownership can be held by individuals or by a foreign company.

Do you need residency, a visa, or a residence permit?

No. Owning or directing a Georgian company does not require Georgian residency, a visa, or a residence permit. Company ownership and immigration status are separate matters — you can own a Georgian LLC while living anywhere in the world. (If you later want to live in Georgia, that is a separate immigration question with its own rules.)

Do you have to travel to Georgia?

Usually not. Non-residents typically incorporate remotely by granting a notarized Power of Attorney to a local representative, who signs and files the incorporation documents on their behalf. The Power of Attorney and your passport copy generally need to be apostilled (for Hague Apostille Convention countries) or consular-legalized, and accompanied by a certified Georgian translation.

The non-resident process, step by step

1. Choose the company name and describe the main activity.
2. Prepare the Charter, the founders' decision, and the director's consent (usually bilingual Georgian/English).
3. Sign a notarized Power of Attorney in your country, then apostille or legalize it together with your passport copy.
4. Obtain a certified Georgian translation and courier the originals to Georgia.
5. Your representative files with the National Agency of Public Registry (NAPR) and completes tax registration with the Revenue Service.
6. Apply for any preferential tax status separately, and approach a bank or payment provider for onboarding.

The registry filing itself is fast — often about one business day once documents are ready. For non-residents the realistic end-to-end timeline is two to three weeks, dominated by document authentication and courier time rather than the registration.

Tax options a non-resident should understand

• Standard company taxation follows the "Estonian" model — profit tax (15%) applies only when profit is distributed, with a further 5% withholding on dividends to individuals.
• Small Business Status gives an Individual Entrepreneur 1% of turnover (up to the annual ceiling) for eligible activities — open to foreigners, but excluding advisory professions such as legal, consulting and similar.
• Virtual Zone Person status gives 0% profit tax on IT services exported outside Georgia — but only with genuine development substance in Georgia.
• No status is automatic: each requires a separate application and is substance-tested by the Revenue Service.

Which structure fits depends on who pays you, from where, and for what activity. The headline rate is never the whole picture — dividends, payroll, VAT and compliance cost all move the result.

Banking as a non-resident

A Georgian company is not legally required to hold a Georgian bank account, and many non-resident founders operate through international providers such as Wise, Revolut or Payoneer. If you do want a Georgian account, the bank runs its own onboarding and makes an independent decision — clear ownership, a plain-language activity description, and evidence of your business (website, contracts, invoices) make approval smoother.

Common questions

• Do I need a Georgian address? Yes — the company needs a registered legal address in Georgia, with the address owner's consent.
• Can one person be the only owner and director? Yes.
• Do I need a local phone/email? A Georgian contact (phone and email) is used for the registration.
• Is the company registration time-limited? No — registration is indefinite, with no annual renewal fee.
• Does registering guarantee a bank account? No — banking is a separate decision by the financial institution.