Located between Eastern Europe and Western Asia, Georgia is a beautiful country neighboring Russia, Armenia, Turkey, and Azerbaijan. Once a part of the USSR, Georgia has become an independent country known for its warm culture, natural beauty, and some of the best food you can find in Europe!
Georgia is a very young country and only got its independence in 1991, but it has a rich history that roots back centuries before its independence. Studies found indications that Georgia may be home to Europe’s first civilization.
From warm summer days to chilling winters, Georgia has it all. However, it is important to note that the temperatures can drop drastically in mountainous areas.
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Working as a digital nomad in Georgia
A common problem for digital nomads around the world involves dealing with the local bank. In most countries, one has to be a legal citizen to open a local bank account. In Georgia, you will be able to open your bank account upon arrival.
As a small country, Georgia benefits a lot from the tourism industry. Hence, the country felt the impact of the pandemic in 2020. The digital nomad visa for Georgia, or as they call it, “Remotely From Georgia,” was released to attract digital nomads to work remotely from the country.
The program was successful in attracting digital workers from across the globe. As a result, the capital city, Tbilisi, started gaining traction, not only from digital nomads but also from tourists.
Tbilisi is popular for a good reason. Not only is it the country’s capital city, but Tbilisi is also the biggest city in Georgia. It is located in the mountainous region of the Caucasus with an airport connected with direct flights to other popular European destinations.
Why is Georgia attractive for digital nomads? You will find that the answer is similar to other destinations such as Indonesia, Thailand, and Dubai.
One of the best features of Georgia is how friendly the locals are. People are very welcoming and will always be happy to help foreigners looking to settle in their lovely country. Combined with how affordable the country is compared to other countries in Europe, it explains why Georgia is getting more popular as a spot for digital nomads.
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A place for everyone
While the country is small, there is an endless list of places that you can visit while living in the country. You can work overlooking the scenic mountains across the country or chill in multiple seaside resorts on the coast of the Black Sea.
Batumi
The second largest city in Georgia, suitable for digital nomads looking for a modern atmosphere. The city of Batumi is decorated with unbelievable architecture and serene botanical gardens. If you like, you can also visit the iconic black beaches on the Batumi coast.
Ushguli
Not necessarily recommended for working, Ushguli is the place to go on your days off. Ushguli consists of a small collection of villages with an outstanding view unique only to the Caucasian area. It is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its ancient watchtowers.
Kakheti
From juicy Khinkali to rich Khachapuri, you can find some of the best Georgian food in Kakheti. Kakheti is only a day trip away from the capital city of Tbilisi and is also known for its high-quality yet affordable wine.
Tbilisi
Tbilisi is the hotspot for digital nomads in Georgia. Tbilisi can be quite busy compared to the other places in Georgia, but it is a fair trade for the amount of entertainment you can find across the city, including incredible dining options, buzzing nightlife, and historical landmarks for you to visit.
The city is also integrated with an excellent transportation system. You can travel easily within the city or take day trips to popular destinations, including the other places listed above.
Cost of living in Georgia for digital nomads
Affordability is one of the most important factors for digital nomads, you are here to work, after all. Therefore, Georgia is often overlooked as it is a European country.
The reality is that the living cost in Georgia is as low as some of the most popular countries in South East Asia. Georgia uses Lari (GEL) as currency and 1 Gel = $0.36USD
As with most countries, Airbnb is the best option if you are only staying in Georgia for a short period. Unlike in other countries, you can also book through Airbnb for long-term rentals, prices are usually quite friendly and will not differ too much.
You can easily rent an apartment for yourself at a rate of just $400-500 a month, but do expect to pay up to $600 a month if you are looking for a decent apartment in a strategic location.
The food in Georgia is as cheap as it gets in Europe. A meal at an average Georgian restaurant costs approximately $3-5. If you are looking for fine dining options, you can get a 3-course meal for just shy of $30.
The subway system in Georgia is known as the ‘Metropolitan,’ consisting of 2 lines and 21 different stations. The Metropolitan cost less than 30 USD cents. Alternatively, you can opt for the city buses, which cost approximately the same as the Metropolitan.
Internet connection
The internet connection is the only downside of Georgia. The internet connection is still ideal to work with but let’s say that it’s not as fast as the ones in South Korea or Singapore.
Wi-Fi is available in almost every cafe, restaurant, and accommodation, especially in Tbilisi. The upside is they are often free and do not have passwords. The downside is they may be less secure, making it a good idea to invest in a reliable VPN service.
Georgia Digital Nomad Visa requirements
The Digital Nomad Visa for Georgia program, or Remotely From Georgia, is designed to attract digital workers from different countries of the world. Accordingly, there are not many requirements to apply for the Georgia Digital Nomad Visa.
The Georgian digital nomad visa is open to all foreign countries eligible to visit Georgia before the pandemic, that includes up to 95 countries that have been determined by the State Commission on Migration Services.
No quota has been established on the number of applicants for the Digital Nomad Visa for Georgia. For that reason, the program has attracted thousands of digital nomads since its launch in 2020.
To start, let us go through the documents required for you to apply for the Georgia Digital Nomad Visa.
Required documents to apply for the Georgian digital nomad visa
- Passport
Valid passport issued by the country of your origin until after your visa expiry date
- Evidence of remote work
A proof of employment or business ownership to verify your remote work
- Health insurance
Comprehensive proof of health insurance with international coverage
- Income of at least $2000/month or $24,000 balance
Bank statement/pay slip showing that you satisfy the minimum requirement of $2000/month
Cost of applying
Most visa applications require you to pay a non-refundable fee. The best thing about the Remotely from Georgia program is that you can apply for free.
How to apply for the Georgia Digital Nomad Visa (steps)
You can apply for Georgia’s digital nomad Visa for free online, which makes it easy to do from anywhere, anytime. The whole process takes only approximately 10 working days upon your submission.
Follow the steps below:
- Gather your documents
It is always best to gather your documents and provide scanned copies of all the documents mentioned above, which include the following: Passport, evidence of remote work, health insurance, bank statement.
- Submit application
You can complete your application online, which takes less than 10 minutes. You will be asked several questions, including your estimated date of arrival to Georgia, which does not have to be exact.
- Wait
The easiest step, you will have to wait for around 10 working days while your application is being reviewed. Meanwhile, you can search for accommodations and plan for your upcoming stay. Once your visa is approved, you will receive an invitation letter allowing you to travel to Georgia as a digital nomad/worker.
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Wrapping up
Georgia may not be as popular as other digital nomad destinations, but it is a gem hidden in the eastern part of Europe — something you might love exploring with the Georgia digital nomad visa. It ticks off all the boxes required to be called a haven for digital nomads, including entertainment, affordability, accommodation, environment, and more.
The Georgian government aims to attract more digital nomads, and there is no reason for you not to come to the country. You can easily apply online by following the 3 steps listed above. Most importantly, it costs you $0 from the start to finish.
What digital nomads say about Georgia
Here are some online conversations about Georgia as a digital nomad destination.
