Georgia’s government is moving ahead with a tougher stance on illegal migration, with officials saying the country expects to expel at least 3,500 undocumented migrants next year. The figure signals a sweeping intensification of measures already underway.
Government Pushes Forward With Expulsion Plan
Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze’s announcement on Monday came with a tone that suggested the government isn’t planning to slow down.
He said 1,131 illegal migrants had already been removed from Georgia during the first 11 months of this year.
That number might sound modest to some, but for a country the size of Georgia, it’s significant.
A shorter single-line moment here: Now they aim to triple it.
Kobakhidze explained that authorities believe the problem could be “fully resolved” within three to four years under the Interior Ministry’s new strategy. Whether that timeline sticks or slips will depend on how well these new tools work in practice.
Migration Laws Tightened in Parliament
The ruling Georgian Dream party, now in its 13th year in power, has framed the crackdown as necessary for national security and labor market order.
Lawmakers have already passed amendments that speed up deportation procedures and broaden the Interior Ministry’s authority, including searches of migrant homes and workplaces.
Another short paragraph: Each week brings new reports of foreign nationals being removed from the country.
This pace, officials argue, reflects a coordinated plan rather than sporadic enforcement.
Georgia’s Interior Ministry has stressed that most removals relate to overstays, unauthorized employment, or entry violations. For many residents, the stepped-up activity feels like a visible shift after years of quieter enforcement.
Tougher Penalties and New Work Requirements
The government’s changes don’t stop at deportation rules.
Administrative penalties for legal migrants have also been increased, covering issues like missed paperwork deadlines or work violations. In more serious cases, even small administrative breaches can now lead to expulsion.
Another single-line paragraph: Starting in March, work rules will tighten even further.
Under a new mandate rolling out next spring, every migrant — including freelancers and self-employed foreign workers — must obtain a formal work permit.
Officials have suggested the permits will help track labor conditions and reduce illegal employment practices that, in their view, distort the local economy. Some critics, however, worry the system could overload administrative offices or create confusion for legitimate workers.
Here is a quick bullet point summary of the March requirement, based on current government messaging:
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All migrants, regardless of employment type, must obtain a mandatory work permit to remain compliant.
Pressure Builds as Enforcement Intensifies
Public reaction to the crackdown has been mixed.
Some Georgians welcome the tougher line, describing it as long overdue and essential to maintaining order. Others fear the policy could trigger xenophobia or harm small businesses that rely on foreign labor, especially in sectors like construction and hospitality.
One-sentence paragraph here: Tensions are noticeable in major cities.
Concerns have also surfaced among legal migrants who say the increasing penalties feel abrupt. Several community groups in Tbilisi and Batumi have asked for clearer guidelines so foreign residents don’t accidentally violate new rules.
A table summarizing key enforcement trends released by officials this year helps sketch the bigger picture:
| Enforcement Focus | Recent Activity (2025) |
|---|---|
| Total expulsions (first 11 months) | 1,131 |
| Expected removals in 2026 | Minimum 3,500 |
| Frequency of deportations | Dozens each week |
| New compliance requirement | Mandatory work permits starting March |
| Legal penalties | Increased, including expulsion |
The Interior Ministry maintains that the system is fair and that migrants have opportunities to appeal or correct issues, though officials admit the volume of cases has risen sharply.
A Broader Strategy Aimed at Several Years of Cleanup
Kobakhidze’s prediction that the issue could be solved in three to four years reveals how long policymakers expect the campaign to run.
This isn’t meant to be a one-off push; rather, it’s a phased plan that could shape Georgia’s migration landscape for the rest of the decade.
There’s an emotional undercurrent too — some see this as Georgia trying to protect its identity in a moment of global flux.
Another brief pause: Others see it differently.
Foreign workers who have lived in Georgia for years say the tone has shifted. They speak about anxiety, confusion and the fear of being swept up in enforcement despite working legally. And business owners worry the policy may thin out labor pools in already strained sectors.
Still, government agencies insist the reforms improve oversight and will boost economic stability long term. Officials also argue that bringing all migrants into a formal work-permit network makes future planning easier for both the state and the labor market.
As the year wraps up, the real test lies ahead — how Georgia balances enforcement with fairness, and how communities adapt to a version of migration policy that suddenly feels far stricter than before.
