To migrate GIT repos from your local git server to hosted GitLab and to ensure all the previous commit history and metadata are retained follow the below steps outlined

Create a mirror of the GIT Repo

git clone --mirror git@git01.int.co.lan:test-app

Review the git remotes for the repo

git remote -v
origin    git@git01.int.co.lan:test-app (fetch)
origin    git@git01.int.co.lan:test-app (push)

Package the GIT repo using Tar

To move it from your hosted server to a machine where you've access to push your git repo into the new Hosted Git Server

tar -cpzf test-app_git.tar ./test-app.git/
tar -xzf /tmp/test-app_git.tar

Verify the Remotes

git remote -v
origin    git@git01.int.co.lan:test-app (fetch)
origin    git@git01.int.co.lan:test-app (push)

Review your git config or set it appropriate to your new Hosted Git Server

git config --list
credential.helper=osxkeychain
user.email=azher_khan@hostedgitlab.com
user.name=AzherKhan
core.repositoryformatversion=0
core.filemode=true
core.bare=true
remote.origin.url=git@git01.int.co.lan:test-app
remote.origin.fetch=+refs/*:refs/*
remote.origin.mirror=true

Rename your GIT origin Remote

git remote rename origin old-origin
warning: Not updating non-default fetch refspec
    +refs/*:refs/*
    Please update the configuration manually if necessary.

git remote -v
old-origin    git@git01.int.co.lan:test-app (fetch)
old-origin    git@git01.int.co.lan:test-app (push)

Create new origin pointing to the new Hosted Git Server

git remote add origin git@hub.oci.hostedgitlab.com:app-dev/test-app.git

git remote -v
old-origin    git@git01.int.co.lan:test-app (fetch)
old-origin    git@git01.int.co.lan:test-app (push)
origin    git@hub.oci.hostedgitlab.com:app-dev/test-app.git (fetch)
origin    git@hub.oci.hostedgitlab.com:app-dev/test-app.git (push)

Push all your changes to the new Git Server.

This command will create a new Git repo by the name test-app on the new Git Server and all the previous commits and history will be pushed as well.

Note: You need to have admin privileges to perform the below operation

git push -u origin --all