Immigration & Citizenship in Armenia (Third‑Country Nationals)
1. Legal Foundations
Immigration in Armenia is governed by the Law on the Legal Status of Foreign Citizens (2006) and the Citizenship Law (1995). Article 14 of the Armenian Constitution allows simplified citizenship for individuals of Armenian descent.
2. Visa Policy & Entry
Armenia permits visa-free entry for citizens of CIS, EEU, and EU/EFTA countries—either 180 days/year or 90 days per 180-day period, depending on nationality.
Most other travelers may apply for:
Visa-on-arrival (valid up to 120 days, ~15,000 AMD fee)
E‑Visa (also valid for 120 days, ~€34 fee)
Fee-free visa-on-arrival is also available to some nationals who hold valid long‑term visas or residency from select countries.
3. Residence Permit Options
Temporary Residence (1 year, renewable)
Issued to:
Students
Workers
Spouses/relatives of Armenian citizens or residents
Entrepreneurs
Ethnic Armenians, etc.
Annual fee: ~105,000 AMD (lower for some nationals like U.S. citizens)
Processing time: up to 30 days
Renewal: Required 30 days before expiry
Permanent Residence (5 years)
Eligibility:
At least 3 years of lawful residence
Ethnic Armenian status
Entrepreneur or close relative of a citizen/resident
Must show proof of income and housing
Valid for: 5 years
Renewable: Yes
Processing time: Around 30 days
Special Residence ("Special Passport")
Issued to:
Ethnic Armenians
Foreign nationals contributing significantly to Armenia's economic or cultural development
Benefits include:
10-year validity, renewable
Special Armenian passport
No military service obligation
Right to work and invest without additional permits
Visa-free travel rights
Approved via Presidential Decree
4. Work & Business Residency
There is no labor quota or labor market test for foreign workers.
Work permits are generally issued alongside a temporary residence permit for:
Employees of Armenian companies
Students
Volunteers
Entrepreneurs
Exemptions from needing separate work permits:
Entrepreneurs
Investors
Ethnic Armenians
Citizens of EEU countries (e.g., Russia, Kazakhstan)
Business pathway:
Foreign entrepreneurs can qualify through company ownership or investment.
In some cases, a donation of ~USD 6,000 towards rural development projects may qualify an applicant.
5. Citizenship / Naturalization
Standard Pathway:
Applicants must:
Be 18+ years old
Have legally resided in Armenia for 3 consecutive years
Speak Armenian
Pass a constitutional knowledge test
Simplified Pathway:
Available to:
Ethnic Armenians
Spouses or close relatives of Armenian citizens
Former Armenian citizens
These applicants may be exempt from the language or residence requirements.
Citizenship is granted by Presidential Decree
Processing time: Up to 90 working days
Application fee: Set to rise to ~50,000 AMD (~USD 100) in early 2025
Renunciation fee: ~150,000 AMD
Dual Citizenship:
Permitted
Must notify the government
Dual citizens cannot hold elected positions
Note: Non-ethnic Armenian applicants often face bureaucratic delays or denials even if they meet formal requirements.
6. Military Service for New Citizens (Ages 27–37)
As of February 12, 2024, male applicants aged 27–37 who receive Armenian citizenship must either:
Serve 12 months in the military, or
Pay ~2.5 million AMD (~USD 6,000–7,000) to be exempt
Exemptions:
Men over 37
Those who completed 12 months military service abroad
Those who performed 18 months of alternative service
⚠️ Key Insights & Trends
Rising citizenship applications:
2022: ~25,000
2023: ~19,000
First 9 months of 2024: ~16,000
Driven largely by the Armenian diaspora
Armenia is digitizing its citizenship process to improve processing speed.
Armenia has tightened entry and overstay enforcement for certain nationalities.