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ARMENIA | AZERBAIJAN | GEORGIA

• Visas
• Residence Permits

Visas

Who needs visa:

All foreign nationals, except the citizens of the Commonwealth of Independent States, are required to obtain an entry visa for Armenia. Armenian entry visas also serve as transit visas (up to three days) in other counties of the CIS.

How to obtain Armenian visas:

• Through the diplomatic missions or consular offices of Armenia abroad. The processing time for visas issued by these institutions is typically 7 days.
• Visas may also be obtained upon arrival at the border points through representative offices of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
• Tourist visa can also be obtained via an online E-Visa facility administered by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The cost of visa is $60 and in most cases the application is processed within 2 working days.

Visas at the Diplomatic Missions and Consular Offices:

The following documents required when applying for an entry visa at diplomatic missions or consular offices of Armenia abroad:

• Filled-out visa application form;
• One recent passport-sized photo, attached to the application form;
• The original passport valid for 4 months;
• Official invitation letter or employment contract (necessary for long term visa);
• Receipt certifying the payment of the fee.

In order to receive the long term visa (needed for stays of over 21 days), an official invitation form endorsed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the Ministry of Internal Affairs is required. Only an invitation verified by the Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (for business trips) or the RA Police, Division of permits and visas (for private trips) is considered to be official.

Visa processing times and applicable fees:

Visas Issued by the RA Police, Division of Permits and Visas

In addition to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, also the RA Police is involved in the visa issuance process. For business travelers it is the representative office of Division of permits and visas that issues the tourist and transit visas at the airport. The Division of Permits and Visas is also in charge of approving the invitations and issuing the long term visas for private trips.
The following documents required when applying for an entry visa at the border points, including Zvartnots airport near Yerevan, through representative offices of the Ministry of Internal Affairs:

• Filled-out visa application form;
• One recent passport-sized photo, attached to the application form;
• The original passport valid for 4 months;
• Money for payment of the fee.

Entry visas issued at the airport are processed immediately and the fee for tourist/ordinary visa is 30 USD. According to the template completed by the Division of Permits and Visas of the Police, the following number of visas has been issued:

More about visas at www.armeniaforeignministry.com

Residence Permits

Foreign nationals are not required to have a work permit to be employed in Armenia. However, a residence permit is needed if the individual is engaged in business activities and plans to stay in the country for more than 90 days.
The RA Police is in charge of the issuance of the residence permits processing the residence permit applications (Division of Permits and Visas). If not already in the country, a foreigner may also apply for a residence permit through diplomatic missions and consulates abroad. In such a case the Ministry of Foreign Affairs forwards the application to the Police, which then processes the residence permit. There are four types of residence permits prescribed by the law.

Summary of the fees and processing times:

List of documents necessary for the issuance or extension of a residence permit:

• Request form No. 5;
• Application form No. 6;
• 2 photos, 4.5 x 3.5 cm;
• Current passport;
• Copy of the employment contract or other relevant contracts, if applicable;
• Receipt of paid state duty;
• Other necessary documents may be requested.

Temporary Residence Permit:

Temporary residence permits are issued to individuals entering Armenia for employment or personal purposes, foreign students of state or religious educational institutions, foreign journalists, researchers and individuals invited for social or religious services. These permits are also issued to persons seeking asylum. An individual with a temporary residence permit has the right to work in Armenia. The fee for its issuance or renewal is $240.

Regular Residence Permit:

Regular residence permits may be granted to any person applying for it via the standard application procedure listed above for temporary residence permits, however the law stipulates that the regular residence permit may be granted as a matter of priority under the following circumstances:

• Applicant has resided in Armenia for over three years;
• Applicant is a former citizen of Armenia or the close relative of a citizen;
• Applicant has completed a higher education at a state institution in RA;
• Applicant has status of refugee.

The Police of the RA process the application within one month of its submission. The fee for the issuance of a regular residence permit is $180 per year and $240 for renewal.

Special Residence Permit:

The special residence permit (in the form of passport) was introduced in 1994 and granted by the President of Armenia to the foreign citizens of Armenian ancestry and other distinguished individuals who have provided significant services to the Armenian nation and/or are engaged in economic or cultural activities in Armenia. Individuals holding a special residence permit have the right to work under an employment contract and undertake entrepreneurial activities.
The application for special residence permit is usually processed within 3-4 months, but can take as long as 1 year.