Hire Top Armenian Tech Talent—Without Setting Up a Legal Entity
Attorney-backed Employer of Record services with wholly-owned entities, in-house immigration practice, and zero hidden fees. Access Armenia's 1% IT tax rate with full legal protection.
What Is an Employer of Record?
An Employer of Record (EOR) serves as the legal employer for your Armenian team members while you retain 100% operational control over their daily work.
Perfect for:
- Tech companies hiring remote developers, QA engineers, designers
- Startups testing the Armenian market before entity setup
- Any business accessing Armenia's 1% IT tax rate without 2-3 months of incorporation bureaucracy
What we handle:
Employment contracts, payroll processing, tax compliance, statutory benefits, immigration (work permits, residence), HR administration, government filings, termination procedures
What you control:
Day-to-day work assignments, performance management, project direction, task prioritization, team communication
Law Firm EOR vs. Platform-Based EOR
Different models serve different needs. We optimize for legal precision, customization, and risk mitigation.
WHAT MATTERS MOST | LAW FIRM EOR (US) | PLATFORM EOR |
|---|---|---|
Legal Expertise | ✅ Dual-licensed attorneys review every contract (Armenia #903 + NY #5148945) | ❌ Automated templates, no attorney oversight |
Compliance Protection | ✅ 100% indemnification for our errors | ⚠️ Limited liability (often capped at 3x monthly fees) |
Immigration Support | ✅ In-house practice + administrative court litigation if denied | 💰 Outsourced ($1,000-$3,000 per case), no legal representation |
Support Response | ✅ 24-hour guarantee, direct attorney access | ⚠️ 48-72 hour ticketing systems |
Entity Structure | ✅ Wholly-owned entities (we ARE the employer) | ⚠️ Third-party partner networks (variable quality) |
PE Risk Protection | ✅ Annual assessments + advance tax rulings | ❌ Typically disclaimed, generic warnings only |
Hidden Fees | ✅ Zero - mid-market FX rates, transparent invoicing | ❌ Common: 1-3% FX markup, surprise charges |
Entity Transition | ✅ We handle incorporation when you're ready (20% discount) | ❌ Separate engagement, employee disruption |
Pricing | ✅ From $399/month (transparent tiers) | ⚠️ Typically $599-$800+ with hidden costs |
Law firms optimize for COMPLIANCE and RISK MITIGATION.
Platforms optimize for SPEED and SCALE across 150+ countries.
Choose us if you value attorney-backed protection and Armenia specialization.
Complete EOR Services—Everything You Need
PAYROLL & TAX COMPLIANCE
Monthly AMD payroll processing, income tax withholding (20% standard / 8% effective for foreign IT employees with refund), social security (5-10% tiered), military tax, pension contributions, electronic filing, tax refund applications starting January 2026
EMPLOYMENT CONTRACTS
Bilingual contracts (Armenian/English), attorney-reviewed IP assignment clauses, non-compete provisions, same-day government registration, compliance with Armenian Labor Code
IMMIGRATION SERVICES
Work permits, temporary residence permits, address registration, immigration compliance monitoring, administrative court litigation if applications denied (guaranteed employment continuity)
STATUTORY BENEFITS
28-day annual leave tracking, 140-day maternity leave, 5-day paternity leave, sick leave administration (employer covers first 7 calendar days), 12 public holidays, pension enrollment
ONBOARDING
Employee registration with State Revenue Committee (same day), SSN procurement for foreigners, document collection, BambooHR portal setup, employment certificate issuance (1 business day)
OFFBOARDING
Notice period compliance (14-60 days by tenure), severance calculation (10-44 days wages), final pay processing (salary + unused leave), legal termination guidance, work certificate issuance
HR SUPPORT
Dedicated legal account manager, 24-hour response guarantee, employee query resolution (payslip, benefits, leave), monthly compliance reporting, proactive labor law updates
LEGAL COMPLIANCE
Employment law advisory, termination procedure guidance, documentation review, government audit support, Labor Code compliance updates, dispute prevention
Specialized Legal Services Other EORs Don't Offer
Our legal expertise enables services that platform-based EORs cannot provide
When the Migration Service denies work permit or residence permit applications, we file administrative court appeals. This legal process allows the employee to remain in Armenia and continue working while the appeal is adjudicated (typically 12+ months). We simultaneously prepare and submit new applications during the litigation period.
Why this matters: Platform EORs cannot provide legal representation. If your permit is denied, employment terminates immediately. Our litigation guarantee ensures zero disruption.
Foreign employees working for qualifying IT entities (90%+ IT-related activities) can reclaim 60% of withheld personal income tax through quarterly applications to the State Revenue Committee. Effective tax rate: 8% vs. 20% standard.
We prepare and submit these applications on behalf of employees in eligible entities, ensuring compliance with documentation requirements and filing deadlines.
Why this matters: Missing quarterly deadlines means forfeiting significant refunds. Manual filing is complex and error-prone.
Flexible engagement model for uncertain hiring needs:
- Registration of independent contractors as Armenian private entrepreneurs
- Tax compliance under 1% turnover tax regime (available for IT freelancers)
- Quarterly tax filing and annual reporting
- Seamless conversion from contractor to employee status when appropriate
Tax comparison:
- Employee: 20% income tax (8% effective with refund for qualifying entities)
- Private Entrepreneur (IT): 1% turnover tax
Why this matters: Start with lower commitment and tax burden, convert to employee when relationship stabilizes. Platform EORs typically don't offer contractor services.
Complete IT equipment logistics for Armenian employees:
- Customs clearance coordination (we pay brokers, handle documentation)
- Asset ownership on our EOR entity balance sheet
- Local procurement from Armenian suppliers OR international shipments
- Delivery coordination to employee
- Return logistics upon employment termination
Why this matters: Customs delays can leave employees without equipment for weeks. We eliminate this friction through established broker relationships and legal entity ownership.
Custom employment documentation incorporating Armenian Labor Code requirements and international best practices:
- Comprehensive employee handbook (30-50 pages)
- Remote work policies
- Code of conduct and disciplinary procedures
- Leave and absence policies
- Equipment and data security policies
Why this matters: Platform EORs provide only employment contracts. Comprehensive handbooks reduce disputes and set clear expectations.
Analysis of client activities to identify potential permanent establishment risks under Armenian tax law:
- Initial PE risk assessment during onboarding
- Advance ruling requests submitted to State Revenue Committee
- Annual compliance reviews
- Activity restriction guidance to avoid PE creation
Why this matters: Creating unintended PE can subject your global revenues to Armenian taxation. Platform EORs typically disclaim this liability.
Operational Systems & Infrastructure
Professional tools and wholly-owned entities ensure reliable service delivery
TECHNOLOGY PLATFORMS
BambooHR. Employee database, time-off tracking, document management, employee self-service portal, onboarding workflows, compliance reporting
DocuSign. Electronic signature platform for employment contracts, amendments, termination agreements, and all employment documentation
Internal Systems. Proprietary compliance tracking, immigration case management, government filing calendars, audit trail maintenance
ENTITY STRUCTURE
Wholly-Owned Armenian Entities. We maintain legal entities registered in Armenia that serve as the employer of record. Unlike platform EORs using partner networks, we directly control the employment relationship.
Entity Configuration: Dedicated entity for clients with 8-10+ employees. Shared entity for smaller engagements. Strategic selection for tax optimization
Advantage: Faster onboarding, better control, consistent quality, no third-party coordination delays
PAYMENT & COMPLIANCE
Payment Processing. Dedicated AMD bank account per entity for salary disbursements. Multi-currency accounts for client funding (USD/EUR). Mid-market FX rates (zero markup). Monthly invoicing with transparent pass-through of employment costs
Compliance Infrastructure. In-house accountant for payroll calculation and tax filing. Automated government filing systems. Monthly compliance monitoring calendar. Document retention and audit trail
Partnership Network. Insurance providers, customs brokers for equipment, local IT vendors, background screening coordination
Choose Your Service Level
ESSENTIAL
$
399
/mo
PROFESSIONAL
$
549
/mo
ENTERPRISE
$
749
/mo
💳 PAYMENT TERMS: No setup fees for annual commitments. Month-to-month flexibility available. 1-month payroll deposit required (refundable upon contract termination).
🚫 ZERO HIDDEN FEES: Mid-market FX rates (no markup), no offboarding charges, no "admin fees" for routine requests. Transparent invoicing - what you see is what you pay.
📞 CUSTOM PRICING: Need 20+ employees or multi-year contract? Contact us for volume discounts and enterprise agreements.
How to Get Started
01.
Consultation
30-Minute Call with Attorney
Assess your hiring needs and timeline | Confirm eligibility for 1% IT tax rate | Review permanent establishment risks | Answer all compliance questions | Provide transparent proposal
02.
Agreement
Sign & Setup (2-3 Days)
Master Service Agreement | Provide employee details (name, role, salary, start date) | We draft bilingual employment contract | Attorney reviews for IP protection and compliance | Client funds first month payroll + deposit
03.
Employment Begins
Registration & Onboarding
EAEU nationals: 3-4 days to start work | Non-EAEU: Varies by work permit processing | SSN registration, pension enrollment | BambooHR portal access | Monthly payroll & compliance management
Frequently Asked Questions
Timeline depends on employee nationality and work permit requirements:
- EAEU nationals (Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan): 3-4 days—no work permit required, only registration
- Non-EAEU nationals: Varies by nationality and permit type, typically 4-8 weeks for work permit approval
- Urgent cases: We can expedite where legally possible
No. That's the entire point of EOR - we serve as the legal employer through our wholly-owned Armenian entities. You avoid:
- 2-3 months entity registration process
- $5,000+ incorporation and legal costs
- Ongoing compliance burden (annual filings, accounting, tax returns)
- Office lease and physical presence requirements
When you're ready to establish your own subsidiary (typically at 15-20+ employees), we handle the incorporation and coordinate employee transitions.
A: Yes, if your company qualifies. We guide you through the Ministry certification application and structure employment to maximize benefits. Note: The 1% rate applies to corporate turnover tax, not employee income tax. Foreign employees in qualifying entities can claim 60% income tax refund (8% effective rate starting January 2026).
We ensure legally compliant terminations:
Notice periods (by tenure): 14-60 days depending on termination grounds and tenure
Severance: 10-44 days wages depending on termination grounds and tenure
Our role: We guide you through valid termination grounds under Armenian law, draft termination documentation, calculate final pay (salary + unused leave), and process severance. Our attorney involvement prevents wrongful dismissal claims (which can result in reinstatement + back pay).
We provide an Immigration Litigation Guarantee (Professional & Enterprise tiers):
- Immediately file administrative court appeal
- Employee remains in Armenia legally during appeal (typically 12+ months)
- Employment continues without interruption
- We prepare and submit new work permit application during litigation
- Once new application approved, original appeal becomes moot
Result: Zero employment disruption. No other EOR offers this level of legal protection.
We comply with Armenian Personal Data Protection Law:
- Secure systems (BambooHR with encryption)
- Access controls (only authorized personnel view personal data)
- Document retention policies
- Data processing agreements with clients
ALWAYS INCLUDED IN MONTHLY FEE:
All payroll processing, tax compliance, employment contracts, statutory benefits, onboarding/offboarding, HR support, monthly compliance reporting, BambooHR access
YOU PAY SEPARATELY (AT COST):
Employee salaries + employer taxes (pass-through), health insurance premiums (if selected), equipment costs (transparent markup), immigration government fees
WE NEVER CHARGE:
FX markup (mid-market rates always), setup fees (annual commitments), offboarding fees, admin charges for routine requests
Yes. We handle entity formation and employee transitions:
Process:- LLC/CJSC incorporation (we handle all legal work)
- Tax and pension fund registration
- Coordinated employment termination with EOR + new contract with your entity
- Knowledge transfer (payroll processes, compliance requirements)
Important: Armenian law doesn't recognize employment "transfer"- employment must technically terminate and restart, triggering unused leave payout. We minimize disruption through careful timing and employee communication.
Vardanyan & Partners
Established in 2012, Vardanyan & Partners is an Armenian law firm specializing in immigration, corporate, and employment law. We have processed 500+ work permit and residence permit applications over 10+ years of practice.
Tell us about your hiring needs. We'll respond within 24 hours with transparent pricing and next steps.
🔒 Your information is secure and confidential
Ready to Hire Armenia's Top Tech Talent?
Join companies from 🇺🇸 🇬🇧 🇩🇪 🇨🇦 🇮🇱 accessing Armenia's 1% IT tax rate and 8% effective income tax with full legal protection.
✓ Transparent Pricing, Zero Hidden Fees
✓ Attorney-Backed Compliance Guarantee
✓ No Long-Term Contracts Required