Visa to Armenia
Understand Armenia’s entry requirements, apply for an e-visa, and stay compliant — whether you’re visiting, working, or relocating.
At a glance
| Visa-free entry | Citizens of 60+ countries |
| E-visa | Available for most other nationalities |
| Visa-free stay | Up to 180 days per year |
| E-visa duration | Up to 120 days + 60-day extension |
| E-visa cost | $8 (single) / $38 (multiple) |
| Major reform | New rules effective November 1, 2026 |
Entry Requirements for Armenia
Armenia maintains a welcoming entry regime for most nationalities. Citizens of over 60 countries can enter visa-free, while citizens of most other countries can obtain an electronic visa (e-visa) online without visiting an embassy. Only a small number of nationalities require a traditional embassy visa.
Whether you are visiting for tourism, business, remote work, or planning to relocate, understanding Armenia’s visa rules is essential — especially with significant reforms coming into effect on November 1, 2026. This page covers everything you need to know about entering and staying in Armenia legally.
At Vardanyan & Partners, we help individuals and businesses navigate Armenia’s immigration system — from visa applications and extensions to residence permits and long-term stay planning. If you’re unsure about your visa status or need help with an overstay situation, we can advise.
Do You Need a Visa?
Armenia’s entry requirements fall into four categories depending on your citizenship. Here is a quick overview:
Visa-Free Entry (65 Countries)
Citizens of these countries can enter Armenia without a visa and stay for up to 180 days within any one-year period. No advance application is needed — simply arrive with a valid passport.
Includes: Armenia exempts the citizens of 45 countries unilaterally, all passport types: Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Romania, San Marino, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States of America and Vatican City State. A further 20 countries hold bilateral agreements covering ordinary passports: Albania, Argentina, Belarus, Brazil, China, Ecuador, Georgia, Hong Kong, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Macao, Moldova, Panama, Russian Federation, Serbia, Tajikistan, Ukraine, Uruguay and Uzbekistan. Montenegrin ordinary passport holders are also visa-free from 1 April to 31 October. Canada is on neither list — Canadians take a visa at the border.
E-Visa (Most Other Nationalities)
Citizens who are not on the visa-free list can apply for an electronic visa through the official portal at evisa.mfa.am. The e-visa is issued for up to 120 days with the possibility of a 60-day extension.
Cost: $8 (single-entry, 21 days) or $38 (multiple-entry, 120 days). Decision N 1268-N, point 11.6 sets a maximum of 3 working days for the decision; in practice it can take a few weeks. Fee exemptions: Minors under 18 and family members of Armenian citizens are exempt from e-visa fees.
Visa on Arrival
Certain travelers who would otherwise need an e-visa can obtain a visa on arrival at Armenian border crossings. Point 1.1 of the visa procedure lets citizens of 21 countries obtain a visa at the border: Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Canada, Chile, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Mexico, North Macedonia, Oman, Panama, Peru, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, South Africa, Thailand and Turkey. Point 1.2 extends the same option to a national of any country holding temporary or permanent residence status, or a valid entry visa, of the United States, Australia, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea, the United Kingdom, Canada, the Russian Federation, Japan, an EU state or a Schengen state. For GCC countries (UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Oman), only a residence permit qualifies — a GCC visa alone is not sufficient.
Note: Ethnic Armenians and their family members are exempt from visa requirements regardless of citizenship. If you qualify for VOA, you can still apply for an e-visa in advance if you prefer.
If an E-Visa Is Refused
No nationality is required to use an Armenian embassy or consulate. The e-visa is open across the board. Where an e-visa has been refused, a consular application is worth exploring, because it puts a fuller file in front of a consular officer — but it is a fallback, not a requirement.
How to Apply for an E-Visa
Armenia’s e-visa system makes the application process straightforward. Here is how it works:
Apply Online
Visit evisa.mfa.am, fill in the application form with your personal details, travel dates, and passport information. Upload a digital photo and a scan of your passport’s bio page.
Pay the Fee
Pay the visa fee online by credit or debit card. Single-entry (21-day) visas cost $8; multiple-entry (120-day) visas cost $38.
Receive Your E-Visa
Decision N 1268-N, point 11.6 sets a maximum of 3 working days for the decision; in practice it can take a few weeks. Once approved, your e-visa is sent to your email as a PDF. Print it or save it on your phone.
Enter Armenia
Present your printed or digital e-visa along with your passport at the Armenian border. Entry is typically processed quickly at Zvartnots International Airport and land border crossings.
How Long Can You Stay?
Your permitted length of stay depends on how you entered Armenia:
| Entry Type | Maximum Stay | Extension | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visa-free | 180 days per year | N/A | Counted within any rolling one-year period. After 180 days, you must leave and wait before returning. |
| E-visa (single-entry) | 21 days | Up to 60 days | $8 fee. Can be extended at the Migration and Citizenship Service. |
| E-visa (multiple-entry) | 120 days | Up to 60 days | $38 fee. Allows multiple entries during validity period. |
| Embassy visa | Up to 120 days | Up to 60 days | Issued by Armenian embassies/consulates. Terms vary. |
All visa types can be extended by up to 60 days at the Migration and Citizenship Service of Armenia. The application is submitted no more than 15 working days before your current authorised stay expires, so the filing window opens inside the final 15 working days rather than requiring 15 working days’ notice. The Migration and Citizenship Service decides within 2 working days. The decision is made within 2 working days. Extensions can also be submitted online through the e-visa system. Note: if you are already in Armenia and need a visa for a future re-entry, you can apply for a new e-visa online — but it will only be valid for your next entry after leaving the country.
Visa Fees & Extension Costs
Below is the complete fee schedule for Armenian visas, including transit visas and extensions. Fees are set in Armenian drams (AMD); the US dollar equivalents are approximate.
| Visa Type | Validity | Fee (AMD) | Fee (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visitor — single entry | 21 days | AMD 3,000 | ~$8 |
| Visitor — single entry | 120 days | AMD 15,000 | ~$38 |
| Visitor — multiple entry | 6 months | AMD 20,000 | ~$52 |
| Visitor — multiple entry | 1 year | AMD 40,000 | ~$103 |
| Transit — single entry | 3 days | AMD 10,000 | ~$26 |
| Transit — multiple entry | 3 days per entry | AMD 18,000 | ~$47 |
| Visa extension | Up to 60 days | AMD 500/day | ~$1.30/day |
Fee exemptions: Minors under 18 and family members of Armenian citizens (spouse, parent, child, sibling) are exempt from visa fees. These exemptions apply to both e-visas and embassy-issued visas.
Types of Visitor Visas
Armenia issues visitor visas in eight classes, each corresponding to a different purpose of visit. The application process is generally the same regardless of which class you apply for — the classification mainly determines the stated purpose on your visa:
For long-term stays, a visitor visa is not sufficient. You will need to apply for a residence permit — temporary, permanent, or (until November 2026) special.
What Happens If You Overstay?
Overstaying your authorized period in Armenia carries administrative and legal consequences. If you realize you have overstayed — or are at risk of overstaying — it is important to take action promptly.
| Consequence | Details |
|---|---|
| Administrative fine | AMD 50,000–100,000 (~$130–$260) for overstaying. Fine amount increases with repeat violations. |
| Voluntary departure | If you report the overstay yourself, you can generally leave voluntarily after paying the fine. This is always the best option. |
| Entry ban | Significant overstays or failure to pay fines can result in a temporary ban on re-entering Armenia (typically 1 year). |
| Deportation | In serious cases, authorities may initiate deportation proceedings, which carry a longer re-entry ban. |
If you have overstayed, the recommended course of action is to contact a lawyer before attempting to leave or deal with authorities directly. We help clients resolve overstay situations, pay fines, and — where possible — regularize their status through residence permit applications. For more detail, see our dedicated visa overstay guide.
E-Visa Rules for Iraq, Egypt and India (Decision No. 1692-N, October 2024)
In October 2024, the Armenian government issued Decision No. 1692-N, tightening e-visa requirements for citizens of Iraq, Egypt, and India. Under the new rules, applicants from these countries must obtain travel health insurance as a mandatory baseline requirement. In addition, they must meet at least one of the following conditions: (a) satisfy point 1.2 — temporary or permanent residence status, or a valid entry visa, of the United States, Australia, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea, the United Kingdom, Canada, the Russian Federation, Japan, an EU state or a Schengen state, or residence status of a GCC state — or point 1.5, which covers residence status in the United States, an EU or Schengen state, the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait or Oman, or (b) submit a package of supporting documents including a return ticket, a letter from a host in Armenia, a bank statement and proof of insurance. This is a rule about e-visa eligibility, and it is separate from the visa-free arrangement described immediately below: that one turns on holding a residence permit, while this one accepts a qualifying visa or residence permit as one of two alternatives.
If you hold citizenship of one of these countries and are planning to visit Armenia, make sure to arrange travel health insurance and prepare the required supporting documents before applying. Contact us if you need assistance with the application process.
Nationals of 111 countries who hold a temporary or permanent residence permit issued by the United States, an EU member state, a Schengen state, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait or Oman may enter Armenia without a visa, provided the permit is valid for at least six months from the date of entry. The arrangement runs from 1 July 2026 to 1 July 2027 under Government Decision N 932-N. A visa from one of those jurisdictions does not qualify — the document must be a residence permit. The 111 countries are: Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brunei Darussalam, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cabo Verde, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Côte d’Ivoire, Cuba, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Israel, Jamaica, Jordan, Kenya, Kiribati, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Lebanon, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, Nicaragua, Niger, North Macedonia, Pakistan, Palau, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, State of Palestine, Suriname, Syrian Arab Republic, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Uganda, United Republic of Tanzania, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Check the position before booking. The arrangement is time-limited and the qualifying list can change.
Upcoming Changes: November 2026
- Stricter enforcement: More defined consequences for overstays and unauthorized stays.
- Residency pathway changes: Special Residency is being eliminated. New categories and requirements for temporary and permanent residence.
- Work authorization: Tighter alignment between visa status and work authorization requirements.
These changes are significant. If you are currently in Armenia on a visa-free stay, hold an e-visa, or are planning to relocate, we recommend consulting with us to understand how the reform affects your situation.
Planning to Stay Longer?
If your plans in Armenia go beyond a short visit — whether for work, business, family, or retirement — a visa or visa-free stay may not be sufficient. Armenia offers several residence permit options that provide legal status for longer periods and additional rights:
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a visa to visit Armenia?
How long can I stay in Armenia without a visa?
How much does an Armenian e-visa cost?
Can I extend my visa in Armenia?
What happens if I overstay my visa in Armenia?
Can I work in Armenia on a tourist visa or visa-free entry?
What is the 180-day rule?
What changes are coming in November 2026?
How long does it take to get a visa?
My passport expires soon. Will I have problems entering Armenia?
How much cash am I allowed to bring to Armenia?
Detailed Guides
Legal Resources
The following Armenian legal texts govern visa and immigration procedures. All links lead to the official legislative database (arlis.am) and are in Armenian:
→ List of Countries Whose Nationals Required Invitation Letters (repealed 16 June 2026)
→ Regulation on Invitation Letters (historic — invitation letters are no longer issued)
→ Regulation on Exemptions from Invitation Requirement (historic)
