Armenia’s electronic visa (e-visa) lets citizens of 73+ countries apply online and receive approval within three business days — no embassy visit required. Whether you’re visiting for tourism or business, this guide covers who qualifies, what it costs, what documents you need, and exactly how to apply at evisa.mfa.am.
We help hundreds of travelers navigate Armenia’s visa system every year. Below you’ll find the most current e-visa requirements, updated for March 2026, including recent rule changes for Indian, Egyptian, and Iraqi nationals, plus the temporary visa exemption running through July 2027.
At a glance
| Official portal | evisa.mfa.am |
| Eligible countries | ~73 nationalities (ordinary passport holders) |
| 21-day single entry | AMD 3,000 (~USD 8) |
| 120-day single entry | AMD 15,000 (~USD 38) |
| Processing time | 3 working days maximum (in practice, allow a few weeks) |
| Extension | Up to 60 extra days (AMD 500/day) |
| Fee exemptions | Minors under 18; family of Armenian citizens |
In this article:
- Who needs an e-visa for Armenia?
- E-visa fees (full schedule)
- Step-by-step application process
- Required documents
- E-visa vs. visa-free vs. visa on arrival
- Special rules for India, Egypt, and Iraq
- Extending your e-visa in Armenia
- Common rejection reasons and how to avoid them
- 2026 immigration changes
- Frequently asked questions
Who needs an e-visa for Armenia?
Armenia has one of the most accessible entry systems in the region. Citizens of 60+ countries enter visa-free for up to 180 days per year, while nationals of approximately 73 additional countries can apply for an e-visa. The official portal at evisa.mfa.am includes a built-in eligibility checker — select your passport country and type for an instant determination.
E-visa eligible countries
The following nationalities can apply for an e-visa online:
Asia and Middle East: Algeria, Bahrain, Bhutan, Brunei, Cambodia, Egypt, India, Iraq, Laos, Malaysia, Maldives, Mongolia, Morocco, Myanmar, Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Taiwan, Timor-Leste, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, Vietnam.
Americas: Antigua and Barbuda, Belize, Bolivia, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, El Salvador, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Venezuela.
Pacific: Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu.
Countries requiring an embassy (sticker) visa — currently suspended
Updated 2 September 2026: citizens of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Syria and most sub-Saharan African countries can currently use the e-visa system. Government Decision N 329-N, which listed the 57 invitation-only nationalities, was repealed in full by Decision N 643-N with effect from 16 June 2026, and the MFA has confirmed that it no longer processes stand-alone invitation letters. The old formal invitation letter under Article 11 of the Law on Foreigners — with its prescribed form, its approval process and its AMD 5,000 state duty — no longer exists, in any context. What may accompany an e-visa application today is merely a cover letter from a host in Armenia: no prescribed form, no approval step and no state duty. It is optional, though recommended, for every nationality — nobody is required to file one, and the procedures, timelines and fees of the old formal invitation do not transfer to it. An e-visa is decided within a maximum of 3 working days (GD N 1268-N point 11.6), though in practice it can take a few weeks. The repeal may be temporary — it was adopted around the COP 17 conference (Yerevan, 18–30 October 2026) and the Ministry of Internal Affairs has proposed reinstating equivalent rules afterwards — so confirm the position before booking travel from November 2026. The compulsory embassy sticker route described below is retained for historical reference only. Ethnic Armenians and family members of Armenian citizens (spouse, parent, child, sibling) were exempt from the former invitation requirement. With that requirement gone, the exemption no longer has anything to operate on.
A host in Armenia may supply a short cover letter in support of an e-visa application, and we can help prepare one — but it is optional, and there is no longer any MFA approval step or state duty attached to it.
Visa-on-arrival option
Some countries whose nationals are eligible for e-visas can also obtain a visa on arrival at Zvartnots International Airport or any open land border crossing. Additionally, holders of valid visas or residence permits from the USA, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, UK, Canada, Russia, Japan, or any EU or Schengen country can enter Armenia visa-free or obtain a visa on arrival, regardless of their own nationality. Holders of a residence permit (not visa) from a GCC country (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE) also qualify.
E-visa fees
Armenia’s e-visa fees are among the lowest in the world. All fees are non-refundable and paid online by credit or debit card during the application.
| Visa type | Stay allowed | Validity | Fee (AMD) | ~USD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single entry — short stay | Up to 21 days | 90 days | 3,000 | $8 |
| Single entry — long stay | Up to 120 days | 120 days | 15,000 | $38 |
| Multiple entry — 6 months | Up to 60 days/visit | 6 months | 20,000 | $52 |
| Multiple entry — 1 year | Up to 120 days/visit | 1 year | 40,000 | $103 |
| Transit — single | Up to 3 days | — | 10,000 | $26 |
| Transit — multiple | Up to 3 days/transit | 1 year | 18,000 | $47 |
Fee exemptions: Children under 18 and family members of Armenian citizens are exempt from e-visa fees.
Step-by-step application process
The entire process is completed online at evisa.mfa.am. No embassy visit is needed.
Important: Complete your application in one sitting. The portal does not support saving drafts, and sessions can time out. Apply at least 10–14 days before your travel date to allow buffer for any delays.
Required documents
Gather these before you start your application:
Mandatory: Scanned passport bio page (valid for your entire stay, with blank pages), recent passport photo (3.5×4.5 cm, white background, no glasses), and online fee payment.
Strongly recommended (reduces rejection risk): Return or onward flight ticket, proof of accommodation (hotel booking, Airbnb confirmation, or host invitation), bank statement (3 months, showing sufficient funds), travel health insurance covering your stay, and copies of previous visas or residence permits from the last 3 years.
E-visa vs. visa-free vs. visa on arrival
| Feature | Visa-free | E-visa | Visa on arrival |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who qualifies | 60+ countries (EU, US, UK, Russia, GCC, etc.) | ~73 countries (online eligible) | Select nationalities + holders of US/EU/AU/JP/KR visas or RPs, or GCC residence permits |
| Application | None needed | Online at evisa.mfa.am | At the border on arrival |
| Cost | Free | From AMD 3,000 (~$8) | AMD 15,000 (~$38) |
| Processing | Instant at border | 3 business days | ~20 minutes at border |
| Max stay | 180 days/year | 120 days + 60-day extension | 120 days |
| Best for | Citizens of qualifying countries | Certainty before travel | Spontaneous or transit travel |
Special rules for India, Egypt, and Iraq
Since November 24, 2024, citizens of India, Egypt, and Iraq face additional conditions when applying for an Armenian e-visa. Under the regulation (Government Decision N 1268-N, Section 1.4), you must have travel health insurance — this is mandatory regardless of which path you take. In addition, you must meet one of two conditions:
Option A: Hold a qualifying visa or residence permit + insurance
A valid visa or residence permit from the USA, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, UK, Canada, Russia, Japan, any EU or Schengen country, or a residence permit from any GCC country. You still need travel health insurance even under this option.
Option B: Submit all four supplementary documents + insurance
If you do not hold a qualifying visa or residence permit, you must provide all of the following: a return flight ticket, an invitation from an Armenian organization or entity, proof of financial resources (bank statement), and travel health insurance.
If you are an Indian, Egyptian or Iraqi national and would like help assembling the supporting documents for an e-visa, including a host cover letter, contact us.
Need help with an Armenian visa?
Tell us about your situation and we’ll respond within 1 business day.
Extending your e-visa in Armenia
Yes, e-visas can be extended while you are inside Armenia for a maximum of 60 additional days. You must apply no later than 15 working days before your current visa expires (per Section 17 of the regulation). The Migration and Citizenship Service will decide within 2 working days.
To extend, submit the visa extension application form (available at mfa.am/en/visa) to the Migration and Citizenship Service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, with an explanation of why you need to stay longer. Extensions can also be requested through the E-VISA system online. The extension fee is AMD 500 (~$1.30) per day of extension requested.
If your 21-day visa is nearing expiry and you want a longer stay, some travelers choose to exit briefly to Georgia and re-enter on a fresh 120-day e-visa, as the 120-day option is more cost-effective for stays beyond three weeks.
Overstay penalties: Overstaying your visa is an administrative offense. The first offense carries a fine of AMD 50,000 (~$130), the second offense AMD 60,000–90,000 (~$157–$235), and the third or subsequent offense AMD 100,000 (~$261). Learn more on our visa overstay page.
Common rejection reasons and how to avoid them
The most frequent cause of e-visa denial is data mismatches — even a single wrong digit in your passport number will trigger rejection. Double-check every field against your actual passport before submitting.
Other common issues include incomplete documentation (attach all recommended supporting documents, not just the mandatory ones), insufficient financial proof (include three months of bank statements), unclear travel purpose, and for Indian, Egyptian, or Iraqi applicants, not meeting the additional post-November 2024 conditions.
If your application is rejected, you can re-apply immediately after identifying and correcting the issue. If you experience significant delays or need clarification, contact the MFA directly at [email protected] or call (+37460) 620516.
2026 immigration changes
Temporary visa exemption (1 July 2026 – 1 July 2027)
Under Government Decision N 932-N, nationals of 111 countries who would normally need a visa may enter Armenia visa-free if, at the moment of entry, they hold a temporary or permanent residence permit valid for at least six months issued by the United States, an EU member state, a Schengen state, the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait or Oman. The arrangement runs from 1 July 2026 to 1 July 2027. Two points are commonly got wrong: the United Kingdom is not a qualifying issuer here — it qualifies only for the separate conditional border visa under GD N 1268-N Appendix 2 point 1.2, a different regime with a different list — and a residence permit does not help if your nationality is not among the 111. The 180-day annual stay limit comes from the Law on Foreigners Art. 7(1), not from this decision.
Major immigration reform — November 1, 2026
The most significant overhaul of Armenia’s immigration system in decades takes effect on November 1, 2026. Key changes include a new work visa category (AMD 15,000), an annual quota system for foreign workers, mandatory biometric residence cards, fully digital residence permit applications, and the elimination of the 10-year “special” residency for ethnic Armenians (replaced by standard 5-year permanent residency). Read our full overview of the November 2026 immigration reform.
