Unless a foreign individual is exempted from work permit requirements, the employer must first obtain a work permit by applying to the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs (MLSA) of Armenia. The migrant must then apply for a temporary residence permit in order to be granted the permission to live and work in Armenia.

The process at the MLSA involves a test of the Armenian market to ensure that there are no qualified and available Armenian workers to fill the position. The employer does not have to advertise the vacancy or to offer a certain wage (as long as the minimum monthly salary requirements are satisfied). The work permit has a fixed term and is renewable on request. From the moment when a work permit is granted the foreign national can start working in Armenia.

After obtaining the work permit the foreign national has to personally file an application for a temporary residence permit at the Passport and Visa Department of the Police in Yerevan. The application must be accompanied by supporting documentation (e.g. passport copy, copy of the Armenian visa, three passport sized photographs, medical test results, employments agreement, employer’s corporate documents). If the original documentation in not in Armenian, a certified translation must be submitted with the application. The temporary residence card is issued within approximately 30 days of the application date. State duties are payable for both the work permit and the temporary residence permit.