Armenia Temporary & Permanent Residence 

Validity

1 year,

extendable

5 years, extendable

10 years, extendable

Requirements

Invest in economy, real estate, start a business

Government Fees

AMD 105,000

(US$ 221)

AMD 140,000

(US$ 294)

AMD 150,000

(US$ 315)

Timeline

30 days

60 days

Family

Spouse, parent, son, daughter, brother, sister, grandparent, grandchild

Citizenship

After 3 years

Temporary Resident

Spouse, parent, son or daughter can get a temporary (one-year) residence permit.

Permanent Resident

Spouse, parent, son, daughter, brother, sister, grandparent or grandchild can get a temporary (one-year) residence permit. 

Special Resident

Spouse, parent, son, daughter, brother, sister, grandparent or grandchild can get a temporary (one-year) residence permit. A permanent (five-year) residence permit may also be available after three years of residence in Armenia.

Citizen

1. Get a Visa

It is not possible to apply for a residence permit from abroad as Armenian embassies do not issue residence permits. In other words, you will have to travel to Armenia, even for a few days. Please check the section on visas to see if you need a visa and, if so, if you also need an invitation letter from Armenia.

2. Visit Armenia

The duration of your stay in Armenia will largely depend on your circumstances. While in certain cases a single day may be sufficient, typically you should plan to stay in Armenia for at least a couple of weeks. 

3. Register a Business

The business can be registered after your arrival but it also can be registered before your visit with a power of attorney. The corporate form (LLC, corporation, branch office, private entrepreneur etc.) will depend on the nature of your business and other circumstances. Your business will also get a tax identification number and a stamp. 

4. Open a Bank Account

As with business registration, the bank account also can be opened before your arrival, with a power of attorney. It is advisable to check the possibility of opening an account in advance as some banks may refuse to work with individuals who are blacklisted or are nationals of certain countries (e.g. Iran, Syria etc.) Typically a bank will offer accounts in multiple currencies, internet banking and debit cards (VISA or MasterCard). 

5. Office Premises

While renting or buying an office or other business premises is not a legal requirement, in many cases a business cannot be launched until suitable business premises are secured. If the nature of your business is such that you do not need an office space (e.g. work on the Internet) then there is generally no need to rent an office, and the security officer will conduct the interview (see step 9) at your apartment or other place of residence. 

6. Launch the Business

In Armenia you qualify for a residence permit not before you start your work/business but after it. In other words, you need to show not only that your business is registered but that it has become operational. At this stage we will assist you with collecting documents, photographs and other forms of evidence to strengthen your case. 

7. Medical Check

The medical check has to be conducted at a hospital in Armenia. It normally takes around 30 minutes and involves taking an X-Ray. Blood test is not required. 

8. Apply for Residency

The application for a residence permit can be filed with a power of attorney. In other words, you do not have to personally deal with the Immigration Office. However, you are supposed to be physically present in Armenia when the application is filed and the original of your passport will have to be presented to the Immigration Office (it will be returned to you immediately after). The government fees for residency are also paid at this stage. You can apply for a residence permit if you have a valid visa (entry stamp). If you overstayed your visa it may be still possible to apply for a residence permit after paying a fine. 

9. Interview

Typically, the security officer will conduct an in-person interview at your business premises within 8-15 days after the residence permit application is filed. The interview normally takes 20-30 minutes and its purpose is to establish that your business is legitimate and operational. In certain cases a second interview at the Immigration Office is conducted. 

10.  Residence Card

The residence permit application is normally approved in 25-40 days, after which the residence permit can be collected from the Immigration Office. Your presence is generally not needed and your lawyer can collect the residence permit with a power of attorney. Currently the residence permit is issued in the form of a paper card that you can hold in your passport. 

11.  Family Members

While it is possible to file residence permit applications for the principal applicant and its family members simultaneously, it is generally recommended to wait until the residence permit of the principal applicant is approved. Family members will have to show  documents of kinship (e.g. birth or marriage certificate) that are properly legalized (consular legalization or Apostille).

12. Address Registration

The law requires residents to register their address with the local police station within 15 days following the issuance of the residence permit. The resident can either submit a property documents (lease or ownership certificate) to prove his address or he/she can declare the address in a written statement, which is then verified by a local police officer within 5-10 days.  

13. SSN and Driver's License

After the residence permit is issued and the address is registered the resident can apply for a social security number (SSN) and a driver's license.