Armenian citizenship

Armenia is about high quality of life, beautiful nature and amazing hospitality.

The country ranks 8th in the ranking of the safest countries, ahead of Japan, Singapore and Slovenia (according to the Numbeo service, which determines the quality of life index).

Armenian citizenship provides a number of advantages in the field of tourism, especially with regard to visas. So, from the first of February 2024, citizens of the state can freely enter, for example, the UAE. And in general, you can visit 35 countries without a visa, including Qatar, China, Brazil, Malaysia, the Bahamas, etc.

Additional features

  The procedure, requirements and deadlines for granting the status are regulated by the articles of the Law «On Citizenship of the Republic of Armenia» dated November 6, 1995.  

Ways to obtain citizenship

The Republic offers to obtain the status of a citizen by right of birth, by recognition, as the final stage of naturalization and repatriation. We will consider all the ways, but in practice, a foreigner wishing to obtain permanent residence should take into account only the last two.

By right of birth

A child born to at least one Armenian parent automatically receives citizenship, regardless of the immediate place of birth.

If he was born on the territory of the state, but from foreign parents, the status is still assigned. Even if the birth took place on board the plane.

Through naturalization

The naturalization process in the standard form lasts for 3 years. The countdown begins with arrival in the Republic and registration of temporary residence. The procedure involves living in the territory of the state with concomitant assimilation – timely renewal of documents, compliance with local laws, improvement of language competence and understanding of local legal norms.

There are several categories of applicants who can be naturalized under a simplified scheme:

• Spouses of Armenian citizens who have been married for at least 2 years. They can apply after a year of legal residence in the country. Or even immediately, but only if there is a common child. At the same time, you need to be ready to take a DNA test to confirm the relationship.
• Refugees or stateless persons who have a physical place of residence on the territory of Armenia.
• Persons who, by personal desire, left the Armenian citizenship after 01.01.1995.

Through repatriation

Repatriation is the process of returning a person to his ancestral homeland. It differs from naturalization in that you do not need to go through lengthy naturalization procedures. It is enough to prove the origin and that the candidate does not pose a threat to state and public safety or the health of other citizens.

Various documents can be used to confirm the Armenian origin. For example, birth certificates of the next of kin (in the first line). Anything that can be used as evidence can be used.

By "recognition"

There is a category of persons who can apply for Armenian citizenship without having to fulfill any additional conditions. These are former citizens of the ASSR who permanently reside in Armenia and have not yet received citizenship. This also includes persons who refused their status in another country for any reason (but did so before 11/28/1996). This right is granted until 12/31/2026.

Attention

In practice, such situations are unusual. The vast majority of people with Armenian roots can obtain citizenship for other reasons, for example, through natural naturalization.

Advantages of Armenian citizenship

Armenian citizenship offers many personal benefits, including visa-free travel to 71 countries around the world. In addition, the passport holder gets access to a number of privileges:

• Opportunities to run an open, free and profitable business. Since Armenia is a member of the EAEU, companies operating on its territory can move their products relatively freely within the association without paying high duties and fees. Among other things, the corporate tax for legal entities in 2024 is 18%, which is an order of magnitude less than most countries in the world.
• Free medicine. There is no single mandatory health insurance system in Armenia, but emergency care can be received free of charge, as well as free of charge in clinics. Private medicine is also at an affordable level.
• A decent average salary is $650, according to the statistical committee.
• The possibility of inheritance of citizenship by future generations.
• Affordable quality education.
• The opportunity to obtain a nonimmigrant visa to the United States.

Dual citizenship

Dual citizenship is a complex legal status. The holder of dual/multiple residency is forced to comply with the laws of several countries at the same time. At the same time, both advantages in the form of full-fledged rights in each of these states are obtained, and they face additional responsibilities (for example, double taxation).

According to the amendments to Article 13, dual citizenship is not prohibited in Armenia, and such legal status is not recognized. This means that there are no benefits, preferences or allowances due to the presence of a passport of another country. Legally, a person with dual/multiple residency is recognized only as a citizen of Armenia.

Citizenship by Investment Program

As such, there are no programs for obtaining an Armenian passport for investments. However, the Law "On Citizenship" of the Republic of Armenia allows granting citizenship to persons who have provided "exceptional services" to the country. This article has been amended several times, and the last one dates back to 07.07.2022.

The law exempts applicants from complying with the standard requirements of naturalization – knowledge of the Armenian language and residence in the territory for a certain period.

To become a participant in the program, it is necessary to make a significant contribution to the Armenian economy, science, education, culture, healthcare or sports.

A "significant contribution" means an amount of $150,000 or more. Investments involve the purchase of securities – shares, government bonds. The purchase of an approved property is available.

As an alternative, it can be considered:

• Creation of a high-tech company with a capitalization of $260,000 or more (and provided that the center of the founder's commercial interests is located in Armenia).
• Opening a branch of a foreign company in the Republic and hiring 500+ employees.
• Creation of a venture fund equivalent to $205,000.

Recent reforms of the citizenship program

Most of the changes in legislation have affected those who are repatriating (or planning to repatriate). Thus, the necessary evidence base has changed – in 2024 it is necessary to provide a marriage certificate of the parents. This is now a mandatory requirement.

It is worth noting that recently Armenia has been issued a baptismal certificate, which includes a note indicating the applicant's Armenian nationality. The document can also be used as evidence when collecting dossiers for participation in the repatriation program.

Step-by-step application process

To become an Armenian citizen, you need to go through several stages:

Important

There are no specific citizenship exams, but a language proficiency test is among the mandatory requirements.

Collecting documents and submitting an application

If there are no grounds for speeding up the procedure (for example, there are no Armenian roots, which cancels the possibility of repatriation), then you will have to prepare for naturalization.

And in order to stay in the country, you will have to prove that a foreign citizen has the means to self-sustain himself. To do this, it is necessary to provide information about the availability of sources of income.

Otherwise, the process of obtaining citizenship looks standard:

• The grounds for obtaining residency are determined.
• Moving, obtaining the right to permanent residence.
• Registration of the dossier.
• Registration of the application.
• Status assignment.

Attention

The best option is to seek additional advice (or even better, support) from immigration lawyers. Even the slightest mistakes can lead to the request being rejected, and a second attempt to submit an application is allowed only after 1 year.

List of documents

In a standard situation, the following personal documentation will be required to obtain Armenian citizenship:

• A completed application;
• International passport;
• Birth certificate;
• A couple of color photos (six pieces, 35 x 45 mm);
• Receipt of payment of the fee;
• Confirmation of legal presence on the territory of the republic.
• Among other things, you may need to:
• Marriage certificate;
• Spouse's passport;
• The birth certificate (or baptism) of the child;
• Documents of the guardian (for incapacitated persons).

Important

Children can get B status together with their parents. If only one parent receives permanent residence, the other must give consent. In addition, you will need to provide a birth certificate of the child.

Consideration and decision

The application for citizenship is considered for about a month. Sometimes it is faster, but this is rather an exception to the rule.

The application for naturalization is subject to a state fee of $ 2, a biometric passport for an adult is $170, and legalization is $15. More information about the prices can be found on the official website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia.

Disadvantages of Armenian citizenship

Despite all the benefits of residency, Armenian citizenship has its drawbacks. For example, the above-mentioned attitude of the State towards dual citizenship, which, although allowed, is not taken into account by the authorities.

There may also be problems finding a job. It's just not that difficult to get a job, but it is highly desirable to look for a company that can pay salaries in US dollars, not in drams. For example, many people accept payment for rent in US dollars, and not in the national currency.

The state does not give the opportunity to "buy out" it for investments, as many other countries do (for example, Turkey or Israel), but you can get some relief if you invest in the local IT sector, for example, by becoming the founder of a company in this area.