Residence permit to Armenia

A residence permit gives the holder the opportunity to legally reside on the territory of Armenia, move freely around the country and enjoy the privileges available to residents. It can be obtained by foreigners who have grounds to immigrate to the country, as well as persons who have managed to confirm their belonging to the Armenian nation.

In addition to a residence permit, foreigners, subject to all requirements, have the right to obtain citizenship of the Republic. The request can be sent 3 years after receiving the residence permit card. Regardless of the country of immigration or ethnic origin, all residents have equal rights:

• Stay in the country until the card expires.
• Enjoy social benefits and free healthcare.
• Do business, open accounts, buy real estate.
• Communicate freely in their native language, profess their religion.
• Move around the country without restrictions, leave it and return.
• Invite relatives.

Citizens of a number of countries can become temporary residents under a simplified scheme. According to the Armenian Law "On Foreigners", you can use one of the available methods to start the procedure.

Types of residence permit

The Government of Armenia provides non-residents with 3 main residence permits:

• Residence permit. A temporary document giving the opportunity to stay in the country for 1 year. After this period, the validity of the card must be extended.  All citizens' rights are granted, but without the right to vote in local elections.
• Permanent residence. The right allows you to enjoy all the privileges of the country for 5 years. At the end of the term, the validity of the document is extended for a similar period.
• Special status. Privileges are granted to ethnic Armenians and persons who have made a significant contribution to the development of the country's economy and culture. The status allows you to retain your former citizenship, buy land without forming a legal entity.

Attention

A temporary or permanent residence permit is issued within 1 month. 2 months are given to resolve the issue of granting a special status.

Residence permit for the purchase of real estate

The fact of buying real estate in Armenia does not automatically open up the possibility of obtaining a residence permit. The right of ownership becomes an indirect condition for granting a residence permit. To participate in this program, it is necessary to turn a real estate object into a profit-making asset, i.e. rent it out.

A residence permit based on such a business is provided for 12 months. An extension is available, provided that the property is preserved and the activity continues. If there is a positive reputation, a foreigner has the right to apply for a residence permit with a validity period of 5 years.

Necessary justifications

The main condition for joining the program is the transfer of existing real estate to the status of "commercial", i.e. income-generating. The activity should be appropriately registered as an entrepreneurial one. To do this, a foreigner must register as a taxpayer and pay 10% tax on the income received.

The property tax in Armenia is 0-1% of the property value. An invoice is issued every year. The tax is calculated from the cadastral value, which is close to the market value.

Important 

Since 06/01/2022, a law has been in force in Armenia, according to which, upon registration and transfer of ownership, payments exceeding $ 10,000 must be made by non-cash method. Violation of the norm entails cancellation of the transaction.

Student residence permits

Students enrolled in a local university for long-term studies can use the right. The right is extended every year until the end of the chosen academic course. If a student from abroad interrupts his studies, the document becomes invalid.

Necessary justifications

The basis for granting a residence permit to a student is the provision of a certificate of the beginning of studies at a university in Armenia. Students from other countries may not even know Armenian and go to university. Language courses are provided for students from near and far abroad.

List of documents

In addition to the certificate from the university, the student must present a package of other documents. The checklist includes:

• Application for a residence permit.
• 3 photos 3×4.
• Originals, copies, notarized translations of the passport.
• A plane ticket.
• A certificate of medical examination.
• A receipt for payment of the fee.

Residence permit for financially independent (freelance, digital nomad)

Armenia is a paradise for digital nomads. All procedures related to obtaining a residence permit for remote employees have been simplified. The country provides freelancers with the opportunity to resolve issues about their place of residence online while providing tax benefits.

Necessary justifications

The grounds for obtaining a residence permit for freelancers in Armenia are entrepreneurial activities with registration with the tax inspectorate of the Republic. Moreover, the digital nomad does not have to be tied to Armenia in his activities.

The list of basic requirements includes a demonstration of financial stability, the presence of a certificate of non-conviction from his native country and the age of majority of the applicant. For entrepreneurs and freelancers, a permanent source of income becomes the main condition for approving a request.

List of documents

A simplified procedure also means a reduction in the number of documents. The freelancer must provide:

• A passport.
• A medical certificate.
• A certificate of non-criminal record.
• Documents confirming the existence of a stable income.

Attention

Like other applicants for a residence permit and permanent residence, digital nomads receive all the appropriate privileges.

Residence permit by marriage

As in many countries of the world, marriage is one of the ways to obtain a temporary residence permit. Persons who have joined the family reunification program can take advantage of this opportunity. In addition to other relatives, a spouse can move to a citizen or the owner of a temporary residence permit.

Necessary justifications

The conclusion of a marriage becomes the basis for granting a residence permit if the spouse has the status of a resident or a card for legal residence. In addition, at least 2 years must pass after the wedding date. Of these, the spouses must legally live in Armenia for 1 year.

List of documents

• Completed application form and application.
• A valid passport.
• 3 photos with a size of 35x45 mm.
• A legalized copy of the marriage certificate.
• A certificate of medical examination.
• Receipts for payment of state duties.

Family reunion

Close relatives of Armenian citizens and permanent residents of the country have the right to join the program. Only temporary residents who do not need to obtain a work permit can invite relatives.

Necessary justifications

The basis for a residence permit is the presence of relatives such as a spouse, grandparents, parents, children and grandchildren, brothers and sisters. To grant the right to permanent residence, an immigrant must show a contract for the purchase or rental of housing in this country. In addition, it is necessary to prove the availability of sufficient funds for the maintenance of the family.

List of documents

• Completed application form and application.
• A valid passport.
• 3 photos with a size of 35x45 mm.
• Documents confirming kinship with the host party.
• A certificate of medical examination.
• Receipts for payment of the state fee.

Work permit

You can get a residence permit in Armenia for a year by getting a job. The residence permit can be extended every year. An additional condition is the need to obtain a separate work permit.

Necessary justifications

The program is among the most popular. A foreigner can choose a suitable type of activity, get a job at a local organization and request a work permit. These steps will be the basis for requesting a temporary residence permit. The validity period of the permit will be limited by the validity of the employment contract.

List of documents

• Completed application form and application.
• A valid passport.
• 3 photos with a size of 35x45 mm.
• An employment contract.
• A work permit.
• A certificate of medical examination.
• Confirmation of payment of administrative fees.

Residence permit for doing business or sole proprietorship

Armenia actively provides temporary residence permits to entrepreneurs who are ready to contribute to the country's economy. The term and status of the residence permit depends on the size of the company.

Necessary justifications

The legislation does not directly define the requirements for the turnover of an operating organization and the number of employed specialists. The applicant for a residence permit must prove the existence of active financial transactions. However, in practice, as a rule, the following conditions apply. The owner of a small new company can obtain a residence permit for a period of 1 year. The owner of a large business has the right to count on a 10-year residence permit.

List of documents

• Completed application form and application.
• A valid passport.
• 3 photos with a size of 35x45 mm.
• Detailed information about business activities, turnaround operations, and the number of employees employed.
• A certificate of medical examination.
• Confirmation of payment of administrative fees.

Extension of a residence permit

To extend the deadline, you need to collect a small list of documents. As a rule, in the absence of violations of the law and doubts about the reliability of the candidate, the checklist includes documentation similar to the primary dossier. However, the authorities, depending on the individual characteristics of the applicant, have the right to request an additional set of documents.

The extension procedure involves payment of a fee of $273. Most programs have a standard extension period of 12 months.

There are certain requirements for prolongation of the residence permit period. The application must be submitted no later than 40 days before the end of the previous deadline. Providing false information is unacceptable.

Attention

For providing false information, a foreigner may be deported from the country with the cancellation of previously issued permits.