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Armenia: Major Reform Ahead

The Government of Armenia has introduced multiple updates to the immigration legislation, aimed at digitising key processes, clarifying the grounds for obtaining temporary or permanent residence, and more.

The changes will take effect on 1 August 2026.

LAW INTRODUCING THE CHANGES

The Law of the Republic of Armenia dated 21 October 2025, No. K‑1172‑21.10.2025‑PA‑011/0, “On Amendments and to the Law on Foreigners”.

KEY CHANGES

Changes to Temporary and Permanent residence statuses:

  • The “Special Residence Status” (also known as “Special Passport”), a 10‑year residence permit issued to ethnic Armenian repatriates and certain categories of foreign investors, is abolished. Special passports issued before 1 August 2026 remain valid until expiry.

  • A biometric residence card will be introduced as a physical proof of temporary or permanent residence. Obtaining this card will require the applicant’s personal presence in Armenia.

  • The grounds for obtaining temporary residence (TRP) based on education are expanded. TRP will be available not only to students of accredited institutions but also to participants of non-state educational programmes, exchange programmes, professional training courses, etc.

  • TRP may be granted based on scientific or innovative activity, subject to a contract or invitation from an accredited scientific institution in Armenia.

  • Permanent residence (PRP) may now be granted without prior TRP to two categories:

  • Foreign investors who have made a significant contribution to Armenia’s economy. The exact criteria and thresholds will be defined by the Government;

  • Individuals recognised as “of exceptional service to Armenia”, including artists, experts, philanthropists, public figures, etc. Each case requires individual review and the Prime Minister’s signature.

  • The requirements for obtaining TRP through business activity are clarified. Applicants must either:

  • Invest at least AMD 2,000,000 in company capital, shares or securities in Armenia; or

  • Register as an individual entrepreneur and maintain at least AMD 1,000,000 in their account or demonstrate a turnover of AMD 1,000,000 within the 60 days prior to application.

  • Having a child who is an Armenian resident no longer qualifies parents for TRP; parents must have an independent legal basis for residence.

Changes for foreign workers and employers:

  • The requirement to post job vacancies on the migration portal is abolished. In practice, this may also remove the corresponding current requirement for an interview with a migration inspector, although this detail is not explicitly addressed in the law.

  • An annual state‑level quota for foreign workers is introduced. Details for 2027 (numbers, professional categories, etc.) have not yet been published.

  • A new entry work visa category is introduced. This visa type can be single‑ or multiple‑entry, valid for up to 120 days per year. This visa will be mandatory for applying for TRP with the right to work, unless exempt (e.g., citizens of EAEU countries).

Other changes:

  • Applications for all TRP and PRP types (not just for work, but others as well) will be submitted online via the platform workpermit.am. Currently, only TRPs for EAEU workers and part of the standard work TRP process are processed through it.

  • PRP holders must notify the authorities via the online platform if they are absent from Armenia for more than 183 days in a year. Failure to do so may result in PRP cancellation. This rule will not apply to PRP holders based on investment or “exceptional value”.

  • Control over employer changes is strengthened. As previously, workers may change employers without cancelling TRP, but they will now need to notify authorities within 15 working days and submit a new employment contract via the e-portal. This change means to abolish situations where in practice migration authorities would not recognize the employer change and would require the worker to obtain a new TRP instead;

  • Government fees to increase as follows:

  • TRP (up to 1 year): from AMD 105,000 to AMD 150,000 

  • PRP (up to 5 years): from AMD 140,000 to AMD 250,000 

  • New: replacement/extension of biometric residence card – AMD 20,000 

  • New: “Certificate of Legal Stay” (TRP for EAEU workers) – AMD 30,000 

  • New: entry work visa – AMD 15,000 

EXPLANATORY NOTE

According to the legislative justification letter and comments by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the changes are intended to update and streamline Armenia’s migration administration. The quota system replaces an ineffective vacancy‑posting mechanism, while full digitalisation is expected to increase transparency and simplify interactions with public authorities. Other measures — such as the introduction of a work visa — strengthen state oversight of migration flows.

If implemented effectively, the reform is expected to have a positive impact on Armenia’s economy and migration policy, as well as support the country’s progress under the EU visa liberalisation roadmap adopted in November 2025.

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