HOW TO BECOME A RESIDENT IN ARMENIA

In the past years, Armenia has become an attractive place to live, study and work. This is due to various positive attributes, including culture, safety, freedom, friendliness of the people … and the culinary! In this client note we have tried to summarize the basic requirements of obtaining and Armenian residency.
2021 July 30
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OVERVIEW

Foreigners can enter the Republic of Armenia on the basis of availability of a valid passport, an entry visa or a document attesting the residence status and in case of authorisation, by the public administration body authorised by the Government of the Republic of Armenia carrying out border control.

 

Requirements

In the Republic of Armenia, the following residence statuses are established for foreigners:

(A) Temporary - term is one year.

(B) Permanent - term is five years.

(C) Special - term is ten years.

The documents attesting temporary, permanent, and special residence statuses of the Republic of Armenia are, respectively, the temporary residence card, the permanent residence card, and the special passport, the forms of which are approved by the Government of Armenia.

 

  1. How to receive a temporary resident status

There are several requirements one should fulfill to receive a temporary resident status, in particular the card is issued to foreign citizens, who:

  • study in Armenia,
  • have work permit in Armenia,
  • is spouse, parent or child of a foreign citizen who is a holder of a Temporary Resident Card of Armenia,
  • is spouse, parent, child or relative (brother, sister, grandparent, grandchildren) of an Armenian citizen or of a foreign citizen holding a Special Passport of Armenia,
  • runs a business in Armenia,
  • is Armenian,

Temporary Resident Card is issued with one-year validity period with the possibility of one-year extension. The applicant must apply for the extension at least 30 days before the expiration of the Temporary Resident Card. To extend the residency, the applicant must apply at least 30 days before the expiration of the card.

 

  1. Permanent resident status 

Permanent Resident Card is issued to a foreign citizen when the applicant:

  • is spouse or relative (brother, sister, grandparent, grandchildren) of an Armenian citizen or of a foreign citizen holding a Special Passport of Armenia, has adequate means of accommodation or property in Armenia and also has legally lived in Armenia for 3 years before applying for a Permanent Resident Card, or
  • runs a business in Armenia, or
  • is Armenian.

Unlike the temporary residency the permanent resident card is issued with five-year validity period. It can be extended with five more years. To extend the Permanent Resident Card, the applicant must apply at least 30 days before the expiration of the card.

It should be noted that a resident card is issued to a foreigner when he/she is already inside the country after entering Armenia via an entry permit, short or long-term tourist or visit visa. 

 

  1. Special resident status

Special residence status shall be granted to foreigners of Armenian origin and to other foreigners who carry out economic or cultural activities in the Republic of Armenia. The term for special residence status is ten years. It may be granted more than once.

In case the applicant is in Armenia, an application for obtaining special residence status shall be filed at RA Passport and Visa Office, whereas in a foreign country the application should be filed with the RA diplomatic representation or the consular office of the residing country.

 

What if you are rejected?

In case the application is rejected by the authorized body, except for special residence status, a foreigner may appeal through administrative proceedings or judicial procedure against a refusal of an application filed for obtaining or extending a residence status.

The validity period of the entry visa or of the residence status of a foreigner expires prior to the examination of the case by the court or entry into force of the decision rendered by the court, authorised body shall issue a temporary stay permit to him or her until the court decision enters into force.

Where the granting of a residence status is refused, a foreigner may again apply for obtaining a residence status after one year; this shall be indicated in the decision on refusal. A shorter term may be established by the Government of the Republic of Armenia for obtaining temporary residence status for study purposes.

 

HOW CAN WE HELP?

We have extensive experience in advising clients of both Armenian and non-Armenian origin in obtaining an Armenian residency status and working with the executive and judicial branches in this regard.