Armenia moves residency applications online and raises fees
Foreign nationals must use a single platform from 1 November. Fees rose to AMD 150,000 (about $420) for temporary residence and AMD 250,000 (about $690) for permanent residence.
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The changes took effect on 1 November 2026. Applicants must submit residence permit applications entirely online, and the higher fees are not refunded if authorities reject an application, JAMnews said.
The temporary residence permit fee rose from AMD 105,000 to AMD 150,000 (about $420), while the permanent permit fee rose from AMD 135,000 to AMD 250,000 (about $690).
Armenia previously also granted special residency status, valid for 10 years. It has ended grants of that status, leaving temporary and permanent residency for new applicants. Existing special-status holders retain their rights and obligations until their status expires.
Rules for union citizens
Deputy Interior Minister Armen Ghazaryan said citizens of Eurasian Economic Union member states still do not need special permits to work in another member state. They are considered legally resident in Armenia throughout their employment there, he said.
Ghazaryan said union citizens who obtain a document confirming their lawful stay enjoy the same rights as other legally resident foreign nationals. The document costs AMD 30,000 (about $83).
Application decisions and a planned visa
Authorities will decide residency applications within 30 days. Analyst Artem Yerkanyan linked the changes to Armenia’s transition to biometric passports and its efforts to liberalize its visa regime with the European Union. He also sees a shift toward attracting economically active migrants; these are his interpretations, not explanations from the Interior Ministry.
Ghazaryan said the government plans to introduce a work visa to make entry into Armenia easier.
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