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Armenia residence permit in 2026: what changed and how to get one

From 1 November 2026 Armenia’s new Law on Foreigners applies. You apply for a residence permit online, the first permit is issued for 1 year, and the state fee rises to 155,950 ֏. Grounds include work, a sole proprietorship, an LLC, study or family. Barev Club helps you choose the ground and supports you until you hold your residence card.

Updated 20 October 2026

At a glance

New rules
from 1 November 2026
State fee
155,950 ֏ for 1 year
Application
online + one visit for fingerprints
Full support
from 150,000 ֏

How we handle your residence permit

  1. Week 1

    Consultation

    We review your situation and choose the ground: work, sole proprietorship, LLC or family. The 45,000 ֏ consultation is credited towards full support.

  2. Week 1–2

    We set up the ground

    We help you open a sole proprietorship or LLC, deposit the required amount or sign an employment contract.

  3. Week 2–3

    We prepare documents

    We translate and notarise documents and get your social card if you do not have one yet.

  4. Filing

    We apply online

    We complete the application on the government portal and answer any Migration Service requests.

  5. Visit

    You give fingerprints

    You visit the Migration Service once in person to give fingerprints and sign. We go with you.

  6. Done

    You get your residence card

    We tell you the decision and help you collect the card.

What changed on 1 November 2026

  • The amended Law on Foreigners was adopted on 20 January 2026 and applies from 1 November 2026.
  • Applications are filed online through a single portal. You come in person once to give fingerprints and sign; a power of attorney cannot replace this.
  • The first permit is issued for 1 year. Permanent 5-year residence requires 3 years of temporary residence within the last 5.
  • The fee for a 1-year permit is 150,000 ֏ plus 5,950 ֏ for the card; permanent residence costs 255,950 ֏.
  • The government introduces annual quotas. Once a quota is used up, new applications are refused.
  • The special 10-year status for ethnic Armenians is no longer issued; existing documents stay valid until expiry.
  • Applications filed before 1 November are decided under the old rules. Existing permits are valid until the date on the card; the new rules apply at renewal.

Grounds for a residence permit

  • Work: an employment contract with an Armenian company. The labour market test is abolished and replaced by a quota.
  • Sole proprietorship: 1,000,000 ֏ in an Armenian bank account when you apply, or the same turnover in the 60 days before applying.
  • LLC: a capital contribution or share purchase of at least 2,000,000 ֏. If no tax is assessed within 180 days of approval, the permit can be cancelled.
  • Study: not only universities but also courses, vocational training and exchange programmes.
  • Family: spouse, parent or child of an Armenian citizen or of a foreigner with residence status.

Buying an apartment does not by itself give you the right to a residence permit.

Documents you will need

  • your passport and its notarised Armenian translation;
  • proof of the ground: employment contract, sole proprietorship or LLC registration, bank statement, marriage or birth certificate;
  • your social card (Public Services Number);
  • receipt for the state fee.

The exact list is set by government regulations. We check it against the current version at the consultation.

Can you live in Armenia without a residence permit?

Russian citizens enter without a visa and can stay up to 180 days per entry. Other nationalities follow their own rules. If your time is running out and you have no permit yet, overstaying can lead to a fine. Message us early and we will tell you what can still be done.

Please note

This information is current as of 20 October 2026. Some rules are being detailed in regulations, so we check requirements with the Migration Service before every application. This page is not legal advice.

Prices

  • Consultation45,000 ֏credited towards full support
  • Full support until you get the cardfrom 150,000 ֏ground, documents, filing, visit
  • State fee, 1-year permit155,950 ֏paid to the state, from 1 November 2026
  • State fee, 5-year permit255,950 ֏after 3 years of temporary residence

Frequently asked questions

How much does an Armenian residence permit cost in 2026?

From 1 November 2026 the state fee for a 1-year permit is 155,950 ֏: 150,000 ֏ duty plus 5,950 ֏ for the card. With a sole proprietorship you also need 1,000,000 ֏ in the account or the same turnover over 60 days. Barev Club full support starts from 150,000 ֏.

How long does a residence permit decision take?

The Migration Service has not yet published processing times for the new system. We will give you a realistic estimate at the consultation once the first decisions under the new rules come through.

Can I get an Armenian residence permit by buying property?

No. Under the new law, owning property does not by itself give you the right to a residence permit. You need work, a business, study or family ties.

Do I need to come in person?

Yes, once: to give fingerprints and sign the application in Armenia. A power of attorney cannot replace this; everything else is online.

What happens to the residence permit I already have?

It stays valid until the expiry date on the card. The new rules, fee and online application apply when you renew.

Can I get a 5-year residence permit straight away?

Usually not: you first get a 1-year permit, and permanent residence after 3 years of temporary residence within the last 5. Exceptions are ethnic Armenians, investors and people with exceptional services to Armenia.

Let’s look at your case

Tell us about yourself on Telegram — we will choose the right ground and calculate the full cost.

Message us on Telegram

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