Residency Card in Armenia (updated 2024)
This article has been updated on
Introduction
In the light of economic growth that started in Armenia in recent years, the number of people who want to obtain residence status or citizenship in Armenia is increasing. Residency statuses are mainly obtained in Armenia because the taxes are lower as compared with other countries, for example, Armenia has a number of tax advantages for people carrying out activities in the field of information technologies(IT). The procedure of registering a company in Armenia is simplified and foreign investments in Armenia are increasing.
The Armenian banking system is quite flexible in its turn. It gives an opportunity to everyone to open bank accounts, receive loans if complying with the documents requested, make bank transfers, invest deposits, acquire securities, and so on.
The next prominent advantage is that the prices of real estate both for rent and purchasing are quite low. Foreign citizens can purchase real estate in Armenia without any legal complications. They obtain residency status in Armenia also for educational and work purposes. Receiving higher education in Armenia is affordable and high salaries are set for working in some sectors. Ethnic Armenians obtain residency status or Armenian citizenship more easily.
One more prominent advantage is that Armenia guarantees the use of all rights and freedoms to the citizens of the Republic of Armenia by foreign citizens, protects their personal data as well as not transferred to other people, organizations, and states unless otherwise stipulated by the legislation of Armenia and international agreements.
Different types of residence statuses in Armenia
Foreign citizens in Armenia can receive three types of resident statuses, particularly
Temporary residence status (TRS) in Armenia
Introduction
Temporary residence status is one of the options for staying in Armenia on a legal basis. Temporary residence status is granted for a one-year period with a possibility of further extension. Unlike other types of residence statuses, temporary residence status is granted on a number of bases. It is granted by the Passport and Visa Department of the Police of Armenia and in case of obtaining as an employee (including having a work permit) by the Migration Service of RA. The decision is made within about a month.
Who can receive a temporary residence status in Armenia?
Temporary residence status can be obtained by those who submit valid documents proving why they must live in Armenia for 1 year or more. Foreign citizens staying in Armenia in particular:
For the purpose of studying or working
Foreign sportsmen and their family members
Relatives (i.e. spouse, parent, child, brother, sister, grandmother, grandfather, grandson) of an Armenian citizen or a foreign citizen with a permanent or special residence status
A person carrying out entrepreneurial activity
Ethnic Armenians
Volunteering and so on.
In 2023, the Corporation for National and Community Service in the US researched and found that job applicants with volunteer experience are 27% more likely to find a high-paying job. This makes the practical and theoretical skills gained from volunteer work abroad invaluable. However, to reside in a foreign country for an extended period, it is crucial to have certain legal requirements in place. With this in mind, legislative changes were made in the Republic of Armenia in the last quarter of 2023. These changes allow foreigners who perform voluntary work in Armenia on a contractual basis to apply for a temporary residence card for a period of up to one year through the Migration and Citizenship Service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Armenia.
Permanent residence status (PRS) in Armenia
Introduction
Unlike temporary residence status, permanent residence status is granted to foreign citizens for 5 years, with the possibility of extending it each time for a specified period. The application for an extension of the permanent residence status must be submitted at least 30 days before its expiration.
Who can obtain a permanent residence status in Armenia?
In order to obtain permanent residence status, foreign citizens must prove that they:
Have a relative (parent, child, brother, sister, grandmother, grandfather, grandchild) with citizenship or special residence status in Armenia
Own or rent an apartment in Armenia
Have sufficient means to live in Armenia, and
Lived in Armenia for at least three years before submitting the application.
Ethnic Armenians as well as people carrying out business activities can also apply for permanent residence status, even without complying with the above-mentioned conditions.
Special residence status (SRS) in Armenia (Special Armenian passport)
Introduction
The range of peօple eligible for special residence status is narrower. People requesting a special residence status must also submit correct information to the Armenian authorities proving the following information:
Birthplace and citizenship
Close relatives
Education and job
Information about military service
Police clearance
Health state and whether they are suffering from any infectious disease and so on.
In case when a foreign citizen of Armenian ethnicity submits an application for special residence status, a document justifying Armenian ethnicity must be equally submitted.
In case when non-Armenians want to obtain a special residence status in Armenia, they must submit a document proving the implementation of economic or cultural activities in Armenia.
Unlike the decisions on obtaining temporary and permanent residence statuses, the decision on obtaining or refusing to obtain a special residence status is made by the Prime Minister of Armenia.
The special residence status is granted for a period of 10 years, with a possibility of further extension for the same period.
Who can obtain a SRS in Armenia?
Only ethnic Armenians, including Armenians staying in Armenia not having citizenship, and ethnic Armenians not have citizenship with internationally recognized travel documents can receive a special residence status in Armenia.