Residence status in Armenia: an overview

Foreign nationals who live in Armenia beyond the permitted period of stay apply for residence status and receive a residence card. Below is an overview based on the Migration and Citizenship Service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs as of 24 October 2026.

Important: the rules change from 1 November 2026

Law HO-11-N of 20 January 2026 amends the Law "On Foreigners" and, according to available information, enters into force on 1 November 2026:

• special residence status is abolished — no new applications are accepted, while statuses already granted remain valid until they expire;
• all residence status applications move to a new electronic system; the previous services on migration.e-gov.am are discontinued;
• according to legal publications, Armenian nationality becomes a ground for permanent status.

New fees, document lists and timelines after the reform still need official confirmation. Always check the current rules before applying.

Types of status (under the rules until 31 October 2026)

Temporary status — up to 1 year, renewable. Grounds include study, a work permit, entrepreneurship, Armenian nationality, and family ties or marriage to an Armenian citizen or resident.

Permanent status — a 5-year card, renewable. Grounds: Armenian origin, entrepreneurial activity, family ties to an Armenian citizen (with housing, means of subsistence and 3 years of residence).

Special status — 10 years, granted by decision of the Prime Minister. No new applications from 1 November 2026.

Core documents

According to the Migration Service:

• an application form (completed on site);
• colour photos, 35×45 mm;
• your passport, a copy and a notarised Armenian translation;
• documents supporting your grounds;
• a medical certificate (for temporary and permanent status);
• the state duty receipt;
• if a representative applies: a power of attorney and the representative's passport.

Fees and timelines

Amounts in force at the time of checking, per official sources: AMD 105,000 for temporary status (issue and extension) and AMD 140,000 for permanent status. Private legal sources report that fees will change from 1 November 2026 — there is no official confirmation yet. Some categories (for example, minors and close relatives of citizens) are exempt from the temporary status fee.

A decision on temporary and permanent status is made within 30 days, extendable by another 30 days.

In-person attendance

You apply in person or through an authorised representative, by appointment; each applicant needs a separate appointment regardless of age. The card is collected in person at the Unified Office for Public Services. After the reform, applicants on the Armenian-nationality ground reportedly attend in person with originals after filing electronically.

Tips

• Start early: apostille and translation of documents from abroad take time.
• Apply to extend temporary status at least 30 days before it expires.
• After 1 November 2026, check the name and address of the new electronic system on the official website.

This guide is for information only. Official sources: migration.mia.gov.am, hartak.am.