Residence status in Armenia
Official name: Կացության կարգավիճակ
We assess your grounds, prepare your documents and support your application for temporary, permanent or special residence status — taking into account the legal changes from 1 November 2026.
- Our services
- On request
- State fees are separate
- Competent authority
- Migration and Citizenship Service, Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Armenia (Foreigners' Department, 14 Tairov Street, Yerevan)
- Information status
- Partially verifiedLast verified: 24 October 2026
Overview
About this service
Residence status allows a foreign national to live in Armenia lawfully beyond the visa-free or visa period. Temporary status is granted for up to one year and can be extended; permanent status is granted for five years. Grounds include employment, study, family ties, business activity and Armenian origin.
Amendments to the Law of the Republic of Armenia "On Foreigners" take effect on 1 November 2026: applications move to a new electronic system and special residence status is removed from the law. Foreigners who are Armenian by nationality will be able to apply for permanent status instead. Special statuses already granted remain valid until they expire.
We help you identify the right grounds, collect and translate documents, file the application in the electronic system and prepare for your in-person visit. The decision is made by the Migration and Citizenship Service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
Who it's for
- Foreign nationals working or studying in Armenia
- Spouses and close relatives of Armenian citizens
- Entrepreneurs and company founders in Armenia
- People of Armenian origin
- Status holders who are approaching renewal
What you get
- A preliminary assessment of your grounds that reflects the new law
- A clear document checklist for your specific grounds
- Coordination of notarised translations and the medical certificate
- Application filing in the electronic system and appointment booking
- Reminders before your status needs renewing
Requirements
Key requirements
- 1Temporary status: study, a work permit, family ties with an Armenian citizen or a resident, business activity, Armenian nationality and other grounds provided by law.
- 2Permanent status: Armenian origin, business activity, or close family ties with an Armenian citizen together with housing, means of subsistence and at least three years of residence in Armenia.
- 3Special status: under the current rules, for people of Armenian origin and foreigners carrying out economic or cultural activity; no new applications are accepted from 1 November 2026.
- 4Renewal applications must be filed at least 30 days before the residence card expires.
- 5The questionnaire result is a preliminary, non-binding assessment, not a legal opinion.
Documents
Document checklist
The basic list. The exact set depends on your situation — after the questionnaire you get a personal checklist.
Passport, copy and notarised translation
Valid passport, a copy and a notarised Armenian translation.
RequiredOriginalArmenian translationNotarisationColour photos 35 × 45 mm
The number depends on the status type and is confirmed by a specialist.
RequiredMedical certificate
Health certificate in the prescribed form.
Depends on your situationOriginalDocuments supporting the grounds
For example: work permit, enrolment letter, business registration or proof of family relationship.
RequiredOriginalArmenian translationProof of Armenian origin
Birth certificate stating nationality, baptism certificate or a document showing a parent's nationality.
Depends on your situationOriginalArmenian translationApostille / legalisationBirth certificate and parents' documents
Birth certificate, copies of the parents' passports and a copy of the parents' marriage certificate.
Depends on your situationArmenian translationApostille / legalisationCurrent residence card
For status renewal.
Depends on your situationOriginalState duty payment receipt
Proof of payment of the state duty unless the applicant is exempt.
RequiredRepresentative's power of attorney
Notarised power of attorney and the representative's passport if a representative files the application.
Depends on your situationNotarisation
Foreign documents usually require an apostille or consular legalisation and a notarised Armenian translation. We will tell you exactly what your case needs.
Stages
How the procedure works
- 1
Questionnaire and assessment
You answer a few questions and receive a preliminary assessment of your grounds.
- 2
Consultation
A specialist confirms the grounds and prepares your document checklist.
- 3
Document preparation
Translations, certificates, supporting documents and payment of the state duty.
- 4
Application
Filing in the Migration and Citizenship Service electronic system and booking your in-person visit.
- 5
Decision and card
The authority decides; if approved, you receive your residence card.
In-person attendance
Residence status applications are made in person or through an authorised representative, by prior appointment; each applicant, including children, needs a separate appointment. From 1 November 2026, applicants on the ground of Armenian nationality attend in person after submitting documents electronically. Original documents must be brought to the appointment. The residence card is collected in person at the Unified Office for Public Services.
Our role
What we do — and what we don't
What we do
- Analyse your situation and identify the grounds for status
- Prepare a personalised document checklist and review your documents
- Arrange notarised translations of your passport and other documents
- Help you complete and file the application in the electronic system
- Help you book the appointment and accompany you if you wish
- Track the progress of your case and your renewal dates
What we don't do
- We do not grant residence status — the Migration and Citizenship Service decides
- We do not guarantee a positive decision and do not influence processing times
- We cannot replace your personal attendance where the law requires it
- We do not arrange sham employment, marriage or business activity
- We do not pay the state duty on your behalf unless separately agreed
Pricing
Our fees
Choose the level of support that suits you. The final amount is fixed in an invoice before you pay.
Consultation
Assessment of your grounds and a personalised document checklist.
Price confirmed by a specialist
- Consultation with a migration specialist
- Grounds analysis reflecting the legal changes
- Personalised document checklist
- Recommended
Standard
Full document package and application filing.
Price confirmed by a specialist
- Everything in Consultation
- Review of all documents
- Coordination of translations and certificates
- Application filing and appointment booking
Full service
End-to-end support until you receive your residence card.
Price confirmed by a specialist
- Everything in Standard
- Accompaniment to the appointment
- Case tracking and responses to authority requests
- Renewal reminder
Add-ons
Document translation coordination
Coordination of Armenian translation and notarisation through partner translators. Translation itself is quoted separately.
Priority handling
Our specialists handle your case first. Does not affect processing times at government authorities.
Appointment accompaniment
A specialist accompanies you to an in-person appointment at the authority (where permitted).
Additional family member
Document preparation for one more family member applying at the same time.
Our service prices are set by the company and may change; the price on your invoice applies. State fees and third-party costs (translation, notary) are not included. The exact price is confirmed by a specialist after a short review of your case — before you pay anything.
Fees & timelines
Official fees and timelines
State fees
State duty for temporary residence status (issue or extension)
Officially 105,000 AMD until 1 November 2026. The amount may change from 1 November 2026; a specialist confirms the current amount.
To be confirmed
State duty for permanent residence status (5 years)
Officially 140,000 AMD until 1 November 2026. The amount may change from 1 November 2026; a specialist confirms the current amount.
To be confirmed
State duty for special residence status
Officially 150,000 AMD for applications filed before 1 November 2026. No new special-status applications are accepted after that date.
To be confirmed
Notarised translation and medical certificate
Paid to the translator, notary and medical provider. To be confirmed by a specialist.
To be confirmed
Unverified
Official processing time
Temporary and permanent status: decision within 30 days, extendable by a further 30 days. Special status (applications filed before 1 November 2026): up to 2 months. Timing depends on the authority.
Competent authority
Migration and Citizenship Service, Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Armenia (Foreigners' Department, 14 Tairov Street, Yerevan)
MigrationArm is an independent private company and does not represent this authority.
Sources
Official sources
The information on this page is based on these sources. Rules change — if in doubt, rely on the authority's official website.
- Residency status and visa — Migration and Citizenship ServiceMigration and Citizenship Service, MIA RA · accessed 24 October 2026migration.mia.gov.am/en/residency-status-and-visa(opens in a new tab)
- Acquiring Permanent Residence StatusMigration and Citizenship Service, MIA RA · accessed 24 October 2026migration.mia.gov.am/en/acquiring-permanent-residence-status(opens in a new tab)
- Acquiring Special Residence StatusMigration and Citizenship Service, MIA RA · accessed 24 October 2026migration.mia.gov.am/en/acquiring-special-residence-status(opens in a new tab)
- Notice: residency status services will be digitized from 1 November 2026Migration and Citizenship Service, MIA RA · accessed 24 October 2026migration.mia.gov.am/en/articles/news/notice-services-provided-within-the-framework-of-obtaining-residency-status-in-the-republic-of-armenia-will-be-digitized(opens in a new tab)
- How to Obtain Temporary or Permanent Residency Status? (National Services Gateway)Information Systems Agency of Armenia (hartak.am) · accessed 24 October 2026english.hartak.am/guides/temporary-permanent-residence(opens in a new tab)
- From 1 November 2026, you can no longer apply for special residence status in Armenia (Iravaban.net)Iravaban.net (secondary legal news source) · accessed 24 October 2026iravaban.net/en/575455.html(opens in a new tab)
- Armenia Residence Permit Cost in 2026 (Armenian Lawyer)Private law firm (secondary source, found in search results) · accessed 24 October 2026armenian-lawyer.com/immigration/armenia-residence-permit-cost/(opens in a new tab)
Information checkPartially verified
Last checked: 24 October 2026. "Verified" means the data was checked against an official source; "Partially verified" means some details need confirmation or changes are expected; "Unverified" means a specialist is still confirming the details.
FAQ
Questions about this service
What changes on 1 November 2026?
Amendments to the Law "On Foreigners" take effect: applications are filed through the Migration and Citizenship Service's new electronic system, special status is abolished and Armenian nationality becomes a ground for permanent status. Duty amounts may change — we confirm them before filing.
How long does processing take?
Officially, a decision on temporary or permanent status is made within 30 days, which may be extended by another 30 days. We do not influence the authority's timing.
I hold special status. Will it remain valid?
Under the transitional provisions, a special status already granted remains valid until it expires. Further renewal is being clarified — a specialist will suggest the best route, including permanent status.
When should I apply for renewal?
At least 30 days before your residence card expires. We recommend starting preparation early.
Do I need to attend in person?
Yes, an in-person visit with original documents is generally required, including to collect the card. We prepare everything in advance and can accompany you.
Do you guarantee that I will get the status?
No. The decision rests solely with the Migration and Citizenship Service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. We are responsible for the quality of preparation and support.
Are some applicants exempt from the duty?
Under the current rules, temporary status is free for certain categories, such as minors, close relatives of Armenian citizens and foreign students. Whether these exemptions continue after 1 November 2026 is confirmed by a specialist.
Consultation
Not sure where to start?
A specialist will look at your situation, suggest the right procedure and prepare a document list. This is preliminary information, not a legal opinion.
- Price
- Price confirmed by a specialist
- Duration
- 30 min
We will contact you to agree a convenient time and format.
Residence status in Armenia
On request