Armenia Visa Policy 2026: Types, Fees, and E-Visas

(ARMENIA) Armenia is keeping travel access easy in 2026, but fees rise on January 1, 2026 and a major immigration rewrite starts August 1, 2026, changing how work and long stays will be approved. Most visitors will still rely on e-visas, visa-on-arrival, or visa-free entry, yet the smarter choice depends on your passport, timing, and how long you plan to stay.

For short tourism and family visits, the system remains simple. For workers, investors, and frequent business travelers, the August 2026 overhaul matters because it adds a mandatory work visa and new residence permit prices that can reshape budgets and timelines.

Quick decision: visa-free, e-visa, or visa-on-arrival

Armenia grants visa-free entry for up to 180 days to nationals of about 93 countries, including many in the EU, as well as the United States 🇺🇸, the United Kingdom, Canada 🇨🇦, Australia, and Russia. If you qualify, this is usually the cleanest route because you skip fees and online filings.

If you don’t qualify for visa-free entry, Armenia’s two main short-stay options are:

• E-visas filed online and typically decided in 2–3 business days, with faster rush choices.
• Visa-on-arrival at Zvartnots International Airport in Yerevan for eligible nationalities, paid and issued at the airport.

The Armenian government’s central tool is the Ministry of Foreign Affairs e-visa portal, which lists eligibility and supports online filing: Armenia’s official e-visa portal and eligibility checker.

According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, travelers who can plan even a few days ahead often prefer e-visas because they reduce airport waiting and give you a decision before you board.

The 2026 policy changes that most affect travelers

Three policy moves shape planning this year.

1. Consular fee increases (effective January 1, 2026). Fees that had been stable for decades were raised, affecting paid visas across the board, including visitor and multiple-entry options.

2. Diplomatic passport reciprocity with Türkiye (effective January 1, 2026). Following an announcement on December 29, 2025, holders of diplomatic, service, and special passports from both countries can obtain free e-visas. This does not cover ordinary passports.

3. Immigration law rewrite (effective August 1, 2026). The new framework introduces mandatory work visas, adds biometric requirements for residence processes, and shifts fees for visas and permits. If you plan to work or settle long term, the effective date matters as much as your itinerary.

Important: August 1, 2026 is a critical cut-off for anyone who plans to take up employment or seek long-term residence. Entry status on that date will determine which rules apply to you.

Choosing the right short-stay option

Short-stay visas are structured around purpose and duration. Common formats include 21-day and 120-day visitor visas. Multiple-entry visitor visas can be valid for 6 months or 1 year, with limits per entry. A transit visa is available for quick stopovers.

Practical guidance:

• Choose visa-free entry if your nationality qualifies and your plans fit within the allowed stay.
• Choose an e-visa if you want certainty before flying, especially during peak travel periods.
• Choose visa-on-arrival only if you are eligible and truly need last-minute travel, because queues and document checks can still slow you down.

Business travelers: treat “business” as a document category, not merely a travel reason. Armenia’s business visa expects an invitation letter, and border officers can ask for proof that your stated purpose matches your paperwork.

How an Armenia e-visa application works (step-by-step)

For most non–visa-free travelers, the e-visa is the main channel. Standard processing is 2–3 business days, with rush (1 day) and super-rush (hours) options.

1. Confirm eligibility and select the visa type on the official portal, then check your intended stay length.
2. Complete the online form with identity details, travel dates, and purpose of visit.
3. Upload required documents, such as a passport scan, photo, and supporting travel proof.
4. Pay online using the available payment methods, then save your receipt or confirmation.
5. Receive the decision by email, then keep a printed copy or a clear digital copy for airline and border checks.

Apply 7–10 days ahead when possible. That window leaves room for document fixes without paying rush fees.

Documents officers and caseworkers expect

Armenia’s requirements are consistent, but authorities will review more closely when a trip looks like work, long business, or repeated visits.

Prepare these items:

• Passport valid at least 6 months beyond the intended stay.
• Digital passport-style photo meeting the portal’s format rules.
• Itinerary showing entry and exit plans.
• Accommodation proof, such as hotel confirmation or host invitation.
• Funds evidence, often shown through bank statements at about USD 50 per day.
• Business invitation letter when traveling for meetings, conferences, or contract work.

If you plan to move from tourism into employment, don’t assume you can. Armenia’s post–August 1, 2026 approach ends the casual idea of “arrive as a tourist and sort out work later.”

Fees to budget for in 2026

The fee schedule effective January 1, 2026 sets prices for common visas. Apply directly through the official portal to avoid extra convenience charges from third-party providers.

Service providers may add extra charges for convenience, but they are not government agencies.

Extensions, overstays, and penalties

A typical short-stay ceiling is 120 days, and some travelers can extend by 60 days through the Migration Service under relevant international agreements. Extensions are not automatic—plan exit dates from the start and adjust only with legal basis.

• Overstay fines start at AMD 10,000 per day.
• Overstays become part of your travel record and can increase scrutiny or complicate future entries.

Warning: Even a short overstay can cause long-term consequences for future travel. Treat exit deadlines seriously.

August 1, 2026 — work and long-term residence reforms

The most significant reforms begin August 1, 2026, targeting long stays and employment.

Key elements:

• Mandatory work visa for employment — job-seekers must enter on the correct basis.
• Redesigned residence system including a five-year residency-by-investment option.
• A five-year permanent residency path for ethnic Armenians, based on heritage.
• Biometric requirements tied to residence processing.
• Increased state duties for residence permits:
• AMD 150,000 for a 1-year temporary residence
• AMD 250,000 for a 5-year permanent residence

Existing holders of older “special residency” statuses retain their rights until expiry, but new applicants will follow the updated framework.

The reform provides clearer status categories but increases upfront costs and reduces flexibility for those previously able to convert tourist stays into employment more informally.

What to expect at arrival and during your stay

Border control focuses on identity, purpose, and timing regardless of entry route. Keep documents easy to show and consistent with your e-visa or declarations.

During your stay:

• Follow customs rules and declare valuables when required.
• Drone use is restricted near borders.
• COVID-era health entry rules have been lifted, but travel insurance remains a sensible safeguard for medical and trip disruptions.

For frequent travelers, multiple-entry visas can reduce repeat applications. For prospective workers or investors, align travel dates with the August 1, 2026 rule change so your entry status matches your long-term intent.

Key takeaway: If work, long-term stay, or investment is your goal, plan around August 1, 2026 and budget for higher residence fees and mandatory work visa procedures.