Armenia Is Changing Its Residency Law on November 1, 2026 β Here Is Everything You Need to Know
If you live in Armenia on a Temporary Residence Card, plan to apply for one, or run a business that supports foreign employees' residency β this article is for you. Armenia's Parliament adopted sweeping amendments to the Law on Foreigners on January 20, 2026. They take effect on November 1, 2026, and they will change nearly every aspect of how residency works in this country.
This is not a minor update. The amendments significantly reshape Armenia's migration and residence framework by introducing full digitalization, stricter eligibility criteria, financial thresholds, and a quota-based system. Below we break down what changes, what stays the same, and what you should do before the deadline.
The Entire System Goes Digital
Residence permit procedures will move from paper-based processing at the Migration and Citizenship Service to a fully digital system on a new platform called permits.am. Applications, tracking, renewals, and employment notifications will all happen online. The goal is to simplify the process and increase state oversight of migration flows simultaneously.
For applicants, this is largely positive β less time at government windows, more transparency. But it also means the system will be faster to detect non-compliance.
Financial Thresholds Are Introduced for Business-Based Residency
This is the most significant change for entrepreneurs and business owners. Under the current system, registering a business in Armenia is sufficient grounds to apply for residency. Under the new law:
- LLC ownersmust invest at least AMD 2,000,000 (~USD 5,263) in the charter capital of an Armenian company
- Individual Entrepreneurs (IE)must maintain at least AMD 1,000,000 (~USD 2,632) in their accounts, or demonstrate business turnover of AMD 1,000,000 within the 60 days preceding the application date
These thresholds do not disappear after your card is issued. If your LLC capital falls below AMD 1,000,000 or your IE turnover or balance drops below the threshold, your residence status can be cancelled.
What this means in practice
The era of "paper company" residency is over. Dormant companies registered solely to obtain a residence card will no longer pass the new requirements. Your business must be genuinely operational, generating revenue, and paying taxes. The NSS (National Security Service), which interviews all business-based applicants, will have additional enforcement tools to verify this.
The Path to Permanent Residency Changes for Business Owners
Under the current system, business owners can apply directly for a 5-year Permanent Residence Card immediately after registering their business β within weeks if everything is in order.
Starting November 1, 2026, this direct path closes. Business owners will first need to obtain a 1-year Temporary Residence Card, renew it for a second and third year, and only after accumulating 3 years of documented temporary residency will they be eligible to apply for the 5-year permanent card.
If you are currently eligible for permanent residency through your business and have not yet applied, acting before November 1 could save you three years of waiting.
A New Fast-Track Investment Residency Route Is Coming
Starting November 1, 2026, Armenia will introduce a formal Investment Residency category. Qualifying investors will receive direct permanent residence status β bypassing the standard 3-year temporary residency requirement entirely. There will be no minimum physical presence requirement to maintain this status.
The catch: the exact investment thresholds and eligible asset classes have not yet been published by the government. Officials have confirmed they will be announced before the law enters into force. We are monitoring official announcements and will update our clients as soon as the criteria are confirmed.
The 10-Year Special Residency Passport Is Abolished
Armenia's 10-year Special Residency Passport β available to ethnic Armenians and certain distinguished individuals β will no longer be issued after November 1, 2026. Existing holders may continue using their documents until the printed expiration date. When it expires, they will need to apply for a 5-year permanent residence permit under the new system.
Ethnic Armenians are not disadvantaged. They retain their preferential route β direct access to permanent residence without a prior temporary residence period continues. What changes is the document: instead of a 10-year special passport, they will receive a standard 5-year permanent residence permit, with no 3-year waiting period required.
Government Fees Are Increasing β But Not Until January 1, 2027
There is an important fee window worth planning around:
| Permit Type | Current Fee | Fee from Jan 1, 2027 | Saving if you apply before |
|---|---|---|---|
| Temporary Residence Card (1 year) | AMD 105,000 | AMD 150,000 | AMD 45,000 |
| Permanent Residence Card (5 years) | AMD 140,000 | AMD 250,000 | AMD 110,000 |
If you apply for permanent residence between November 1 and December 31, 2026, you benefit from the new digital system at the old fee. The increase takes effect January 1, 2027.
On government fees alone β before any professional service costs β applying before 2027 saves you AMD 45,000 on a TRC or AMD 110,000 on a permanent card.
Work-Based Residency Gets Stricter Rules
Quota system introduced
The government will set annual limits on residence statuses by type and category. Once the quota is filled, new applications will be refused until the next period. For employers hiring foreign nationals, this adds urgency to starting the process early in each calendar year.
Job changes must be reported within 15 business days
TRC holders who change employers must notify the authorities via the online platform and submit the new employment contract within 15 business days. Missing this deadline can invalidate your residence status.
Work entry visa required for visa-required nationals
Foreign nationals from countries that require a visa to enter Armenia, who are coming specifically for employment, must now obtain a purpose-specific work entry visa before traveling. Entering on a tourist visa and then applying for a work-based residence permit will no longer be accepted.
EAEU citizens remain exempt
Citizens of Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan are fully exempt from work permit requirements and the new quota system under the EAEU Treaty. This exemption continues in full force after November 2026.
Several existing exemptions are abolished
Under the current law, founders and directors of Armenian companies with 50% or more foreign participation are exempt from work permits. This exemption is being removed. Employees of foreign companies working through Armenian branches or representative offices also lose their exemption. If your team currently relies on these exemptions, review the situation now.
The 183-Day Absence Notification Rule
After November 1, 2026, residence card holders who spend more than 183 days outside Armenia in a given period must notify the authorities within 10 days of crossing that threshold. Investors under the new fast-track route are exempt from this rule.
Family Sponsorship Rules Are Tightening
Under the current system, permanent residents can sponsor extended family members including siblings, grandparents, and grandchildren for temporary residency. After November 1, 2026, sponsorship rights are narrowed to nuclear family only β spouse, parents, and children. If family-based residency is relevant to your situation, review your options before the deadline.
What Documents Are Currently Required for a TRC Application
For reference, here is what a standard TRC application requires under the current system:
- βPassport (original) and notarized Armenian translation
- β3 color photos (3.5 Γ 4.5 cm)
- βMedical certificate
- βProof of legal presence in Armenia (entry visa, border stamp, or existing residence card)
- βDocuments supporting your grounds for residency (business registration, employment contract, family documents, or education enrollment)
- βReceipt of state duty payment
Under the new system from November 1, 2026, submission moves to permits.am, though you will still need to appear in person in Armenia to provide biometrics when your card is issued.
Applications Submitted Before November 1 Are Fully Protected
Applications formally submitted before November 1, 2026 will be processed under the current rules β even if the final administrative decision is issued after that date. This is a meaningful window. If you are on the fence about applying, submitting now locks in the existing, more accessible requirements and lower fees.
What You Should Do Now
The right move depends on your situation:
Already have a TRC based on business activity?
Review your company's financial position against the new AMD 2,000,000 (LLC) or AMD 1,000,000 (IE) thresholds now. If your business is not generating sufficient turnover or your bank balance falls short, address this before November 1 β or risk your renewal being refused.
Eligible for permanent residency but haven't applied?
Apply immediately. Under the new law you will need to spend 3 years on a temporary permit first. Under the current law you can go direct.
Planning to apply for the first time?
Submitting before November 1 locks in the existing requirements and lower fees. We can assess whether the current or new system is better suited to your situation.
Employing foreign nationals?
Review which exemptions your team currently benefits from. Several are being abolished November 1. If any employees will lose their exempt status, start the work permit process now before the quota system kicks in.
Interested in the new Investment Residency route?
Wait for the thresholds to be published, but begin preparing your documents and financial structure now.
Last updated: April 5, 2026
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute tax or legal advice. Rates and rules are subject to change. Contact Documan for advice specific to your situation.