If your country is out of the visa-free regime with Armenia, you are naturally required to pass through common processes of visa approval before arrival. Within this article, we attempted to touch on the procedure and basic requirements for obtaining an Armenian visa.
Armenian visa application process for foreign citizens
The citizens of certain countries may enter Armenia only based on an invitation. Please check out the list of those states with the following link: List. The invitation shall be submitted by:
- Legal entities registered in the Republic of Armenia,
- Government agencies and local self-government bodies of the Republic of Armenia,
- Embassies, consular posts, and international organizations or their representative offices are accredited in the Republic of Armenia.
- Individuals
Individuals should file the invitation with the Migration and Citizenship Service of Armenia, while the remaining entities listed above need to do it with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia. Alternatively, it is possible to submit the invitation through the unified electronic request platform: e-request.am.
The invitation shall include personal information and other relatable data on the foreign citizen coming to Armenia. Further, the inviting party must show and justify its appropriate interest in the foreign citizen’s visit. A sample of the invitation letter can be found at the following link.
Apart from the formal invitation, which typically outlines the purpose and duration of the visit, supplementary documentation is required to support the application. First and foremost, it is the foreign person’s passport for identification and verification purposes.
There are filing fees of 5,000 AMD that must be settled upon submission. The filing fees are part of administrative charges which cover processing the invitation and all other paperwork management costs. The request is processed within 5–15 working days.
Once the invitation is approved, it is communicated with the embassy or consular section of Armenia in the foreign citizen’s country. Foreign citizens are then advised to proceed with their visa application process through the diplomatic service of Armenia, typically by contacting the embassy or consulate in their home countries. This involves submitting documents (passport), attending interviews, and paying visa fees. You can see the fees for consular services with the following link: Consular fees.
Armenian visa Application process for foreigners of Armenian nationality
Foreign nationals of Armenian descent have the unique opportunity to obtain an entry visa directly at the border crossings of the Republic of Armenia. This process is facilitated to encourage those of Armenian heritage to visit their homeland more easily. To obtain an entry visa, one of the following documents must also be submitted:
- The original of the birth certificate containing an indication of Armenian nationality, and in case it is issued or approved by the competent authorities of the Republic of Armenia, only a copy,
- The original baptismal certificate issued by the church structure established by the legislation of the Republic of Armenia, containing a note on Armenian nationality, and in the case of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin or approved by the competent authorities of the Republic of Armenia, only a copy,
- Any other document justifying the fact of being Armenian by nationality.
Translation of the submitted document is not required if it is written in English or Russian. In other cases, Armenian translation is mandatory. Upon arrival at an Armenian border crossing, eligible individuals should proceed to the designated visa area. Here, the documents will be reviewed by immigration officials. Applicants must ensure that all documents are in order, as any missing or incomplete information could result in delays or denial of the visa application.