| 中文摘要 | 亚美尼亚注册公司最快10天完成，企业所得税仅5%，无股息预扣税，中国护照可免签入境180天。立即咨询。 |
If you are a Chinese founder evaluating jurisdictions to register a company in Armenia, the headline numbers are compelling: 5% corporate income tax, zero withholding on reinvested dividends, visa-free entry for Chinese passport holders up to 180 days, and a company registration process that takes 10 days from document submission to operational bank account. This guide walks you through every step — from apostilling your passport in Beijing to running your first payroll in Yerevan — with exact fees, document lists, and the banking KYC nuances that most guides omit.
| ⚠️ Disclaimer | This guide reflects Armenian law and government fees as of March 2026. It is informational only and does not constitute legal advice. Consult a qualified Armenian lawyer before making structural decisions. |
Why Chinese Founders Are Choosing to Register a Company in Armenia
Armenia has moved from obscurity to a serious option for Chinese entrepreneurs for five converging reasons: low taxation, frictionless entry, digital infrastructure, proximity to both the EAEU (Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan) and the EU, and a government actively courting foreign tech investment.
The Tax Comparison: Armenia vs Singapore vs UAE
| Metric | Armenia | Singapore | UAE (mainland) |
| Corporate tax | 5% (IT/tech) / 18% | 17% | 9% (from 2023) |
| Dividend WHT | 0–5% (treaty) | 0% | 0% |
| Capital gains tax | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| VAT | 20% (0% export) | 9% GST | 5% VAT |
| Company registration | 1 day (same-day) | 1–3 days | 2–5 days |
| Visa-free for CN passport | 180 days | 30 days | 90 days |
| Min. share capital | ~$26 | ~$1 | Varies by zone |
| EAEU market access | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | ❌ No |
Under Article 55 of the Armenian Tax Code, companies operating in qualifying IT and technology sectors may apply for the 5% reduced corporate income tax rate through the National Competitiveness Foundation of Armenia. Standard CIT is 18%. There is no distinction between resident and non-resident shareholders for CIT purposes — a wholly Chinese-owned LLC pays the same rate.
- EAEU membership: Armenian companies trade into Russia, Kazakhstan, and Belarus duty-free — a structural advantage for Chinese manufacturers and distributors
- EU-Armenia CEPA: Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement gives Armenian companies preferential access to EU programmes
- Government IT incentives: 50% payroll subsidy for qualifying IT companies with 30+ employees (see /armenia-igaming-back-office-hub-asia/)
- Chinese community: Yerevan has a growing Chinese expat community, direct flights from Beijing and Shanghai, and Mandarin-speaking legal support at Retrieve Legal
Step-by-Step: How to Register a Company in Armenia from China (10-Day Roadmap)
The process below covers an LLC (ՍՊԸ— Sahmanapak Patasxanatvutyamb Ynkerutyun) — the standard vehicle for foreign-owned businesses. All steps are manageable remotely via apostilled Power of Attorney.
Days 1–2: Apostille Your Documents in China
The following documents must be apostilled at the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) or a provincial foreign affairs bureau before they will be accepted in Armenia:
- Passport — original + 2 certified colour copies
- PSB Criminal Record Certificate — issued by local Public Security Bureau, apostilled, translated into Armenian or Russian by a certified translator
- Source-of-Funds Declaration — 6 months of personal/business bank statements, notarised and translated. Retrieve Legal provides a standard template letter to accompany them
- Proof of Address — utility bill, bank statement, or lease agreement from any jurisdiction (translation required)
Retrieve Legal coordinates directly with certified translators in Yerevan for all Chinese-language documents. Turnaround: 48 hours from receipt of scanned originals.
Day 3: Name Reservation
Submit 3 preferred company names to e-register.am (the State Register of Legal Entities online portal). The name must include an Armenian-script rendering — Retrieve Legal handles transliteration. Decision: 1 business day. State fee: AMD 3,000 (~USD 8).
Days 3–4: Draft & Notarise Company Charter
Retrieve Legal prepares a bilingual Armenian/English charter covering: shareholding structure, management body (director vs board), profit distribution rules, transfer restrictions, and exit provisions. Notarisation at any licensed Yerevan notary. If founders are not present, signing is done via apostilled Power of Attorney.
Day 5: File at the State Registry — Same-Day Certificate
Submit the charter, shareholder passports, and name reservation confirmation to the State Registry of Legal Entities (SRLE). Filing can be done physically at the SRLE or via e-register.am. The registration certificate (State Number) is issued the same day. State fee: AMD 25,000 (~USD 65).
Day 5: Tax ID (HVHH) — Automatic
The HVHH (tax identification number) is issued automatically upon company registration. No separate application is required. The company is simultaneously registered with the State Revenue Committee (SRC).
Days 6–9: Open Corporate Bank Account
This is the step most guides skip over. Armenian banks apply FATF-compliant enhanced due diligence (EDD) to companies with Chinese beneficial owners. The following preparation minimises rejection risk:
- Pre-submit a source-of-funds narrative letter (Retrieve Legal template)
- Ensure bank statements are certified and translated — not just scanned
- Prepare a business plan: a 1–2 page summary of what the company does, who its clients are, and expected transaction flows
- Bring original passport — most banks require at least one in-person appearance for account opening
Recommended banks: Ameriabank (fastest KYC for tech companies), Ardshinbank (strong SWIFT/FX capabilities), ACBA Bank (competitive rates for SMEs). Full walkthrough: retrieve.am/armenia-bank-account-chinese-citizen-2026/
Days 8–10: Work & Residency Permit
Chinese passport holders can enter Armenia visa-free for up to 180 days. To stay longer and work legally, a Temporary Residency Permit (TRP) combined with a work permit is required. For IT/tech sector founders, a 10-day fast-track is available. State fee: AMD 75,000 (~USD 195). Full guide: retrieve.am/armenia-work-residency-permit-chinese/
10-Day Registration Timeline at a Glance
| Day | Action | Who Does It | Gov. Fee |
| 1–2 | Apostille docs in China | Founder + Retrieve coordination | Varies |
| 3 | Name reservation | Retrieve Legal via e-register.am | ~$8 |
| 3–4 | Draft & notarise charter | Retrieve Legal + Notary | ~$50 |
| 5 | File at SRLE | Retrieve Legal | ~$65 |
| 5 | HVHH tax ID issued | Automatic | Free |
| 6–9 | Bank account opening | Founder (in-person) + Retrieve | — |
| 8–10 | Work & residency permit | Retrieve Immigration Team | ~$195 |
| 10 | ✅ Operational | — | — |
Full Cost Breakdown: What You Will Actually Pay
| Item | Gov. Fee (USD) | Retrieve Legal Fee |
| Name reservation | ~$8 | Included |
| Company registration (SRLE) | ~$65 | Included |
| Charter drafting & notarisation | ~$50 | Included |
| Work & residency permit | ~$195 | Included |
| Bank account introduction & liaison | — | Included |
| Document translation (per page) | — | ~$15/page |
| Legal address (12 months) | — | ~$240/yr |
| Retrieve Legal full incorporation package | ~$318 (gov) | From $1,200 |
Tax Advantages in Armenia for Chinese-Owned Companies
The Armenian Tax Code offers a layered incentive structure. Here is what matters for Chinese founders:
- 5% CIT for qualifying IT/tech companies — apply via the National Competitiveness Foundation within 60 days of incorporation
- 0% VAT on export of services — Armenian companies invoicing foreign clients for technology, consulting, or B2B services pay zero VAT on those invoices
- IP Box Regime: 0% CIT on income from qualifying intellectual property (software, patents) developed in Armenia
- Armenia-China Double Tax Treaty (in force): limits withholding tax on dividends to 5% (Article 10) — reducible to 0% via Luxembourg intermediate holding. See retrieve.am/armenia-double-tax-treaty-china-dividends/
- No controlled foreign company (CFC) rules: Armenian holding companies face no CFC attribution on passive income
Opening a Bank Account in Armenia as a Chinese Citizen: What No One Tells You
Bank account opening is the single most common point of failure in Armenian company setup for Chinese founders. Here is what causes rejections and how to avoid them:
Common Rejection Triggers
- Source-of-funds documentation is vague or untranslated
- Business plan does not describe the company’s client base or revenue model
- Director is listed as Chinese national but has no Armenian residency or presence history
- Company has no substance — no employees, no office lease, no local activity
What Retrieve Legal Does Differently
Our banking team pre-screens your documentation package against each bank’s internal KYC matrix before submission. We have established working relationships with compliance officers at Ameriabank, Ardshinbank, and ACBA Bank. Our clients’ first-submission approval rate is significantly above the market average for Chinese-owned companies.
Full KYC walkthrough with video guide: retrieve.am/armenia-bank-account-chinese-citizen-2026/
Armenia Work & Residency Permit for Chinese Citizens
Chinese passport holders enter Armenia visa-free. For extended stays and legal employment, two permits are required:
- Work Permit — issued by the Migration and Citizenship Service, linked to the employing company. State fee: AMD 30,000 (~$78). Processing: 10 days (fast-track for IT sector)
- Temporary Residency Permit (TRP) — 1-year duration, renewable. Requires employment contract or directorship agreement, company registration documents, valid passport. State fee: AMD 75,000 (~$195)
For Filipino, Vietnamese, or Malaysian team members joining your Armenian back-office, separate permit pathways apply. Full guide including mixed-nationality teams: retrieve.am/armenia-work-residency-permit-chinese/
Common Mistakes Chinese Founders Make (And How to Avoid Them)
- Using a generic company name without checking Armenian script variants — causes registration delays
- Submitting bank statements without a narrative source-of-funds letter — almost always triggers EDD holds
- Registering under the 18% standard CIT rate instead of applying for the 5% incentive — founders have 60 days post-registration to apply; missing this window is costly
- Not registering for VAT when invoicing EAEU clients — EAEU B2B invoices require VAT compliance even for export-service companies
- Appointing a director who is not available for in-person bank KYC — banks require the beneficial owner or director to appear in person at least once
- Failing to register employment contracts within 3 days of hiring (Armenian Labour Code requirement) — triggers Social Security Fund penalties
Frequently Asked Questions (Schema: FAQPage)
1. Can a Chinese citizen own 100% of an Armenian company?
Yes. Under the Law of the Republic of Armenia on Foreign Investments (Article 6), foreign nationals have identical ownership rights to Armenian citizens. There is no minimum local shareholder or local director requirement for an LLC.
2. How long does company registration take?
The State Registry issues the registration certificate on the same day of filing (Day 5 of our roadmap). The full process including document apostille preparation in China takes 10 business days.
3. What is the minimum share capital for an Armenian LLC?
AMD 10,000 (~USD 26). There is no paid-in capital requirement at the time of registration — the amount is stated in the charter and can be contributed after registration.
4. Can I register an Armenian company without being physically present?
Yes, via an apostilled Power of Attorney. Retrieve Legal handles all filings on your behalf. Physical presence is required for bank account opening (most banks require one in-person visit).
5. What is the corporate tax rate for an IT company in Armenia?
5% under the IT incentive regime administered by the National Competitiveness Foundation, available to qualifying technology and IT service companies. Standard CIT is 18%.
6. Is Armenia in the EAEU?
Yes. Armenia has been a member of the Eurasian Economic Union since 2015, giving Armenian-registered companies duty-free access to the Russian, Kazakhstani, Belarusian, and Kyrgyz markets.
7. How do I move profits from Armenia to China?
Dividends paid to a Chinese shareholder are subject to 5% withholding under the Armenia-China Double Tax Treaty (Article 10). Via a Luxembourg intermediate holding, this can be reduced to 0%. See retrieve.am/armenia-double-tax-treaty-china-dividends/ for the structuring guide.
8. Does Armenia have an iGaming licence?
Yes. Armenia issues iGaming licences with 0% gaming tax on gross gaming revenue and 5% CIT for qualified operators. Full guide: retrieve.am/igaming-licence-armenia-china/
Further Reading — Retrieve Legal & Tax
- Armenia iGaming Licence Guide → retrieve.am/igaming-licence-armenia-china/
- Work & Residency Permit for Chinese Citizens → retrieve.am/armenia-work-residency-permit-chinese/
- Moving from UAE to Armenia → retrieve.am/uae-to-armenia-corporate-relocation/
- Armenia Bank Account for Chinese Citizens → retrieve.am/armenia-bank-account-chinese-citizen-2026/
- Armenia-China Double Tax Treaty → retrieve.am/armenia-double-tax-treaty-china-dividends/
Legal References & External Authority Sources
- Law of the Republic of Armenia on Foreign Investments — arlis.am (Official ARLIS legal database)
- Armenian Tax Code (Հայաստանի Հանրապետության հարկային օրենսգիրք) — Official RA Parliament text
- State Registry of Legal Entities — e-register.am