The Government of Armenia is reviewing a new draft law on the rules for foreign residents, which could significantly change the process of obtaining a residence permit (RP).

The proposed changes are planned to take effect on November 1, 2026.

*Official source of the law’s publication

They will affect the cost of residence permits, business requirements, length of stay, and the application process. Below is a simple explanation in plain language.

What Will Change in the Residence Permit Rules in Armenia

1. Applications Will Be Submitted Fully Online

According to the draft law, all residence permit applications will be submitted only in electronic format.

This means:

• documents will be uploaded through a special online system
• personal visits to the migration service will almost disappear
• applicants will be able to track the status of their application online

The proposal also introduces a fixed processing time of up to 30 days.

This should make the process faster.

2. Government Fees Will Increase *(starting January 2027)

One of the most noticeable changes is the increase in application fees.

Proposed government fees:

• 1-year residence permit: 150,000 AMD
• 5-year permanent residence permit: 250,000 AMD

* Important:
The fee will be charged for reviewing the application, not for the result.

This means that the fee will not be refunded if the application is rejected.

3. A Longer Path to Permanent Residence

Obtaining a 5-year permanent residence permit (PR) will become more difficult.

Currently, applicants can apply for permanent residence if they meet the required grounds. Under the new law:

Foreigners will need to live in Armenia for at least 3 years with temporary residence permits before applying.

The process would look like this:

• get a 1-year residence permit
• extend the permit
• live in Armenia for at least 3 years

Only then apply for permanent residence

This change brings Armenia’s migration system closer to the European model.

4. Quotas for Residence Permits

Another important change is the introduction of limits on the number of residence permits issued.

The proposal suggests:

• each type of residence permit will have an annual quota
• the quotas will be set by the Government of Armenia

This means that even if an applicant meets all requirements, the application could still be rejected if the yearly quota has already been reached.

5. New Requirements for Business-Based Residence Permits

Foreigners applying for a residence permit through business ownership or sole entrepreneurship (IE/SP) will need to prove financial activity.

Two possible options are proposed:

Option 1

business turnover of at least 1,000,000 AMD during the last 60 days

or

Option 1

A minimum balance of 1,000,000 AMD in the entrepreneur’s bank account for the entire validity period of the residence permit

These requirements aim to ensure that residence permits are granted only to actively operating businesses.

6. Stricter Residence Requirements

The draft law also introduces stricter rules regarding physical presence in Armenia.

A residence permit may be cancelled if:

• a person stays outside Armenia for more than 183 days
• Business activity is inactive for more than 180 days

The government aims to prevent situations where residence permits are obtained formally without real residence or business activity in the country.

When the Changes May Take Effect?

The proposed date for the law to take effect is November 1, 2026.

Before that, the law must:

• be approved by the Parliament of Armenia
• be adopted by the Government
• be officially published

Some details may still change during the legislative process, but the overall direction of the reform is already clear.

What This Means for Foreigners

If the law is adopted in its current form:

• the cost of residence permits will increase
• quotas will be introduced
• getting permanent residence will take longer
• business and residency requirements will be stricter
• applications will become fully digital

Should You Apply for a Residence Permit Now?

Until the new rules take effect, the procedure may remain simpler.

Therefore, foreigners who are planning to:

• open a business
• apply for a residence permit
• apply for permanent residence

may want to consider submitting their application before the law changes.

Contact us for a free consultation.

*This article will be updated as soon as official information about the draft law becomes available.