Armenia: Significant Immigration Law Reforms Forthcoming

Work visa system to be established.  

• A new work visa category will be established allowing single- or multiple-entry stays of up to 120 days per year. Applicants for a temporary residence permit with the right to work will need to have obtained this new work visa category.   

• The work visa will cost AMD 15,000. 

• Currently, Armenia has no work visa, with foreign nationals instead using a visit visa that permits short-term work.  

• By requiring foreign nationals to obtain a specific work visa, this change will increase the administrative burden of acquiring a right to work in Armenia.  

• Additionally, given visit visas cost AMD 15,000 this change will also increase cost for aspiring foreign workers.   

Labor market testing. Labor market testing will no longer be necessary as part of the work authorization application process. It remains to be confirmed whether this will also mean the current requirement for an interview with a migration inspector ceases.  

This reform will make sourcing foreign nationals considerably easier for employers, given they will no longer need to prove that an Armenia national is not available to fill the role. That said, as discussed below, this liberal reform is offset somewhat by the introduction of a quota on foreign workers.   

Quota. An annual state-level quota on foreign workers will be introduced. Specific details remain to be announced. Currently, Armenia has no quota on foreign workers. 

Subject to further details, this reform is likely to make it harder for certain employers to source foreign nationals, especially in sectors where foreign nationals already make up a sizeable portion of the labor market.  

Online-only residence permit application requirements. Applications for all residence permit types will need to be submitted online. Applications for work-based residence permits will be submitted on the government online portal, and other types of residence permits will be submitted via a different website that has not yet been announced. In person or paper applications will no longer be accepted. 

The residence permit process will be simplified. Foreign nationals will be able to avoid unnecessary queues by submitting applications exclusively online and by receiving updates on the status of their applications through the same platform. Overall, this will facilitate more efficient communication between applicants and the Migration Service. 

Temporary residence permit through business activity. The requirements for obtaining a temporary residence permit through business activity will be revised so that applicants must either:  

• Invest at least AMD 2,000,000 in company capital, shares or securities in Armenia; or 

• Register as an individual entrepreneur and maintain at least AMD 1,000,000 or demonstrate a turnover of AMD 1,000,000 within the 60 days prior to application.  

Under the current legislation, no minimum investment amount is specified, which makes the outcome of residence status applications unpredictable and grants the migration authorities broad discretionary powers in decision-making. The reforms will introduce clear minimum thresholds to ensure consistency in granting residence status. 

Notification requirements:  

• Temporary residence permit holders who change employers will need to notify authorities within 15 business days of the change, and submit a new employment contract via an online portal (details of which are still to be announced). Currently, there are no such notification requirements. 

• Permanent residence permit (with limited exceptions) and temporary residence permit holders will need to notify Armenian authorities via an online platform (details of which are still to be announced) if they are absent from Armenia for more than 183 days in a rolling 365-day period.  A similar rule currently exists but the revised law is expected to be enforced more stringently. 

• Foreign nationals and employers will need to be vigilant with respect to notifying authorities about changes in circumstances.  

• Employers may need to revise their internal auditing mechanisms to ensure compliance.