How to get an Armenia visa: A detailed guide for foreigners

Armenia is a small country located between Europe and Asia, bordering Azerbaijan, Iran, Turkey and Georgia. It is located in the south of the Caucasus mountain range, which belonged to the former Soviet Union.

Armenia has numerous medieval monasteries, buildings portraying former Soviet Union architecture, museums and monuments that are unique to the area. It is a country that is still rarely visited by tourists, yet stands out for its unknown beauty and distinctive sites.

Discover how to get an Armenia visa, all the details about the application process, and prepare for an amazing trip! 

Do I need a visa to travel to Armenia?

Yes, it's necessary to know how to get an Armenia visa before traveling. Currently, there are 45 nationalities exempt from applying for a visa to travel to the country and they can stay up to 180 days without obtaining a permit or visa. These nationalities are mostly European countries, the United Arab Emirates and the United States.

All other nationalities must apply for an entry visa to Armenia, which can be for stays of between 21 and 120 days. You can check with our eligibility verifier if your nationality requires a visa.

Types of visas for Armenia

Nationals who are not exempt from applying for a visa must learn how to get an Armenia visa. There are several types available, and they are:

Visitor's visa

This visa must be processed by foreign nationals visiting Armenia for tourism, business or family visits. There are two types of visas:

• Visitor's visa valid for 21 days.
• Visitor's visa valid for 120 days either single-entry or multiple-entry.

Official visa

Foreign nationals who are not diplomats or civil servants, but who belong to an international organization or are invited by an Armenian government authority must apply for this visa. It is possible to apply for single or multiple entries. It has a maximum validity of one year.

Diplomatic visa

This visa can only be applied for by foreigners with a diplomatic passport. You can apply for single or multiple entries and the reason must be for your country's diplomatic representation in Armenia or for the representation of international organizations that are going to hold agreements or meetings in the country.

Transit visa

Foreigners who are going to make any kind of stopover in Armenia, with Armenia not being the final destination, must apply for this visa. It is valid for 3 days from the date of entry into the country and can be for single or multiple entries.

Temporary residence permit

This permit is for those who want to work, study or take part in commercial activities or for those being a direct relative of an Armenian citizen. It is valid for one year and can be extended for a further year. The type of documentation required will be different in each case, depending on the reason for application.

Permanent residence permit

The permanent residence permit can only be applied for by people of foreign nationality who have been living in Armenia for at least 3 years, those with direct relatives of a citizen with Armenian nationality, or those who have commercial or employment contracts. The period of validity is 5 years and can be extended for another 5 years.

How do I apply for an Armenia visa?

The answer to how to get an Armenia visa will depend on the type of visa you're applying for. Based on the type of visa, you will have the option of applying online, upon arrival at the airport or in person at an embassy or consulate.

The transit visa can be applied for online or on arrival at the airport. Visitor visas can be requested in all three ways: online, in person and on arrival in the country.

The most recommended way to obtain a visitor Armenia visa is to apply online, which will avoid trips to the embassy, queues on arrival in the country and potential problems that may arise if you do not already have an approved document. If you apply through visagov.com, you'll have the advantage of receiving expert assistance every step of the way, on top of going through the process in your own language and using a simplified form.

Official visas, work visas and residence visas must be processed at the embassy closest to your place of residence.

Who needs to know how to get an Armenia visa?

All nationalities that are not exempt from processing must know how to get an Armenia visa to enter or move around the country. There are some nationalities with bilateral agreements between the countries, which allow them to access without a visa, for a maximum stay of 180 days. For example, citizens of Bulgaria, Brazil, China, Cyprus and Egypt are exempt from applying for a visitor's visa. For work or residence permits, all nationalities must apply for a visa.

What are the requirements to apply for a visa to Armenia?

To know how to get an Armenia visa, first we need to know what requirements to follow.

To apply for a visitor's visa for tourism or business in Armenia, you must have a passport valid for more than 6 months from the time of our entry to the country, a recent photograph, and proof of travel, which can be round trip flight receipts or a hotel reservation.

It is possible that, for some nationalities, a letter of invitation may also be requested from the country's diplomatic department. In this case, you must process this invitation request before completing the visa. This is a simple procedure, in which you will be asked for some basic personal information.

For the documentation required for long-stay permits such as work or residence, the embassy that will provide information on the necessary documentation.

If you have any doubts, read our article about the entry requirements for Armenia.

Can the Armenia visa be changed once it has been processed?

No, it is not possible to make any changes to the visa for Armenia once it has been processed. If you have made a mistake, you must apply for a new visa. In this case, you would not be refunded the costs of the government fees and would have to pay for the application again.

It is advisable to check all our details carefully and make sure they are exactly the same as those in your passport, before sending the application.

How much does a visa to Armenia cost?

The cost of government visa fees for Armenia depends on the type and length of time in which you apply, including:

• 21-day visitor's visa: $6
• Visitor's visa for 120 days: $31
• Transit visa: $28

You will need to apply through the Armenian government embassies for long-stay permits.

How far in advance do I need to apply for an Armenia visa?

You can apply for a visitor's visa at any time in advance of travel. The approved visa will not be valid until 45/50 days before the date of arrival in Armenia. The minimum notice to apply for a visa is 72 hours, although it is advisable to apply about 30 days before your arrival date.

What are the entry borders to Armenia?

Armenia borders Georgia to the north, Iran to the south, Azerbaijan to the east and Turkey to the west. Crossing the border into the independent Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh is not recommended.

Due to the conflict between Armenia and its neighbouring countries Azerbaijan and Turkey, you will not be able to cross by land or air from Armenia to either of these two countries and vice versa. If you want to cross the border by land to get to Armenia, you must do so from Georgia, through any of its three border crossings:

• Bagratashen - Sadakhlo.
• Bavra - Ninotsminda.
• Gogovan - Guguti.

The most common way to enter Armenia is through its International Airport of Zvartnots, located 10 km from Yerevan, the capital of the country. Only international flights can land in the country or flights that stopover in Georgia or Iran.

Do you need a transit visa in Armenia?

If you’re planning to transit through Armenia and enter the country for up to 72 hours, you will need to present a ticket and visa to your final destination (a third country). If you’re planning to stay in the transit zone, you won’t need to show anything but won’t be able to stay for more than 48 hours.