Entering without an Entrance Visa
Citizens of states for which no visa entrance regime is
provided, are allowed to enter the territory of Armenia and stay there for up
to 180 days, according to article 7 of the Armenian Law ''On Foreigners''.
Obtaining an Entrance Visa
According to the Law ''On Foreigners'' citizens of states for
which a no visa entrance regime is not provided may enter the territory of
Armenia only after obtaining an entrance visa. The entrance visa can
be issued in two ways:
1. When the foreigner arrives to Armenia (at the Armenian state border)
2. Before the foreigner’s arrival to Armenia (at the Armenian embassy or consular service).
1. When the foreigner arrives to Armenia (at the Armenian state border)
2. Before the foreigner’s arrival to Armenia (at the Armenian embassy or consular service).
Citizens of some countries also have to obtain a prior invitation from Armenia before
applying for an entrance visa. Governmental Decree No. 329-N of 04.04.2008 approved
a list of countries, the citizens of which need to receive a visa before their
arrival to Armenia and a list of countries, the citizens of which need to
obtain a prior invitation from Armenia before applying for an entrance visa. According
to the Law ''On State Duty'' duties payable for an entrance visa are set at the
following rates:
1) 15,000 AMD (about $36) for a visa valid for up to 120
days
2) 3,000 AMD (about $7) for a visa valid for up to21
days
Obtaining a Residence Card
Obtaining a Residence Card
A foreigner must obtain a residence card, if he/she wants to extend the stay in
Armenia beyond the period specified in the entrance visa or by law where an
entrance visa is not required. According to the Law ''On Foreigners,'' there are 3
types of residence cards:
1.
Temporary
2.
Permanent
3.
Special
At first a foreigner who is not of Armenian descent can
apply for a temporary residence card, which is granted for a one-year period. The
issuing body is the Police. The procedure for issuing residence cards is established
by Governmental Decree No. 1134-N of 07.02.2008. In order to receive a temporary
residence card the applicant must submit the following documents:
1. Application-questionnaire
2. Three color photos (35 x 45mm)
3. Passport,
copy of the passport and anotarized translation into Armenian of the passport.
4. Medical certificate
on health condition (general examination can be carried outin Armenian
hospitals).
5. Documents
justifying the residence in Armenia (usually a certificate from employer
or from aneducational institution or other document showing the reason of
residence).
6. A proof
of payment of state duties in the amount of 105,000 AMD (about $255). The payment is made only
after the Police notifies of its positive decision, which usually happens within
a month from the application date.
Obtaining a Labor Permission
The Law ''On
Foreigners'' requires foreigners to
obtain a labor permission before they can be employed in Armenia. Exceptions
when a foreigner can work in Armenia without a labor permission are defined in
article 23 of the Law, including case when
the foreigner is a founder or an executive officer or a representative of
a company with foreign
investment. According to the Armenian Law ''On Foreign
Investments'' the company is considered to be with foreign investment if
it is created and its capital is paidby a foreign person or entity.
Varuzhan Vardanyan
Attorney, legal counselor
Vardanyan & Partners law firm
