Armenian visa resources
Residence status in Armenia explained
Armenia recognises three residence statuses for foreigners - temporary, permanent and special - each with its own card or passport, validity and application route.
Important
The Migration and Citizenship Service establishes three residence statuses. Temporary residence status is granted for up to one year and can be extended year by year; it is evidenced by a temporary resident card. Permanent residence status is granted for five years and is extendable, evidenced by a permanent resident card. Special residence status is granted for ten years and is evidenced by a special Armenian passport.
Temporary, permanent and special residence applications are generally made in person at the Migration and Citizenship Service in Yerevan by appointment, while employment-based residence and work permits are filed online. Note that reforms in 2026 change how special passports are issued going forward, so check the official service for the current position.
The three statuses
- Temporary residence: up to 1 year, extendable; temporary resident card
- Permanent residence: 5 years, extendable; permanent resident card
- Special residence: 10 years; special Armenian passport (for Armenian origin and distinguished persons)
Next steps
Official sources
For the most accurate and up-to-date information, always refer to the official government sources.
Verified against official sources · last reviewed 2026-08-21. Information only — not legal advice.