Types of Entry Visas to Armenia and Invitations

Foreigners wishing to enter the Republic of Armenia must obtain an entry visa. In relation to citizens of some countries Armenian legislation establishes visa-free regime. We will talk about types of entry visa necessary for crossing the border of the Republic of Armenia. Irrespective of types of passports (diplomatic, service, ordinary) foreign citizens are not released from the obligation to obtain a visa.

For the beginning note that citizens of some countries have a right to enter Armenia without visa and may stay in the territory of the RA for no more than 180 days during a year, unless the treaty otherwise provides. You may become familiar with a list of those countries here.

Other nationals enter Armenia after obtaining a visa. There are some types of entry visa:

-visitor visa;

-official visa;

-diplomatic visa;

-transit visa.

Visitor visa is issued when foreigners are going to Armenia on the purposes of tourism, medical treatment, visiting relatives (friends), joining family, study in education organizations of the RA, visiting cultural, sports, scientific and other events, carrying out short-term programs in the sphere of technical cooperation, humanitarian aid, charity and financial aid, participating in business negotiation, conducting labor and economic activity as well as visas for a single entry or for multiple entries with validity of one year, carrying out international transportation.

Official visa shall be issued for holders of Official or Service Passports:

-multiple entries visas for non-diplomatic employees of foreign diplomatic representations or international organizations and their families with validity of 3 years;

-single entry visa or multiple entries visa with validity of 1 year for foreign officials who arrive to Armenia upon invitation of Armenian authorities or foreign diplomatic representations or international organizations;

-single entry visa or multiple entries visa with validity of 1 year for members of official delegations holding ordinary passports.

Diplomatic visa shall be issued for holders of diplomatic passports and for the persons with diplomatic status:

-multiple entries visas for employees of foreign diplomatic representations or international organizations and their families with validity of 3 years;

-single entry visa or multiple entries visa with validity of 1 year for members of official delegations, their families as well as other officials;

-single entry visa for 120 days if arriving to Armenia for non-official purposes.

Transit visa

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs issues transit visas for single or multiple entry to people crossing the territory of the Republic of Armenia by ground or air transport with validity of 1 year with the right to stay in the territory of Armenia for no more than 3 days with possibility of extend for 4 days.

The Ministry of Foreign Affair of the Republic of Armenia issues and extends official, diplomatic entry visas, particularly electronically (evisa.mfa.am). Visitor and transit visas are issued and extended by the Passport and Visa Department of Police of the RA.

Invitations

The Government of the Republic of Armenia has established special conditions for the citizens of certain countries wishing to enter the territory of Armenia. Citizens of those countries obtain Armenian visa only upon invitation and only at the diplomatic representations of consular establishments of the RA. Here is the list of those countries.

But if foreigners are Armenians by origin they are free from the obligation of obtaining invitation when representing a document confirming Armenian origin. It is necessary to turn to consulate department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia to obtain an invitation or leave the list of the required documents in the postbox.

Legal entities, state and municipal authorities, embassies, consulates, international organizations and their representations in Armenia may file invitations to above listed body. Individuals submit invitations to Passport and Visa Departments of the Police of the RA. The copies of the passport of invited person and receipt confirming the payment of state duty must be appended to the invitation. If legal entity conveys invitation for the first time, it must attach the copy of the certificate of registration.