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Obtaining Residency Status and Citizenship (copy)

This guide gives you the information you need to understand how to legally live in the Republic of Armenia by first getting a residence permit, and then how to apply for Republic of Armenia (RA) citizenship or a special passport.

The following people can legally live in Armenia:

  • Those with Temporary, Permanent, or Special residence status.

  • Citizens of the Republic of Armenia.

  • Stateless persons or refugees who have the right paperwork.

To get the right to live in the Republic of Armenia, a person can get one of these statuses:

  • Temporary residence status which lets you live in Armenia for 1 year.

  • Permanent residence status which lets you live in Armenia for 5 years.

  • Special residence status (mostly for those with Armenian background) which lets you live in Armenia for 10 years.

Your rights are different depending on the residence status you have. This status is the first step toward getting full RA citizenship.

You may get RA citizenship if you are of Armenian descent, married to a person with RA citizenship, or have met the necessary requirements for how long you've lived here.

Types of Residence Permits

In Armenia, there are three types of residence permits:

  • The temporary residence permit is granted for up to one year and is renewable, often for reasons like employment, study, or family ties.
  • The permanent residence permit is issued for five years and is also renewable, typically for those who have established strong business or family ties in Armenia.
  • The special residence permit is designed for individuals of Armenian descent or those with significant contributions to the country. It grants a ten-year residency period. 

Each permit type has specific eligibility criteria and required documentation, managed by the Migration and Citizenship Service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Armenia.

Temporary and Permanent Residence Permits

Temporary and permanent residence permits are types of residence rights that allow foreigners to legally reside in the Republic of Armenia for periods of 1 and 5 years, respectively, with the possibility of extending the status.

Work Permit in Armenia

Provide a residence status based on employment
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Student Visa in Armenia

Special Residence Permits

A special residence permit allows foreigners of Armenian origin and other foreigners engaged in economic or cultural activities in the Republic of Armenia to legally reside in the Republic of Armenia for a period of 10 years with the possibility of extending the status.

Registering a Place of Residence

Registering a place of residence is necessary to enable access to public services, e.g., healthcare, schooling, and banking. Upon obtaining Republic of Armenia (RA) citizenship through any of the specified grounds, applicants must register their place of residence (address registration) within the Republic of Armenia before receiving an RA citizen's passport. 

Dual Citizenship

Armenia recognizes dual citizenship. Below are common questions about the rights, responsibilities, and military service of dual citizens.

The section was compiled in accordance with the RA Laws "On Citizenship of the Republic of Armenia" and "On Alternative Service".
Steps

How to Become a Citizen of the Republic of Armenia

  1. Step 1

    Prepare your Documents

    Whether you are applying for citizenship or a residence permit, you will need to prepare the appropriate documents presented in this guide.

  2. Step 2

    Submit an Application

    When applying for citizenship in the Republic of Armenia, apply to the Passport and Visa Department of RA and, when abroad, to the RA embassy or consulate in the country in question. You can do this by booking an appointment online.

  3. Step 3

    Track Your Application's Progress

    You can track the progress of your application to obtain or terminate citizenship online by entering your application tracking number.

  4. Step 4

    Get a Passport

    You will be notified within 90 days of submitting your documents whether your citizenship application has been approved or denied. If your application is approved, you can apply for a passport.

You can also legally reside in the Republic of Armenia by obtaining a residence permit.

Citizenship by Birth

Citizenship of a Child Born in Armenia

If You're Born Outside Armenia Or If Your Parents Are Not Armenian Citizens

Ways to Obtain Citizenship

Obtaining RA Citizenship Through a Simplified Procedure

You can obtain RA citizenship through a simplified procedure in the following cases:

  • If you are of Armenian descent, including if you moved from Artsakh.
  • If your parent is a citizen of the Republic of Armenia or was born in the Republic of Armenia.
  • If you are in a registered marriage with a citizen of the Republic of Armenia.
  • If you have a child who is a citizen of the Republic of Armenia
  • If you have previously renounced your citizenship and wish to restore it.
  • If you have been recognized as a citizen of the Republic of Armenia, a refugee, or a stateless person.

Obtaining RA Citizenship if You Are of Armenian Descent

Book an appointment online to apply for citizenship if you are in Armenia
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Book an appointment online to apply for citizenship if you are abroad
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Obtaining RA Citizenship if Your Parent is a Citizen of the Republic of Armenia or was Born in the Republic of Armenia

Book an appointment online to apply for citizenship if you are in Armenia
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Book an appointment online to apply for citizenship if you are abroad
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Attention
If at the time of the child's birth one of the parents is a foreign citizen or a stateless person, the written consent of that parent is required to grant the child RA citizenship and a RA citizen's passport.

Obtaining RA Citizenship if Your Child is A Citizen of the Republic of Armenia

Book an appointment online to submit an application for citizenship.

Obtaining RA Citizenship if You are Married to a Citizen of the Republic of Armenia

Book an appointment online to apply for citizenship if you are in Armenia
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Book an appointment online to apply for citizenship if you are abroad
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If none of the other cases for obtaining RA citizenship applies

Obtaining RA Citizenship on the Basis of Being Recognized as a Citizen of the Republic of Armenia

Apply in-person to determine a person's citizenship status in Armenia
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Apply in-person to determine a person's citizenship status abroad
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Obtaining RA Citizenship in an Exceptional Manner

If citizenship has been terminated, it is possible to restore it. To obtain RA citizenship again, it is necessary to perform the same sequential actions.

The section was compiled in accordance with the RA Law "On Citizenship of the Republic of Armenia".
RA Citizens Subject to Military Service

Military Registration

Male citizens between the ages of 16 and 55 are required to complete military registration as part of the process. Male citizens aged 18 to 27 are obligated to fulfill mandatory military service for a period of two years.

According to the new legislation, male citizens aged 27 to 37 who have not completed at least 12 months of military service in their home country prior to acquiring Armenian citizenship are required to serve one year in the Armenian military.

 

Apply in-person for military registration in the Republic of Armenia
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Apply in-person for military registration abroad
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Document Proving Citizenship

Obtaining a Passport

In Armenia, citizenship approval does not automatically generate a passport application. After acquiring RA citizenship on any of the above grounds, it is necessary to apply for a document proving citizenship in order to obtain an RA citizen's passport. The passport enables you to leave and return to the RA and serves as a document confirming the identity of a person within the territory of the RA.

The guide was compiled by the Information Systems Agency of Armenia
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