Move to Armenia

Ancient highland nation of stone churches, brandy and a lively café capital

Armenia is easy for long stays: visa-free nationals can stay up to 180 days a year, and a one-year temporary residence card is available for running a business, a work permit, Armenian origin or family ties. There is no digital nomad visa, owning property alone does not give residence, and state fees are moderate (105,000 drams for a temporary card).

Routes we checked: 2
Digital nomad visa: Not in our data
Language: Armenian
Currency: AMD
Last checked: 30 October 2026

Residence permit

Ways to live in Armenia

These are the residence routes in Bordr's guide that we have checked against official sources. Each one links to the government page.

Programme details are shown in English.

Residence permit Residence permits →

Temporary residence status (1-year card)

A one-year residence card for foreigners with a ground to stay, e.g. running a business (common for freelancers registered as sole traders), a work permit, study, Armenian origin or family ties.

What you need: Documents proving your ground (e.g. business registration, work permit or study certificate), a passport with a notarised Armenian translation, birth certificate, medical certificate and three 35×45 mm photos. Plus the application form and the fee receipt.
How long: Up to 1 year, extendable
Renewable: Yes
Cost: 105,000 drams (about $290); US citizens 85,000. Extension 105,000 drams (US citizens 1,000)
Processing time: Within 30 days (can be extended by 30 more)
How to apply: In person at the Migration and Citizenship Service, 14 Tairov St, Yerevan, by appointment at migration.e-gov.am; work-based applications via workpermit.am
Family: Family members can come with you
Path to permanent residence: Permanent residence (5-year card) is available on grounds such as running a business in Armenia, Armenian origin, or family ties with 3 years of legal residence.

Official page

Permanent residence status (5-year card)

A five-year renewable residence card for people running a business in Armenia, ethnic Armenians, and relatives of Armenian citizens who have lived in Armenia legally for 3 years.

What you need: Proof of the ground (business activity in Armenia, Armenian origin, or family ties plus adequate accommodation and 3 years of legal residence), passport with notarised translation, photos, medical certificate, fee receipt.
How long: 5 years, extendable by 5 years
Renewable: Yes
Cost: 140,000 drams (about $390); US citizens 90,000
Processing time: Up to 30 days
How to apply: Migration and Citizenship Service, 14 Tairov Street, Yerevan
Family: Family members can come with you
Path to permanent residence: This is permanent residence

Official page

Cost of living

Monthly amounts in US dollars.

Room in a shared flat	$300
One-bedroom flat	$460
Two-bedroom flat	$780
Bills	$80
Typical local salary	$650

Cities to consider

YerevanPink stone and Ararat views

Climate by month, neighbourhoods and costs for each city are in the Bordr guide.

What life is like

Programme details are shown in English.

Why people move

Yerevan is compact, walkable and full of cafés, wine bars and a growing tech scene. Monasteries perch on gorges, Lake Sevan is close, and the food is hearty and generous. Most expats settle in central Yerevan.

Day to day

Shared minibuses and cheap taxis via apps link towns, and the country is small enough for day trips. Private clinics handle most needs. Cards work widely in Yerevan, internet is solid, and Russian is commonly understood alongside Armenian.

Trade-offs

Winters are cold and summers in Yerevan are hot and dusty. The country is landlocked with closed borders on two sides, so flights are the main way out, and regional tensions are a background reality.

Before you move: visa-free entry

Most people arrive as visitors first, then apply from inside the country or come back with the right visa. How long you can stay as a visitor depends on your passport:

Visa rules for every passport

Questions

Does Armenia have a digital nomad visa?

Not among the routes we have checked. Remote workers usually come as visitors within the visa-free limit or use one of the other routes on this page.

How can I move to Armenia?

The routes we have checked are: Residence permit.

When was this information checked?

The residence routes for Armenia were last checked against official sources on 30 October 2026.

Sources and last check

Residence routes for Armenia were last checked against official sources on 30 October 2026.

This page is general information, not legal or immigration advice. Requirements change; confirm with the official government page or a licensed adviser before you apply.