EMBASSY OF THE REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA, CONSULAR SECTION

SPECIAL RESIDENCY STATUS IN ARMENIA

Information Sheet: 

General Information:

The Law on Legal Status of Foreign Citizens in the Republic of Armenia, enacted in 1994, and the enabling legislation allows foreign citizens to receive a Special Residency Status in the Republic of Armenia. The Special Residency Status is granted by the President of Armenia to the foreign citizens of Armenian ancestry and other distinguished individuals, who have provided significant services to the Armenian nation and/or are engaged in economic and cultural activities in Armenia. The Special Residency Status is granted for a ten-year term, and may be extended upon request. 

Those granted Special Residency Status will be issued Special Armenian Passports and will no longer be required to obtain entry visas for traveling to Armenia. While in Armenia, they will enjoy the full protection of the Armenian law, as well as the rights and obligations of Armenian citizens, except for the right to vote and to run for office, enroll in political organizations, and the right to own land (the holder of Special Passport may own all other types of property or lease the land). They will be exempt from military service in the Armenian National Army. Please note, that Special Passport will not waive visa requirements for other CIS countries. For travel to those and other countries the bearer of Special Passport should use his/her national passport.

The survivors of the Armenian Genocide are granted Special Passports through a facilitated procedure, and the application fee is waived. 

The Armenian Government has recently taken steps to improve the business environment in Armenia. In particular, the Armenian Tax Code was overhauled, and the Personal Income Tax, the Profit Tax, and the payroll taxes have been reduced. Together with the commitment of the Armenian authorities to attract and assist foreign investment, the new requirements will help to cultivate a favorable environment for businesses in Armenia. The Armenian-American businessmen are encouraged to take this opportunity to contribute to the economic growth in Armenia, and facilitate closer ties between the Diaspora Armenians and their historic Homeland Hayastan. Receiving a Special Armenian Passport will greatly assist those who are interested in pursuing business interests in Armenia. 

“The important steps of the Armenian Government provide a logical link to tie Diaspora Armenians to Homeland, by giving them a real opportunity to be actively involved in the social, economic and cultural life in Armenia”, said Armenia’s Ambassador to the United States, Dr. Arman Kirakossian.

Application Information:

To apply for the Special Residency Status in the Republic of Armenia, applicants need to submit certain documentation to the Embassy or the Consulate General of Armenia, depending on their state of residence (see table below):

Residents of AL, AR, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OK, PA, PR, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, VA, VI, VT, WV, WI please refer to:	Consular Section, Embassy of Armenia to the United States 2225 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 Tel: (202) 319-2983; Fax: (202) 319-8330                  E-mail: armconsul@speakeasy.net
Residents of AK, AS, AZ, CA, CM, CO, GU, HI, ID, MT, NM, NV, OR, UT, WA, WY please refer to:	Consulate General of Armenia in Los Angeles 50 North La Cienega Blvd., Suite 210, Beverly Hills, CA 90211  Tel: (310) 657-6102; Fax: (310) 657-7419; E-mail: armconla@aol.com

The following documents need to be submitted, by any registered mail:

1.  An Application Questionnaire filled out in English only (enclosed.)

2. Letter in the name Ambassador or Consul General of the Republic Armenia, requesting the Special Residency Status. The letter must include the following:

a) Information regarding present citizenship.

b) Information regarding past citizenship, if any, including country and reason for loss of citizenship.

c) Country of origin and nationality at birth.

d) Reason for applying for Special Residency Status in Armenia, i.e., business, cultural, charity, etc. Please provide details.

e) Your occupation and place of employment in the U.S. Please be as specific as possible.

f) How many stays have you had in Armenia: when, for how long and under what circumstances. If you were previously granted other type of Residency Status in Armenia (Temporary, Ordinary, Exclusive), please indicate.

g) Information on possible conviction or involvement in a criminal investigation.

3. Clear photocopies of pages of your passport with photograph, validity and personal data.  

4. Photocopy of birth certificate.

5. Six passport size professional color photographs with light background.

6. Money order or check in the amount of US$350.00 (US$300.00 – application fee, US$50.00 – for consular services) made payable to the Embassy or Consulate General of Armenia (could be paid after the passport is issued). Armenian Genocide survivors are waived the application fee. They are requested to pay only $50.00 for consular services.

Note:

1. Usually the application is processed within 3-4 months. In some cases, requiring additional consideration, the processing time could be extended up to one year.

2. The application may be denied by the Armenian authorities in some cases. The rejected applicants may reapply for the Special Residency Status one year after their initial application was rejected.

3. If applying by mail, please include in your original shipment a prepaid return envelope of any registered mail with a tracking number or a separate money order or check payable to the Embassy or Consulate General of Armenia in the amount of US$15.00, if overnight FedEx™Express service is requested.

4. We regret for not being able to assume any responsibility for documents while in delivery by mail. 

5. US$30.00 will be assessed for any checks returned as unpaid. 

For additional information please call at the above-mentioned telephone numbers 10.00a.m. – 6p.m. Monday through Friday or send an electronic request.