Armenia introduced temporary visa exemption for residents of US, EU, and Gulf countries

Nationals of 113 countries with valid residence permits can stay up to 180 days without a visa until July 1, 2026

Armenia introduced a temporary visa exemption for nationals of 113 countries holding valid residence permits from certain regions. The policy took effect on January 1, 2026, and runs until July 1, 2026, according to a document published by the Armenian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The exemption applies to travelers holding a valid residence permit issued by the United States, European Union member states, Schengen Area countries, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, or Oman. The residence permit must be valid for at least six months from the date of entry into Armenia.

Importantly, the exemption is based on residency status rather than passport nationality. This means travelers from countries that would normally require a visa may still qualify if they legally reside in one of the approved jurisdictions.

Length of stay

Eligible visitors can remain in Armenia for up to 180 days within a one-year period, offering significant flexibility for tourism, business visits, or personal travel.

Eligible countries

The 113 eligible nationalities include:

Africa: Algeria, Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Rwanda, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

Americas: Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Belize, Bolivia, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Paraguay, Peru, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, and Venezuela.

Asia: Bhutan, Brunei, Cambodia, East Timor, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Laos, Lebanon, Malaysia, Maldives, Mongolia, Nepal, North Korea, Pakistan, Palestine, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Syria, Thailand, Turkmenistan, Vietnam, and Yemen.

Europe: Bosnia and Herzegovina and North Macedonia.

Pacific: Fiji, Kiribati, Micronesia, Nauru, Palau, Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu.

Document requirements

The Armenian Ministry of Foreign Affairs outlined several requirements for the exemption. The residence permit must be presented as a physical card or as a sticker affixed to the passport. It must include, in Latin characters, essential information such as the holder's name, nationality, date of birth, and the document's validity period indicated according to the Gregorian calendar.

Border authorities reserve the right to verify the validity and compliance of these documents prior to entry.

Standard entry rules still apply

While the visa requirement was waived for eligible individuals, standard entry rules still apply. Travelers must carry valid travel documents, comply with immigration regulations, and may be asked to provide supporting information about the purpose of their visit