Types of Entry Visas to the Republic of Armenia and Invitations
Foreigners wishing to travel to the Republic of Armenia must obtain an entry visa. Regarding to citizens of some countries, the Armenian legislation establishes visa-free regime. Here we will talk about types of entry visas, necessary for crossing the border of the Republic of Armenia.
For the beginning, we would like to note that citizens of some countries have a right to travel to the Republic of Armenia without a visa and stay in the territory of the RA within some time period (duration of that period for the citizens of different countries is established by bilateral treaties) each year. You may get familiarized with the list of those countries here.
In addition, the Government of the Republic of Armenia unilaterally defined the list of countries whose citizens may stay in the Republic of Armenia without a visa for a specified time period each year.
Other nationals irrespective of types of passports (diplomatic, service, ordinary) can only travel to the Republic of Armenia after obtaining a visa.
There are several types of entry visa:
- visitor visa;
- official visa;
- diplomatic visa;
- transit visa.
Visitor visa is issued when foreigners are going to the Republic of Armenia for the purposes of tourism, medical treatment, visiting relatives (friends), joining family, studying in education organizations of the RA, visiting cultural, sports, scientific and other events, carrying out short-term programs in the field of technical cooperation, humanitarian aid, charity and financial aid, participating in business negotiation, conducting labor and economic activity, international transportation and other professional interest. Visitor visa is issued for a single entry or for multiple entries with a validity of one year.
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 a validity of three years;
- single entry visa or multiple entries visa with validity of one year for foreign officials who arrive in the Republic of Armenia upon an invitation of Armenian authorities or foreign diplomatic representations or international organizations;
- single entry visa or multiple entries visa with validity of one 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 a validity of three years;
- single entry visa or multiple entries visa with validity of one year for members of official delegations, their families as well as other officials;
- single entry visa for 120 days if arriving in the Republic of Armenia for non-official purposes.
Transit visa
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs issues transit visas for single or multiple entries to people crossing the territory of the Republic of Armenia by ground or air transport with a validity of one year with the right to stay in the territory of the Republic of Armenia for no more than three days with possibility of extend for four days.
The Ministry of Foreign Affair of the Republic of Armenia issues and extends official, diplomatic entry visas, particularly electronically. Visitor and transit entry 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 the Republic of Armenia. Citizens of those countries wishing to 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 of Armenian descent they are exempt from the obligation of obtaining invitation in case of submitting a document confirming their Armenian descent. It is necessary to apply to the Consulate Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia to obtain the 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 the Republic of Armenia send the invitations to the above-mentioned authority. Individuals submit invitations to the Passport and Visa Department of the Police of the RA. The copies of the invited person’s and host person’s passport (host person’s residence card, special passport) and receipt confirming the payment of state duty must be attached to the invitation. If legal entity conveys an invitation for the first time, the copy of its registration certificate or a copy of the document having equal legal force must be attached. The invitation shall be written on the letterhead of an organization.