Armenia's planned overhaul of its immigration system, originally due to take effect on August 1, 2026, has been pushed back to November 1, 2026. The extra runway matters for anyone weighing whether to move now under the current rules or wait.
A new dedicated Work Entry Visa
Once the reform takes effect, nationals of visa-required countries will need a dedicated Work Entry Visa — roughly AMD 15,000, or about $38 — obtained from an Armenian embassy before travel. Citizens of visa-free countries are unaffected by this requirement.
Labour-market test abolished, replaced by quotas
The current labour-market test, which requires employers to advertise a role locally first to prove no Armenian candidate is available, will be abolished. In its place comes a government-set annual quota system on foreign workers. Sector-by-sector quota numbers have not yet been published.
Single platform, biometric cards
All immigration applications will move onto a single online platform. Physical biometric cards will replace the current residence-permit format, and mandatory in-person biometrics collection will be required.
- Reform delayed from Aug 1, 2026 to Nov 1, 2026
- New Work Entry Visa (~AMD 15,000 / ~$38) required for nationals of visa-required countries
- Visa-free-country citizens are unaffected by the new visa requirement
- Labour-market test abolished; replaced by an annual government quota system
- All applications move to a single online platform; biometric cards replace current residence permits
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Effective date | November 1, 2026 (delayed from August 1, 2026) |
| New Work Entry Visa fee | ~AMD 15,000 (~$38) |
| Labour-market test | Abolished, replaced by annual government quota system |
| Applications & permits | Single online platform; biometric cards replace paper residence permits |
The postponement gives candidates on Globaris's fast 30-day-entry Armenia pathway — housekeeping, delivery, and farming roles — a longer runway under today's simpler process. Anyone planning to apply after November 1, 2026 should expect to go through the new dedicated work-visa step rather than assume the current visa-free-entry route still applies.
