Last updated: 10 November 2026· Facts checked November 2026
Do you need an Armenia visa? If you hold a US, UK, EU, Australian, Japanese or South Korean passport, the answer is no. You can stay up to 180 days a year without one, and so can Russians and citizens of most former Soviet states.
Canadians, Indians and most other nationalities do need a visa. The easiest way is the official e-visa: USD 8 for up to 21 days or USD 39 for up to 120 days, normally issued within 3 working days. In addition, until 1 July 2027, nationals of 111 countries who live in the US, the EU, the Schengen area or the Gulf can enter visa-free with their residence permit. This guide explains who goes in which group, as of November 2026.
Key Facts
- Visa-free stay: up to 180 days during one year for the countries on Armenia’s visa-free lists, unless an agreement sets another limit (checked November 2026)
- Shorter limits: China and Iran, 90 days in any 180-day period; Macao, up to 90 days
- E-visa: evisa.mfa.am, USD 8 (21 days) or USD 39 (120 days), not refundable, normally 3 working days
- Temporary exemption: 111 nationalities with a valid US, EU, Schengen, UAE, Bahraini, Qatari, Saudi, Kuwaiti or Omani residence permit, 1 July 2026 to 1 July 2027
- Overstay fine: 50,000–100,000 AMD (about $140–280)
- Open land borders: Georgia and Iran only (checked November 2026)
In this guide
Who Needs an Armenia Visa?
Armenia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) keeps two visa-free lists. One holds the countries Armenia exempts on its own. The other holds countries with a visa-free agreement. In both cases you can stay up to 180 days during one year, unless an agreement says otherwise.
Visa-Free for 180 Days a Year
Citizens of these 45 countries can visit without a visa on any type of passport. The list covers all 27 EU member states, plus Andorra, Australia, Iceland, Japan, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Montenegro, New Zealand and Norway. It also includes Qatar, San Marino, Singapore, South Korea, Switzerland, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, the United States and Vatican City.
The MFA page with this list is dated 2 February 2024. On 9 November 2026 it still showed the same 45 countries.
Visa-Free by Agreement
Ordinary passport holders from these countries are visa-free under an agreement: Albania, Argentina, Belarus, Brazil, China, Ecuador, Georgia, Hong Kong, Iran, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. The list goes on with Macao, Moldova, Panama, Qatar, Russia, Serbia, Tajikistan, Ukraine, the UAE, Uruguay and Uzbekistan. Other countries on the same page are visa-free for diplomatic or service passports only.
Most agreements keep the general 180-day rule, but a few set their own limits:
| Passport | Visa-free stay | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| EU, UK, US, Australia, Japan, South Korea and the rest of the 45-country list | 180 days during one year | Armenia’s own exemption |
| Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Moldova, Ukraine, Georgia | 180 days during one year (MFA general rule) | Agreements |
| China (ordinary passports) | 90 days in any 180-day period | 2019 agreement, in force since January 2020 |
| Iran | 90 days in any 180-day period | 2016 memorandum |
| Hong Kong SAR | Up to 180 days | Arrangement in force since 3 March 2019 |
| Macao SAR | Up to 90 days | Visa-waiver agreement, ratified 2016 |
Canada is not on either visa-free list. Canadians need a visa unless they hold a valid US, EU, Schengen or Gulf residence permit.
The Canadian government’s own travel page agrees: it lists a tourist visa as required and tells Canadians to get it before they leave. Many travel sites get this wrong, so check twice if you are Canadian.
Russian Citizens and Internal Passports
According to JAMnews and Russian travel guides, Russian citizens can fly to Armenia on their internal (domestic) passport as well as an international one. The MFA pages do not mention this, so confirm it with your airline. Travel guides to Georgia say it does not accept the Russian internal passport, so overland trips through Georgia need an international passport.
For everyone else, the MFA’s rules speak only of passports and travel documents. Bring your passport, even if your country is visa-free.
The Residence-Permit Exemption (Until 1 July 2027)
This is the biggest change of 2026. A first version for 113 nationalities ran from 1 January to 1 July 2026. The MFA then renewed it until 1 July 2027, for a list of 111 nationalities dated 30 June 2026.
In addition, holders of a valid United Nations laissez-passer or European Union laissez-passer may enter without a visa. They can stay up to 180 days in a year. The MFA states this on its visa page.
The list includes Canada, India, Indonesia, Israel, Malaysia, Mexico, Pakistan, the Philippines, South Africa, Thailand and Vietnam. You qualify if you hold a residence permit from the United States, an EU member state, a Schengen country, the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait or Oman. The conditions are strict:
- the permit must be valid for at least six months from the day you enter Armenia;
- it must be a physical card or a sticker in your passport, not a PDF or an app;
- border officers may ask that it shows, in Latin letters, the document title, your name, nationality, date of birth and validity dates.
If you qualify, you can stay up to 180 days within a one-year period. Check your nationality against the MFA’s PDF list before you book.
How to Apply for the Armenia E-Visa
If you need a visa, the official portal is evisa.mfa.am, run by the MFA. Avoid look-alike websites that add a “service fee” on top. The steps:
- Check your eligibility with your nationality, passport type and arrival date.
- Fill in your details and upload a scan of your passport.
- Choose a visa for up to 21 days or up to 120 days.
- Pay by Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover or PayPal.
- Wait for the result by email, and keep a copy on paper or on your phone.
| Visitor visa | Fee in AMD | Fee in USD (MFA) |
|---|---|---|
| Single entry, up to 21 days | 3,000 AMD | $8 |
| Single entry, up to 120 days | 15,000 AMD | $39 |
| Multiple entry, up to 60 days, valid 6 months | 20,000 AMD | $52 |
| Multiple entry, up to 120 days, valid 1 year | 40,000 AMD | $103 |
Processing normally takes 3 working days, counted from the business day after you apply. The MFA can ask for more documents, which adds time, so apply at least a week before you fly. The fee is not refunded if the visa is refused.
Can You Get a Visa on Arrival?
Some visa guides say many nationalities can still buy a visa at Zvartnots Airport or a land border. However, the MFA pages do not say who qualifies, and the Canadian government tells its citizens to get the visa before departure. The airport adds that visa fees are paid only in drams. So the safe choice is to apply online before you travel.
Nationals of the countries on the MFA’s “invitation only” list are different. They must apply at an Armenian embassy or consulate, with an invitation from Armenia.
Passport Rules and Staying Longer
Passport Validity
For an e-visa, the portal asks for a passport valid at least 3 months after you leave Armenia, with 2 free pages. For visa-free visitors, the UK government says only that your passport must be valid for your whole stay. Canada’s travel page asks for 6 months beyond your departure date. Six months of validity is the safe choice for everyone.
Extensions and Residence
- Visa extensions – visitor visas run up to 120 days and can be extended by up to 60 days. Apply to the Migration and Citizenship Service with a reason; the airport cannot extend visas.
- More than 180 days – you need a residence permit. Since 1 November 2026, residence applications go through a new online system of the Migration and Citizenship Service.
- Working – a visa-free or visitor entry is not a work permit. The amended Law on Foreigners, in force since 1 November 2026, changed the residence and work rules but not the visa-free lists.
What Happens If You Overstay?
Overstaying is an administrative offence under Article 201 of the Code of Administrative Offences. The fine is 50,000–100,000 AMD (about $140–280). Zvartnots Airport’s visa page also warns that overstayers may be barred from returning for a year.
Don’t rely on a “visa run” to Georgia. The MFA counts 180 days during one year, not per trip, so plan by the total number of days you spend in Armenia.
Entering Armenia Overland
Armenia’s only open land borders are with Georgia and Iran. The border with Azerbaijan is closed. Armenia says its renovated Margara crossing to Turkey is ready, but as of November 2026 it has opened only briefly for aid convoys, not for normal travellers. See our page on where Armenia is for the map.
- From Georgia – the busiest crossing is Sadakhlo–Bagratashen on the Tbilisi–Yerevan road, which travel guides list as open around the clock. Bavra (from Ninotsminda, towards Gyumri) and the small Gogavan post are the others; check Gogavan’s hours before you go.
- From Iran – the Nordooz–Agarak crossing near Meghri in Syunik. The UK government says it is open to foreign nationals coming from Iran, but this can change at short notice. Western governments advise strongly against travel to Iran.
Flying in? Our Zvartnots Airport guide covers arrivals, money and the bus into Yerevan. For current advice, read Is it safe in Armenia? before you go.
So, check your passport against the lists, apply early if you need an e-visa, and come and see Armenia for yourself. From Yerevan’s cafés to the monasteries in the mountains, 180 days go faster than you think.
Questions Visitors Ask
Do US citizens need a visa for Armenia?
No. US citizens can stay up to 180 days a year without a visa, like UK, EU and Australian citizens.
Do Canadians need a visa for Armenia?
Yes. Canada is not on Armenia’s visa-free lists. Apply for an e-visa at evisa.mfa.am, unless you hold a valid US, EU, Schengen or listed Gulf residence permit, which makes you visa-free until 1 July 2027.
Do Indian citizens need a visa for Armenia?
Yes, unless they hold a valid US, EU, Schengen or listed Gulf residence permit. Everyone else should apply for an e-visa at evisa.mfa.am before travelling.
How long does the Armenian e-visa take?
Normally 3 working days from the next business day after you apply, longer if the MFA asks for more documents.
Can Russians enter Armenia with an internal passport?
On flights, yes, according to Russian travel guides and JAMnews; confirm with your airline. Overland through Georgia you need an international passport.
Sources
- Visa, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia (read 9 November 2026)
- Countries exempt from the visa requirement, MFA of Armenia (read 9 November 2026)
- Visa-free regime by agreement, MFA of Armenia (read 9 November 2026)
- Temporary visa exemption, list of 111 countries (30 June 2026), MFA of Armenia (read 9 November 2026)
- Consular fees, MFA of Armenia (read 9 November 2026)
- E-Visa Issuance System and its terms and conditions, MFA of Armenia (read 9 November 2026)
- Travel advice: Armenia, entry and exit requirements, Government of Canada (read 9 November 2026)
- Armenia entry requirements, UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (read 9 November 2026)
- Visa, Zvartnots International Airport (read 9 November 2026)
- Visa-free access to Panama and Armenia for HKSAR passport holders, Hong Kong SAR Government (read 9 November 2026)
- Macao Yearbook 2025, visa-waiver arrangements, Macao SAR Government (via search, 9 November 2026)
- Armenia–China visa exemption agreement, ARLIS legal database (via search, 9 November 2026)
- Armenia–Iran memorandum on visa-free travel, ARLIS legal database (via search, 9 November 2026)
- Residency services will be digitized, Migration and Citizenship Service (via search, 9 November 2026)
- Armenia temporarily waives visas for citizens of 113 countries, JAMnews (read 9 November 2026)
- Renovated Margara border crossing point ready for service, Armenpress (via search, 9 November 2026)
Discover more of Armenia’s sights, food and traditions on iArmenia.
