Last checked: October 2026
Safety notice for travellers
The UK FCDO advises against all travel within 5 km of Armenia’s entire eastern border with Azerbaijan, and along the M16/H26 road between Ijevan and Noyemberyan.
The US State Department rates Armenia Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution but lists the border region with Azerbaijan as Level 4: Do Not Travel. It also bars US Embassy staff from non-essential travel to Gegharkunik east of Vardenis, Syunik east of Goris and Syunik south of Kapan. Travel through Yeraskh village is allowed, but stopping is not.
This page is informational only. Read both advisories in full and re-check them before you travel.
Do you need a visa for Armenia?
It depends on your passport. UK and US citizens can enter Armenia without a visa for up to 180 days in a year, according to both governments’ travel pages. Many other nationalities can apply online for an e-visa at evisa.mfa.am. Confirm your own passport with the Armenian Ministry of Foreign Affairs before you book.
The Ministry publishes a visa search tool on its official visa page. Choose your country and passport type, and it shows whether a visa is required.
Who can enter Armenia without a visa?
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, citizens of countries with a visa-free regime can stay no more than 180 days during one year, unless an international agreement sets a different term. There are two official lists:
- Countries whose nationals are unilaterally exempted from the visa requirement.
- Countries with a visa-free regime under bilateral and multilateral agreements.
Holders of a valid United Nations Laissez-Passer or European Union Laissez-Passer are also exempt for up to 180 days within any one-year period.
The 180 days are counted within a one-year period, not per trip. If you come and go, keep your own tally of days.
What is the temporary exemption for residence-permit holders?
The Ministry lists 111 countries whose nationals can enter without a visa if they hold a valid residence permit from the United States, an EU member state, a Schengen state, the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait or Oman. The exemption runs from 1 July 2026 to 1 July 2027, and the permit must be valid for at least six months from the date you enter Armenia. Stays are up to 180 days within one year.
Two extra conditions apply, according to the Ministry:
- The residence permit must be a physical card or a sticker in the passport.
- Border officers may accept the permit if it shows, in Latin script, the document title, your given name, surname, nationality, date of birth and validity dates in the Gregorian calendar.
Because this is a temporary measure with an end date, check the Ministry’s visa page for the current country list before you rely on it.
How does the Armenia e-visa work?
If you are not visa-free, the Ministry says to apply for an e-visa at evisa.mfa.am. This is the official portal. Use only that address, because unofficial sites often copy the look of visa services and charge extra.
- Check your eligibility on the portal or the visa search tool first.
- Fill in the application on the official portal and keep your application details safe.
- Read the fee and processing information shown during the application. We do not list fees here because they can change.
- Save or print the approved e-visa to show at the border and to your airline if asked.
Armenian visas are issued for a maximum of 120 days, with a possible extension of another 60 days unless an international agreement says otherwise, according to the Ministry.
Which nationalities need an invitation?
A separate Ministry list covers countries whose citizens can get a visitor visa only with an invitation, and only at Armenian embassies or consulates. Invitations go through the unified portal e-request.am. Companies registered in Armenia, government bodies, and accredited embassies or international organisations can issue them. Individuals submit invitations to the Migration and Citizenship Service. The Ministry states the consular fee for this route as AMD 5,000. See the official invitation-only list for the countries and documents.
What are the passport and entry rules?
- Passport validity: The US State Department says your passport must be valid at entry and departure. The UK FCDO says it must be valid for the length of your stay.
- Cash limit: The State Department lists a limit of 10,000 US dollars on currency taken in or out.
- Dual nationals: Armenian law requires Armenian citizens, including dual nationals, to enter and leave on Armenian passports.
- Information sharing: The State Department says Armenia shares information about foreign visitors with Russian law enforcement and security services, and that people with past travel to Russia may face extra scrutiny.
Which borders are open?
The State Department says the land borders with Azerbaijan and Turkey are closed. For Iran, read your own government’s advice before planning any route. Most visitors arrive by air, and some come overland from Georgia. Our guide to flights to Armenia covers airports and arrival tips.
What if you want to stay longer?
Visa-free visitors cannot stay more than 180 days in a year. The US State Department says longer stays need a residency permit through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. To extend a visa, contact the Migration and Citizenship Service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and submit an application with the reason for extending, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Safety notes that affect your trip planning
- Read the US advisory and the UK advice before you fix your route. The FCDO warns that travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against its advice.
- Carry a copy of your passport and your e-visa.
- The emergency number in Armenia is 112, according to the State Department.
- The State Department says there are no anti-discrimination laws protecting LGB people in Armenia and that harassment has been documented. Research this before you travel.
Common visa mistakes
- Using an unofficial visa website instead of evisa.mfa.am.
- Assuming the 180 days restart on 1 January. The Ministry counts them within a one-year period.
- Relying on the residence-permit exemption without checking that your nationality is on the 111-country list and your permit has six months left.
- Not confirming with your airline that it will let you board.
Before You Fly: visa checklist
- Check your passport on the official visa search tool.
- Confirm your passport is valid for the whole stay.
- Apply for an e-visa early if you need one.
- Save digital and paper copies of your documents.
- Read both safety advisories again a few days before departure.
Armenia visa FAQs
Do UK citizens need a visa for Armenia?
No, for tourism or business. The UK government says you can visit Armenia without a visa for up to 180 days in a year, and your passport must be valid for your stay. Rules can change, so check the Armenian Ministry of Foreign Affairs before you travel.
Do US citizens need a visa for Armenia?
No. The US State Department says US citizens can stay visa-free for up to 180 days per year and need a passport valid at entry and departure. Stays longer than 180 days need a residency permit through the Armenian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
How long is an Armenia e-visa valid?
Armenian visas are issued for a maximum of 120 days, with a possible 60-day extension, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The exact validity depends on the visa type you choose on evisa.mfa.am, so read the options during the application.
Can I get a visa on arrival in Armenia?
The Ministry’s visa page lists visa-free entry, e-visas and embassy visas, and it does not present a general visa-on-arrival route. Some third-party sites mention arrival visas for certain nationalities. Check your own case on the official visa tool before you fly.