Armenia will overhaul its residency system with a digital-first reform that introduces an investor fast track to permanent residence, aiming to attract capital and modernize migration management. The changes take effect on August 1, 2026, and will impact nearly all foreign residents, from investors and entrepreneurs to diaspora Armenians returning home.

At the center of the reform is a new investment-based pathway that grants immediate permanent residence, which will be issued as a five-year card with renewal options and no requirement for physical presence to maintain the residence.

The general requirement to qualify for citizenship remains unchanged, requiring at least three years of permanent residence in Armenia, with no single absence abroad exceeding six months. It is currently unclear whether the same citizenship criteria would apply to fast-track residency investors or whether they may qualify for an expedited or special-conditions naturalization route.

The investor fast track replaces the outgoing 10-year “special residency” program. The government has not yet set the qualifying investment thresholds or categories for the new track, but it has pledged to publish them before the law takes effect mid-next year. For those who qualify, the investor route will eliminate the wait that usually precedes permanent status.

Temporary residence for business will remain available in one-year increments, with a standard path to permanent residence after three years of documented activity and tax compliance.

Ethnic Armenians will continue to have a direct route to permanent status based on heritage, without any investment requirement.

After August 1, 2026, authorities will stop issuing new “special passports.” Existing holders will keep their status until their documents expire. Ethnic Armenians and investors will instead transition to the five-year permanent residence card.

“This is territory Armenia hasn’t charted before,” said Astghik Pepanyan, senior business development consultant at Vardanyan & Partners. She says that because Armenia has not previously run an investment-based residency program, “it’s difficult to predict” the qualifying amounts and criteria at this time.

But within a “couple of months,” she expects the government to announce minimums, eligible asset classes, such as businesses, real estate, or securities, and maintenance rules to keep the investment active for the card’s validity.

Until August 1, 2026, the current regime remains in effect, which likely means that this is the last call for the 10-year special residency.

From that date forward, the new law will govern all filings and renewals. Authorities say they will continue to process pending applications filed earlier under the old rules.