Armenia’s New Law on Foreigners: What Was Set to Change From August 1, 2026, Why the Rules Were Delayed, Who Will Be Affected and What’s New

Armenia’s New Law on Foreigners: Amendments have been made to the Law on Foreigners of Armenia that are aimed at improving the immigration process. It is expected that the introduction of the amendments will simplify the process for foreign citizens and improve electronic verification of identities and hiring of foreign employees. Initially, it was planned to introduce the amendments to the law starting from August 1, 2026, however, the Armenian government decided to move the date of their implementation to November 1, 2026. This fact has been confirmed by immigration consultants such as Fragomen, EY, and Envoy Global.

What Is Armenia’s New Law on Foreigners?

The amended Law on Foreigners sets up a new set of regulations regarding entry, employment, and residence of foreigners in Armenia. The amendments replace a number of previous procedures by introducing a more electronic and centralized process. They are aimed at increasing transparency of the process of immigration and reducing documentation. The amendments are relevant to foreign employees, employers, investors, students and applicants for residence in Armenia.

What Changes Have Been Made?

New Work Visa System

A dedicated work visa will be introduced for foreign nationals seeking employment in Armenia. Under the new framework, eligible foreign workers will generally need to obtain a work visa before applying for a residence permit, creating a clearer employment-based immigration process.

Labor Market Test Removed

The amendments abolish the existing labor market test. Previously, employers often had to demonstrate that no qualified Armenian citizen was available before hiring a foreign worker. Removing this requirement is expected to reduce administrative delays and simplify recruitment.

Online Residence Permit Applications

Residence permit applications will shift to a fully digital platform. Applicants will be able to submit documents electronically, making the application process faster and reducing reliance on paper documentation.

Biometric Residence Cards

Foreign nationals granted residence permits will receive biometric residence cards instead of older identification documents. The new cards are intended to improve security and identity verification.

Employer Notification Requirement

Foreign nationals holding temporary residence permits must notify immigration authorities if they change employers. This requirement is aimed at keeping employment records accurate and improving regulatory compliance.

Annual Foreign Worker Quotas

The government will introduce annual quotas for foreign workers. The number of foreign employees permitted each year will be determined by labor market demand and national economic priorities.

Higher Government Fees

Application fees for residence permits will increase under the new framework. Authorities have also indicated that processing fees generally will not be refunded if an application is rejected because the fee covers administrative processing.

End of the Special Passport System

Armenia plans to phase out its existing Special Passport residency framework and replace it with a modern residence permit system based on biometric identification and digital services.

When Were the Rules Originally Scheduled to Take Effect?

The immigration reforms were originally expected to come into force on August 1, 2026, following the passage of amendments to the Law on Foreigners. Many employers and immigration advisers had prepared for the August rollout.

When Will the New Rules Be Implemented?

According to the latest official legal updates, the reforms will now take effect from November 1, 2026, instead of August 1. Until then, the existing immigration rules and procedures remain in force.

Why Was the Implementation Delayed?

Despite the lack of a clear public statement from the Armenian government on all the details of the postponement, immigration and legal experts suggest that the main purpose of the postponement is to buy time for finishing the process of implementing the new digital permit system, preparing the biometric residence card system, and establishing administrative procedures for the new work visa system. The extra time will be needed to help government organizations, employers, and immigration officials get accustomed to the revised procedure of immigration. This postponement is considered an administrative and technical move and not an immigration policy one.

Who Will Be Affected?

The new immigration rules will impact:

• Foreign professionals seeking jobs in Armenia.
• Armenian employers hiring overseas workers.
• International businesses operating in Armenia.
• Investors and entrepreneurs.
• Students applying for residence permits.
• Individuals seeking temporary or long-term residency.

What Should Foreign Nationals Do Now?

Immigration of foreign individuals who plan to immigrate to Armenia will have to follow the existing procedure until November 1, 2026. People who plan to obtain a work visa or a residence permit later this year will have to keep an eye out on government official statements regarding the transition process to the new digital immigration system once it is fully functional.

In other words, the amendment to the Armenian law on foreigners constitutes one of the most significant immigration reforms implemented in recent years in Armenia including introduction of the work visa, digital applications for residence permits, biometric residence cards, and easier process of employing foreigners in Armenia. Despite being scheduled to come into effect on August 1, 2026, the implementation of reforms will be delayed to November 1, 2026.