Armenia Offers 10-Year Special Residency Passports

Armenia has opened its Special Residency Status to three categories of foreign nationals, allowing successful applicants to obtain a dedicated Armenian passport valid for ten years. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia confirmed that the Prime Minister of Armenia grants this status, governed by the Law on Legal Status of Foreign Citizens.

Eligible applicants include foreign citizens of Armenian ancestry, distinguished individuals who have significantly contributed to Armenia, and survivors of the Armenian Genocide, who benefit from a simplified application process and waived fees. Holders of the Special Passport do not require an entry visa to travel to Armenia and enjoy legal protections similar to Armenian citizens, with exceptions regarding voting, public office, and military service.

However, the Special Passport does not exempt holders from visa requirements for Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) countries. Applications can be submitted to the Armenian Embassy or Consulate or directly to the Migration and Citizenship Service in Yerevan.