Update-2026-october-en

LEGAL UPDATE

October 2026

1. On making additions and amendments to the Tax Code of the Republic of Armenia.

1. Amendments and Additions to the Law of the Republic of Armenia “On Foreigners”.

1. Draft Regulation 7/13: “Procedure, Conditions and Time
Limits for Granting the Central Bank’s Prior Consent
to the Delegation of Functions by a Crypto-Asset
Service Provider, and Grounds for Refusal of Consent”.

PART I. TAX SECTOR

(This section of legal updates includes legal news related to the tax sector for October 2026)

1. On making additions and amendments to the Tax Code of the Republic of Armenia

Name of the legislative act

Government of the Republic of Armenia Decision No. 956-N “On Establishing the Procedure for Reimbursing (Refunding) the Amounts of Social Expenditures Incurred by Individuals During the Tax Year from the Amounts of Income Tax Calculated and/or Paid (Including by a Tax Agent)” https://www.arlis.am/hy/acts/231590

Change status:

The amendments to the legal act enter into force on October 2, 2026.

Which legislative act was amended by the adoption of the above-mentioned act:

The adoption of the above-mentioned act resulted in amendments to the Tax Code of the Republic of Armenia.

What the amendments concern:

The amendments concern the clarification and supplementation of the procedure for reimbursing (refunding) social expenditures, in particular, the procedure for reimbursing social expenditures from income tax calculated and paid on income containing information subject to restricted use or classified as confidential; the tax agent’s obligation to submit information to the tax authority; and the procedure for preventing duplicate reimbursement of social expenditure amounts and for making such payments.

Appendix

to Government of the Republic of Armenia Decision No. 956-N of June 16, 2023

PROCEDURE

FOR REIMBURSING (REFUNDING) THE AMOUNTS OF SOCIAL EXPENDITURES INCURRED BY INDIVIDUALS DURING THE TAX YEAR FROM THE AMOUNTS OF INCOME TAX CALCULATED AND/OR PAID (INCLUDING BY A TAX AGENT)

1. This Procedure governs relations concerning the reimbursement (refund) of social expenditures, as defined by Article 147.1 of the Tax Code of the Republic of Armenia (hereinafter referred to as the “Code”), incurred by individuals during the tax year, within the maximum amounts established by the Government of the Republic of Armenia for such expenditures, from the amounts of income tax calculated at the rates prescribed by Article 150 of the Code on the tax base for income tax purposes and/or paid (including by a tax agent).

2. This Procedure applies to citizens of the Republic of Armenia who are residents of the Republic of Armenia and submit an annual income tax calculation (declaration) in accordance with the procedure prescribed by Part 4.1 of Article 156 of the Code.

3. The amounts of social expenditures substantiated by the accounting documents prescribed by Points 1–4 of Part 2 of Article 55 of the Code (or, in cases established by the Government, by information submitted to the tax authority) and incurred by an individual for themselves and their family members shall be reimbursed (refunded) from the amounts of income tax calculated and/or paid (including by a tax agent) for the reporting period, in the amounts established by the Government of the Republic of Armenia, but not exceeding the positive difference between the amounts of income tax calculated and/or paid (including by a tax agent) for the reporting period and the amounts of income tax reimbursed (refunded) for the same reporting period in the cases provided for by Article 159 of the Code. (Point 3 supplemented by Government Decision No. 157-N of February 13, 2025.)

4. For the purpose of determining the amounts to be reimbursed (refunded) for social expenditures on the basis of the annual income tax calculation (declaration) submitted to the tax authority, the following amounts shall be deducted from the amounts of income tax calculated and/or paid (including by a tax agent):

1) The amounts of income tax refunded to individuals as compensation for interest paid on servicing mortgage loans, pursuant to Article 160 of the Code;

2) The amounts of income tax refunded to individuals as compensation for tuition fees, pursuant to Article 160.1 of the Code;

3) The amounts of income tax paid on dividends and refunded to individuals pursuant to Part 4 of Article 159 of the Code.

5. Where the annual income tax calculation (declaration) submitted to the tax authority indicates an amount of income tax independently calculated by the individual and payable to the state budget, the amount eligible for reimbursement of social expenditures shall be deducted from the income tax payable. The individual shall pay income tax to the state budget in the amount of the positive balance remaining after such deduction.

6. Where the annual income tax calculation (declaration) submitted to the tax authority indicates no amount of income tax independently calculated by the individual and payable to the state budget, or where a negative balance results after the deduction specified in Point 5 of this Procedure, the amount eligible for reimbursement of social expenditures, within the amounts established by the Government of the Republic of Armenia, shall be refunded to the individual, provided that there is a positive difference between the amounts of income tax calculated and/or paid (including by a tax agent) for the reporting months specified in Parts 1 and 2 of Article 151 of the Code and the amounts of income tax reimbursed (refunded) in the cases provided for by Article 159 of the Code.

6.1. Where information relating to an individual is classified as information subject to restricted use under the legislation of the Republic of Armenia, the employer shall submit to the tax authority, in the manner and format prescribed by the tax authority, by March 1 of the year following the reporting year, inclusive, information on the salary and salary-equivalent payments calculated during the reporting year, income received for work performed and/or services rendered under civil-law contracts, and the amounts of income tax calculated on such income and paid to the state budget of the Republic of Armenia. (Point 6.1 supplemented by Government Decision No. 1411-N of October 1, 2026.)

6.2. Reimbursement of social expenditures from income tax calculated and paid on taxable income classified as a secret under the legislation of the Republic of Armenia shall be carried out in accordance with the procedure established by Points 2–6 of this Appendix. Such reimbursement shall be made by tax agents paying taxable income classified as a secret, on the basis of an application-declaration completed by the declarant in accordance with Form No. 1 of this Appendix. (Point 6.2 supplemented by Government Decision No. 1411-N of October 1, 2026.)

7. The amounts eligible for reimbursement of social expenditures, in the amounts established by Point 6 of this Procedure, except in the cases specified in Point 8, shall be credited by the tax authority to the unified account in accordance with the procedure and within the time limits established for tax administration under the Code. The refund of amounts from the unified account shall be carried out in accordance with the procedure prescribed by Article 327 of the Code.

(Point 7 supplemented by Government Decision No. 1411-N of October 1, 2026.)

8. Upon receiving an application-declaration completed by an individual in accordance with Form No. 1 of this Appendix, the tax agents referred to in Point 6.2 of this Procedure shall deduct from the amounts eligible for reimbursement of social expenditures, as determined in accordance with Point 6 of this Procedure, the amounts already credited by the tax authority to the individual’s unified account pursuant to this Procedure. The tax agents shall pay the individual the positive balance, if any, together with the individual’s next salary payment. (Point 8 supplemented by Government Decision No. 1411-N of October 1, 2026.)

FORM No. 1

APPLICATION-DECLARATION

FOR THE REFUND OF SOCIAL EXPENDITURE REIMBURSEMENT AMOUNTS

Document serial number

(To be completed by the tax agent)

1. Identification number of the individual (TIN)

2. First name and surname of the individual

2.1. Public Services Number (PSN)

3. Residential address of the individual

4. Contact details of the individual (telephone number, email address, etc.)

I hereby declare that the amounts of income tax refunded by the tax authority for the reporting year ________ were as follows:

1) As compensation for interest paid on servicing mortgage loans pursuant to Article 160 of the Tax Code: __________ AMD;

2) As compensation for tuition fees pursuant to Article 160.1 of the Tax Code: __________ AMD;

3) Income tax paid on dividends and refunded pursuant to Part 4 of Article 159 of the Tax Code: __________ AMD. Attached:

1) The declaration submitted to the tax authority for the reporting year ________, certified by an electronic signature;

2) The accounting document prescribed by Points 1–4 of Part 2 of Article 55 of the Code substantiating the social expenditure incurred.

I am aware that I shall be subject to liability as prescribed by the legislation of the Republic of Armenia for providing false information in this declaration.

I undertake to submit, at the request of the tax agent, bank documents substantiating the refund of income tax amounts by the tax authority as indicated in this application-declaration.

I hereby request the refund of social expenditure reimbursement amounts for the reporting year 20____. Individual

(Signature, first name and surname)

PART II: MIGRATION SECTOR

(This section of legal news includes legal news related to the migration sector for the month of October 2026)

1. Amendments and Additions to the Law of the Republic of Armenia “On Foreigners”

Name of the legislative act:

Law of the Republic of Armenia No. HO-192-N dated May 11, 2026 “On Making Amendments and Additions to the Law ‘On Foreigners’”

https://www.arlis.am/hy/acts/220874

Status of the amendment:

This Law entered into force on November 1, 2026.

Legislative act amended as a result of the adoption of the above act:

As a result of the adoption of this Law, amendments were made to the Law of the Republic of Armenia “On Foreigners”.

What the amendments concern:

The amendments concern the regulation of foreigners’ lawful residence and employment in the Republic of Armenia, new procedures for granting and terminating residence statuses, the introduction of an employment entry visa and a permit to stay or reside for the purpose of engaging in employment, as well as the grounds for foreigners’ residence status, submission of applications through a unified electronic platform, and the regulation of administrative proceedings.

ON MAKING AMENDMENTS AND ADDITIONS TO THE LAW “ON FOREIGNERS”

Article 1. In Part 1 of Article 1 of the Law of the Republic of Armenia HO-47-N dated December 25, 2006 “On Foreigners” (hereinafter referred to as the “Law”), the word “residing” shall be replaced with the words “residing, including for the purpose of engaging in employment activities within the territory of the Republic of Armenia”. Article 2. In Part 1 of Article 3 of the Law: 1. the words “permit or” and “(hereinafter referred to as the “entry visa”)” shall be deleted from the second paragraph; 2. the words “within the territory for a certain period” in the third paragraph shall be replaced with the words “within the territory during the validity period of the document certifying such status”; 3. the fourth paragraph shall be restated as follows: “Permanent residence status” means a permit issued by the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia or a state administration body authorized by the Government of the Republic of Armenia, which entitles a foreigner to reside within the territory of the Republic of Armenia during the validity period of the document certifying such status; 4. the fifth paragraph shall be repealed; 5. the sixth paragraph shall be restated as follows: “Permit to stay or reside in the Republic of Armenia for the purpose of engaging in employment activities” means an electronic confirmation entered into the electronic platforms operated by the authorized state administration body in the field of migration and citizenship, which allows a foreigner to obtain an employment entry visa or temporary residence status, or to work in the Republic of Armenia during the period of the foreigner’s lawful stay in the Republic of Armenia; 6. the fourteenth paragraph shall be restated as follows: “Unified electronic platform” means an electronic platform through which, in accordance with the procedure prescribed by this Law and a decision of the Government of the Republic of Armenia, the authorized state administration body in the field of migration and citizenship conducts proceedings for granting temporary or permanent status to foreigners, recognizing temporary or permanent residence status as expired or invalid, exchanging a document certifying residence status, and granting a permit to stay or reside in the Republic of Armenia for the purpose of engaging in employment activities, and within the framework of such proceedings ensures the exchange of notifications, information and documents between state bodies, employers, educational institutions, citizens and foreigners; 7. the following fifteenth and sixteenth paragraphs shall be added: “Right to lawful residence” means temporary or permanent residence status, as well as any other status certifying lawful residence in the Republic of Armenia provided for by this Law (except for the certificate provided for by Part 4 of Article 7 of this Law), the Law of the Republic of Armenia “On Refugees and Asylum”, or international treaties; “Quota” means the limit on residence statuses established by the Government of the Republic of Armenia for each year, by type, number and grounds of residence status. Article 3. In Article 7 of the Law: 1. Part 3 shall be restated as follows: “3. A foreigner belonging to the category specified in Clause 11 of Part 1 of Article 23 of this Law shall, immediately after concluding an employment or service agreement in the Republic of Armenia, apply to the authorized state administration body in the field of migration and citizenship to obtain a certificate certifying the legality of the residence of the foreigner and his/her family members in the Republic of Armenia. A state duty shall be charged, in the amount prescribed by the Law of the Republic of Armenia “On State Duty”, for reviewing applications for issuing a certificate certifying the legality of residence to a foreigner belonging to the category specified in Clause 11 of Part 1 of Article 23 of this Law and his/her family member, including for issuing the document certifying the status. In accordance with the procedure established by a decision of the Government of the Republic of Armenia, the state duty may also be paid online.” 2. Part 4 shall be restated as follows: “4. Upon the submission of the competent authority, the authorized state administration body in the field of migration and citizenship shall issue a certificate and a public services number to a foreigner specified in Clause 12 of Part 1 of Article 23 of this Law, provided that such person does not have another residence status in the Republic of Armenia. The form of the certificate and the procedure for its issuance shall be established by the Government of the Republic of Armenia.” Article 4. Part 3 of Article 8 of the Law shall be repealed. Article 5. In Article 10 of the Law: 1. in Point “a” of Part 1, the words “(in cases provided for by Points “c” or “d” of Part 1 of Article 15 of this Law)” and “engaging in employment activities” shall be deleted; 2. Part 1 shall be supplemented with Point “e” as follows: “e) Employment entry visa” means a single-entry or multiple-entry visa allowing a foreigner to stay in the territory of the Republic of Armenia for up to 120 days, without the possibility of extension, for the purpose of engaging in short-term employment activities in the territory of the Republic of Armenia, submitting an application from the territory of the Republic of Armenia for obtaining temporary residence status on the grounds provided for by Point “b” of Part 1 of Article 15 of this Law, or obtaining the document certifying temporary residence status granted on the grounds provided for by Point “b” of Part 1 of Article 15 of this Law. An employment entry visa shall be issued only once during the relevant calendar year.” 3. the second paragraph of Part 4 shall be supplemented after the words “types of visas” with the following words: “, as well as issues the entry visa referred to in Point “e” of Part 1 of this Article, the procedure for issuing such visas, as well as the procedure for changing the purpose of an entry visa to the Republic of Armenia, being established by the Government of the Republic of Armenia”. Article 6. In Article 11 of the Law: 1. Point “b” of Part 1 shall be supplemented after the word “residence” with the words “or refugee”; 2. in the first paragraph of Part 4, the words “card (special passport of the Republic of Armenia)” shall be replaced with the words “or a document certifying refugee status”. Article 7. In Article 14 of the Law: 1. Point “c” of Part 1 shall be repealed; 2. the words “, permanent and special” in Part 2 shall be replaced with the words “and permanent”, and the words “, permanent residence card and special passport” shall be replaced with the words “and permanent residence card”; 3. the following Part 2.2 shall be added: “2.2. A foreigner may have only one status certifying lawful residence in the territory of the Republic of Armenia.” 4. Part 3 shall be restated as follows: “3. Proceedings for granting temporary or permanent residence status in the Republic of Armenia shall be conducted exclusively through the unified electronic platform operated by the authorized state administration body in the field of migration and citizenship. A state duty shall be charged, in the amount prescribed by the Law of the Republic of Armenia “On State Duty”, for reviewing applications for granting residence status to foreigners in the Republic of Armenia, including for issuing the document certifying such status. In accordance with the procedure established by a decision of the Government of the Republic of Armenia, the state duty may also be paid online.” Article 8. In Article 15 of the Law: 1. in the first paragraph of Part 1, the words “one year or more” shall be replaced with the words “up to one year”; 2. Points “a” and “b” of Part 1 shall be restated as follows: “a) education in formal or non-formal educational programs, professional training courses, educational exchange programs, as well as conducting scientific, technological or innovative activities; b) the availability, in accordance with this Law, of an employment visa, a permit to stay or reside in the Republic of Armenia for the purpose of engaging in employment activities, or the right specified in Point 10 or Point 13 of Part 1 of Article 23 of this Law, or” 3. Point “c” of Part 1 shall be repealed; 4. Points “d” and “e” of Part 1 shall be restated as follows: “d) being a family member of a citizen of the Republic of Armenia or of a foreigner holding residence or refugee status in the Republic of Armenia, namely a spouse, parent or child, or e) engaging in entrepreneurial activities.” 5. Part 2 shall be restated as follows: “2. Temporary residence status shall be granted for a period of up to one year.” 6. in Part 3, the words “Points “c” and “d”” shall be replaced with the words “Point “d””. Article 9. Article 16 of the Law shall be restated as follows: “Article 16. Grounds and Terms for Granting Permanent Residence Status 1. Permanent residence status shall be granted to a foreigner if he/she: a) proves the existence of a family member who is a citizen of the Republic of Armenia (spouse, parent or child), has housing and means of subsistence in the Republic of Armenia, and, prior to submitting an application for permanent residence status, has held temporary residence status in the Republic of Armenia for at least three years during the preceding five years in accordance with the procedure prescribed by law; or b) is of Armenian ethnicity; or c) engages in entrepreneurial activities in the Republic of Armenia and, prior to submitting an application for permanent residence status, has held temporary residence status in the Republic of Armenia for at least three years during the preceding five years in accordance with the procedure prescribed by law; or d) has made an investment in the Republic of Armenia; or e) has rendered exceptional services to the Republic of Armenia. 2. Permanent residence status shall be granted for a period of five years in accordance with the procedure established by a decision of the Government of the Republic of Armenia.” Article 10. Article 17 of the Law shall be restated as follows: “Article 17. Submission and Review of Applications for Temporary or Permanent Residence Status, Adoption of Decisions, and Registration of Foreigners Holding Temporary or Permanent Residence Status 1. An application for temporary or permanent residence status shall be submitted to the authorized state administration body in the field of migration and citizenship through the unified electronic platform. 2. The granting or refusal of temporary or permanent residence status, the issuance of a residence card, and the revocation or invalidation of a decision granting residence status shall be carried out through the unified electronic platform by the authorized state administration body in the field of migration and citizenship, in accordance with the procedure established by the Government of the Republic of Armenia. 3. The procedure for completing and submitting applications for obtaining temporary or permanent residence status through the unified electronic platform, granting temporary or permanent status to foreigners, notifying applicants, the list of documents to be submitted with the application, the procedure for exchanging information and documents between administrative bodies, and the technical specifications of the platform shall be established by the Government of the Republic of Armenia. 4. A decision to grant or refuse temporary or permanent residence status, except on the ground provided for by Point “e” of Part 1 of Article 16, shall be adopted by the authorized state administration body in the field of migration and citizenship within 30 days from the date of submission of the application, also taking into account the quota indicators regarding the limit on residence statuses for the relevant year established by the Government of the Republic of Armenia. If, during the proceedings for granting temporary or permanent residence status, the period of the foreigner’s lawful stay or residence in the territory of the Republic of Armenia expires, the foreigner’s stay in the territory of the Republic of Armenia shall be deemed lawful until the completion of the proceedings and the adoption of a decision by the authorized state administration body in the field of migration and citizenship. 5. Permanent residence status shall be granted to a foreigner on the ground provided for by Point “e” of Part 1 of Article 16 by a decision of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia. 6. Foreigners holding temporary or permanent residence status shall be registered by the authorized state administration body in the field of migration and citizenship through the unified electronic platform, in accordance with the procedure established by a decision of the Government of the Republic of Armenia. 7. A foreigner shall personally receive the temporary or permanent residence status card or the certificate certifying lawful residence from the authorized state administration body in the field of migration and citizenship, providing biometric data, including fingerprints and an electronic specimen of the signature, except for foreigners under the age of 16, whose document certifying their right to lawful residence shall be received by their parent or legal representative. 8. A foreigner holding temporary or permanent residence status, except for a foreigner holding residence status on the grounds provided for by Points “d” and “e” of Part 1 of Article 16, shall notify the authorized state administration body in the field of migration and citizenship through the unified electronic platform if absent from the Republic of Armenia for 183 days or more, no later than within 10 days calculated from the expiry of the 183-day period. 9. During the proceedings for obtaining temporary or permanent residence status, the person who has submitted an application for residence status shall be notified through the unified electronic platform of the need to correct identified errors and inaccuracies, as well as to submit information or documents required by the legislation regulating the relevant field. If the person who has submitted an application for temporary or permanent residence does not perform the action specified in the notification within five days from the moment of receiving the notification through the unified electronic platform, the unified electronic platform shall automatically suspend the proceedings. 10. If the person who has submitted an application for temporary or permanent residence does not perform, within one month, the actions related to resuming the suspended proceedings in accordance with the procedure established by the Government of the Republic of Armenia, the unified electronic platform shall automatically terminate the proceedings.” Article 11. Article 18 of the Law shall be repealed. Article 12. Article 19 of the Law shall be restated as follows: “Article 19. Grounds for Refusal to Grant Residence Status 1. The granting of residence status to a foreigner may be refused if: 1. the foreigner has been deported from the territory of the Republic of Armenia or has been deprived of residence status, and three years have not elapsed from the date of enforcement of the deportation decision or from the date of entry into force of the decision on deprivation of residence status; 2. the foreigner has been convicted in the Republic of Armenia of committing a medium-gravity, serious or particularly serious crime prescribed by the Criminal Code of the Republic of Armenia, and the conviction has not been expunged or annulled in accordance with the procedure prescribed by law; 3. there is reliable information that the foreigner engages in, participates in, organizes, or is a member of an organization whose purpose is: a. to cause damage to the state security of the Republic of Armenia, overthrow the constitutional order, or weaken the defense capability; b. to carry out terrorist activities; c. to illegally transport across the border, without the relevant authorization, weapons, ammunition, explosives, radioactive materials, narcotic drugs or psychotropic substances; d. to engage in human trafficking or exploitation, illegal crossing of the state border, or organization of illegal migration; 4. the foreigner suffers from any of the diseases specified in Point “d” of Part 1 of Article 8 of this Law; 5. there are substantiated threats posed by the foreigner to the state security or public order of the Republic of Armenia; 6. when applying for residence status, the foreigner has provided false information about himself/herself, or there is information indicating that the foreigner’s presence in the Republic of Armenia has a purpose other than the declared purpose; 7. the foreigner has been subject to administrative liability for violating this Law and has failed to perform the obligation imposed on him/her by the administrative act, except where one year has elapsed since the imposition of administrative liability or where the obligation imposed by the administrative act has been performed before the expiry of one year; 8. the grounds for granting residence status have ceased to exist; 9. within 15 working days from the date of obtaining temporary residence status on the basis of Point “b” of Part 1 of Article 15 of this Law, no employment or service agreement has been concluded with the foreigner, or, after obtaining temporary residence status on the basis of Point “զ1” of Part 1 of Article 15 of this Law, the volunteer work agreement serving as the basis for obtaining the status has been terminated and no new volunteer work agreement has been concluded with the foreigner within 15 working days; 10. the foreigner entered the Republic of Armenia with one of the entry visas specified in Points “a”, “b”, “c” and “d” of Part 1 of Article 10 of this Law and, without changing the type of entry visa, applied for temporary residence status on the basis of Point “b” of Part 1 of Article 15 of this Law; 11. the foreigner entered the Republic of Armenia in accordance with the procedure established by Part 1 of Article 7 of this Law and, without obtaining a permit to stay or reside in the Republic of Armenia for the purpose of engaging in employment activities, applied for temporary residence status on the grounds specified in Point “b” of Part 1 of Article 15 of this Law; 12. there is a final and enforceable court decision on the deportation or expulsion of the foreigner from the territory of the Republic of Armenia; 13. the quota established by the Government of the Republic of Armenia for the relevant year has been reached. 2. The provisions of Point 2 of Part 1 of this Article shall not apply to persons who have a spouse, parent or child lawfully residing in the Republic of Armenia.” Article 13. In Article 20 of the Law: 1. the title shall be restated as follows: “Article 20. Appeal against the Rejection of an Application for Granting Residence Status”. 2. Part 2 shall be supplemented with the following new sentence: “The procedure for granting a temporary stay permit shall be established by the Government of the Republic of Armenia.” 3. Part 4 shall be restated as follows: “4. In the event of refusal to grant residence status, the foreigner may reapply for residence status after one year, which shall be indicated in the decision on refusal. The provisions of this Part shall not apply to the grounds for refusal specified in Points 2, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 of Part 1 of Article 19 and Point 13 of Part 1 of Article 19, as well as Part 3 of Article 27. Where a decision on refusal is adopted on any of the aforementioned grounds, the foreigner may reapply for residence status if the circumstances constituting the grounds for refusal have ceased to exist.” Article 14. Article 21 of the Law shall be restated as follows: “Article 21. Grounds for Revoking or Invalidating a Decision Granting Residence Status or a Certificate Certifying Lawful Residence, and Consequences of Invalidating Residence Status 1. The residence status granted to a foreigner or the lawful residence certified under Part 3 of Article 7 of this Law shall be revoked by the authorized state administration body in the field of migration and citizenship if: 1. the grounds for granting residence status to the foreigner have ceased to exist; 2. the foreigner has submitted an application for revocation of his/her residence status; 3. the foreigner has acquired citizenship of the Republic of Armenia; 4. the foreigner has acquired refugee status; 5. before the expiry of the temporary residence status, the employment or service agreement with the foreigner has been terminated and a new agreement has not been concluded within 15 working days through the digital system for concluding employment agreements; 6. before the expiry of the temporary residence status, the volunteer work agreement concluded with the foreigner in accordance with the procedure prescribed by law has been terminated and a new volunteer work agreement has not been concluded with the foreigner within 15 working days; 7. the foreigner has failed to fulfill the obligation imposed on him/her under Point 8 of Article 17 of this Law; 8. in other cases prescribed by law. 2. The residence status granted to a foreigner shall be invalidated, and the foreigner shall be deprived of residence status, if: 1. it has been established that, when obtaining residence status, the foreigner provided false information about himself/herself, or there is information indicating that the foreigner’s presence in the Republic of Armenia has a purpose other than the declared purpose; 2. the foreigner’s presence in the Republic of Armenia poses a threat to the state security or public order of the Republic of Armenia. 3. The operative part of the decision on revoking or invalidating residence status shall also include information concerning deprivation of residence status, the period within which the foreigner must voluntarily leave the territory of the Republic of Armenia, the place where the foreigner must reside until leaving the territory of the Republic of Armenia, and the prohibition on leaving such place of residence without authorization. 4. As a result of the invalidation of residence status, data concerning a foreigner deprived of residence status shall be entered into the database specified in Part 6 of Article 8 of this Law.” Article 15. The title of Chapter 4 of the Law shall be restated as follows: “CHAPTER 4 EXERCISE OF THE RIGHTS OF FOREIGNERS IN THE REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA” Article 16. Parts 2, 3, 4 and 5 of Article 22 of the Law shall be repealed. Article 17. Parts 2 and 3 of Article 22.1 of the Law shall be repealed. Article 18. Article 23 of the Law shall be restated as follows: “Article 23. Persons Entitled to Conclude an Employment or Service Agreement in the Republic of Armenia Without Obtaining a Permit to Stay or Reside in the Republic of Armenia for the Purpose of Engaging in Employment Activities 1. The following persons shall be entitled to conclude an employment or service agreement in the Republic of Armenia without obtaining a permit to stay or reside in the Republic of Armenia for the purpose of engaging in employment activities: 1. persons holding permanent residence status in the Republic of Armenia, for a period not exceeding the validity period of their residence status; 2. persons holding temporary residence status in the Republic of Armenia on the grounds provided for by Points “a”, “d”, “e” or “զ” of Part 1 of Article 15 of this Law, for a period not exceeding the validity period of their residence status; 3. family members of employees of diplomatic missions and consular offices accredited in the Republic of Armenia, international organizations and their representations, namely their family members, based on the principle of reciprocity; 4. performers and artists arriving in the Republic of Armenia for cinematographic, theatrical or concert touring purposes, as well as administrative and technical support personnel responsible for such events, for the period of their lawful stay in the Republic of Armenia; 5. specialists or other persons arriving on the basis of international treaties of the Republic of Armenia, for the period of their lawful stay in the Republic of Armenia; 6. accredited representatives of foreign organizations engaged in media activities, for the period of their lawful stay in the Republic of Armenia; 7. foreigners seeking asylum in the Republic of Armenia, foreigners holding refugee status and foreigners granted asylum in the Republic of Armenia, for a period not exceeding the validity period of the relevant status; 8. persons arriving for the purpose of participating in activities aimed at preventing or eliminating the consequences of natural disasters, technological accidents, epidemics, accidents, fires and other emergencies, for the entire period of participation in such activities and during their lawful stay in the Republic of Armenia; 9. specialists arriving for the purpose of being involved in activities aimed at detecting crimes within the framework of joint proceedings, for the period of their lawful stay in the Republic of Armenia; 10. persons holding the status of a victim or special category victim, as prescribed by law, and the legal representative of a special category victim, for a period not exceeding the period of their lawful stay in the Republic of Armenia or the validity period of their residence status; 11. foreigners entitled to work by virtue of the relevant international treaties of the Republic of Armenia, provided that they have a public services number; 12. foreign convicts or detained persons, as well as foreigners who are beneficiaries of probation, provided that they have the certificate specified in Part 4 of Article 7 of this Law and a public services number; 13. students performing work in the Republic of Armenia within the framework of work exchange programs during holidays, on the basis of relevant international treaties; 14. foreigners of Armenian ethnicity whose country of permanent residence has been affected by an emergency situation threatening their life or health, for the period of their lawful stay in the Republic of Armenia. The position regarding an emergency situation threatening the life or health of such persons shall be provided by the authorized state administration body in the field of foreign affairs, upon a written request from the authorized state administration body in the field of migration and citizenship.” Article 19. Article 24 of the Law shall be repealed. Article 20. Article 25 of the Law shall be repealed. Article 21. Article 27 of the Law shall be restated as follows: “Article 27. Conclusion of an Employment or Service Agreement with a Foreigner 1. An employment or service agreement with a foreigner shall be concluded in accordance with the requirements of the legislation of the Republic of Armenia for a period not exceeding the validity period of the residence status granted on the basis of Point “b” of Part 1 of Article 15 of this Law, the employment visa, or the permit to stay or reside in the Republic of Armenia for the purpose of engaging in employment activities, except for the cases provided for in Part 1 of Article 23 of this Law. If the employment, service or volunteer work agreement concluded with a foreigner is terminated before the expiry of the temporary residence status granted on the grounds provided for by Points “b” and “զ1” of Part 1 of Article 15 of this Law, the foreigner may conclude a new agreement within 15 working days. The employment or service agreement shall also include provisions concerning the relocation of the foreign employee and his/her family members to the Republic of Armenia, social security and insurance, reception, provision of accommodation, registration at the place of residence, and return. 2. The conclusion of an employment or service agreement with a foreigner shall be refused if: 1. the legislation of the Republic of Armenia requires Armenian citizenship for performing the relevant work; 2. the information or documents submitted are incorrect or falsified; 3. the employer with whom the foreigner is to work has previously violated the requirements for employing foreigners. 3. An application for an employment entry visa or for temporary residence status on the basis of Point “b” of Part 1 of Article 15 of this Law shall also be refused on the grounds specified in Part 2 of this Article. 4. Employers shall conclude employment agreements with the foreigners specified in Part 1 of Article 23 of this Law through the digital system for concluding employment agreements, in accordance with the procedure established by the Government of the Republic of Armenia.” Article 22. Article 28 of the Law shall be repealed. Article 23. In Article 29 of the Law: 1. Part 1 shall be supplemented after the words “temporary residence status” with the words “or employment entry visa”; 2. Part 2 shall be repealed. Article 24. Article 29.1 of the Law shall be repealed. Article 25. The Law shall be supplemented with Articles 29.3–29.7 as follows: “Article 29.3. Granting Temporary Residence Status on the Basis of Education 1. Foreigners may obtain temporary residence status in the Republic of Armenia on the basis of formal or non-formal education or scientific, technological or innovative activities, in accordance with the procedure established by a decision of the Government of the Republic of Armenia, provided that an agreement has been concluded between the foreigner and an institution operating in the Republic of Armenia that implements general education, vocational, secondary professional or higher education programs, a scientific organization, or an organization having the relevant authority and providing services, concerning the foreigner’s education or scientific, technological or innovative activities at such institution or organization. 2. Institutions implementing general education, vocational, secondary professional and higher education programs, as well as scientific organizations, shall submit an application, an agreement concerning education or scientific, technological or innovative activities, and other documents, if prescribed, through the unified electronic platform in accordance with the procedure established by the Government of the Republic of Armenia pursuant to Part 3 of Article 17 of this Law. 3. In the case of non-formal education (study), the relevant educational institution or an organization authorized to perform such function and/or a service-providing organization shall submit the application specified in Part 2 of this Article through the unified electronic platform. 4. Institutions and/or organizations engaged in educational activities may submit an application for granting residence status on the basis of non-formal education (study). If a non-formal education (study) program is implemented by an organization whose principal field of activity is not the implementation of educational programs, such organization shall, through the unified electronic platform and in accordance with the procedure established by the Government of the Republic of Armenia, submit an application for obtaining authorization to submit an application for granting residence status to a foreigner on the basis of non-formal education (study). A positive or negative conclusion regarding the application shall be issued by the authorized state administration body in the field of education. 5. A foreigner who has obtained temporary residence status on the basis of education shall be granted temporary residence status taking into account the period specified in the agreement concluded with the institution organizing the education, but for no longer than the period prescribed by law for temporary residence status. 6. Temporary residence status granted on the basis of education shall be revoked if: 1. the educational institution has terminated the education agreement concluded with the foreigner, or the education (study) has been interrupted in accordance with the procedure prescribed by law; 2. the foreigner has been sentenced to imprisonment by a final and enforceable court judgment or has been deported from the Republic of Armenia in accordance with the procedure prescribed by this Law; 3. the legal entity that submitted the application for granting status to the foreigner has been liquidated, reorganized, or has ceased to carry out the relevant educational, training or scientific activities. 7. A legal entity that has submitted an application for granting residence status to a foreigner on the basis of education or study shall, in the case specified in Point 1 of Part 6 of this Article, notify the authorized state administration body in the field of migration and citizenship through the unified electronic platform of the termination of the education (study) agreement concluded with the foreigner or the interruption of education (study) in accordance with the prescribed procedure within 10 days from the date of such termination or interruption. Article 29.4. Granting Temporary or Permanent Residence Status on the Basis of Entrepreneurial Activities 1. Foreigners may obtain temporary or permanent residence status in the Republic of Armenia on the basis of engaging in entrepreneurial activities, in accordance with the procedure established by the Government of the Republic of Armenia. 2. An application for residence status on the basis of entrepreneurial activities shall be submitted by the head of the executive body of the legal entity through the unified electronic platform or, in the case of an individual entrepreneur, personally by the foreigner by registering on the unified electronic platform. 3. Engaging in entrepreneurial activities may serve as a basis for obtaining residence status if the foreigner is a participant or shareholder of a commercial organization operating in the Republic of Armenia or an owner of securities and has invested at least AMD 2,000,000 in the charter capital of the commercial organization or acquired shares or securities with a value of AMD 2,000,000, or is an individual entrepreneur and has funds equivalent to at least AMD 1,000,000 in AMD terms in his/her accounts denominated in different currencies, or has a turnover of AMD 1,000,000 or its equivalent in foreign currency resulting from entrepreneurial activities during the 60 days preceding the date of submission of the application. 4. A foreigner who has obtained temporary or permanent residence status on the basis of engaging in entrepreneurial activities shall be granted a new residence status on the same basis if an application is submitted and information confirming the continuity of the entrepreneurial activity, obtained through the unified electronic platform in accordance with a decision of the Government of the Republic of Armenia, is available, or, in the absence of such information, if documents submitted by the foreigner are provided. 5. Residence status granted on the basis of engaging in entrepreneurial activities shall be revoked if the capital invested in the charter capital has been withdrawn from the commercial organization, or has decreased below AMD 1,000,000, or the value of the shares or securities has decreased below AMD 1,000,000, or if, within 180 days after obtaining residence status, the database of the State Revenue Committee does not contain information on taxes calculated as a result of entrepreneurial activities. Residence status granted on the basis of engaging in entrepreneurial activities shall not be revoked if the foreigner: 1. at the time of withdrawing the charter capital from the commercial organization has an equivalent investment made in another commercial organization operating in the territory of the Republic of Armenia; or 2. has withdrawn the capital invested in the charter capital from the commercial organization and, within the following one month, invested it in the charter capital of another commercial organization operating in the territory of the Republic of Armenia. Article 29.5. Granting Residence Status on the Basis of Family Circumstances or Armenian Ethnicity 1. An application for granting residence status on the basis of being the spouse, parent or child of a citizen of the Republic of Armenia or of a foreigner holding residence or refugee status in the Republic of Armenia shall be submitted by the citizen of the Republic of Armenia or the family member holding residence or refugee status through the unified electronic platform. 2. An application for obtaining residence status on the basis of Armenian ethnicity shall be submitted personally by the foreigner. Before submitting the application, the foreigner shall register on the unified electronic platform, submit the documents required for obtaining residence status, and, through the platform, schedule an appointment to submit the application in person, provided that the authorized state administration body in the field of migration and citizenship has preliminarily established, through an initial review, that the submitted documents and information are complete and comply with the established requirements. If the documents and information are incomplete or do not comply with the established requirements, the person shall be notified through the unified electronic platform of the need to submit or supplement them. 3. Children under the age of 16 may obtain residence status on the basis of one parent being a citizen of the Republic of Armenia, for the period specified by the parent in the application for granting residence status, but not exceeding the maximum period established by law for the relevant type of residence status, or on the basis of the residence status of one of the parents, for the validity period of the residence status granted to that parent, except for foreign children studying at educational institutions included in the list established by the Government of the Republic of Armenia or participating in exchange programs. Article 29.6. Granting Permanent Residence Status on the Basis of Investment in the Republic of Armenia 1. Foreigners may obtain permanent residence status in the Republic of Armenia on the basis of making an investment in the Republic of Armenia, in accordance with the procedure established by the Government of the Republic of Armenia. 2. An application for obtaining residence status on the basis of making an investment in the Republic of Armenia shall be submitted personally by the foreigner by registering on the unified electronic platform. 3. The eligibility criteria required for obtaining permanent residence status on the basis of making an investment in the Republic of Armenia shall be established by the Government of the Republic of Armenia. 4. Permanent residence status granted on the basis of making an investment in the Republic of Armenia shall be revoked if, after obtaining the residence status, the foreigner ceases to meet the eligibility criteria established by the Government of the Republic of Armenia. Article 29.7. Granting Permanent Residence Status on the Basis of Having Rendered Exceptional Services to the Republic of Armenia 1. An application for granting permanent residence status on the basis of having rendered exceptional services to the Republic of Armenia shall be entered into the unified electronic platform by the Office of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia, attaching the foreigner’s consent to obtaining permanent residence status in the Republic of Armenia, the recommendation of the state administration body to grant the foreigner permanent residence status on the basis of having rendered exceptional services to the Republic of Armenia (if available), and the conclusions issued by the authorized state bodies in the fields of national security and internal affairs within the scope of their powers prescribed by law, which are obtained by the Office of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia by submitting requests to the National Security Service and the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Armenia.” Article 26. Point “b” of Part 1 of Article 30 of the Law shall be restated as follows: “b) the grounds specified in Part 1 of Article 8 of this Law exist.” Article 27. Part 1 of Article 42 of the Law shall be restated as follows: “1. When processing personal data of foreigners and other persons, the protection of personal data shall be ensured in accordance with the Law of the Republic of Armenia “On Personal Data Protection”.” Article 28. Article 42.1 of the Law shall be restated as follows: “Article 42.1. Protection of Personal Data Collected about Foreigners and Applicants through the Unified Electronic Platform 1. Where inconsistencies or inaccuracies are identified in the information or documents submitted through the unified electronic platform, the state bodies administering the relevant proceedings may request additional information or documents necessary for an objective examination of the circumstances. 2. Personal data collected through the unified electronic platform shall be collected and processed by the authorized state administration body in the field of migration and citizenship. 3. The authorized state administration body in the field of migration and citizenship shall, within the scope of its powers, provide access to the personal data collected through the unified electronic platform to other authorized state bodies, including state bodies in the fields of national security, labor and social affairs, and foreign affairs, for the purpose of performing the functions prescribed by law. 4. Information concerning a foreigner, including information constituting a legally protected secret, except for information constituting a state secret, shall be exchanged between state bodies exclusively through the unified electronic platform. 5. After the relevant state body has completed the direct functions assigned to it in the proceedings related to residence status, access of such state body to the relevant information shall be blocked within the periods established by the Government of the Republic of Armenia. 6. It shall be prohibited to use, collect or store information concerning a foreigner or any other natural or legal person for purposes other than those necessary for the performance by state bodies administering proceedings through the unified electronic platform of the functions prescribed by law.” Article 29. The Law shall be supplemented with Article 42.2 as follows: “Article 42.2. Inquiries Conducted through the Unified Electronic Platform 1. During proceedings for granting residence status and for the purpose of verifying the grounds for granting residence status, inquiries shall be made through the unified electronic platform to the following information systems and databases: 1. the State Population Register information system, for obtaining information concerning the identity of the person, name, surname and patronymic, registered address, identity documents, citizenship and sex; 2. the State Register of Legal Entities, for obtaining information concerning the location of the legal entity, the head of its executive body, registered address, charter capital and participants; 3. the database of the State Revenue Committee, for obtaining information concerning whether the foreigner is registered as an employee, taxes calculated in respect of the foreigner, and taxes calculated in respect of legal entities; 4. the database of the Civil Status Acts Registration Office, for obtaining information concerning marriages, including the marriage of a citizen of the Republic of Armenia to a foreigner, as well as information concerning deaths and births; 5. the database of the Cadastre Committee, for obtaining information concerning the provision of housing to the foreigner or his/her family member and concerning real estate owned by the foreigner; 6. the database of movable property of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, for obtaining information concerning movable property owned by the foreigner and its operation; 7. the electronic border management information system of the National Security Service, for obtaining information concerning entries into and exits from the Republic of Armenia, visas, previously granted residence statuses, the legality of stay in the Republic of Armenia, and information contained in the database of persons whose entry into the Republic of Armenia is undesirable; 8. the card index of the information center performing the function of generating state statistics in the field of crimes and administrative offenses, for obtaining information concerning convictions, whether a conviction has been expunged or annulled, whether the person is wanted, and whether the person has been subject to administrative liability; 9. the Central Depository of Armenia, for obtaining information concerning the quantity and value of shares owned by foreigners; 10. the Treasury, for obtaining information concerning payment of the state duty and confirmation of such payment; 11. the information system for education management of the Ministry of Education, Science and Sports and the higher education and science management systems, for obtaining information concerning the registration of a person as a student by levels and degrees of education and educational programs, as well as other necessary information; 12. the digital system for concluding employment agreements of the State Revenue Committee, for obtaining information concerning employment agreements, amendments and addenda thereto, and individual legal acts terminating employment agreements. 2. Inquiries to the information systems and databases specified in Part 1 of this Article shall be made for the purpose of verifying the grounds for granting residence status. The procedure and frequency for making such inquiries shall be established by the Government of the Republic of Armenia.” Article 30. 1. This Law shall enter into force on November 1, 2026. 2. The subordinate normative legal acts necessary for ensuring the implementation of this Law shall be adopted before the date of its entry into force. 3. The unified electronic platform for foreigners shall be launched on November 1, 2026. 4. Applications for granting residence status submitted before the entry into force of this Law shall be processed in accordance with the legislation in force before the entry into force of this Law. 5. Foreigners who, before the entry into force of this Law, have more than one status or document certifying lawful residence in the Republic of Armenia may exercise the rights arising from such statuses or documents until the expiry of their respective validity periods. 6. Foreigners who, before the entry into force of this Law, have been granted special residence status shall continue to exercise the rights and perform the obligations arising from the Law of the Republic of Armenia “On Foreigners” in force before the entry into force of this Law until the expiry of their special residence status. 7. The provisions concerning the employment entry visa and the permit to stay or reside in the Republic of Armenia for the purpose of engaging in employment activities shall enter into force after the introduction of the new electronic visa system.

PART III: MIGRATION SECTOR

(This section of legal news includes legal news related to the migration sector for the month of June 2026)

1. Amendments and Additions to the Law of the Republic of Armenia “On Foreigners”

Name of the legislative act:

Law of the Republic of Armenia No. HO-192-N dated May 11, 2026 “On Making Amendments and Additions to the Law ‘On Foreigners’”

https://www.arlis.am/hy/acts/220874

Status of the amendment:

This Law entered into force on November 1, 2026.

Legislative act amended as a result of the adoption of the above act:

As a result of the adoption of this Law, amendments were made to the Law of the Republic of Armenia “On Foreigners”.

What the amendments concern:

The amendments concern the regulation of foreigners’ lawful residence and employment in the Republic of Armenia, new procedures for granting and terminating residence statuses, the introduction of an employment entry visa and a permit to stay or reside for the purpose of engaging in employment, as well as the grounds for foreigners’ residence status, submission of applications through a unified electronic platform, and the regulation of administrative proceedings.

ON MAKING AMENDMENTS AND ADDITIONS TO THE LAW “ON FOREIGNERS”

Article 2. In Part 1 of Article 3 of the Law:

1. the words “permit or” and “(hereinafter referred to as the “entry visa”)” shall be deleted from the second paragraph;

2. the words “within the territory for a certain period” in the third paragraph shall be replaced with the words “within the territory during the validity period of the document certifying such status”;

3. the fourth paragraph shall be restated as follows:

“Permanent residence status” means a permit issued by the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia or a state administration body authorized by the Government of the Republic of Armenia, which entitles a foreigner to reside within the territory of the Republic of Armenia during the validity period of the document certifying such status;

4. the fifth paragraph shall be repealed;

5. the sixth paragraph shall be restated as follows:

“Permit to stay or reside in the Republic of Armenia for the purpose of engaging in employment activities” means an electronic confirmation entered into the electronic platforms operated by the authorized state administration body in the field of migration and citizenship, which allows a foreigner to obtain an employment entry visa or temporary residence status, or to work in the Republic of Armenia during the period of the foreigner’s lawful stay in the Republic of Armenia;

6. the fourteenth paragraph shall be restated as follows:

“Unified electronic platform” means an electronic platform through which, in accordance with the procedure prescribed by this Law and a decision of the Government of the Republic of Armenia, the authorized state administration body in the field of migration and citizenship conducts proceedings for granting temporary or permanent status to foreigners, recognizing temporary or permanent residence status as expired or invalid, exchanging a document certifying residence status, and granting a permit to stay or reside in the Republic of Armenia for the purpose of engaging in employment activities, and within the framework of such proceedings ensures the exchange of notifications, information and documents between state bodies, employers, educational institutions, citizens and foreigners;

7. the following fifteenth and sixteenth paragraphs shall be added:

“Right to lawful residence” means temporary or permanent residence status, as well as any other status certifying lawful residence in the Republic of Armenia provided for by this Law (except for the certificate provided for by Part 4 of Article 7 of this Law), the Law of the Republic of Armenia “On Refugees and Asylum”, or international treaties;

“Quota” means the limit on residence statuses established by the Government of the Republic of Armenia for each year, by type, number and grounds of residence status.

Article 3. In Article 7 of the Law:

1. Part 3 shall be restated as follows:

“3. A foreigner belonging to the category specified in Clause 11 of Part 1 of Article 23 of this Law shall, immediately after concluding an employment or service agreement in the Republic of Armenia, apply to the authorized state administration body in the field of migration and citizenship to obtain a certificate certifying the legality of the residence of the foreigner and his/her family members in the Republic of Armenia.

A state duty shall be charged, in the amount prescribed by the Law of the Republic of Armenia “On State Duty”, for reviewing applications for issuing a certificate certifying the legality of residence to a foreigner belonging to the category specified in Clause 11 of Part 1 of Article 23 of this Law and his/her family member, including for issuing the document certifying the status. In accordance with the procedure established by a decision of the Government of the Republic of Armenia, the state duty may also be paid online.”

2. Part 4 shall be restated as follows:

“4. Upon the submission of the competent authority, the authorized state administration body in the field of migration and citizenship shall issue a certificate and a public services number to a foreigner specified in Clause 12 of Part 1 of Article 23 of this Law, provided that such person does not have another residence status in the Republic of Armenia. The form of the certificate and the procedure for its issuance shall be established by the Government of the Republic of Armenia.”

Article 4. Part 3 of Article 8 of the Law shall be repealed.

Article 5. In Article 10 of the Law:

1. in Point “a” of Part 1, the words “(in cases provided for by Points “c” or “d” of Part 1 of Article 15 of this Law)” and “engaging in employment activities” shall be deleted;

2. Part 1 shall be supplemented with Point “e” as follows: “

e) Employment entry visa” means a single-entry or multiple-entry visa allowing a foreigner to stay in the territory of the Republic of Armenia for up to 120 days, without the possibility of extension, for the purpose of engaging in short-term employment activities in the territory of the Republic of Armenia, submitting an application from the territory of the Republic of Armenia for obtaining temporary residence status on the grounds provided for by Point “b” of Part 1 of Article 15 of this Law, or obtaining the document certifying temporary residence status granted on the grounds provided for by Point “b” of Part 1 of Article 15 of this Law. An employment entry visa shall be issued only once during the relevant calendar year.”

3. the second paragraph of Part 4 shall be supplemented after the words “types of visas” with the following words: “, as well as issues the entry visa referred to in Point “e” of Part 1 of this Article, the procedure for issuing such visas, as well as the procedure for changing the purpose of an entry visa to the Republic of Armenia, being established by the Government of the Republic of Armenia”.

Article 6. In Article 11 of the Law:

1. Point “b” of Part 1 shall be supplemented after the word “residence” with the words “or refugee”;

2. in the first paragraph of Part 4, the words “card (special passport of the Republic of Armenia)” shall be replaced with the words “or a document certifying refugee status”.

Article 7. In Article 14 of the Law:

1. Point “c” of Part 1 shall be repealed;

2. the words “, permanent and special” in Part 2 shall be replaced with the words “and permanent”, and the words “, permanent residence card and special passport” shall be replaced with the words “and permanent residence card”;

3. the following Part 2.2 shall be added:

“2.2. A foreigner may have only one status certifying lawful residence in the territory of the Republic of Armenia.”

4. Part 3 shall be restated as follows:

“3. Proceedings for granting temporary or permanent residence status in the Republic of Armenia shall be conducted exclusively through the unified electronic platform operated by the authorized state administration body in the field of migration and citizenship. A state duty shall be charged, in the amount prescribed by the Law of the Republic of Armenia “On State Duty”, for reviewing applications for granting residence status to foreigners in the Republic of Armenia, including for issuing the document certifying such status. In accordance with the procedure established by a decision of the Government of the Republic of Armenia, the state duty may also be paid online.”

Article 8. In Article 15 of the Law:

1. in the first paragraph of Part 1, the words “one year or more” shall be replaced with the words “up to one year”;

2. Points “a” and “b” of Part 1 shall be restated as follows: “

a) education in formal or non-formal educational programs, professional training courses, educational exchange programs, as well as conducting scientific, technological or innovative activities;

b) the availability, in accordance with this Law, of an employment visa, a permit to stay or reside in the Republic of Armenia for the purpose of engaging in employment activities, or the right specified in Point 10 or Point 13 of Part 1 of Article 23 of this Law, or”

3. Point “c” of Part 1 shall be repealed;

4. Points “d” and “e” of Part 1 shall be restated as follows: “

d) being a family member of a citizen of the Republic of Armenia or of a foreigner holding residence or refugee status in the Republic of Armenia, namely a spouse, parent or child, or

e) engaging in entrepreneurial activities.”

5. Part 2 shall be restated as follows:

“2. Temporary residence status shall be granted for a period of up to one year.”

6. in Part 3, the words “Points “c” and “d”” shall be replaced with the words “Point “d””.

Article 9. Article 16 of the Law shall be restated as follows:

“Article 16.

Grounds and Terms for Granting Permanent Residence Status

1. Permanent residence status shall be granted to a foreigner if he/she:

a) proves the existence of a family member who is a citizen of the Republic of Armenia (spouse, parent or child), has housing and means of subsistence in the Republic of Armenia, and, prior to submitting an application for permanent residence status, has held temporary residence status in the Republic of Armenia for at least three years during the preceding five years in accordance with the procedure prescribed by law; or

b) is of Armenian ethnicity; or

c) engages in entrepreneurial activities in the Republic of Armenia and, prior to submitting an application for permanent residence status, has held temporary residence status in the Republic of Armenia for at least three years during the preceding five years in accordance with the procedure prescribed by law; or

d) has made an investment in the Republic of Armenia; or

e) has rendered exceptional services to the Republic of Armenia.

2. Permanent residence status shall be granted for a period of five years in accordance with the procedure established by a decision of the Government of the Republic of Armenia.”

Article 10. Article 17 of the Law shall be restated as follows:

“Article 17.

Submission and Review of Applications for Temporary or Permanent Residence Status, Adoption of Decisions, and Registration of Foreigners Holding Temporary or Permanent Residence Status

1. An application for temporary or permanent residence status shall be submitted to the authorized state administration body in the field of migration and citizenship through the unified electronic platform.

2. The granting or refusal of temporary or permanent residence status, the issuance of a residence card, and the revocation or invalidation of a decision granting residence status shall be carried out through the unified electronic platform by the authorized state administration body in the field of migration and citizenship, in accordance with the procedure established by the Government of the Republic of Armenia.

3. The procedure for completing and submitting applications for obtaining temporary or permanent residence status through the unified electronic platform, granting temporary or permanent status to foreigners, notifying applicants, the list of documents to be submitted with the application, the procedure for exchanging information and documents between administrative bodies, and the technical specifications of the platform shall be established by the Government of the Republic of Armenia.

4. A decision to grant or refuse temporary or permanent residence status, except on the ground provided for by Point “e” of Part 1 of Article 16, shall be adopted by the authorized state administration body in the field of migration and citizenship within 30 days from the date of submission of the application, also taking into account the quota indicators regarding the limit on residence statuses for the relevant year established by the Government of the Republic of Armenia.

If, during the proceedings for granting temporary or permanent residence status, the period of the foreigner’s lawful stay or residence in the territory of the Republic of Armenia expires, the foreigner’s stay in the territory of the Republic of Armenia shall be deemed lawful until the completion of the proceedings and the adoption of a decision by the authorized state administration body in the field of migration and citizenship.

5. Permanent residence status shall be granted to a foreigner on the ground provided for by Point “e” of Part 1 of Article 16 by a decision of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia.

6. Foreigners holding temporary or permanent residence status shall be registered by the authorized state administration body in the field of migration and citizenship through the unified electronic platform, in accordance with the procedure established by a decision of the Government of the Republic of Armenia.

7. A foreigner shall personally receive the temporary or permanent residence status card or the certificate certifying lawful residence from the authorized state administration body in the field of migration and citizenship, providing biometric data, including fingerprints and an electronic specimen of the signature, except for foreigners under the age of 16, whose document certifying their right to lawful residence shall be received by their parent or legal representative.

8. A foreigner holding temporary or permanent residence status, except for a foreigner holding residence status on the grounds provided for by Points “d” and “e” of Part 1 of Article 16, shall notify the authorized state administration body in the field of migration and citizenship through the unified electronic platform if absent from the Republic of Armenia for 183 days or more, no later than within 10 days calculated from the expiry of the 183-day period.

9. During the proceedings for obtaining temporary or permanent residence status, the person who has submitted an application for residence status shall be notified through the unified electronic platform of the need to correct identified errors and inaccuracies, as well as to submit information or documents required by the legislation regulating the relevant field.

If the person who has submitted an application for temporary or permanent residence does not perform the action specified in the notification within five days from the moment of receiving the notification through the unified electronic platform, the unified electronic platform shall automatically suspend the proceedings.

10. If the person who has submitted an application for temporary or permanent residence does not perform, within one month, the actions related to resuming the suspended proceedings in accordance with the procedure established by the Government of the Republic of Armenia, the unified electronic platform shall automatically terminate the proceedings.”

Article 11. Article 18 of the Law shall be repealed.

Article 12. Article 19 of the Law shall be restated as follows:

“Article 19.

Grounds for Refusal to Grant Residence Status

1. The granting of residence status to a foreigner may be refused if:

1. the foreigner has been deported from the territory of the Republic of Armenia or has been deprived of residence status, and three years have not elapsed from the date of enforcement of the deportation decision or from the date of entry into force of the decision on deprivation of residence status;

2. the foreigner has been convicted in the Republic of Armenia of committing a medium-gravity, serious or particularly serious crime prescribed by the Criminal Code of the Republic of Armenia, and the conviction has not been expunged or annulled in accordance with the procedure prescribed by law;

3. there is reliable information that the foreigner engages in, participates in, organizes, or is a member of an organization whose purpose is:

a. to cause damage to the state security of the Republic of Armenia, overthrow the constitutional order, or weaken the defense capability;

b. to carry out terrorist activities;

c. to illegally transport across the border, without the relevant authorization, weapons, ammunition, explosives, radioactive materials, narcotic drugs or psychotropic substances;

d. to engage in human trafficking or exploitation, illegal crossing of the state border, or organization of illegal migration;

4. the foreigner suffers from any of the diseases specified in Point “d” of Part 1 of Article 8 of this Law;

5. there are substantiated threats posed by the foreigner to the state security or public order of the Republic of Armenia;

6. when applying for residence status, the foreigner has provided false information about himself/herself, or there is information indicating that the foreigner’s presence in the Republic of Armenia has a purpose other than the declared purpose;

7. the foreigner has been subject to administrative liability for violating this Law and has failed to perform the obligation imposed on him/her by the administrative act, except where one year has elapsed since the imposition of administrative liability or where the obligation imposed by the administrative act has been performed before the expiry of one year;

8. the grounds for granting residence status have ceased to exist;

9. within 15 working days from the date of obtaining temporary residence status on the basis of Point “b” of Part 1 of Article 15 of this Law, no employment or service agreement has been concluded with the foreigner, or, after obtaining temporary residence status on the basis of Point “զ1” of Part 1 of Article 15 of this Law, the volunteer work agreement serving as the basis for obtaining the status has been terminated and no new volunteer work agreement has been concluded with the foreigner within 15 working days;

10. the foreigner entered the Republic of Armenia with one of the entry visas specified in Points “a”, “b”, “c” and “d” of Part 1 of Article 10 of this Law and, without changing the type of entry visa, applied for temporary residence status on the basis of Point “b” of Part 1 of Article 15 of this Law;

11. the foreigner entered the Republic of Armenia in accordance with the procedure established by Part 1 of Article 7 of this Law and, without obtaining a permit to stay or reside in the Republic of Armenia for the purpose of engaging in employment activities, applied for temporary residence status on the grounds specified in Point “b” of Part 1 of Article 15 of this Law;

12. there is a final and enforceable court decision on the deportation or expulsion of the foreigner from the territory of the Republic of Armenia;

13. the quota established by the Government of the Republic of Armenia for the relevant year has been reached.

2. The provisions of Point 2 of Part 1 of this Article shall not apply to persons who have a spouse, parent or child lawfully residing in the Republic of Armenia.”

Article 13. In Article 20 of the Law:

1. the title shall be restated as follows:

“Article 20. Appeal against the Rejection of an Application for Granting Residence Status”.

2. Part 2 shall be supplemented with the following new sentence:

“The procedure for granting a temporary stay permit shall be established by the Government of the Republic of Armenia.”

3. Part 4 shall be restated as follows:

“4. In the event of refusal to grant residence status, the foreigner may reapply for residence status after one year, which shall be indicated in the decision on refusal. The provisions of this Part shall not apply to the grounds for refusal specified in Points 2, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 of Part 1 of Article 19 and Point 13 of Part 1 of Article 19, as well as Part 3 of Article 27. Where a decision on refusal is adopted on any of the aforementioned grounds, the foreigner may reapply for residence status if the circumstances constituting the grounds for refusal have ceased to exist.”

Article 14. Article 21 of the Law shall be restated as follows:

“Article 21.

Grounds for Revoking or Invalidating a Decision Granting Residence Status or a Certificate Certifying Lawful Residence, and Consequences of Invalidating Residence Status

1. The residence status granted to a foreigner or the lawful residence certified under Part 3 of Article 7 of this Law shall be revoked by the authorized state administration body in the field of migration and citizenship if:

1. the grounds for granting residence status to the foreigner have ceased to exist;

2. the foreigner has submitted an application for revocation of his/her residence status;

3. the foreigner has acquired citizenship of the Republic of Armenia;

4. the foreigner has acquired refugee status;

5. before the expiry of the temporary residence status, the employment or service agreement with the foreigner has been terminated and a new agreement has not been concluded within 15 working days through the digital system for concluding employment agreements;

6. before the expiry of the temporary residence status, the volunteer work agreement concluded with the foreigner in accordance with the procedure prescribed by law has been terminated and a new volunteer work agreement has not been concluded with the foreigner within 15 working days;

7. the foreigner has failed to fulfill the obligation imposed on him/her under Point 8 of Article 17 of this Law;

8. in other cases prescribed by law.

2. The residence status granted to a foreigner shall be invalidated, and the foreigner shall be deprived of residence status, if:

1. it has been established that, when obtaining residence status, the foreigner provided false information about himself/herself, or there is information indicating that the foreigner’s presence in the Republic of Armenia has a purpose other than the declared purpose;

2. the foreigner’s presence in the Republic of Armenia poses a threat to the state security or public order of the Republic of Armenia.

3. The operative part of the decision on revoking or invalidating residence status shall also include information concerning deprivation of residence status, the period within which the foreigner must voluntarily leave the territory of the Republic of Armenia, the place where the foreigner must reside until leaving the territory of the Republic of Armenia, and the prohibition on leaving such place of residence without authorization.

4. As a result of the invalidation of residence status, data concerning a foreigner deprived of residence status shall be entered into the database specified in Part 6 of Article 8 of this Law.”

Article 15. The title of Chapter 4 of the Law shall be restated as follows:

“CHAPTER 4

EXERCISE OF THE RIGHTS OF FOREIGNERS IN THE REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA”

Article 16. Parts 2, 3, 4 and 5 of Article 22 of the Law shall be repealed.

Article 17. Parts 2 and 3 of Article 22.1 of the Law shall be repealed.

Article 18. Article 23 of the Law shall be restated as follows:

“Article 23.

Persons Entitled to Conclude an Employment or Service Agreement in the Republic of Armenia Without Obtaining a Permit to Stay or Reside in the Republic of Armenia for the Purpose of Engaging in Employment Activities

1. The following persons shall be entitled to conclude an employment or service agreement in the Republic of Armenia without obtaining a permit to stay or reside in the Republic of Armenia for the purpose of engaging in employment activities:

1. persons holding permanent residence status in the Republic of Armenia, for a period not exceeding the validity period of their residence status;

2. persons holding temporary residence status in the Republic of Armenia on the grounds provided for by Points “a”, “d”, “e” or “զ” of Part 1 of Article 15 of this Law, for a period not exceeding the validity period of their residence status;

3. family members of employees of diplomatic missions and consular offices accredited in the Republic of Armenia, international organizations and their representations, namely their family members, based on the principle of reciprocity;

4. performers and artists arriving in the Republic of Armenia for cinematographic, theatrical or concert touring purposes, as well as administrative and technical support personnel responsible for such events, for the period of their lawful stay in the Republic of Armenia;

5. specialists or other persons arriving on the basis of international treaties of the Republic of Armenia, for the period of their lawful stay in the Republic of Armenia;

6. accredited representatives of foreign organizations engaged in media activities, for the period of their lawful stay in the Republic of Armenia;

7. foreigners seeking asylum in the Republic of Armenia, foreigners holding refugee status and foreigners granted asylum in the Republic of Armenia, for a period not exceeding the validity period of the relevant status;

8. persons arriving for the purpose of participating in activities aimed at preventing or eliminating the consequences of natural disasters, technological accidents, epidemics, accidents, fires and other emergencies, for the entire period of participation in such activities and during their lawful stay in the Republic of Armenia;

9. specialists arriving for the purpose of being involved in activities aimed at detecting crimes within the framework of joint proceedings, for the period of their lawful stay in the Republic of Armenia;

10. persons holding the status of a victim or special category victim, as prescribed by law, and the legal representative of a special category victim, for a period not exceeding the period of their lawful stay in the Republic of Armenia or the validity period of their residence status;

11. foreigners entitled to work by virtue of the relevant international treaties of the Republic of Armenia, provided that they have a public services number;

12. foreign convicts or detained persons, as well as foreigners who are beneficiaries of probation, provided that they have the certificate specified in Part 4 of Article 7 of this Law and a public services number;

13. students performing work in the Republic of Armenia within the framework of work exchange programs during holidays, on the basis of relevant international treaties;

14. foreigners of Armenian ethnicity whose country of permanent residence has been affected by an emergency situation threatening their life or health, for the period of their lawful stay in the Republic of Armenia. The position regarding an emergency situation threatening the life or health of such persons shall be provided by the authorized state administration body in the field of foreign affairs, upon a written request from the authorized state administration body in the field of migration and citizenship.”

Article 19. Article 24 of the Law shall be repealed.

Article 20. Article 25 of the Law shall be repealed.

Article 21. Article 27 of the Law shall be restated as follows:

“Article 27.

Conclusion of an Employment or Service Agreement with a Foreigner

1. An employment or service agreement with a foreigner shall be concluded in accordance with the requirements of the legislation of the Republic of Armenia for a period not exceeding the validity period of the residence status granted on the basis of Point “b” of Part 1 of Article 15 of this Law, the employment visa, or the permit to stay or reside in the Republic of Armenia for the purpose of engaging in employment activities, except for the cases provided for in Part 1 of Article 23 of this Law.

If the employment, service or volunteer work agreement concluded with a foreigner is terminated before the expiry of the temporary residence status granted on the grounds provided for by Points “b” and “զ1” of Part 1 of Article 15 of this Law, the foreigner may conclude a new agreement within 15 working days.

The employment or service agreement shall also include provisions concerning the relocation of the foreign employee and his/her family members to the Republic of Armenia, social security and insurance, reception, provision of accommodation, registration at the place of residence, and return.

2. The conclusion of an employment or service agreement with a foreigner shall be refused if:

1. the legislation of the Republic of Armenia requires Armenian citizenship for performing the relevant work;

2. the information or documents submitted are incorrect or falsified;

3. the employer with whom the foreigner is to work has previously violated the requirements for employing foreigners.

3. An application for an employment entry visa or for temporary residence status on the basis of Point “b” of Part 1 of Article 15 of this Law shall also be refused on the grounds specified in Part 2 of this Article.

4. Employers shall conclude employment agreements with the foreigners specified in Part 1 of Article 23 of this Law through the digital system for concluding employment agreements, in accordance with the procedure established by the Government of the Republic of Armenia.”

Article 22. Article 28 of the Law shall be repealed.

Article 23. In Article 29 of the Law:

1. Part 1 shall be supplemented after the words “temporary residence status” with the words “or employment entry visa”;

2. Part 2 shall be repealed.

Article 24. Article 29.1 of the Law shall be repealed.

Article 25. The Law shall be supplemented with Articles 29.3–29.7 as follows:

“Article 29.3.

Granting Temporary Residence Status on the Basis of Education

1. Foreigners may obtain temporary residence status in the Republic of Armenia on the basis of formal or non-formal education or scientific, technological or innovative activities, in accordance with the procedure established by a decision of the Government of the Republic of Armenia, provided that an agreement has been concluded between the foreigner and an institution operating in the Republic of Armenia that implements general education, vocational, secondary professional or higher education programs, a scientific organization, or an organization having the relevant authority and providing services, concerning the foreigner’s education or scientific, technological or innovative activities at such institution or organization.

2. Institutions implementing general education, vocational, secondary professional and higher education programs, as well as scientific organizations, shall submit an application, an agreement concerning education or scientific, technological or innovative activities, and other documents, if prescribed, through the unified electronic platform in accordance with the procedure established by the Government of the Republic of Armenia pursuant to Part 3 of Article 17 of this Law.

3. In the case of non-formal education (study), the relevant educational institution or an organization authorized to perform such function and/or a service-providing organization shall submit the application specified in Part 2 of this Article through the unified electronic platform.

4. Institutions and/or organizations engaged in educational activities may submit an application for granting residence status on the basis of non-formal education (study). If a non-formal education (study) program is implemented by an organization whose principal field of activity is not the implementation of educational programs, such organization shall, through the unified electronic platform and in accordance with the procedure established by the Government of the Republic of Armenia, submit an application for obtaining authorization to submit an application for granting residence status to a foreigner on the basis of non-formal education (study). A positive or negative conclusion regarding the application shall be issued by the authorized state administration body in the field of education.

5. A foreigner who has obtained temporary residence status on the basis of education shall be granted temporary residence status taking into account the period specified in the agreement concluded with the institution organizing the education, but for no longer than the period prescribed by law for temporary residence status.

6. Temporary residence status granted on the basis of education shall be revoked if:

1. the educational institution has terminated the education agreement concluded with the foreigner, or the education (study) has been interrupted in accordance with the procedure prescribed by law;

2. the foreigner has been sentenced to imprisonment by a final and enforceable court judgment or has been deported from the Republic of Armenia in accordance with the procedure prescribed by this Law;

3. the legal entity that submitted the application for granting status to the foreigner has been liquidated, reorganized, or has ceased to carry out the relevant educational, training or scientific activities.

7. A legal entity that has submitted an application for granting residence status to a foreigner on the basis of education or study shall, in the case specified in Point 1 of Part 6 of this Article, notify the authorized state administration body in the field of migration and citizenship through the unified electronic platform of the termination of the education (study) agreement concluded with the foreigner or the interruption of education (study) in accordance with the prescribed procedure within 10 days from the date of such termination or interruption.

Article 29.4.

Granting Temporary or Permanent Residence Status on the Basis of Entrepreneurial Activities

1. Foreigners may obtain temporary or permanent residence status in the Republic of Armenia on the basis of engaging in entrepreneurial activities, in accordance with the procedure established by the Government of the Republic of Armenia.

2. An application for residence status on the basis of entrepreneurial activities shall be submitted by the head of the executive body of the legal entity through the unified electronic platform or, in the case of an individual entrepreneur, personally by the foreigner by registering on the unified electronic platform.

3. Engaging in entrepreneurial activities may serve as a basis for obtaining residence status if the foreigner is a participant or shareholder of a commercial organization operating in the Republic of Armenia or an owner of securities and has invested at least AMD 2,000,000 in the charter capital of the commercial organization or acquired shares or securities with a value of AMD 2,000,000, or is an individual entrepreneur and has funds equivalent to at least AMD 1,000,000 in AMD terms in his/her accounts denominated in different currencies, or has a turnover of AMD 1,000,000 or its equivalent in foreign currency resulting from entrepreneurial activities during the 60 days preceding the date of submission of the application.

4. A foreigner who has obtained temporary or permanent residence status on the basis of engaging in entrepreneurial activities shall be granted a new residence status on the same basis if an application is submitted and information confirming the continuity of the entrepreneurial activity, obtained through the unified electronic platform in accordance with a decision of the Government of the Republic of Armenia, is available, or, in the absence of such information, if documents submitted by the foreigner are provided.

5. Residence status granted on the basis of engaging in entrepreneurial activities shall be revoked if the capital invested in the charter capital has been withdrawn from the commercial organization, or has decreased below AMD 1,000,000, or the value of the shares or securities has decreased below AMD 1,000,000, or if, within 180 days after obtaining residence status, the database of the State Revenue Committee does not contain information on taxes calculated as a result of entrepreneurial activities.

Residence status granted on the basis of engaging in entrepreneurial activities shall not be revoked if the foreigner:

1. at the time of withdrawing the charter capital from the commercial organization has an equivalent investment made in another commercial organization operating in the territory of the Republic of Armenia; or

2. has withdrawn the capital invested in the charter capital from the commercial organization and, within the following one month, invested it in the charter capital of another commercial organization operating in the territory of the Republic of Armenia.

Article 29.5.

Granting Residence Status on the Basis of Family Circumstances or Armenian Ethnicity

1. An application for granting residence status on the basis of being the spouse, parent or child of a citizen of the Republic of Armenia or of a foreigner holding residence or refugee status in the Republic of Armenia shall be submitted by the citizen of the Republic of Armenia or the family member holding residence or refugee status through the unified electronic platform.

2. An application for obtaining residence status on the basis of Armenian ethnicity shall be submitted personally by the foreigner. Before submitting the application, the foreigner shall register on the unified electronic platform, submit the documents required for obtaining residence status, and, through the platform, schedule an appointment to submit the application in person, provided that the authorized state administration body in the field of migration and citizenship has preliminarily established, through an initial review, that the submitted documents and information are complete and comply with the established requirements. If the documents and information are incomplete or do not comply with the established requirements, the person shall be notified through the unified electronic platform of the need to submit or supplement them.

3. Children under the age of 16 may obtain residence status on the basis of one parent being a citizen of the Republic of Armenia, for the period specified by the parent in the application for granting residence status, but not exceeding the maximum period established by law for the relevant type of residence status, or on the basis of the residence status of one of the parents, for the validity period of the residence status granted to that parent, except for foreign children studying at educational institutions included in the list established by the Government of the Republic of Armenia or participating in exchange programs.

Article 29.6.

Granting Permanent Residence Status on the Basis of Investment in the Republic of Armenia

1. Foreigners may obtain permanent residence status in the Republic of Armenia on the basis of making an investment in the Republic of Armenia, in accordance with the procedure established by the Government of the Republic of Armenia.

2. An application for obtaining residence status on the basis of making an investment in the Republic of Armenia shall be submitted personally by the foreigner by registering on the unified electronic platform.

3. The eligibility criteria required for obtaining permanent residence status on the basis of making an investment in the Republic of Armenia shall be established by the Government of the Republic of Armenia.

4. Permanent residence status granted on the basis of making an investment in the Republic of Armenia shall be revoked if, after obtaining the residence status, the foreigner ceases to meet the eligibility criteria established by the Government of the Republic of Armenia.

Article 29.7.

Granting Permanent Residence Status on the Basis of Having Rendered Exceptional Services to the Republic of Armenia

1. An application for granting permanent residence status on the basis of having rendered exceptional services to the Republic of Armenia shall be entered into the unified electronic platform by the Office of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia, attaching the foreigner’s consent to obtaining permanent residence status in the Republic of Armenia, the recommendation of the state administration body to grant the foreigner permanent residence status on the basis of having rendered exceptional services to the Republic of Armenia (if available), and the conclusions issued by the authorized state bodies in the fields of national security and internal affairs within the scope of their powers prescribed by law, which are obtained by the Office of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia by submitting requests to the National Security Service and the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Armenia.”

Article 26. Point “b” of Part 1 of Article 30 of the Law shall be restated as follows:

“b) the grounds specified in Part 1 of Article 8 of this Law exist.”

Article 27. Part 1 of Article 42 of the Law shall be restated as follows:

“1. When processing personal data of foreigners and other persons, the protection of personal data shall be ensured in accordance with the Law of the Republic of Armenia “On Personal Data Protection”.”

Article 28. Article 42.1 of the Law shall be restated as follows:

“Article 42.1.

Protection of Personal Data Collected about Foreigners and Applicants through the Unified Electronic Platform

1. Where inconsistencies or inaccuracies are identified in the information or documents submitted through the unified electronic platform, the state bodies administering the relevant proceedings may request additional information or documents necessary for an objective examination of the circumstances.

2. Personal data collected through the unified electronic platform shall be collected and processed by the authorized state administration body in the field of migration and citizenship.

3. The authorized state administration body in the field of migration and citizenship shall, within the scope of its powers, provide access to the personal data collected through the unified electronic platform to other authorized state bodies, including state bodies in the fields of national security, labor and social affairs, and foreign affairs, for the purpose of performing the functions prescribed by law.

4. Information concerning a foreigner, including information constituting a legally protected secret, except for information constituting a state secret, shall be exchanged between state bodies exclusively through the unified electronic platform.

5. After the relevant state body has completed the direct functions assigned to it in the proceedings related to residence status, access of such state body to the relevant information shall be blocked within the periods established by the Government of the Republic of Armenia.

6. It shall be prohibited to use, collect or store information concerning a foreigner or any other natural or legal person for purposes other than those necessary for the performance by state bodies administering proceedings through the unified electronic platform of the functions prescribed by law.”

Article 29. The Law shall be supplemented with Article 42.2 as follows:

“Article 42.2.

Inquiries Conducted through the Unified Electronic Platform

1. During proceedings for granting residence status and for the purpose of verifying the grounds for granting residence status, inquiries shall be made through the unified electronic platform to the following information systems and databases:

1. the State Population Register information system, for obtaining information concerning the identity of the person, name, surname and patronymic, registered address, identity documents, citizenship and sex;

2. the State Register of Legal Entities, for obtaining information concerning the location of the legal entity, the head of its executive body, registered address, charter capital and participants;

3. the database of the State Revenue Committee, for obtaining information concerning whether the foreigner is registered as an employee, taxes calculated in respect of the foreigner, and taxes calculated in respect of legal entities;

4. the database of the Civil Status Acts Registration Office, for obtaining information concerning marriages, including the marriage of a citizen of the Republic of Armenia to a foreigner, as well as information concerning deaths and births;

5. the database of the Cadastre Committee, for obtaining information concerning the provision of housing to the foreigner or his/her family member and concerning real estate owned by the foreigner;

6. the database of movable property of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, for obtaining information concerning movable property owned by the foreigner and its operation;

7. the electronic border management information system of the National Security Service, for obtaining information concerning entries into and exits from the Republic of Armenia, visas, previously granted residence statuses, the legality of stay in the Republic of Armenia, and information contained in the database of persons whose entry into the Republic of Armenia is undesirable;

8. the card index of the information center performing the function of generating state statistics in the field of crimes and administrative offenses, for obtaining information concerning convictions, whether a conviction has been expunged or annulled, whether the person is wanted, and whether the person has been subject to administrative liability;

9. the Central Depository of Armenia, for obtaining information concerning the quantity and value of shares owned by foreigners;

10. the Treasury, for obtaining information concerning payment of the state duty and confirmation of such payment;

11. the information system for education management of the Ministry of Education, Science and Sports and the higher education and science management systems, for obtaining information concerning the registration of a person as a student by levels and degrees of education and educational programs, as well as other necessary information;

12. the digital system for concluding employment agreements of the State Revenue Committee, for obtaining information concerning employment agreements, amendments and addenda thereto, and individual legal acts terminating employment agreements.

2. Inquiries to the information systems and databases specified in Part 1 of this Article shall be made for the purpose of verifying the grounds for granting residence status. The procedure and frequency for making such inquiries shall be established by the Government of the Republic of Armenia.”

Article 30.

1. This Law shall enter into force on November 1, 2026.

2. The subordinate normative legal acts necessary for ensuring the implementation of this Law shall be adopted before the date of its entry into force.

3. The unified electronic platform for foreigners shall be launched on November 1, 2026.

4. Applications for granting residence status submitted before the entry into force of this Law shall be processed in accordance with the legislation in force before the entry into force of this Law.

5. Foreigners who, before the entry into force of this Law, have more than one status or document certifying lawful residence in the Republic of Armenia may exercise the rights arising from such statuses or documents until the expiry of their respective validity periods.

6. Foreigners who, before the entry into force of this Law, have been granted special residence status shall continue to exercise the rights and perform the obligations arising from the Law of the Republic of Armenia “On Foreigners” in force before the entry into force of this Law until the expiry of their special residence status.

7. The provisions concerning the employment entry visa and the permit to stay or reside in the Republic of Armenia for the purpose of engaging in employment activities shall enter into force after the introduction of the new electronic visa system.

PART IV. EMPLOYMENT SECTOR

(This section of legal updates includes legal news related to the employment sector for September 2026)

1. GOVERNMENT DECISION No. 1364-N OF THE REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA ON MAKING AMENDMENTS AND ADDITIONS TO GOVERNMENT DECISION No. 410-N OF APRIL 10, 2025 AND GOVERNMENT DECISION No. 1954-N OF DECEMBER 25, 2025

Name of the legislative act:

Government Decision No. 1364-N of the Republic of Armenia “On Making Amendments and Additions to Government Decision No. 410-N of April 10, 2025 and Government Decision No. 1954-N of December 25, 2025”

https://arlis.am/en/acts/231064

Status of the Amendment:

This Decision entered into force on September 17, 2026.

Legislative Act Amended by the Above-Mentioned Act:

As a result of the adoption of this Decision, amendments and additions were made to Government Decision No. 410-N of April 10, 2025 and Government Decision No. 1954-N of December 25, 2025..

What the Amendments Concern:

The amendments mainly concern the extension of the deadlines for the digitalization of employment contracts. The mandatory application of the digital system is postponed until July 1, 2027, while the deadline for entering existing employment contracts into the digital system is set as June 30, 2028. At the same time, the regulations concerning the identification of foreigners, digital signatures, and the amendment and termination of employment contracts are clarified.

GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA

DECISION

September 17, 2026 No. 1364-N

ON MAKING AMENDMENTS AND AN ADDITION TO GOVERNMENT DECISION NO. 410-N OF APRIL 10, 2025 AND GOVERNMENT DECISION NO. 1954-N OF DECEMBER 25, 2025 OF THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA

Based on Articles 33 and 34 of the Law of the Republic of Armenia “On Normative Legal Acts”, the Government of the Republic of Armenia decides:

1. The Annex to Government Decision No. 410-N of April 10, 2025 “On Establishing the Requirements for the Digital System for Concluding Employment Contracts, the Procedure for Granting Access to Data of the Digital System, the Procedure for Concluding Employment Contracts through the Digital System, and the Authorized Body Responsible for Managing the Digital System” shall be amended and supplemented as follows:

1. Point 2 shall be restated as follows:

“2. As of July 1, 2027, the establishment, amendment and termination of employment relationships shall be carried out through the digital system, except for the cases prescribed by Parts 4 and 5 of Article 13 and Part 2 of Article 14 of the Labor Code of the Republic of Armenia. Until July 1, 2027, the establishment, amendment and termination of employment relationships may also be carried out through the digital system.”

2. The Annex shall be supplemented with a new Point 2.1 as follows:

“2.1. If the establishment of an employment relationship was carried out through the digital system before July 1, 2027, any amendment to or termination of such employment relationship shall also be carried out through the digital system.”

3. Point 5.1 shall be repealed.

4. In Point 6, the words “, and the entry of foreigners who do not have residence status shall be carried out using the taxpayer identification number (TIN) and the username and password provided by the State Revenue Committee of the Republic of Armenia” shall be deleted.

5. In Point 8, the words “for citizens of the Republic of Armenia, the identification card shall be used” shall be replaced with the words “an identity document shall be used in the digital system”, and the words “, while for foreigners, other electronic digital signature solutions shall be applied in accordance with the requirements established by Government Decision No. 285-N of March 1, 2018 and Government Decision No. 572-N of May 25, 2017 of the Government of the Republic of Armenia” shall be deleted.

6. In Point 12:

a. in Subpoints 6 and 6.1, the words “or the number of the certificate confirming the absence of a public services number” shall be deleted;

b. in Subpoint 6, the “*” symbol following the words “if the person being hired is in the Republic of Armenia” shall be deleted.

2. Government Decision No. 1954-N of December 25, 2025 “On Establishing the Procedure for Entering into the Digital System Employment Contracts Concluded and Continuing until January 1, 2026, as well as Individual Legal Acts on Employment Adopted and in Force until July 1, 2025, and on Making Additions and Amendments to Government Decision No. 410-N of April 10, 2025” (hereinafter referred to as the “Decision”) shall be amended and supplemented as follows:

1. In the title of the Decision, the words “JANUARY 2026” shall be replaced with the words “JULY 2027”.

2. In Point 1 of the Decision, the words “January 2026” shall be replaced with the words “July 2027”.

3. In Point 2 of the Decision, the words:

“after January 1, 2026, within a twelve-month period, employers shall enter into the digital system the employment contracts of employees who are in employment relationships with them (if the employment contracts have not been concluded through the digital system), as well as individual legal acts on employment adopted and in force until July 1, 2025, under the conditions applicable at the time of entry”

shall be replaced with the following:

“employers shall enter into the digital system, from January 1, 2026 through June 30, 2028, the employment contracts concluded and continuing until July 1, 2027, as well as individual legal acts on employment adopted and in force until July 1, 2025, under the conditions applicable at the time of entry (if the employment contracts have not been concluded, or the individual legal acts on employment have not been adopted, through the digital system)”.

4. In the title of the Annex to the Decision, the words “JANUARY 2026” shall be replaced with the words “JULY 2027”.

5. In Points 1 and 2 of the Annex to the Decision, the words “January 2026” shall be replaced with the words “July 2027”.

6. In Point 6 of the Annex to the Decision, the words “December 31, 2026” shall be replaced with the words “June 30, 2028”.

7. In Point 8 of the Annex to the Decision, the words “, and the entry of foreigners who do not have residence status shall be carried out using the taxpayer identification number (TIN) and the username and password provided by the State Revenue Committee of the Republic of Armenia” shall be deleted.

8. In Point 9 of the Annex to the Decision, the words “for citizens of the Republic of Armenia, the identification card shall be used” shall be replaced with the words “an identity document shall be used in the digital system”, and the words “, while for foreigners, other electronic digital signature solutions shall be applied in accordance with the requirements established by Government Decision No. 285-N of March 1, 2018 and Government Decision No. 572-N of May 25, 2017 of the Government of the Republic of Armenia” shall be deleted.

9. In Subpoints 7 and 8 of Point 10 of the Annex to the Decision, the words “or the number of the certificate confirming the absence of a public services number” shall be deleted.

10. In Point 17 of the Annex to the Decision, the words:

“If the employment contract concluded with the employee or the individual legal act on employment has not been entered into the digital system by the end of 2026 and in the same year”

shall be replaced with:

“If the employment contract concluded with the employee or the individual legal act on employment before July 1, 2027 has not been entered into the digital system during the period from July 1, 2027 through June 30, 2028 and during the specified period”.

11. The Annex to the Decision shall be supplemented with a new Point 17.1 as follows:

“17.1. The provisions established by this Procedure concerning the entry of employment contracts into the digital system shall also apply to the cases prescribed by Article 95.1 of the Labor Code of the Republic of Armenia, regardless of when the employment contract was concluded.”

3. This Decision shall enter into force on the day following its official publication, except for Subparagraph (a) of Subpoint 6 of Point 1 and Subpoint 9 of Point 2 of this Decision, which shall enter into force on January 1, 2027.”