Էջը հայերեն

Special Residency Status

ACQUIRING SPECIAL RESIDENCY STATUS IN ARMENIA 

The "Law of the Republic of Armenia about Foreign Citizens" was enacted on 25 December, 2006 by the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia and had replaced the "Law of the Republic of Armenia on the Legal Status of Foreign Citizens in the Republic of Armenia". It allows foreign citizens to receive a Special Residency Status (SRS) in the Republic of Armenia. The SRS is granted by the President of Armenia to the foreign citizens of Armenian ancestry and other distinguished individuals, who have provided significant services to the Armenian nation and/or are engaged in economic and cultural activities in Armenia. The Special Residency Status is granted for a ten-year term, and may be extended upon request. 

Those granted Special Residency Status will be issued Special Armenian Passports and will no longer be required to obtain entry visas for traveling to Armenia. While in Armenia, they will enjoy the full protection of the Armenian law, as well as the rights and obligations of Armenian citizens, except for the right to vote, run for office and enroll in political organizations. They are exempt from military service in the Armed Forces of Armenia. Please note, that Special Passport will not waive visa requirements for other CIS countries. In order to travel to those and other countries the holders of Special Passport should use their national passports.

Survivors of the Armenian Genocide are granted Special Passports through a expedite procedure, and the application fee is waived. 

Application Information: 

To apply for the Special Residency Status in the Republic of Armenia, applicants need to submit to the Embassy the following documents, by any registered mail or in person:

1. An Application Questionnaire filled out in English only

2. A letter in the name of the Ambassador of the Republic Armenia, requesting Special Residency Status. The letter must include the following:

a) Information regarding the applicant's present citizenship;
b) Information regarding the applicant's past citizenships, if any, including the country and the reason for loss of citizenship;
c) Country of origin and nationality at birth;
d) Reason for applying for a Special Residency Status in Armenia, i.e. business, cultural, charity, etc. Please provide details;
e) Applicant's occupation and place of employment in the country of residence.  Please be as specific as possible;
f) How many stays has the applicant had in Armenia: when, for how long and under what circumstances? If the applicant has previously been granted other type of Residency Status in Armenia (Temporary, Ordinary, Exclusive), these should be indicated;
g) Information on possible conviction or involvement in a criminal investigation.

3. Two reference letters from credible sources, such as known and functioning community organizations, reputable organizations of the country of residence and, in exceptional cases, outstanding individuals known to the Embassy through their activities that benefit the Republic or the Embassy.

4. Six clear photocopies of the respective pages of your passport with photograph, validity and personal data.  

5. Photocopy of the birth certificate.

6. Seven passport size professional color photographs on light background.

Upon Ambassador's approval, applications are sent to Yerevan and usually are processed within 3-4 months. In some cases, requiring additional consideration, the processing time could be extended. Once the documents are sent to Yerevan for consideration, the Embassy cannot influence the process.

If the application is denied by the Armenian authorities, the rejected applicants may re-apply for the Special Residency Status one year after their initial application was rejected.

Currently, the fee for the SRS passport is 265 GBP payable in cash or postal order at the time the application.