The Republic of Armenia belongs to the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). In theory this means that passports and visas issued from one member state are honored by others. In practice, this is a one-way agreement, all on the non-Russian member state side. Persons in transit who have a visa issued by a CIS member state are granted 3 days visa in other countries. Any other CIS member state visa, though is NOT honored for longer than that. No matter what you have been told--or by whom--if you wish to stay longer than 3 days in Armenia, you will have to have an Armenian visa. As a foreigner you may not even be granted a transit visa in another CIS member state with your valid Armenian visa--especially the Russian Federation, which routinely refuses to accept other member state visas.

To enter Armenia, all non-Armenian citizens are required to have a visa first. The only exceptions to this are citizens of the former Soviet Union, who may use their CCCP or CIS passports for entry. Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania citizens are not included in this agreement, and must obtain a visa first. So for the visitor from outside the CIS, the rules are rather clear. The good news is that obtaining a tourist visa is easy and quick, and there are a variety of ways to secure one, including obtaining your visa when you arrive at the Yerevan airport.

NOTE:  A new tax was implemented in January of 1998 for all departing passengers.  The tax is 10,000 AMD (about $20) and applies to
all departing passengers regardless of citizenship.  The tax is being implmented at the airports, and it is unclear if it applies to land borders.  No reason was
given for the tax, but we assume it is to support the general budget.  Departing passengers can pay the tax at any bank and receive a paper allowing departure.  Passengers can also pay at the airport before departure.

ARMENIAN EMBASSIES, CONSULATES AND DIPLOMATIC MISSIONS:

Argentina, Embajada de Armenia
Avda. Pte. Roque Saenz Pena 570 Piso 3, Buenos Aires 1035 Argentina
Tel: 011-541-345-2051 011-541-345-1882 011-541-345-2037
Fax: 011-541-343-2467

Austria, Embassy of the Republic of Armenia
Neubaugasse 12-14/1/16, 1070 Vienna, Austria
Tel: 011-431-522-7480 011-431-522-7479
Fax: 011-431-522-7481
E-mail: armenia@ycom.or.at

Belarus, Embassy of the Republic of Armenia
17 Kirov St., Minsk, Belarus
Tel: 011-0172-275-153 011-0172-293-072
Fax: 011-0172-231-321 011-0172-272-339

Belgium, Embassy of the Republic of Armenia
(Residence in London)
25A Cheniston Gardens, London, W8 6TG, United Kingdom
Tel: 011-44171-938-4514 011-44171-938-5435
Fax: 011-44171-938-2595

Bulgaria, Embassy of the Republic of Armenia
11 20-I April Street, 1606 Sophia, Bulgaria
Tel: 011-3592-526-046 011-3592-547-970
Fax: 011-3592-547-970 011-3592-526-046

Canada, Embassy of the Republic of Armenia
130 Albert St., Ste. 1006, Ottawa, Ontario, K1P 5G4 Canada
Tel: (613) 234-3710
Fax: (613) 234-3444

Croatia, Embassy of the Republic of Armenia
(Residence in Athens)
159 Syngrou Ave., First Floor, 17121 N. Smyrni, Athens, Greece
Tel: 011-301-934-5727
Fax: 011-301-935-2187

Cyprus, Embassy of the Republic of Armenia
(Residence in Athens)
159 Syngrou Ave., First Floor, 17121 N. Smyrni, Athens, Greece
Tel: 011-301-934-5727
Fax: 011-301-935-2187

Egypt, Embassy of the Republic of Armenia
20, MOHAMED MAZHAR STREET, ZAMALEK, CAIRO, EGYPT
Tel: 011(202) 342-4157/342-4159
Fax: 011(202) 342-4158

France, Embassy of the Republic of Armenia
26 rue Dode de Bruneria, 00716 Paris, France
Tel: 011(331) 5376-0993 011(331) 4212-9800
Fax: 011(331) 5376-1007 011(331) 4212-9803

Georgia, Embassy of the Republic of Armenia
4 Tetelashvili Street, Tbilisi, Republic of Georgia
Tel: 011(8832) 951-723 011(8832) 964-286
Fax: 011(8832) 990-126 011(8832) 985-535

Germany, Embassy of the Republic of Armenia
Viktoriastrasse 15, 53173 Bonn, Germany
Tel: 011(49228) 366-329
Fax: 011(49228) 352-903

Great Britain, Embassy of the Republic of Armenia
25A Cheniston Gardens, London, W8 6TG, United Kingdom
Tel: 011-44171-938-4514 011-44171-938-5435
Fax: 011-44171-938-2595

Greece, Embassy of the Republic of Armenia
159 Syngrou Ave., First Floor, 17121 N. Smyrni, Athens, Greece
Tel: 011-301-934-5727
Fax: 011-301-935-2187

Hungary, Embassy of the Republic of Armenia
(Residence in Vienna)
Neubaugasse 12-14/1/16, 1070 Vienna, Austria
Tel: 011-431-522-7480 011-431-522-7479
Fax: 011-431-522-7481

India, Consulate of the Republic of Armenia
A-153 New Friends Colony, New Delhi 110065 India
Tel: 011(9111) 683-6784
Fax: 011(9111) 683-3177

Iran, Embassy of the Republic of Armenia
1 Ostad Shahriar St. Corner of Razi, Jonhouri Eslami Ave., Tehran, Iran
Tel: 011(9821) 674-833
Fax: 011(9821) 670-657

Italy, Embassy of the Republic of Armenia
Farnesina 174, 00194 Rome, Italy
Tel: 011(396) 329-1763 011(396) 329-9763
Fax: 011(396) 329-6638 011(396) 329-6386
E-mail: hhdesp@galactica.it

Kazakhstan, Embassy of the Republic of Armenia
579 Seifulin St. 480075 Almati, Republic of Kazakhstan
Tel: 011(3272) 692-932
Fax: 011(3272) 692-908 011(3272) 61-93-95

Kirgizstan, Embassy of the Republic of Armenia
(Residence in Amati)
579 Seifulin St. 480075 Almati, Republic of Kazakhstan
Tel: 011(3272) 692-932
Fax: 011(3272) 692-908 011(3272) 61-93-95

Lebanon, Embassy of the Republic of Armenia
Nakkash, Beirut
Tel: 011(9821) 674-833
Fax: 011(9821) 670-657

Luxembourg, Embassy of the Republic of Armenia
(Residence in London)
25A Cheniston Gardens, London, W8 6TG, United Kingdom
Tel: 011-44171-938-4514 011-44171-938-5435
Fax: 011-44171-938-2595

Morocco, Embassy of the Republic of Armenia
(Residence in Cairo)
12, Lufti Hassuna St., Dokki, Cairo, Egypt
Tel: 011(202) 360-5625
Fax: 011(202) 360-0317

Moldova, Embassy of the Republic of Armenia
(Residence in Bucharest)
rue Calotestin 1, apt. 5 Bucharest, Romania
Tel: 011(401) 321-5679 Fax: 011(401) 321-5930

Netherlands, Embassy of the Republic of Armenia
(Residence in London)
25A Cheniston Gardens, London, W8 6TG, United Kingdom
Tel: 011-44171-938-4514 011-44171-938-5435
Fax: 011-44171-938-2595

Oman, Embassy of the Republic of Armenia
(Residence in Cairo)
12, Lufti Hassuna St., Dokki, Cairo, Egypt
Tel: 011(202) 360-5625
Fax: 011(202) 360-0317

Romania, Embassy of the Republic of Armenia
rue Calotestin 1, apt. 5 Bucharest, Romania
Tel: 011(401) 321-5679
Fax: 011(401) 321-5930

Russian Federation, Embassy of the Republic of Armenia
2 Armiansky Per., Moscow 101000
Tel: 011(095) 924-1269
Fax: 011(095) 924-4535 011(095) 928-3384

Slovenia, Embassy of the Republic of Armenia
(Residence in Athens)
159 Syngrou Ave., First Floor, 17121 N. Smyrni, Athens, Greece
Tel: 011-301-934-5727
Fax: 011-301-935-2187

Switzerland, Embassy of the Republic of Armenia
64 Route de Troinex, Geneva, Switzerland
Tel: 011(4122) 300-4500
Fax: 011(4122) 300-4515

Syria, Embassy of the Republic of Armenia
Adnam Maliki Ibrahim Hananu, Damascus, Syria
Tel: 011(9631) 1373-2992
Fax: 011(9631) 1371-1757

Syria, Consulate General of the Republic of Armenia
A 1 Kawakibi 4, Taha, Hussein 12, Alleppo, Syria
Tel: 011(9631) 117-117-57
Fax: 011(9631) 212-466-30

Turkmenistan, Embassy of the Republic of Armenia
Yubileynaia Hotel, 6 Tegeranskaia St, Ashgabad 744012, Turkmenistan
Tel: 011(3632) 244-927
Fax: 011(3632) 244-812

Ukraine, Embassy of the Republic of Armenia
Moskva Hotel, Rooms 806/807, 4 Institutskaia St., Kiev, Ukraine
Tel: 011(044) 229-0806
Fax: 011(044) 229-0807

United States of America, Embassy of the Republic of Armenia
2225 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008, USA
Tel: (202) 319-1976
Fax: (202) 319-2982
e-mail: mbagrat@erols.com

United States of America, Consulate of the Republic of Armenia
(for Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Missouri, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Texas, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin)
50 North La Cienega Blvd, Beverly Hills, CA 90211, USA
Tel: (310) 657-6102
Fax: (310) 657-7419

United States of America, Consulate of the Republic of Armenia
(for all other states)
Consular Division of the Embassy
2225 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008, USA
Tel: (202) 393-5983
Fax: (202) 393-5962

Vatican, Embassy of the Republic of Armenia
(Residence in London)
25A Cheniston Gardens, London, W8 6TG, United Kingdom
Tel: 011-44171-938-4514 011-44171-938-5435
Fax: 011-44171-938-2595

Types of Visas:

There are four types of visas available for visitors to Armenia:

a. Transit Visa. Available for three days. This is most common for travelers who are going through Armenia en route to another country, and wish to make short stop on the way. If you have a visa for travel in a CIS member state, and plan to stay no longer than 3 days in Armenia, you may use that visa.
 

b. Tourist. Available for up to 21 days without an invitation. This is the most common type of visa issued. It can be extended after you in the country for a maximum of 2 times 1/3 of the length of your original visa. For example, if you are issued a 21 day visa, you may extend it for 14 days. After that time you will have to either leave the country, or request a new 21 day visa.
 

c. Private/ Business. Available for up to three months, but requires an invitation that is verified by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
 

d. Diplomatic Visas. Only governments may request and secure these visas.

Other Types: There are other visas available: one year, three year and ten year multi-entry visas (also called "Residence Cards"), but these require an invitation and proof of need to stay in the country for extended periods of time. OVIR refers to these visas as "Armenian Green Cards", granting the bearer the right to work in Armenia. Long term workers in country obtain these after entry in the country, by applying to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and receiving permission.

To obtain a visa, you may apply either at an embassy or consulate, or at the border. Currently there are two border points where visas are issued: at the border with Georgia between Akhalkalak and Ashotsk (above Giumri); and a Zvartnotz International Airport in Yerevan. For travelers from Asia and Australia, the border visa (so called "On The Spot") may be the better option, since there are no embassies or consulates yet open in your part of the world, and you do not have to surrender your passport and wait for an embassy to issue your visa. The cost, however is more expensive.

NOTE:  A new tax was implemented in January of 1998 for all departing passengers.  The tax is 10,000 AMD (about $20) and applies to
all departing passengers regardless of citizenship.  The tax is being implmented at the airports, and it is unclear if it applies to land borders.  No reason was
given for the tax, but we assume it is to support the general budget.  Departing passengers can pay the tax at any bank and receive a paper allowing departure.  Passengers can also pay at the airport before departure.

Process: Outside Armenia:

To obtain a visa, you apply to an embassy or consulate nearest you (see Embassies and Consulates), and provide the following information:

· A Passport valid for at least one month beyond your return date, plus photocopy of the front data pages.
· Completed Visa Application including entry/exit dates and your reason for entering Armenia. (See Example Visa Application)
· One recent passport-size photograph is required by the embassy in the USA. Elsewhere you may be required to provide two photographs. Vending machine photographs are not accepted.