Entry rules to Armenia

Good-neighborly relations between Russia and Armenia have left an imprint on the visa and passport policy of both countries towards each other. Now citizens of the Russian Federation have the right to enter Armenia without a passport, but for this several conditions must be met.

When you need a passport and visa when traveling to Armenia

Since 2000, a visa-free regime has been established between Russia and Armenia. In practice, it meant that citizens of both states could cross the border with their passports.

Over time, integration processes in the CIS led to the fact that Armenia joined the Customs Union of the Eurasian Economic Union, among the organizers of which Russia is also listed.

This association aims to eliminate economic and customs barriers between the member states. Among other problems, the visa policy of the members of the Eurasian Union was unified.

Since 2017, an agreement has come into force, which provides for the entry of Russians into Armenia on civil passports, if the purpose of the trip is tourism. However, such a border crossing regime is available only to those travelers who arrive in the country by air at one of the airports in Armenia (in Yerevan or in Gyumri).

This does not mean that a passport when traveling to Armenia will not come in handy at all, or that visas between countries have been finally canceled:

1. When crossing ground checkpoints, persons entering by car or train must show their passport. In many ways, this restriction is of a formal nature, since Russia and Armenia do not have a common border. To enter the country by land, a Russian must go through passport control in one of the neighboring states (Iran and Georgia). Citizens of the Russian Federation cannot get to any of these countries without a passport, and to Iran - even without a visa;
2. If the planned period of stay in the country exceeds six months, then you must first obtain a visa permit from the embassy or consulate of Armenia. You will also have to apply for a visa if the applicant plans to work in Armenia, is a diplomat or an employee of consular offices, etc.
3. A passport is required to cross the border for those persons who are not yet holders of a civil passport of the Russian Federation, that is, children up to 14 years old.

Border crossing rules

The procedure for crossing the Armenian border may vary depending on the method of arrival in the country and the personality of the visitor.

Entering the country by private car

Entry to Armenia by private car is possible only from the side of Iran or Georgia. The border between Armenia and Azerbaijan is still closed due to the conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh, checkpoints on the border with Turkey or complicated relations between the two states also do not work.

Passing border control at ground checkpoints will require tourists to present their passport.

It is also necessary to prepare the following documents for the car for verification:

• International driving license;
• Vehicle Certificate (STS);
• Power of attorney for a car, if the driver is not the owner of the car.

To cross the border, you must pay additional fees:

• Transport tax for using local roads (about 2 thousand rubles);
• CTP policy, the price of which depends on the engine power of the car, the age of the driver and the driving experience (on average - about 600 rubles).

Persons who only know Russian and do not speak Armenian will have to pay additional brokerage fees for entering vehicle data into documents (about 300 rubles). Leaving Armenia by car will cost the same amount for “closing the temporary import of a vehicle” - this dubious norm of Armenian legislation was not canceled at the end of 2018.

Visiting the country with minor children

Passing passport control with children may require a different set of documents. Minors who have arrived in Armenia, who have reached the age of 14, cross the border with their civil passport.

The admission of children under the age of 14 is carried out only by their personal passport. Entering information about the child in the parent's passport and inserting his photo does not give the right to cross the border.

Also, among the documents required for passing passport control is a child's birth certificate with a mark of citizenship.

In the event that a child crosses the border without his legal representatives (parents), then a notarized power of attorney is required, which gives the child the right to travel abroad.

Passport validity

The border service of Armenia has the right to refuse entry if at the time of crossing the border before the planned replacement of the tourist's passport there is less than 6 months.

Similar rules apply to those visitors who go through border control overseas: the validity period of the document must be at least 6-7 months at the moment of crossing the border.

Maximum stay in the country

They are loyal enough to visitors and the terms of maximum stay in the country. Having entered the country for tourist purposes with a civil passport or a foreigner, you can stay in the country without a break for up to six months.

After this period, you must either leave Armenia and enter again, or apply for a residence permit at the passport and visa department.

The maximum stay period for persons who entered Armenia on a visa depends on the validity period of the visa permit (from 1 to 3 years). You can extend your stay at least in 15 days before its expiration, contacting the competent authority - the police department for passports and visas.

Also, the entered tourists are given the right not to register at the place of stay within 30 days after crossing the border. After the expiration of this period, the Russian must obtain registration with the competent authorities (police).

Entering Armenia after visiting Azerbaijan: truth and speculation

It is widely believed that entry into Armenia may be prohibited if the visitor has previously visited Azerbaijan. The reason for this is the hostile relations between the two countries, as well as the existence of separate prohibitions when passing through passport control in Azerbaijan.

This information is incorrect:

1. First, Armenian border guards may not even know about visiting a neighboring country, since most Russians enter Armenia and Azerbaijan with different documents (civil passport and foreign travel agent, respectively);
2. Secondly, there are no restrictions - the Armenian authorities are loyal to travelers who have previously visited Azerbaijan.

Therefore, when passing border control, there is practically nothing to fear. But still, you shouldn't start political conversations, express your civic position and additionally provoke the employees of the Armenian border service. However, this advice will come in handy when crossing the border of any state in the world.

The maximum free passport and visa regime has been established between Russia and Armenia. Flights between the two countries have the status of domestic, therefore passengers do not go through customs control and are entitled to cross the border with a civil passport of the Russian Federation. In the case of traveling by land, the rules are stricter - in this case, crossing the border will require a passport.