Armenia is preparing a significant modernization of its immigration system that will introduce a five-year, fast-track permanent-residence route tailored to investors, entrepreneurs, and globally mobile families. The reforms, scheduled to take effect on August 1, 2026, aim to streamline residency pathways, simplify administration, and make Armenia a more competitive jurisdiction for long-term investment mobility.
A New Five-Year Fast-Track Residency Route
Under the upcoming framework, qualifying investors will be able to receive a five-year residence card immediately, with no physical-stay requirement to maintain the status. This marks a major departure from Armenia’s existing approaches, which require more traditional presence or ties to the country.
The new system is expected to replace the long-standing 10-year “Special Residency” category, along with the special passports associated with that regime. Applicants currently in process under the older structure will continue on that track until the transition takes effect.
Key Features of the New System
While the government has not yet released the final list of qualifying investments, the core features of the framework have been outlined publicly:
- Five-year permanent residency issued upfront, renewable upon meeting program conditions
- No minimum stay requirement, allowing full flexibility for globally mobile investors
- Transition away from the Special Residency Certificate and its unique passport format
- Continuation of Armenia’s existing citizenship rules, which generally require three years of permanent residency with no single absence exceeding six months
- Further details on investment thresholds and eligible asset classes to be issued ahead of the August 2026 launch
Current immigration-law analyses suggest that the investment options may include business formation, capital investment, or real estate, but final confirmation is still pending.
Why This Reform Matters
Armenia has never had a residency-by-investment program structured in this manner, especially one that provides immediate long-term residency with no presence requirement. The reform positions Armenia alongside a new wave of mobility-friendly jurisdictions targeting:
- Entrepreneurs and founders seeking strategic residence options
- Investors looking for flexible, low-maintenance residency structures
- Global families pursuing long-term planning options outside traditional RBI markets
Several regional immigration experts have noted that Armenia is “entering new territory,” offering a policy model more aligned with modern investor expectations.
Transition From the Existing Regime
According to the information published about the reform, Armenia will phase out the current 10-year “Special Residency” category once the new system comes into force on August 1, 2026. Existing special-residency holders will retain their status and rights under the current framework until their 10-year term expires, but no new special passports will be issued after the reform takes effect.
Applications submitted before August 1, 2026 will continue to be handled under the existing rules, while all new filings after that date are expected to follow the updated residency pathway built around the five-year residence card. The overall aim is to simplify the long-term residency structure and unify the system under a single model.
What to Watch in the Coming Months
Several important details will shape the attractiveness of the new program once published:
- Investment thresholds and what types of investments will qualify
- Whether Armenia introduces a parallel accelerated naturalization track for investors
- Renewal requirements for the five-year card
- Tax-residency implications for investors who do not reside in the country
- How Armenia positions itself relative to countries tightening their residency regimes
As more jurisdictions in the region introduce stricter stay requirements or raise costs, Armenia’s model stands out for its flexibility and long-term certainty.
Final Take
Armenia’s upcoming five-year fast-track residency is shaping up to be one of the most significant shifts in its immigration landscape in decades. With no stay requirement and a clear path to long-term residence, the program is poised to attract investors, founders, and globally mobile families who value optionality and administrative simplicity.
With final investment details expected ahead of the August 2026 rollout, the coming year will be crucial for advisors and applicants evaluating Armenia as a strategic residence jurisdiction.
