Secure Armenian residency by investment under Armenia’s reformed legal framework, entering into force on 1 November 2026. MB Legal handles the entire legal process for foreign entrepreneurs, investors, and families pursuing residence in Armenia.
Armenia is reforming its immigration and residency framework for foreign entrepreneurs and investors. The recent amendments to the RA Law “On Foreigners,” adopted on 20 January 2026 and scheduled to enter into force on 1 November 2026, introduce two important new routes: residence based on entrepreneurial activity and permanent residence based on investment in Armenia.
These changes are especially relevant for foreign founders, shareholders, individual entrepreneurs, investors, relocation clients, and businesses planning to use Armenia as a regional base. Moreover, the reform moves Armenia toward a more cen
Articles 29.4 and 29.6 of the amended Law “On Foreigners”
1 November 2026
AMD 2,000,000 (charter capital, shares, or securities); AMD 1,000,000 (IE funds or turnover)
To be defined by Government regulation
Up to 1 year
Requires 3 years of temporary residence during the previous 5 years
Unified electronic platform operated by the migration and citizenship authority
MB Legal advises foreign investors, entrepreneurs, founders, executives, and families on Armenian immigration, corporate, tax, and investment matters. Our scope of services covers every stage of the process under both Article 29.4 and Article 29.6 routes.
Choosing the correct residence route based on your profile and goals
Company registration and corporate structuring to meet Article 29.4 thresholds
Individual entrepreneur registration, where that route fits better
Tax and business compliance planning, including the critical 180-day tax footprint requirement
Investment structuring under the Article 29.6 framework
Preparation and filing of residence applications through the unified electronic platform
Communication with Armenian state authorities throughout review and approval
Long-term relocation and citizenship planning
The amendments create a clear distinction between two categories of applicants. Foreigners actively operating a business in Armenia may use the entrepreneurial route, while those seeking direct permanent residence based on capital allocation may benefit from the investment route. Understanding which route fits your situation is the first step in any successful application.
This route is intended for foreigners who have a real business connection with Armenia, such as participation in an Armenian commercial company, ownership of shares or securities, registration as an individual entrepreneur, or business turnover generated through entrepreneurial activity. Article 29.4 covers both temporary and permanent residence.
To qualify, the foreigner must satisfy one of the following:
Temporary residence is granted for up to one year. For permanent residence, the foreigner must have held temporary residence status in Armenia for at least three years during the previous five years before applying.
Article 29.6 creates a separate route for obtaining permanent residence in Armenia based on making an investment. Unlike Article 29.4, this route is not structured around entrepreneurial activity or prior temporary residence. It is designed specifically as an investment-based permanent residence route.
The main advantage of Article 29.6 is that investment is listed as an independent basis for permanent residence under amended Article 16. Therefore, the investment route does not expressly require the applicant to have previously held temporary residence in Armenia for three years, making it potentially the most attractive route for foreign investors who want direct permanent residence.
However, the law itself does not yet define the investment criteria. The necessary prerequisites will be determined by the Government of Armenia through secondary legislation, which should clarify the minimum investment amount, eligible investment types, holding period, and source-of-funds requirements.
Under Article 29.4, the application is submitted by the executive body head of the relevant Armenian legal entity through the unified electronic platform, or personally by the foreigner if they are registered as an individual entrepreneur. The thresholds are relatively accessible compared to many investment-residency programs in other jurisdictions.
To meet the Armenia residency by business investment minimum thresholds under Article 29.4, applicants must fulfill one of the following:
1.
Charter capital route: Investment of at least AMD 2,000,000 into an Armenian commercial organization's charter capital as a participant or shareholder.
2.
Shares or securities route: Acquisition of shares or securities worth at least AMD 2,000,000.
3.
Individual entrepreneur route: Registration as an individual entrepreneur with at least AMD 1,000,000 equivalent on the IE accounts.
4.
Turnover route: Business turnover of at least AMD 1,000,000 (or foreign currency equivalent) generated during the 60 days preceding the application.
However, the law does not treat a purely formal company registration as sufficient. The foreigner must demonstrate a qualifying business, capital, securities, funds, or turnover basis, supported by real economic activity.
The new framework moves residence procedures onto a unified electronic platform that draws data directly from multiple state databases. Therefore, residence applications will become more data-driven, with authorities verifying not only submitted documents but also information on company ownership, charter capital, securities, tax records, property, and entry/exit history.
Initial consultation and route selection
Corporate and investment structuring
Document and data alignment
Application submission
Inter-agency verification
Status issuance and ongoing compliance
The amendments create a more structured, transparent, and digitalized system. While this may make the process more predictable, it also increases the importance of proper legal, corporate, tax, and immigration structuring before applying. Discrepancies between submitted documents and state databases may cause delays or refusals, making experienced legal representation essential.
MB Legal advises foreign investors, entrepreneurs, founders, executives, and families on the full scope of Armenian immigration, corporate, tax, and investment matters. We help clients avoid the practical risks of the new framework – particularly the 180-day tax footprint rule, the requirement that formal company registration alone is not sufficient, and the tight one-month reinvestment safe harbour for capital restructuring.
The amendments enter into force on 1 November 2026. The unified electronic platform for foreigner residence procedures is also expected to launch on the same date.
Yes, but company registration alone may not be enough. Under Article 29.4, the foreigner must satisfy one of the statutory business-related criteria, such as investing at least AMD 2,000,000 into charter capital, acquiring qualifying shares or securities, maintaining individual entrepreneur funds, or generating qualifying turnover.
Yes, but generally not immediately. A foreigner conducting entrepreneurial activity may qualify for permanent residence if, before applying, they have held temporary residence status in Armenia for at least three years during the previous five years.
The amended law does not yet specify the amount. Article 29.6 provides that the Government of Armenia will define the prerequisites for obtaining permanent residence based on investment through secondary legislation.
The amended law excludes permanent residents who obtained status based on investment or exceptional services from the obligation to notify the migration authority when absent from Armenia for 183 days or more. However, the Government may still define investment-maintenance requirements for the investment route.
If you’re ready to apply for Armenian residency, the most useful next step is a direct conversation with our team. We’ll assess your situation candidly, explain which route fits, and outline exactly what the timeline and compliance obligations will look like for your specific case.
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