Armenia · Residency by investment
Special Residence Status ('Special Passport')
Closing on 1 November 2026, when amendments to the Law on Foreigners abolish the special residence status. Applications filed before that date are still decided under the old rules, and a status already granted stays valid until its term ends. From 1 November 2026 no new application can be filed. This is the single most time-critical item in the region.
The special passport's most valuable right is direct ownership of agricultural land. The status is abolished on 1 November 2026. From that date the land right passes to permanent residents granted for exceptional merit, and existing holders keep it only until their own status expires. Family sponsorship narrows on the same date for everyone: family-based residence will cover only a spouse, parent or child, where siblings, grandparents and grandchildren used to qualify. Only a status granted before that date keeps the land right: a status granted later, even on an application filed in time, does not carry it.
Qualifying routes
A 10-year status, with no investment threshold.
The facts
- Total landed cost
- Roughly AMD 150,000 in state fees, plus legal costs. All in, expect USD 1,500–4,000.
- Route type
- Residency by investment
- Timeline
- 2–4 months (File before 1 November 2026. From that date the route accepts no new applications.)
- Physical presence
- None
- Family
- SpouseChildrenUntil 1 November 2026, also siblings, grandparents and grandchildren. From that date family-based residence covers only a spouse, parent or child
- Permanent residency
- This converts to the ordinary permanent residence framework.
- Citizenship
- 3 years of permanent residence.
- Language test
- Applicants must show familiarity with Armenian language and the constitution. This requirement is waived entirely for persons of Armenian origin.
- Dual citizenship
- Permitted
- Requirements
- Armenian ethnic origin or demonstrated business ties to Armenia.A clean criminal record.In-person biometrics in Armenia.An application filed before 1 November 2026.
- The deadline is 1 November 2026. From that date no new application can be filed. Applications filed before it are still decided under the old rules, even after the deadline.
- There is a forced-disposal trap on a ten-year fuse. Holders who own agricultural land directly must transfer it to an Armenian company, naturalise, or sell before their special passport expires. From 1 November 2026 the only foreigners who can newly own agricultural land directly are permanent residents granted for exceptional merit.
- Banking for Russian nationals has deteriorated sharply. See the ordinary residence programme's watch-outs for details. This status does not solve that problem.
- Armenia has exchanged information under CRS since September 2025. There is no opacity here.