If you are planning to travel to Armenia in 2026, here is exciting news for you: the Republic of Armenia is opening its doors wider for travellers.
From January 1 to July 1, 2026, the country will allow nationals of 113 countries to enter visa-free, provided they hold a valid residence permit from certain major destinations.
If you are a frequent traveller with residency in the US, EU, or the Gulf, this is worth paying attention to.
Who Can Enter Armenia Visa-Free?
Under the new rules, travellers from 113 countries can enter Armenia without the need for a visa if:
- You are a citizen of one of the 113 listed countries.
- You hold a valid residence permit from:
- The United States
- Any European Union country
- A Schengen Area country
- The United Arab Emirates
- Bahrain
- Qatar
- Saudi Arabia
- Kuwait
- Oman
Your residence permit must be valid for at least six months from the date you enter Armenia.
If you qualify, you can stay up to 180 days within a one-year period.
That is a generous stay. It works well for tourists, business visitors, people visiting family, and even long, slow travel plans.
Important Entry Rules to Know
Armenian border officials will carefully check your residence permit. It must:
- Be a physical card or a sticker in your passport
- Show your name, nationality, and date of birth
- Display validity dates
- Be written in Latin characters
- Follow the Gregorian calendar format
If the document does not meet these standards, entry can be refused. So double-check before booking flights.
Which Countries Are Covered?
The list is wide and diverse. It includes countries across Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean.
| S. No. | Country |
|---|---|
| 1 | Algeria |
| 2 | Angola |
| 3 | Antigua and Barbuda |
| 4 | Bahamas |
| 5 | Belize |
| 6 | Benin |
| 7 | Bhutan |
| 8 | Bolivia |
| 9 | Bosnia and Herzegovina |
| 10 | Botswana |
| 11 | Brunei |
| 12 | Burkina Faso |
| 13 | Burundi |
| 14 | Cambodia |
| 15 | Cameroon |
| 16 | Canada |
| 17 | Cape Verde |
| 18 | Central African Republic |
| 19 | Chad |
| 20 | Chile |
| 21 | Colombia |
| 22 | Comoros |
| 23 | Congo |
| 24 | Costa Rica |
| 25 | Côte d’Ivoire |
| 26 | Cuba |
| 27 | Democratic Republic of the Congo |
| 28 | Djibouti |
| 29 | Dominica |
| 30 | Dominican Republic |
| 31 | East Timor |
| 32 | Egypt |
| 33 | El Salvador |
| 34 | Equatorial Guinea |
| 35 | Eritrea |
| 36 | Eswatini |
| 37 | Ethiopia |
| 38 | Fiji |
| 39 | Gabon |
| 40 | Gambia |
| 41 | Ghana |
| 42 | Grenada |
| 43 | Guatemala |
| 44 | Guinea |
| 45 | Guinea-Bissau |
| 46 | Guyana |
| 47 | Haiti |
| 48 | Honduras |
| 49 | India |
| 50 | Indonesia |
| 51 | Iraq |
| 52 | Israel |
| 53 | Jamaica |
| 54 | Jordan |
| 55 | Kenya |
| 56 | Kiribati |
| 57 | Laos |
| 58 | Lebanon |
| 59 | Liberia |
| 60 | Libya |
| 61 | Madagascar |
| 62 | Malawi |
| 63 | Malaysia |
| 64 | Maldives |
| 65 | Mali |
| 66 | Mauritania |
| 67 | Mauritius |
| 68 | Mexico |
| 69 | Micronesia |
| 70 | Mongolia |
| 71 | Morocco |
| 72 | Mozambique |
| 73 | Namibia |
| 74 | Nauru |
| 75 | Nepal |
| 76 | Nicaragua |
| 77 | Niger |
| 78 | North Korea |
| 79 | North Macedonia |
| 80 | Pakistan |
| 81 | Palau |
| 82 | Palestine |
| 83 | Paraguay |
| 84 | Peru |
| 85 | Philippines |
| 86 | Rwanda |
| 87 | Saint Kitts and Nevis |
| 88 | Saint Lucia |
| 89 | Saint Vincent and the Grenadines |
| 90 | Senegal |
| 91 | Seychelles |
| 92 | Sierra Leone |
| 93 | Solomon Islands |
| 94 | Somalia |
| 95 | South Africa |
| 96 | Sri Lanka |
| 97 | Sudan |
| 98 | Suriname |
| 99 | Syria |
| 100 | Tanzania |
| 101 | Thailand |
| 102 | Togo |
| 103 | Trinidad and Tobago |
| 104 | Tunisia |
| 105 | Turkmenistan |
| 106 | Tuvalu |
| 107 | Uganda |
| 108 | Vanuatu |
| 109 | Venezuela |
| 110 | Vietnam |
| 111 | Yemen |
| 112 | Zambia |
| 113 | Zimbabwe |
This move clearly targets travellers who already have legal long-term status in major economies. It reduces paperwork and makes last-minute trips easier.
Why Armenia Is Making This Move
Officials say the goal is simple: bring in more visitors and make Armenia more connected to the world.
The country has been investing steadily in tourism. It offers ancient monasteries, dramatic mountain landscapes, and a food scene that surprises first-time visitors.
This visa waiver is meant to encourage both short holidays and longer stays. It also makes Armenia more attractive for business travel and regional trips.
For travellers already living in the EU, the US, or Gulf countries, Armenia suddenly becomes a much easier weekend or extended getaway option.
Not Eligible? Armenia’s e-Visa Is Still Simple
If you do not qualify for the visa exemption, Armenia’s e-visa system remains one of the easier ones in the region.
Applications are done fully online through the official government platform. There are two options:
- 21-day visa for $8
- 120-day visa for $38
Processing usually takes up to three working days. Compared to traditional visa procedures, it is straightforward and affordable.
What This Means for Travellers
If you hold residency in the US, EU, Schengen Area, or key Gulf countries and come from one of the 113 eligible nations, Armenia just became easier to visit in 2026.
No embassy visits. No visa fees. Just make sure your residence permit is valid and properly formatted.
For travel-savvy readers, this is the kind of policy shift that quietly changes trip planning. Armenia is positioning itself as flexible, accessible, and open for business.
If it was not already on your 2026 travel list, it might be time to reconsider.
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