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Employer of Record in Armenia for Work Permits, Visas & Immigration Support

Armenia has become an attractive location for international employers due to its growing IT and software development sector, mining and energy projects, and regional role as a trade and logistics hub between Europe and Eurasia. The country also hosts a large base of international NGOs and development programmes, creating steady demand for expatriate specialists and foreign technical staff.

Hiring foreign nationals in Armenia, however, requires strict adherence to immigration and labour regulations. Work and residence permits are issued by the Migration and Citizenship Service under the Ministry of Internal Affairs, often requiring coordination with labour authorities. Documentation must be precise and sequencing matters, employment cannot begin until both permits are approved.

Employers who underestimate these requirements risk permit rejections, lengthy delays, fines, or liability for unlawful employment.

Acumen International provides a compliant pathway to employ expatriates in Armenia through our Global Employer of Record (EOR) solution. We act as the legal employer, sponsor permits, and ensure your international hires are engaged lawfully without the need to set up a local entity.

Comprehensive Business Immigration Support in Armenia

International companies bring foreign specialists to Armenia for IT projects, engineering and construction work, mining operations, and NGO or development programmes. These roles often require skills that are scarce in the local labour market.

Hiring expatriates in Armenia, however, is more than securing entry visas. Foreign employees must have both a work permit and a residence permit before they can legally begin employment. The process involves the Migration and Citizenship Service, labour authorities, and tax registration — and any mistake in sequencing or documentation can delay approvals or invalidate the hire. Employers who proceed without clearance face fines, rejected applications, or liability for unlawful employment.

Acumen International aligns immigration and employment from the start, ensuring that your international staff can begin work on time and in full compliance. Our support in Armenia covers:

  • Work permit sponsorship and application management
  • Long-stay visa coordination with Armenian consulates
  • Labour, tax, and social security compliance integration
  • Payroll registration and statutory benefits administration
  • Residence permit applications, renewals, and post-arrival onboarding
  • Ongoing monitoring to maintain lawful status during employment

By managing all stages under one process, we reduce friction and protect employers from the risks of fragmented or incomplete immigration handling.

Types of Work Visas and Permits in Armenia

Foreign nationals intending to work in Armenia require both work authorisation and legal residence. Since 2022, these are processed together through the government’s unified platform (workpermit.am), resulting in a single plastic card that serves as both the Work Permit and the Temporary Residence Permit (TRP).

1. Standard Work Permit + Temporary Residence Permit

  • Employers apply online for work permit approval and residence authorisation simultaneously.
  • Once approved, the employee receives a Temporary Residence Card, which functions as both residence and work authorisation.
  • This card must be renewed annually. Employment cannot begin until it is issued.

2. Exemptions from the Work Permit Requirement

Some categories of foreign workers are exempt from needing a work permit:

  • Citizens of Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) states, including Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan.
  • Certain categories of business owners, executives, and specialists.
  • Individuals holding permanent or special residency.

Important note: Even when exempt from the work permit, foreign nationals still require proper registration. EAEU citizens must be registered on workpermit.am, and if staying more than 180 days, must obtain a Certificate of Legality of Stay, which functions as a residence permit.

3. Entry visas and their limitations

  • Many foreign nationals enter Armenia visa-free or on a visitor visa. These entry permissions do not grant the right to work.
  • Employment can only begin once the unified work/residence permit has been issued. Starting work on a visitor visa is a serious violation.

4. Remote workers and sole proprietors

Armenia does not have a formal “digital nomad visa.” However, freelancers and remote workers can register as Private Entrepreneurs (sole proprietors) and use this business registration as the basis for a Temporary Residence Permit. This route is widely used by digital nomads because it has no minimum income threshold and requires limited documentation.

Timelines and Fees

  • Processing time is typically 30–60 days, depending on documentation.
  • The government fee for the Temporary Residence Card (combined work and residence permit) is about AMD 105,000.

Understanding Armenia’s Immigration Process

Hiring a foreign national in Armenia involves coordinating approvals from both immigration and labour authorities. Since 2022, the process has been centralised through the workpermit.am platform, which links work permit approval with residence authorisation.

Step 1. Employer application

  • The Armenian employer (or EOR on their behalf) files the application through workpermit.am.
  • Documentation includes company registration, tax ID, draft employment contract, and justification for hiring a foreign national.
  • If the candidate is an EAEU citizen, the employer must still register them on the system even if no work permit is required.

Step 2. Government review and approval

  • The Migration and Citizenship Service coordinates with the Ministry of Labour to review the application.
  • Once approved, a unified authorisation is issued.

Step 3. Temporary Residence Card issuance

  • The foreign national collects their Temporary Residence Card (TRP), which doubles as their work authorisation.
  • This card is valid for one year and can be renewed.

Step 4. Post-approval obligations

  • The employer must register the employee with Armenia’s tax and social security authorities.
  • Payroll must be run locally in Armenian drams (AMD).
  • Ongoing compliance requires timely renewal of the TRP and confirmation of tax and social security contributions.

Key compliance point: Employment cannot legally begin until the Temporary Residence Card is issued. Starting work before this point, even with a pending application, exposes the employer to penalties.

Required Documents for Work and Residence Permit Applications in Armenia

Both the employer and the foreign national must provide supporting documentation through the workpermit.am platform. Incomplete or inconsistent paperwork is a common cause of delays or rejections.

From the Employee

  • Passport valid for at least six months;
  • Two recent passport-sized photographs;
  • Updated CV in Armenian, Russian, or English;
  • Certified copies of academic and professional qualifications;
  • Police clearance certificate from the country of origin or recent residence;
  • Medical certificate issued locally in Armenia;
  • Proof of accommodation (rental contract or property ownership);
  • Evidence of financial means (sometimes required for certain categories).

From the Employer

  • Company registration certificate and Tax Identification Number;
  • Statistics card (if applicable);
  • Draft employment contract in Armenian;
  • Justification letter explaining why a foreign national is required;
  • Labour market test or statement confirming unavailability of local talent (if requested by authorities);
  • Confirmation of registration on the workpermit.am system.

Processing Times and Permit Validity in Armenia

  • Application review: Once the employer files through workpermit.am, initial review by the Migration and Citizenship Service and Ministry of Labour typically takes 30 to 60 days, depending on case complexity and document completeness.
  • Residence Card issuance: After approval, the Temporary Residence Card (TRP) is usually printed and issued within 5–10 working days.
  • Validity: The TRP, which also functions as the work authorisation, is valid for one year. It must be renewed annually if the employment relationship continues.
  • Renewals: Renewal applications should be submitted at least 30 days before expiry. Late renewals may require the employee to exit and re-enter Armenia, creating work interruptions.

Key point: Employment cannot begin until the TRP card is issued, even if the work permit portion of the application is already approved.

Common Reasons for Work Permit Rejections in Armenia

Armenian authorities review applications carefully, and even minor discrepancies can result in refusal. The most frequent grounds for rejection include:

  • Incomplete or inconsistent documentation — missing certificates, expired passports, or contradictory information between employer and employee submissions.
  • Incorrect visa or entry status — attempting to start work on a visitor visa, or entering without the correct prior authorisation.
  • Lack of justification — if the employer cannot demonstrate why a local worker cannot fill the role, particularly for positions that are not highly specialised.
  • Non-compliance by the employer — outstanding tax debts, failure to register with social security, or previous violations of labour law.
  • Late or improper renewals — applications filed after the TRP expiry date, which can trigger cancellation and force the employee to leave the country.

Acumen International pre-validates every application, coordinates directly with the relevant ministries, and ensures that both employer and employee documentation meets Armenian legal requirements, reducing the risk of costly rejection or work disruption.

Why Choose Acumen as Your Employer of Record in Armenia

Immigration-First EOR for Cross-Border Hiring

In Armenia, foreign employment is legally dependent on immigration permits. Acumen integrates work permit and residence procedures directly into the employment process, so permits and payroll are aligned from day one.

One Team, One Process

All immigration and employment steps are managed by a single coordinated team. From work permit applications and TRP issuance to payroll registration and onboarding, we provide one accountable process without relying on disconnected third-party agents.

Built for Real-World Hiring Scenarios

We support companies relocating specialists, onboarding pre-identified international candidates, or expanding into Armenia without a local entity. We also handle recovery cases where immigration was mishandled by previous vendors.

No Gaps Between Immigration and Employment

Labour ministry approval, residence card activation, payroll registration, and tax compliance are synchronised under one timeline. This prevents delays or unlawful employment caused by fragmented handling.

A Unified Solution for Global Talent Deployment

With Acumen International as Global Employer of Record, companies can hire foreign staff in Armenia with clarity, control, and full compliance. Our integrated approach reduces uncertainty, protects business continuity, and ensures expatriate employees can legally begin work on schedule.

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