Armenia attracts with its Caucasian temperament. It will be of interest to both history buffs and active travelers. The picturesque nature of mountains, waterfalls and dense green forests makes the country one of the most sought after tourist destinations. It has a wonderful climate and hospitable locals ready to welcome any guest.
Travelers taking the first step into the culture of this state are interested in the question: do I need a visa to Armenia? In this article, we will try to answer in detail and reveal all the subtleties of traveling to this mysterious country.
Do I need a visa to Armenia?
This republic is one of the fraternal states of the former USSR. After the collapse, 15 independent states were formed, which maintained friendly relations with each other. Armenia is loyal to its fellow countries and has a mutual agreement with them on visa-free entry.
At the moment, enter the country withoutCitizens of 56 countries with which Armenia has warm relations are eligible to apply for a visa. Do Russians need a visa? From 2000 to the present, our country has been included in the list of countries with simplified entry. Access is always open to Russian citizens, but there are still rules for visiting this mysterious country.
Entry rules
We figured out whether you need a visa to enter Armenia. It remains to get acquainted with the rules of visiting the country. To cross the border, tourists will need a foreign passport valid for at least 3 months after leaving the country, and an internal passport of a citizen of the Russian Federation. Instead of a Russian passport, the following documents will do:
- seaman's certificate;
- service passport;
- diplomatic passport;
- document confirming the return to the country of one's nationality.
In early 2017, Armenia approved a proposal to allow Russians to enter the country only with an internal passport. Now entry with internal passports is available through 2 airports: "Zvartnots" and "Shirak". Since February 23, 7,066 people have already visited the country in this way, and, apparently, the flow of Russian tourists will only grow. Entry into the country by other means is still carried out using international passports.
The period of visa-free stay in Armenia is limited to three months during one trip and 180 days per year. At the entrance to the border, a stamp is placed in the traveler's passport, which will putstart of countdown. However, if during a vacation a tourist plans to visit Armenia, then leave it for another state (Turkey, Iran, etc.) and return back, you will have to apply for an Armenian visa for multiple entries.
Entry with a child
If you are traveling with a child, you should prepare documents in advance. Children over the age of 14 need their own passport, a young child must be entered in the parent's passport. Do minors need a visa to Armenia? Entry rules remain the same as for an adult.
A child will need the following documents to cross the border:
- International passport.
- Birth certificate.
- Russian passport for over 14 years old.
If the child is traveling with one parent or with a third party, a notarized consent to leave from one or both parents is required.
Customs regulations
Regulations mainly concern the imported currency. There are no official laws on the amount of imported currency, but it is still recommended to declare funds if their amount exceeds $2,000. This will speed up and greatly simplify the border crossing. Any amount in excess of $10,000 must be wired through a bank. If you plan to travel with your pet, you will need a veterinary passport and a certificate of vaccinations delivered.
When preparing for a trip, estimate the approximate cost of all personal belongings. If it exceeds $ 500, you will have to pay a fee at the border. across the border cantransport all necessary medicines. With regard to alcohol and cigarettes, it is forbidden to import more than 2 liters of alcohol and more than 500 cigarettes. Get ready for the fact that the border guards will definitely ask the purpose of the visit and clarify the planned duration of the stay.
Hunters can import weapons and ammunition, provided that they have a permit to use weapons. You will also need to obtain an import permit from the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Armenia. It is strictly forbidden to import narcotic substances and explosives into the country. Antiques, national currency, jewelry and paintings cannot be exported from Armenia.
When do I need a visa?
Do I need a visa to travel to Armenia in some special cases? Yes, there are such situations. For example, if a tourist entered the country, but could not leave within the allotted time. A tourist can clarify even before the start of the trip whether he needs a visa to Armenia, taking into account the features of the trip and the timing. If the consul's response is positive, the foreigner must apply to the Armenian Embassy for a permit.
There are 4 types of visa:
- For single entry up to 21 days.
- Single entry, valid from 21 to 120 days.
- For multiple entries, valid for half a year with the ability to stay in the country up to 60 days in one visit.
- Multiple entry for 1 year, giving a foreigner the right to stay in the country for up to 120 days.
Citizens who have not broken the law of their country in the past are rarely denied permission.
Issuing a visa toArmenia
Do Ukrainians need a visa to Armenia? For the citizens of this country, all the same rules remain as for the Russians. To obtain an Armenian visa, the following documents must be submitted to the Armenian Embassy:
- International passport.
- A questionnaire printed from the official website of the embassy and filled in personally by the applicant.
- Internal passport or equivalent document.
- Color photograph 35x45 mm on a white background, without corners and ovals.
- A certificate confirming the need to stay in the country longer than the allotted time.
In addition, you will have to pay a consular fee, which can range from 7 to 99 dollars, depending on the type of visa. A foreigner will receive an entry permit in 3 working days.
Foreigner registration
Foreigners who plan to stay during one trip in Armenia for more than 1 month must register. To do this, you need to contact the passport office at the place of residence and submit the following documents:
- Passport.
- Internal passport.
- A completed application for registration, the form of which will be issued by a passport office employee.
Travel by car
Road trips are always exciting, but come with some challenges. Do Belarusians and Russians who want to cross the border by car need a visa to Armenia? If the planned period of stay does not exceed the established one, then a permit is not required. However,take into account a few nuances.
You can only cross the border from Georgia - now the routes through Azerbaijan and Turkey are temporarily closed. In addition, Armenia is not included in the list of countries, entry into which is possible under the international Green Card insurance system. Therefore, before entering, you will need to purchase local insurance, the cost of which will depend on the age of the driver, the amount of horsepower in the car and the period for which the insurance is issued.
Driver will need to enter:
- Foreign and civil passport.
- Driver's license.
- Documents for the car.
- If the driver is not the owner of the vehicle, a rental agreement or the consent of the owner to export the car outside the Russian Federation, drawn up by a notary, is required.
Whether or not you need a visa to Armenia, this country is worth visiting. Getting an entry permit is not so difficult, and the impressions of the trip will remain for a long time.