Armenia's Ministry of Internal Affairs proposes increasing citizenship fees and tightening residency requirements
09.09.2026,
14:41
The Armenian Ministry of Internal Affairs is proposing significant changes to the procedure for obtaining and terminating Armenian citizenship, including increasing state fees and tightening residency requirements.
YEREVAN, September 9. /ARKA/. The Armenian Ministry of Internal Affairs is proposing significant changes to the procedure for obtaining and terminating Armenian citizenship, including increasing state fees and tightening residency requirements. The corresponding package of bills has been published on the e-draft.am portal.
According to the draft, the state fee for obtaining citizenship is proposed to be increased from the current 50,000 drams to 250,000 drams, and for terminating citizenship, from 150,000 drams to 1.5 million drams.
For obtaining citizenship under the general procedure, it is proposed to establish a requirement of legal residence in Armenia for the past five years. The applicant must actually reside in the country for at least 915 days during this period.
Furthermore, the requirements for proficiency in the Armenian language and knowledge of the Armenian Constitution remain.
Different conditions are envisaged for certain categories. Specifically, individuals married to an Armenian citizen and having a child or parent who is a citizen of the republic will be required to have legally resided in the country for the past three years and have actually resided in Armenia for at least 549 days.
For ethnic Armenians, it is proposed to establish a requirement of legal residency in Armenia for two years and actual residence in the country for at least 366 days.
The draft also provides for an electronic application process. Before applying in person for citizenship, applicants will be required to submit documents through the electronic system. After a preliminary review, they will be able to schedule an in-person appointment.
It is also proposed to clarify the grounds for denial of citizenship. An application may be rejected if the individual's activities harm, or there is reasonable suspicion of possible harm to, state and public security, public order, public health and morals, or the rights and freedoms of others.
The competent government agency's conclusion on the existence of such grounds must be reasoned and include a description of the relevant circumstances and risks.
Another change concerns the oath of allegiance: the presidential decree granting citizenship will take effect after the applicant signs the oath. This must be done within one year, and the ceremony must take place in Armenia.
Furthermore, anyone who has previously terminated their Armenian citizenship will be able to apply for its restoration no sooner than five years later.
If the bills are passed, the new provisions will come into force on January 1, 2028.
Public discussion of the Armenian Ministry of Internal Affairs' initiatives will last until September 23, 2026.
According to the draft, the state fee for obtaining citizenship is proposed to be increased from the current 50,000 drams to 250,000 drams, and for terminating citizenship, from 150,000 drams to 1.5 million drams.
For obtaining citizenship under the general procedure, it is proposed to establish a requirement of legal residence in Armenia for the past five years. The applicant must actually reside in the country for at least 915 days during this period.
Furthermore, the requirements for proficiency in the Armenian language and knowledge of the Armenian Constitution remain.
Different conditions are envisaged for certain categories. Specifically, individuals married to an Armenian citizen and having a child or parent who is a citizen of the republic will be required to have legally resided in the country for the past three years and have actually resided in Armenia for at least 549 days.
For ethnic Armenians, it is proposed to establish a requirement of legal residency in Armenia for two years and actual residence in the country for at least 366 days.
The draft also provides for an electronic application process. Before applying in person for citizenship, applicants will be required to submit documents through the electronic system. After a preliminary review, they will be able to schedule an in-person appointment.
It is also proposed to clarify the grounds for denial of citizenship. An application may be rejected if the individual's activities harm, or there is reasonable suspicion of possible harm to, state and public security, public order, public health and morals, or the rights and freedoms of others.
The competent government agency's conclusion on the existence of such grounds must be reasoned and include a description of the relevant circumstances and risks.
Another change concerns the oath of allegiance: the presidential decree granting citizenship will take effect after the applicant signs the oath. This must be done within one year, and the ceremony must take place in Armenia.
Furthermore, anyone who has previously terminated their Armenian citizenship will be able to apply for its restoration no sooner than five years later.
If the bills are passed, the new provisions will come into force on January 1, 2028.
Public discussion of the Armenian Ministry of Internal Affairs' initiatives will last until September 23, 2026.
