Armenia-EU visa liberalization dialogue will continue until all benchmarks are fully met
13.05.2026,
10:56
The visa liberalization dialogue will continue for as long as necessary to ensure the full implementation of all established benchmarks.
YEREVAN, May 13. /ARKA/. The visa liberalization dialogue will continue for as long as necessary to ensure the full implementation of all established benchmarks. This was reported by the press service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
On May 5, 2026, the European Commission submitted the first progress report on the implementation of the Visa Liberalization Action Plan (VLA) to Armenia. It recorded the clear political commitment of the Armenian authorities to implement the necessary reforms aimed at liberalizing the visa regime with the EU.
"The European Commission will continue to monitor the implementation of all benchmarks set out in the Action Plan, with the support of experts from EU Member States. To this end, additional assessment missions will be organized in Armenia in the near future," the statement reads.
It is noted that the EU remains committed to supporting Armenia's reforms by providing dedicated technical and financial assistance, particularly within the framework of the Resilience and Growth program for Armenia.
The EU-Armenia Visa Liberalization Dialogue officially launched in September 2024, and the Action Plan was submitted to Armenia in November 2025. It sets out 74 benchmarks, which are implemented in two stages:
- establishing an appropriate legislative and policy framework,
- ensuring their practical implementation and enforcement.
The first report assesses Armenia's progress towards the first set of benchmarks, focusing exclusively on the legislative and policy framework in four key areas: document security; border management, migration and asylum; public order and security; and external relations and fundamental rights.
Although the Action Plan was submitted shortly after, the Armenian government has already initiated or planned a significant portion of the required legislative and policy changes, a development commended by the EU.
The report details the significant steps taken by Armenia in four key areas and the progress recorded:
Document Security
In July 2025, Armenia adopted a new law "On the State Population Registry," which will create a unified electronic population registry. Additionally, a public-private partnership agreement was signed to modernize the national biometric identification system, ensuring that future passports and identity documents meet the highest standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
Border, Migration, and Asylum Management
Armenia is actively developing an Integrated Border Management (IBM) Strategy for 2026-2029.
Armenia has also recorded progress in the digitalization of a number of administrative services. Specifically, an electronic citizenship management system will be launched in January 2026, and the digitalization of work and residence permit procedures for foreign citizens is also underway.
Armenia continues to strengthen cooperation with EU Member States and third countries in the area of readmission.
Progress is being made in strengthening border referral mechanisms and in developing an electronic asylum management system.
Public Order and Security
Since 2018, Armenia has significantly strengthened its anti-corruption legal and institutional framework and brought it into line with international standards. The launch of Armenia's "Crime Prevention Strategy for 2026–2033" demonstrates Armenia's commitment to strengthening its crime prevention capabilities through evidence-based policies, institutional coordination, and targeted preventive measures.
The report also touches on a new specialized unit established within the Ministry of Internal Affairs—the Crime Statistics and Research Center—which will identify crime patterns, forecast potential crime risk zones, and, based on these, provide proposals and guiding analysis aimed at crime prevention.
A new package of documents to combat human trafficking will be adopted in 2026, and the increasing number of new programs implemented in this area has also been positively assessed by the EU.
The EU also welcomes the creation of a new, independent data protection authority, whose activities will be in line with European data protection principles and best practices.
Fundamental Rights
Armenia is currently drafting a law "On Preventing and Combating Discrimination" to align it with European standards. Furthermore, in 2025, Armenia adopted new legislation on children's rights to provide a more comprehensive framework for protection against violence and exploitation.
Welcoming the positive
While the Commission emphasizes progress, it emphasizes that progress is assessed solely on the basis of a results-based approach and is determined by the effective and consistent implementation of all benchmarks.
The report also presents proposals and recommendations to guide Armenia in addressing the identified gaps. Overall, the Commission emphasizes the need to ensure practical, consistent, and results-oriented implementation of adopted policies and laws in all areas.
The data presented in the report highlight the deepening ties between Armenia and the EU. The number of Schengen visas issued to Armenian citizens has steadily increased—from 51,000 in 2019 to 86,300 in 2024—while the share of multiple-entry visas has increased significantly (currently at 43.5%). Furthermore, the visa refusal rate has shown a positive downward trend, reflecting growing confidence in Armenian citizens traveling.
On May 5, 2026, the European Commission submitted the first progress report on the implementation of the Visa Liberalization Action Plan (VLA) to Armenia. It recorded the clear political commitment of the Armenian authorities to implement the necessary reforms aimed at liberalizing the visa regime with the EU.
"The European Commission will continue to monitor the implementation of all benchmarks set out in the Action Plan, with the support of experts from EU Member States. To this end, additional assessment missions will be organized in Armenia in the near future," the statement reads.
It is noted that the EU remains committed to supporting Armenia's reforms by providing dedicated technical and financial assistance, particularly within the framework of the Resilience and Growth program for Armenia.
The EU-Armenia Visa Liberalization Dialogue officially launched in September 2024, and the Action Plan was submitted to Armenia in November 2025. It sets out 74 benchmarks, which are implemented in two stages:
- establishing an appropriate legislative and policy framework,
- ensuring their practical implementation and enforcement.
The first report assesses Armenia's progress towards the first set of benchmarks, focusing exclusively on the legislative and policy framework in four key areas: document security; border management, migration and asylum; public order and security; and external relations and fundamental rights.
Although the Action Plan was submitted shortly after, the Armenian government has already initiated or planned a significant portion of the required legislative and policy changes, a development commended by the EU.
The report details the significant steps taken by Armenia in four key areas and the progress recorded:
Document Security
In July 2025, Armenia adopted a new law "On the State Population Registry," which will create a unified electronic population registry. Additionally, a public-private partnership agreement was signed to modernize the national biometric identification system, ensuring that future passports and identity documents meet the highest standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
Border, Migration, and Asylum Management
Armenia is actively developing an Integrated Border Management (IBM) Strategy for 2026-2029.
Armenia has also recorded progress in the digitalization of a number of administrative services. Specifically, an electronic citizenship management system will be launched in January 2026, and the digitalization of work and residence permit procedures for foreign citizens is also underway.
Armenia continues to strengthen cooperation with EU Member States and third countries in the area of readmission.
Progress is being made in strengthening border referral mechanisms and in developing an electronic asylum management system.
Public Order and Security
Since 2018, Armenia has significantly strengthened its anti-corruption legal and institutional framework and brought it into line with international standards. The launch of Armenia's "Crime Prevention Strategy for 2026–2033" demonstrates Armenia's commitment to strengthening its crime prevention capabilities through evidence-based policies, institutional coordination, and targeted preventive measures.
The report also touches on a new specialized unit established within the Ministry of Internal Affairs—the Crime Statistics and Research Center—which will identify crime patterns, forecast potential crime risk zones, and, based on these, provide proposals and guiding analysis aimed at crime prevention.
A new package of documents to combat human trafficking will be adopted in 2026, and the increasing number of new programs implemented in this area has also been positively assessed by the EU.
The EU also welcomes the creation of a new, independent data protection authority, whose activities will be in line with European data protection principles and best practices.
Fundamental Rights
Armenia is currently drafting a law "On Preventing and Combating Discrimination" to align it with European standards. Furthermore, in 2025, Armenia adopted new legislation on children's rights to provide a more comprehensive framework for protection against violence and exploitation.
Welcoming the positive
While the Commission emphasizes progress, it emphasizes that progress is assessed solely on the basis of a results-based approach and is determined by the effective and consistent implementation of all benchmarks.
The report also presents proposals and recommendations to guide Armenia in addressing the identified gaps. Overall, the Commission emphasizes the need to ensure practical, consistent, and results-oriented implementation of adopted policies and laws in all areas.
The data presented in the report highlight the deepening ties between Armenia and the EU. The number of Schengen visas issued to Armenian citizens has steadily increased—from 51,000 in 2019 to 86,300 in 2024—while the share of multiple-entry visas has increased significantly (currently at 43.5%). Furthermore, the visa refusal rate has shown a positive downward trend, reflecting growing confidence in Armenian citizens traveling.
