Armenia Visa Waiver for Indians: Residence Permit Must Have at Least Six Months Validity Remaining on Entry

Published: 2026-02-18T17:15+05:30 (IST)

By Xavio

Armenia is calling. Your passport is ready.

To qualify for Armenia's temporary Armenia visa waiver (visa-free entry for eligible Indian passport holders), your residence permit from a qualifying country or region needs to maintain validity for a minimum of six months starting from your arrival date in Armenia. This key condition, outlined in the official policy from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia, ensures travelers retain legal status in their base country throughout their visit.

The temporary exemption runs from January 1 to July 1, 2026, allowing stays of up to 180 days within any 12-month period for those meeting the residence permit criteria.

Official Requirement on Residence Permit Validity

According to the Ministry's guidelines:

• The residence permit (issued by the US, EU/Schengen countries, UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, or Oman) must remain valid for at least six months beyond your entry date into Armenia.

• This rule prevents potential overstay issues tied to the permit's expiration and applies strictly at the border check.

Border officials verify this upon arrival — if the permit falls short of six months validity from entry, entry may be denied even if other conditions are met. The permit should be presented as a physical card or a sticker in the passport, and it must include details in Latin script (name, nationality, birth date, validity period in Gregorian calendar format).

This safeguard aligns with standard immigration practices for visa-free schemes based on third-country residency.

Quick Recap of Eligibility for Indian Nationals

• Hold an Indian passport (valid for at least 6 months beyond planned departure from Armenia).

• Possess a qualifying residence permit from one of the listed jurisdictions.

• Ensure the permit meets the six-month validity rule from entry.

• Purpose limited to tourism, business, family visits, or similar short-term activities (no work/study without separate visa).

No pre-application is needed — just arrive with documents ready.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What happens if my residence permit has less than six months left on entry?

You may be refused entry under the visa waiver. Renew or extend your permit before traveling, or apply for an Armenian visa/e-visa instead.

Q: Does the six-month validity need to cover the full 180-day stay?

No — it's from the entry date only. But plan your total stay (up to 180 days in 12 months) within the policy window ending July 1, 2026.

Q: Is this rule unique to Indians or applies to all 113 countries?

It applies universally to all eligible nationalities under this temporary exemption.

Q: Can I get the waiver if my permit is digital-only (no physical card)?

The policy specifies presentation as a physical card or passport sticker. Digital formats may not be accepted — check with border authorities or carry printed proof.

Q: Where is the official source for this detail?

Direct from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia's visa page.

For official confirmation on the residence permit validity rule and full policy, visit the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia visa exemption section.

For the latest Armenia visa news, e-visa options, and tailored guides for Indian applicants (especially from Kerala), explore our dedicated country based immigration section.