To obtain residence permit in Armenia, one should either run business activity in Armenia or have work permit in Armenia. If you are a founder, director or authorized representatives of commercial companies with foreign capital, you are exempted from obtaining a work permit and can undertake work activities while in Armenia. In contrast, foreign citizens are required to have a work permit in order to get employed in Armenia and be able to apply for residence permit for both living and working in Armenia.

According to RA law “On Foreigners”, the following employees are exempted from the requirement of work permit:

- Holders of permanent and special residence status of the Republic of Armenia, as well as those holding temporary residence status of the Republic of Armenia on the ground of being a spouse or close relative to those holding Armenian permanent and special residence status;

- Foreigners employed in representative offices of foreign companies;

- Founders, directors and representatives of commercial organizations with foreign investment;

- Foreign specialists employed to install or repair machinery and other equipment purchased from foreign companies or to train local staff to operate such machinery or equipment;

- Highly qualified foreign specialists in areas of natural sciences, information technologies, agriculture as well as foreigners with higher education in information and communication technologies; management and administration; food technology; and finances;

- other cases provided by law

According to RA Government decision N 493, if the foreign employee is not falling under the exemptions provided under RA law “On Foreigner”, the employer will need to obtain a work permit for such employee. According to the defined procedure, the employers have to apply first to the Ministry of Work & Social Affairs of Armenia to fill the vacant position with Armenian citizen. If the Ministry fails to offer suitable candidate for the position or the employer refuses the candidacy, the employer can apply to the Ministry to receive the work permit for a foreign citizen. Overall, obtaining work permit takes 10-15 business days.