| 中文摘要 | 中国公民在亚美尼亚申请工作许可证和居留许可，最快10天，无语言测试，无积分要求，费用约195美元。 |
Armenian work and residency permits for Chinese citizens involve no language test, no points system, and no minimum investment threshold. If you have incorporated a company in Armenia (or have an employment offer from an Armenian employer), you can obtain a Temporary Residency Permit and work permit within 10 business days via the fast-track IT sector pathway. This guide covers every document, every fee, and the pathways for Chinese, Filipino, Vietnamese, and Malaysian nationals — the four nationalities most commonly represented in Asian iGaming back-offices relocating to Yerevan.
Armenia Visa-Free Entry for Chinese Passport Holders
Chinese nationals may enter Armenia visa-free for up to 180 days per year (per RA Government Decree on visa-free regimes with the People’s Republic of China). This is the longest visa-free period offered to Chinese citizens in any Eastern European or post-Soviet jurisdiction — longer than Georgia (1 year but with a distinct character), and substantially longer than any EU member state.
- No e-visa required for Chinese passport holders
- 180-day visa-free period begins on first entry
- Extensions available via residency permit application (no requirement to exit)
- Multiple entry permitted within the 180-day window
Armenia Work Permit for Chinese Citizens: Requirements & Timeline
Who Needs a Work Permit?
Any Chinese national working in Armenia for an Armenian-registered entity requires a work permit, regardless of whether they are the director/owner or an employee. The permit is employer-linked and must be applied for before the individual begins working.
Fast-Track IT Sector Pathway (10 Days)
Companies registered in the IT/technology sector (including iGaming) qualify for the 10-business-day fast-track work permit processing, confirmed under the Armenian Ministry of High-Tech Industry cooperation programme.
| Document | Standard Processing | IT Fast-Track |
| Work permit | 30 days | 10 days |
| Temporary residency permit | 30 days | 10 days |
| State fee — work permit | AMD 30,000 (~$78) | AMD 30,000 (~$78) |
| State fee — TRP | AMD 75,000 (~$195) | AMD 75,000 (~$195) |
| Validity | 1 year, renewable | 1 year, renewable |
Full Document Checklist — Chinese Nationals
- Valid passport — original + 2 certified copies (minimum 6 months validity beyond permit period)
- Apostilled criminal record certificate — from Chinese PSB, translated to Armenian or Russian by a certified translator
- 2 colour passport photographs (3.5 × 4.5 cm, biometric standard)
- Employment contract or directorship agreement with Armenian company — bilingual preferred
- Armenian company registration documents — certificate, charter, HVHH (tax ID)
- Proof of residential address in Armenia — lease agreement or hotel booking confirmation
- Source-of-funds declaration — required for directorial applicants
- AMD 75,000 (~$195) state fee payment receipt
Residency Permit Sub-Sections: Filipino, Vietnamese & Malaysian Nationals
Filipino Nationals — POEA Agreement & RA-Armenia Labour Protocol
Filipino nationals are subject to POEA (Philippine Overseas Employment Administration) regulations governing overseas employment. Armenian employers hiring Filipino workers must comply with bilateral labour agreements. The key pathway is the POEA-Standard Employment Contract, which must be verified by the Philippine Overseas Labour Office (POLO) in Moscow (nearest POLO office to Yerevan). Retrieve Legal coordinates POLO endorsement as part of our Filipino staff relocation service. See also retrieve.am/how-to-hire-filipino-employees-armenia/
- POLO Moscow endorsement: 5–7 business days
- Armenian work permit (after POLO endorsement): 10–30 days
- Typical total timeline for Filipino staff relocation: 4–6 weeks
Vietnamese Nationals
Vietnamese nationals require a work permit in Armenia — there is no visa-free arrangement between Vietnam and Armenia. Vietnamese employees typically enter on an Armenian e-visa (available online, 21-day processing, ~$60) and then convert to a residency permit after work permit approval. Document requirements mirror those for Chinese nationals, with the addition of a Vietnamese MoFA apostille on criminal records.
Malaysian Nationals
Malaysian passport holders enjoy visa-free access to Armenia for 90 days. Malaysian nationals working in Armenia require a standard work permit (30-day processing, no IT fast-track currently available for Malaysian nationals under the High-Tech Ministry programmer). Employment contracts must be in Armenian or Russian with a certified English translation.
FAQ — Armenia Work & Residency Permits (Schema: FAQPage)
1. Can a Chinese director of an Armenian company sponsor their own work permit?
Yes. A director-shareholder may issue themselves an employment/directorship contract and use it to apply for a work permit. The company must be validly registered and have a tax ID.
2. Can I renew my work permit without leaving Armenia?
Yes. Renewals are processed in-country by the Migration and Citizenship Service. There is no exit requirement. Retrieve Legal manages the renewal process 60 days before expiry.
3. Does a Temporary Residency Permit allow me to travel outside Armenia?
Yes. A TRP does not restrict international travel. You may leave and re-enter Armenia freely. Exceeding 183 days outside Armenia in a calendar year may affect tax residency status.
4. Can my spouse and children be included in my residency permit application?
Yes. Family members are included as dependents in the TRP application. Dependent children under 18 and spouses require their own supporting documents (passports, marriage/birth certificates, Armenian translations).
5. Is there a minimum salary requirement for a work permit?
No statutory minimum salary is set for work permit purposes, though the employment contract salary must be consistent with Armenian social security contribution norms.
6. What is the path to permanent residency in Armenia?
Permanent residency is available after 3 consecutive years of temporary residency. There is no language test requirement. The application is filed with the Migration and Citizenship Service.
7. Can I hold an Armenian residency permit and a UAE residency permit simultaneously?
Yes. Armenia does not require you to relinquish other residency permits. Many UAE-based founders maintain both, using Armenia as the primary operating base and UAE as a holding structure.
8. Does Armenia tax the worldwide income of residents?
Armenia taxes residents on Armenian-source income. Foreign-source income of Armenian tax residents is subject to Armenian personal income tax (20%), though the Armenia-China DTT provides relief mechanisms. Tax planning advice: retrieve.am/china-company-registration-armenia/