How To Apply For A Visa For Armenia

How To Apply For A Visa For Armenia

About Armenia

Armenia, a landlocked country in the South Caucasus, is a cradle of ancient civilization with a history that stretches back over 3,000 years. It is bordered by four countries: Turkey to the west, Georgia to the north, Azerbaijan to the east, and Iran to the south. The region of Nakhchivan, an exclave of Azerbaijan, borders Armenia to the southwest. However, Armenia has strained diplomatic relations with Turkey and Azerbaijan.

Armenia was the first nation to adopt Christianity as a state religion in 301 AD, leaving a rich legacy of monasteries and churches that dot its rugged landscape.

The capital, Yerevan, is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, blending Soviet-era architecture with a vibrant modern culture. Armenia’s dramatic scenery ranges from the snow-capped peaks of Mount Ararat to the serene shores of Lake Sevan, and it has a unique mix of Eastern and Western influences, reflected in its cuisine, architecture and traditions.

How To Apply For An E-Visa For Armenia

Go to the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the Republic of Armenia.

Enter your country and passport type to determine if you need a visa. The website will then advise you whether you need a visa or not and what process to follow if you do.

Nationals of South Africa holding ordinary passports can obtain visas to Armenia by any one of the following methods. I found the best option to be the first one

By E-VISA system
At the border of Armenia
At the Armenian Embassies and Consulates

Make sure to apply well in advance of your trip to avoid any delays.

Yerevan (via DepositPhotos)

You will need the following items:

Passport
Digital Photo (3,5×4.5cm) (See the guidelines on what type of photos are acceptable)
Supporting documents – You can provide any or a combination of the following if available: air tickets, hotel reservations, invitations, proof of financial means (bank statement or other proof), health (travel) insurance, copy of passport pages which contain visas obtained during the past 3 years or resident cards. In my case, I only provided a hotel reservation form from Booking.com.
A payment method: You can use your credit card or Paypal.

The E-VISA processing time is up to 3 working days

Application process

Click on the e-visa link then click on “Apply for e-visa”.
Enter your travel document type, nationality, email address and Captcha Code then click “Next”.
You will receive a verification email. Click on “Confirm” in the email.
Complete the application form. It’s pretty straightforward. Note that you will need to enter an address and phone number in Armenia.
Upload a photo, a copy of your passport and any supporting documents. See above.
Click on Next.
Select your visa type (21-day short-term or 120-day long-term) and date of arrival in Armenia.
Pay the visa fee online using a credit/debit card or PayPal.
Submit your application and wait for processing, which typically takes about 3-5 working days. Once approved, you’ll receive your e-visa via email. We applied on a Wednesday morning and received our visas on Thursday afternoon.
Print out the e-visa to present upon arrival in Armenia.
Make sure your passport is valid for at least 3 months beyond your planned departure date from Armenia. The e-visa is valid for 90 days (21-day visa) or 180 days (120-day visa) from the date of arrival specified, allowing a single entry into the country.

Fees

The fees in 2024 are as follows:

Visitor visa (up to 21 days of stay) / Non-refundable fee – USD 8

Visitor visa (up to 120 days of stay) / Non-refundable fee – USD 38

Tip

If you plan to visit Azerbaijan and Armenia on the same trip, it is better to go to Azerbaijan first, due to the following:

Entry restrictions: Azerbaijan has strict entry policies regarding visitors who have been to Armenia or the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region. If you visit Armenia first, you may face difficulties entering Azerbaijan afterwards.
Visa complications: One of the questions on the Azerbaijani visa application asks if you have visited the Nagorno-Karabakh region or other areas occupied by Armenia since 1991. Answering “yes” could result in your visa being denied.

Sara Essop is a travel blogger and writer based in South Africa. She writes about family travel and experiences around the world. Although she has been to 49 countries thus far, she especially loves showcasing her beautiful country and is a certified South Africa Specialist.