Armenia Tightens Entry Rules for Citizens of India, Iraq, and Egypt

The Armenian government has decided to strengthen the entry requirements for citizens of India, Iraq, and Egypt. This decision was made during a Cabinet meeting on Thursday, following concerns about illegal migration and its potential consequences. Armenia hopes these new regulations will better control who enters the country and prevent its misuse as a transit zone for migrants aiming to reach Europe.

The updated rules mainly focus on issuing electronic visas to individuals from India, Iraq, and Egypt. However, these visas will not be granted to just anyone. Applicants must meet several conditions before they are allowed to enter Armenia.

One of the key conditions is that the applicant must have either a temporary or permanent residence status in, or a valid entry visa for, one of several countries. These countries include major destinations like the United States, Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Canada, Russia, Japan, South Korea, European Union nations, and countries under the Schengen Agreement. Additionally, Gulf Cooperation Council member states, such as Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and the United Arab Emirates, are also part of the list.

In some cases, citizens from India, Iraq, and Egypt can be granted entry to Armenia if they possess a valid return flight ticket. However, this alone is not enough to qualify for entry. 

One of the new rules requires applicants to provide an invitation from an Armenian legal entity, a government body, a diplomatic mission, or an international organization. This invitation must be formally submitted on behalf of the individual who wants to enter the country.

Another major addition to the process is the requirement for applicants to show proof of financial resources. This could be in the form of a bank statement or any other evidence demonstrating that the visitor has enough funds to support themselves during their stay in Armenia. This measure aims to ensure that the visitors can financially sustain their trip and do not pose any economic burden.

Health insurance has now become a must for those applying through Armenia's E-VISA system. This particular condition was introduced following reports from the Ministry of Health of Armenia, which revealed confirmed cases of tuberculosis among several Indian nationals entering the country. Ensuring visitors have health or travel insurance helps manage health risks and reduce strain on Armenia’s healthcare system.

The decision to tighten entry rules comes after Armenia’s National Security Service carried out a study on migration patterns. According to this study, between January 1 and August 28, 2024, nearly 12,000 Indian nationals, along with several hundred from Egypt and Iraq, entered Armenia but remained illegally. The majority of these individuals entered on entry visas and later applied for residence status under categories like studying, working, or conducting business.

Given this growing trend, the Armenian government has expressed concern that its visa policies are being exploited by individuals who might not genuinely intend to return to their home countries. Instead, these individuals seek to stay in Armenia, some potentially using it as a stepping stone to reach European countries. This poses an issue for Armenia’s ongoing efforts to liberalize its visa policies with the European Union.

One of the main goals of the new visa regulations is to curb illegal migration, which, according to officials, leads to a number of negative consequences. There is an increase in crime rates and pressure on public resources when large numbers of people stay in the country illegally. Armenia also fears becoming a transit zone for migrants aiming to use its borders to eventually reach European nations.

Armenia’s government hopes that by introducing stricter requirements, it can deter illegal immigration while ensuring that genuine visitors can still access the country. The new visa conditions aim to balance security with the need to maintain economic and cultural ties with the countries affected by these regulations.