From 1 July 2026 to 1 July 2027, nationals of 111 countries who hold a UAE residence permit can enter Armenia without a visa and stay up to 180 days in a year. Armenia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs sets one key condition: your residence permit must be valid for at least six months from the date you enter Armenia.

The list includes India, Pakistan, the Philippines, Egypt, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Indonesia and Kenya, so most UAE expats are covered. This guide explains who qualifies, the document rule at the border, what to do if your nationality is not on the list, and the official e-visa fees for everyone else.

Key Takeaways

  • Armenia’s temporary visa exemption for GCC residents runs from 1 July 2026 to 1 July 2027.
  • It covers nationals of 111 listed countries whose UAE residence permit has at least six months left on the day of entry.
  • You can stay up to 180 days within a one-year period without a visa.
  • Bangladesh, Nigeria, Afghanistan, Yemen and Sudan are not on the 111-country list. Their nationals still need a visa through an Armenian mission, with an invitation.
  • UAE citizens, and holders of 44 other passports including the UK, US and EU states, are visa-free on their passport alone.

The 2026-2027 Exemption for UAE Residents

Armenia now exempts nationals of 111 countries from its visa requirement if they hold a valid residence permit from the UAE, another GCC state, the US, an EU member state or a Schengen state. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs published the list on 30 June 2026, with the exemption running from 1 July 2026 to 1 July 2027.

The exemption is temporary. Check before booking a trip that falls after 1 July 2027, because the ministry may extend it, change it or let it lapse.

Condition What the Ministry of Foreign Affairs requires
Nationality One of the 111 countries on the official list
Residence permit Issued by the UAE (or another listed country), valid at least 6 months from entry
Form of the permit A physical card, or a sticker in the passport
Readable details Latin script showing the document title, given name, surname, nationality, date of birth and validity dates in the Gregorian calendar
Stay allowed Up to 180 days within a one-year period
Period 1 July 2026 to 1 July 2027

Is my nationality on the list?

The 111 countries include most of the large expat communities in the UAE. The official list includes India, Pakistan, the Philippines, Egypt, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Indonesia, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia, Ghana, South Africa, Thailand, Viet Nam, Malaysia, Morocco, Tunisia and Canada, among others.

Bangladesh and Nigeria are notable absences. Their nationals do not benefit from the exemption, even with a valid UAE residence permit.

The Document Rule at the Border

The ministry says the residence permit “must be presented either as a physical card or as a sticker placed on the passport”. A screenshot or app display is not mentioned as an option, so carry the physical card.

The border authorities “may recognize” the permit if it shows, in Latin script, the document title, your names, nationality, date of birth and validity period in Gregorian dates. That wording leaves the final call to the officer at the border.

What this means for an Emirates ID

The UAE stopped putting residence stickers in passports in 2022, so for most residents the Emirates ID card is the physical proof of residence. Check that your card shows your nationality and expiry date in English, and that the expiry is at least six months after your arrival date.

If your card is close to the six-month line, renew it before you travel. Our guide to renewing your Emirates ID covers the timeline.

What actually happens at Zvartnots

At Yerevan’s Zvartnots airport or a land crossing, you hand over your passport and the residence card together. The officer checks your nationality against the list and the expiry date on the card, then stamps you in with no visa sticker or fee.

Entry is still at the officer’s discretion. The ministry notes that a traveler without a valid document or visa “cannot enter” and is returned to the country they came from.

If You Are Not Covered

There are three other situations. Some passports are visa-free on their own, some can use an e-visa, and some can only get a visa through an Armenian embassy with an invitation.

Your situation Route Examples
Passport is unilaterally visa-free No visa needed, up to 180 days a year UAE, UK, US, EU states, Japan, Qatar, South Korea, Singapore, Australia
On the 111-country list with a qualifying UAE permit Temporary exemption, up to 180 days a year India, Pakistan, Philippines, Egypt, Sri Lanka
On the 111-country list but permit has under 6 months left e-visa, unless your nationality is invitation-only Most of the 111
Invitation-only nationality, not on the 111 list Visa at an Armenian mission, with an invitation Bangladesh, Nigeria, Afghanistan, Yemen, Sudan, South Sudan

Sources: the MFA’s unilateral visa-free list, the 111-country exemption list and the invitation-only list, checked October 2026. Armenia also has bilateral visa-free agreements with some countries, so use the ministry’s search tool on its visa page if your passport is not in this table.

What the invitation-only rule means

Nationals on the invitation-only list can apply for a visitor visa only at an Armenian embassy or consulate, and only with an invitation. Kenya, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Syria appear on that list, but they are also on the 111-country list, so the exemption applies to them while it lasts.

The invitation must come from an Armenian company, government body, mission or international organization, or from an individual through the Migration and Citizenship Service. The ministry lists a consular fee of AMD 5,000 for the invitation, submitted through the e-request.am portal.

Armenia e-Visa Fees

If you need a visa and are not on the invitation-only list, you apply online at evisa.mfa.am, the ministry’s e-visa system. The fees below come from the ministry’s consular fee schedule, and all of them are non-refundable.

Visa Fee (AMD) Approx. USD shown by MFA
Visitor visa, up to 21 days 3,000 $8
Visitor visa, up to 120 days 15,000 $39
Multiple entry, up to 60 days, 6 months validity 20,000 $52
Multiple entry, up to 120 days, 1 year validity 40,000 $103
Single entry transit 10,000 $26

Armenian visas are issued for a maximum of 120 days, extendable by another 60 days. Extensions go through the Migration and Citizenship Service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and you must give a reason.

Traveling With Family

The exemption is assessed person by person. Each family member needs their own passport and their own qualifying residence permit, and each nationality is checked against the list separately.

A mixed-nationality family can split across routes. For example, a British spouse enters visa-free on their passport, while an Indian spouse and children with UAE residence use the exemption. The ministry adds that minors must travel with a parent or legal representative, or be joining one.

Before You Leave the UAE

A trip of up to a few weeks does not affect your UAE residence. Long stays abroad can, and our guide to the UAE 180-day rule explains the limit.

Check for unpaid fines or cases that could stop you at UAE departure, using our guide to checking UAE travel ban status online. For other trips from the UAE, see our guides to the Turkey visa for UAE residents and the Georgia visa for UAE residents.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do UAE residents need a visa for Armenia?

Not if they are nationals of one of the 111 listed countries and their UAE residence permit has at least six months left on arrival. The exemption runs from 1 July 2026 to 1 July 2027.

Can Indian residents of the UAE visit Armenia without a visa?

Yes, while the exemption lasts. India is on the 111-country list, so an Indian national with a UAE residence permit valid for at least six months can stay up to 180 days in a year.

Can Pakistani residents of the UAE enter Armenia visa-free?

Yes, during the exemption period. Pakistan is on the 111-country list, even though it is normally an invitation-only nationality for Armenian visas.

Do Bangladeshi residents of the UAE need a visa for Armenia?

Yes. Bangladesh is not on the 111-country list, and it is on Armenia’s invitation-only list, so the visa has to be applied for at an Armenian mission with an invitation.

How long can I stay in Armenia on my UAE residence?

Up to 180 days within a one-year period. Your residence permit must be valid for at least six months from the day you enter.

Is the Emirates ID accepted as a residence permit in Armenia?

The ministry accepts a physical residence card that shows the document title, your names, nationality, date of birth and validity in Latin script. The final decision rests with the border officer, so carry your passport and the physical card.

How much is an Armenia e-visa?

AMD 3,000 for up to 21 days and AMD 15,000 for up to 120 days, both non-refundable. Multiple-entry visas cost AMD 20,000 or AMD 40,000.

Do UAE citizens need a visa for Armenia?

No. The UAE is on Armenia’s unilateral visa-free list, so Emirati citizens can stay up to 180 days a year on their passport.

What happens to the exemption after 1 July 2027?

The current exemption ends on that date unless the government extends it. Check the Ministry of Foreign Affairs visa page before booking travel after mid-2027.

Can I extend my stay in Armenia?

Visas can be extended by up to 60 days through the Migration and Citizenship Service, with a stated reason. Under the exemption, the limit is 180 days within one year.

Official Sources

Eligibility, lists and fees checked on the Armenian Ministry of Foreign Affairs website in October 2026.

This guide is for informational purposes only. Visa rules and fees are set by the Armenian authorities and are subject to change. Always verify current requirements with the relevant official authority before proceeding with any application or transaction.