ALL RIGHTS RESERVED © 1996 by Richard L. Ney This tour guide is prepared for personal information-use only. Absolutely no part of this tour guide, its complete form, or the information contained within it may be reprinted, copied or otherwise duplicated for the purposes of resale or commercial gain. Any duplication or copying of this guide, any part thereof, and the information contained must receive the express permission of the author.

Travel Agents: If you are arranging your trip through a travel agent, ask them to arrange the visa for you. If they have experience in arranging travel to Armenia, they can expedite the process for you. If they do not have this experience, or cannot make visa arrangements for you, contact the embassy or consulate office nearest you. The Embassy in the USA can provide the application by fax, but your application and payment must be sent to them by mail.

Agencies: Visas Services in the USA: ( (202) 387-0300), 1519 Connecticut Ave. NW, Washington DC 20036; and The Visa Shop in the UK: ((071) 3790419), 44 Chandos Place, London WC2N 4HS specialize in getting visas.

Processing Time: The embassy in the USA says it takes up to 7 days, 3 days for rush jobs. Other embassies say between 3 days and three weeks to process and issue the visa.

Walk-Ins: At the Embassies in Russia and Georgia, it is possible to get a visa on the same day, but normally it will take 3-7 days to process your application and issue your tourist visa. However, be aware that you must release your passport to them while they process the visa, and if they take longer than a few hours to process it, you will not have your passport on you in the meantime.

Visa Fees: These fees are listed at the time of writing, by the Armenian Embassy in Washington, D.C. and are subject to change. Other embassies contacted charge differing rates.

The US Embassy in Yerevan has been having a minor feud with Armenia over the erratic pricing for Armenian visas, and has raised its prices for reciprocal visas to the USA in protest. It is hoped that when the smoke settles the prices will end up at a regularized rate.

All prices quoted are in US dollars.

Transit Visa: $20
Tourist Visa: $50
Private Visa: $30
Business Visa: $70

Multi-Entry Visas cost between $100-$300, depending on class of visa and length of visa.

For rush service, fees are doubled.

All fees must be paid either by Money Order or Certified Check (Cash accepted for walk-in’s). There is no charge for children under 16.

Caution: Insist with the embassy or consulate you apply to for an exact price quote, and get them to put it in writing. And do be careful about people at an embassy saying they can expedite the application for an additional fee. It is an illegal bribe, and you might just get stuck with the same 3 to 7 days to turn around the application and that much less money in your pocket.

Process: In Armenia

1. "On The Spot" Visas for Armenia are available at Zvartnotz Airport in Yerevan and at the border with Georgia on the road from Ashotsk to Akhalkalak at Bavra only. These visas may be the best way to enter the country for citizens of East, South East Asia and Australia.

On the Spot at Zvartnotz Airport: Tourist and Transit Visas: When you enter immigration, produce your valid passport and request a visa. They will most likely make you wait until they have cleared all other passengers before escorting to you to the visa office. There will be a short interview concerning your reasons for a visa, and you will have to fill out an application. For visas issued in Armenia, you do not have to produce a photograph. For transit or Tourist visas, your application and paying the visa fee will be all that is required.

Zvartnotz: Business Visa: If you want a business visa, and do not have a letter of invitation that has been cleared (and stamped on your copy of the letter of invitation) by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, you will not be granted that visa. Purchase a tourist visa and then obtain your business visa while in country (See Changes, Extensions).

Bavra Border at Georgia: Only issues transit or tourist visas. The same procedure required as at Zvartnotz.

Visa Fees In Armenia: These fees are current at the time of writing, though OVIR cautioned us that they are subject to change, toward the lower side (maybe the American embassy is winning its feud):

Transit Visa: Up to 3 days: $15
Tourist Visa: Up to 21 Days: $100
Private/Business Visa: Up to 3 Months (with invitation) $100

Payment: All prices are in US Dollars. To pay for your visa in Armenia, you can pay either in dollars or in drams at the current bank rate of exchange. The visa office will inform you of the rate when you pay.

Bending the Rules:

Airport: Air travelers who enter the country through Russia or another republic of the CIS may be able to enter without an immigration check. These flights do not normally pass through immigration in Armenia.

Before you pat yourself on the back for finding a way to get in without a visa, be aware that you must show your visa when you LEAVE the country, and so you are back at square one. Unless you are leaving Armenia within 3 days of arriving (automatic transit visa for holders of valid CIS member Visas) you will be denied access to the airplane and forced to go to "OVIR" to obtain a visa. You will have to pay both the rate for obtaining a visa in country ($100) and a penalty of $3 a day for each day you are in Armenia without a valid visa. If you are caught without a valid visa while in country, you are subject to immediate deportation. Better to go to an embassy and get one officially.

Road: For holders of valid CIS member state visas, you are granted an automatic 3 day transit visa when you pass the border. Your valid CIS member state visa is the transit visa document. If you decide to stay longer than 3 days, and do not obtain a valid Armenian visa, you face the same problem when you exit as at the airport (you will have to go to OVIR to get one, plus pay the penalty charges).

We have heard of people who bragged about slipping $20 to a border officer to gain entry. Unfortunately, that is $5 more than the Armeniam Embassy in the USA charges for a normal transit visa. We have also heard of visitors being turned away at the border, or having to pay much more and not receiving the all important EXIT visa document, so having to pay again when they left.

Extensions and Changes:

A fairly straight forward process which can be done in Armenia, this involves going to the OVIR office in Yerevan (53-43-91), Passport and Visas Department, 13a M. Mashtots Ave. The head of the department is Tigran Gulian, who speaks English. OVIR is open between 2-7 p.m. Mon-Fri. When you ask for an extension, tell them your reason for extension(tourism, business, etc.).

The fees listed under Visa Fees in Armenia will be charged for extension and/or issue of new visa. You are allowed to extend tourist visas for a maximum of 2 times 1/3 the length of your existing visa. They can also change a transit to a tourist visa. For business visas, you will need a letter of invitation that is approved and stamped by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Director of Consular Services and Protocol (56-25-53; 58-88-74), 10 Marshal Baghramian Ave. The chef de Protocol is Mr. Sarkissian.

The change or extension of visa should take 2 days for tourist and transit visas, and no more than one week for business/private visas.

There is no rush service for visas in Armenia.

Where Can You Go?

There are no travel restrictions in Armenia, though sometimes the border regions with Azerbaijan have been restricted as safety precautions. The conflict with Azerbaijan is not active at this writing, so the visitor can feel free to travel throughout the country.

Nagorno-Karabakh: There is no active conflict, but due to the existence of land-mines in the areas outside of Stepanakert, it is not safe for the tourist traveler. People do visit the Republic, but they wisely choose to be escorted. It is possible to arrange tours to the territory by contacting a travel agent in Yerevan beforehand. The tour agent can inform you of what documents you will need to travel to Nagorno-Karabakh. When this tour guide is complete, we will focus on Nagorno-Karabakh.

Lost or Stolen Documents:

In four years of living in Armenia, I have only been asked to show my passport and visa when I entered or exited the country, and when I visited the US Embassy. Armenians have a particular dislike for unnecessary regulations, and an even greater antipathy for the Russian love of documents, so it is very doubtful you will ever be asked to show you documents while you are in the country. When you register at a hotel, you may be asked to show your passport.

We advise you put your passport and visa in a safe place in order to guard against pick-pockets (see Precautions), and to bring photocopies of the front data pages, plus extra passport-size photos with you. To replace your passport, go to your embassy (if listed below).

To replace a lost or stolen visa, you must go to the OVIR office ( 53-43-91), Passport and Visas Department, 13a M. Mashtots Ave. The head of the department is Tigran Gulian, who speaks English. OVIR is open between 2-7 p.m. Mon-Fri. To replace a stolen or lost passport, go to your Embassy. If it is not listed below, you will need to go to the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, Director of Consular Services and Protocol (56-25-53; 58-88-74), 10 Marshal Baghramian Ave. Their regional desk for your part of the world should be able to contact your nearest embassy for assistance.

FOREIGN EMBASSIES AND CONSULATES IN ARMENIA

China, People’s Republic of
12 Baghramian Ave. Yerevan
Tel: 011(3742) 56-00-67, 011(3742) 56-12-34
Tel: 011(3742) 151-125
Fax: 011(3742) 151-143

Egypt, Arab Republic of
Hotel Hrazdan, 10th Floor, Yerevan
Tel: 011(3742) 53-73-04, 011(3742) 53-01-53
Fax: 011(3742) 151-160

France, Republic of
8 Lousavoritch St. Yerevan
Tel: 011(3742) 56-11-03
Tel: 011(3742) 151-095
Fax: 011(3742) 151-105
E-mail: embafran@arminco.com

Georgia, Republic of
5 Nalbandian St. Yerevan
Tel: 011(3742) 56-43-57
Fax: 011(3742) 56-43-57

Germany, Federal Republic of
Hotel Hrazdan, 7th Floor, Yerevan
Tel: 011(3742) 53-67-74, 011(3742) 53-67-73
Fax: 011(3742) 151-112

Great Britain
Charents Str,28 Yerevan
Tel: 011(3742) 55-30-81 Fax: 011(3742) 151-807
E-mail: britemb@arminco.com

Greece, Hellenic
Hotel Hrazdan, 5th Floor, Yerevan
Tel: 011(3742) 53-71-03, 011(3742) 58-06-98
Fax: 011(3742) 151-170

Iran, Islamic Republic of
1 Budaghian St.
Tel: 011(3742) 52-98-30, 011(3742) 28-04-57
Fax: 011(3742) 151-385
E-mail: emiranar@arminco.com

Russian Federation
Hotel Hrazdan, 3rd Floor, Yerevan
Tel: 011(3742) 52-44-64, 011(3742) 52-45-22
Fax: 011(3742) 52-13-78
E-mail: root@emrusarm.arminco.com

United States of America
18 Baghramian Ave., Yerevan
Tel: 011(3742) 52-46-61, 011(3742) 52-16-11
Tel: 011(3742) 155-144
Tel/Fax: 011(3742) 151-138
E-mail: usembya1@arminco.com

USEFUL DOCUMENTS
Besides passport and visa, other helpful documents you may need include:

· Customs Declaration: You must have this document with you when you leave the country in order not to pay duty tax on valuables you bring in with you. If you don’t have it when you leave, customs could confiscate or charge an exorbitant amount on the hard-currency cash you have on you.
· Receipts and Culture Ministry Documents for Certain purchases. If you buy an old carpet, paintings, antiques or any item considered of value to the national treasure of Armenia, you must first obtain permission to export from the Ministry of Culture, and pay a duty (100% of the determined value of the item). The Ministry will issue a document showing you have paid this duty. There is no requirement to save receipts on normal purchases.
· Driver’s Documents: An International Driver’s Permit, registration and insurance papers for those with their own cars, and a "Mekina Passport" for those using an Armenian registered vehicle. See Getting In and Out: Driving.
· Health Certificates: Travelers coming from Asia, Africa and possibly Latin America may need smallpox and cholera vaccination certificates. Anyone required to take medication containing a narcotic drug must have a doctor’s certificate. For prescription drugs, bring as much as you will need, and have a doctor’s certificate for each item.