Path to citizenship
- Apply60-180 days
- Citizenshipgranted
Overview
- Country
- Armenia
- Program
- Armenian Citizenship for Ethnic Armenians
- Type
- Ethnic Return
- Status
- Active
- Processing time
- 60-180 days
- Dual citizenship
- Allowed
- Visa-free countries
- 64 destinations
- Passport rank
- #69 (Henley Index)
Simplified naturalization for ethnic Armenians worldwide, regardless of generational distance. No language test, no residency requirement, and no constitutional knowledge exam required (exemptions granted to persons of Armenian origin). Processing time reduced to 90 working days. Dual citizenship has been permitted since 2005. Starting January 1, 2026, all applications must be submitted through the electronic mcs-citizenship.am system.
Fees and costs
- Application fee
- $130
- Passport fee
- $26
Eligibility and requirements
- Police clearance required
- Medical exam not required
- Oath required
Ancestry requirements
- Generational limit
- No limit
- Ancestor citizenship
- Not required
- Ethnic origin
- Armenian
Family
- Dependents
- Allowed
- Spouse
- Not included
- Max child age
- 18
Passport and mobility
- Passport rank
- #69 (Henley Index)
- Visa-free access
- 64 countries
- Passport validity
- 10 years
- EU citizenship
- No
- Schengen access
- No
- US E-2 treaty
- Yes — eligible for US investor visa
How to apply
- Method
- Both
- Apply from abroad
- Yes
- Application type
- Open
- Official website
- www.mfa.am
- Legal basis
- Law on Citizenship of the Republic of Armenia (1995, as amended 2021)
Notes and caveats
One of the most accessible ethnic return programs globally. No language, residency, or cultural test for ethnic Armenians. Dual citizenship allowed since 2005 (must notify government). In 2024, approximately 20,770 individuals obtained Armenian citizenship. Starting January 1, 2026, applications exclusively through mcs-citizenship.am electronic system. Proof of Armenian origin typically includes: birth certificates showing Armenian nationality, church records (Armenian Apostolic), community documentation, or family genealogy. Armenian passport provides visa-free access to 64 countries — modest compared to EU passports but growing. E-2 treaty with US makes it valuable for business purposes.