The following important amendments were made to the Law on Foreigners:
- Foreigners enjoying a visa free regime can stay in Armenia for up to 180 days in a year instead of 90 days under former law.
- Foreigners without a valid passport or visa can exit Armenia upon submission of proof of payment of a fine (50,000 to 100,000 drams) imposed on them under article 201 of the Administrative Code.
- Children and parents or temporary residents are eligible for temporary residency. Under old law only spouses were eligible.
- All ethnic Armenians can obtain a visa at the border without invitation. Under old law citizens of a number of countries could obtain a visa only at Armenian consulates abroad and only upon invitation. The list of proofs of Armenian ethnicity is to be established by the Government.
- Travel tickets or entry visas to third countries shall be submitted to obtain a transit visa only if transit involves crossing air border. Under old law these documents had to be presented for crossing land borders as well.
- Entrepreneurs doing business in Armenia are entitled to permanent residency. Under old law such entrepreneurs could be granted permanent residency.
