Residence permits in Armenia and Georgia: what will change in 2026 and where the conditions are easier

Starting August 1, 2026, Armenia will introduce updated rules for obtaining a residence permit. The reform affects virtually all categories of applicants, from entrepreneurs and employees to family members and investors.

Against the backdrop of these changes, it makes sense to compare Armenia's new rules with the current residence permit system in Georgia, which is traditionally considered one of the most flexible and straightforward in the region.

What will change in Armenia from August 1, 2026

Armenia is transitioning to a two‐tier model:

• temporary residence permit;
• permanent residence permit (PRP) valid for 5 years.

As a rule, a five‐year PRP can be obtained after 3 years of temporary residence, with the exception of certain categories.

Key changes

• Financial requirements are introduced for entrepreneurs: individual entrepreneurs must have a turnover of at least 1 million drams over 60 days or a similar amount in their accounts.
• Ethnic Armenians will be able to obtain a five‐year permanent residence permit immediately, without a temporary stage.
• A work visa and annual employment quotas are introduced.
• A family residence permit is only possible if the main applicant is an adult with a residence permit or citizenship.
• Temporary residence permits are extended to internships, scientific research, and innovative projects.
• Investors and persons with special merits will be able to obtain permanent residence immediately (details of the conditions will be announced later).
• All procedures will be transferred to a single online portal.
• Cost:
  • temporary residence permit — 150,000 drams;
  • permanent residence permit — 250,000 drams.
• An obligation to notify the authorities if leaving the country for more than 183 consecutive days (except for investors and permanent residence permit holders with special merits) will be introduced.

All applications submitted before August 1, 2026, will be considered under the old rules.

How does Georgia’s residence permit system compare?

Georgia’s residence permit system remains more flexible and less formalized, especially for entrepreneurs, freelancers, and investors.

Key features of the Georgian approach:

• There are no employment quotas.
• There is no single strict financial threshold, as in Armenia (1 million drams for 60 days).
• Entrepreneurs, sole proprietors, and company owners can confirm real economic interest rather than formal turnover.
• There is no obligation to notify the migration authorities when leaving the country for a long period of time.
• The procedures remain relatively quick and straightforward, without a multi‐level system of permits.
• The residence permit is closely integrated with the tax system and the business environment, which is especially important for those who plan to work and earn money in the country.

Conclusion

The reform of the residence permit system in Armenia makes it more structured and controllable, but at the same time more rigid and formalized. For some applicants, this may be an advantage, but for entrepreneurs, freelancers, and investors, this model reduces flexibility.

Against this backdrop, Georgia retains its reputation as a country with a simpler and more adaptive migration regime, where real activity is important, not just formal indicators.

Need help with a residence permit in Georgia?

If you are considering Georgia as a country to live, do business, or relocate to, the ESPERO team will:

• select the best basis for a residence permit,
• assess the risks of rejection before submission,
• accompany you through the process from documents to receiving your card.

👇 Contact us for a consultation — it’s always easier to figure things out in advance than to correct mistakes later.