10,237 Indians Enter Armenia: Statistical Data

The Migration Service of the Republic of Armenia has presented summary data on the citizens of the Republic of India currently residing in Armenia. It is noted that the comprehensive statistical data for 2018 will only be available after January 20.

Nevertheless, even the analysis of the existing data shows that there is an increase in the number of Indian citizens crossing the Armenian border. Recently, a petition directed against the visa-free regime for Indians and Pakistanis to Armenia was closed on Change.org.

The data provided by the Migration Service is as follows:

“In 2015, the number of their border crossings totaled 3,951 in entry and 3,899 in exit, with a difference of 52. In 2016, this amounted to 4,226 and 4,148, with a difference of 78. In 2017, the figures were 11,589 and 11,278, with a difference of 311, while in the first half of 2018, entries reached 10,237 and exits 9,122, yielding a difference of 1,115.

Regarding the residence status granted to Indian citizens, there is also an increase. In 2015, 1,119 citizens of the Republic of India received residence status; in 2016, there were 1,086; in 2017, 938; and the preliminary results for 2018 suggest that the number is approaching 2,000 (final figures will be confirmed after January 20). It should be noted that Indian citizens predominantly received temporary residence status, mainly based on their education.

The increase in the number of Indian citizens entering Armenia is also linked to visa policy changes. In November 2017, the Armenian government adopted a new decision (N 1435-N), which simplified the process for issuing entry visas to Indian citizens, allowing them to obtain a visa without an invitation—either at Armenian embassies, border checkpoints, or through the electronic visa (E-Visa) system. This led to an increase in the number of Indian visitors to Armenia.

For information, according to the Law of the Republic of Armenia on “Foreigners,” entry permits for visitors to Armenia are issued for stays of up to 21 days (the state fee is 3,000 AMD) and up to 120 days with the possibility of extending for a maximum of 60 days (the state fee is 15,000 AMD).