Entry of Armenian Citizens to Russia Allowed for Family Reunification: Embassy's Response to Melkumyan

The press service of the Russian Embassy in Yerevan has commented on the statement made by Armenian MP Mikayel Melkumyan regarding the entry of Armenian citizens into the Russian Federation.

Earlier, the MP from the 'Prosperous Armenia' faction, Mikayel Melkumyan, appealed to Leonid Kalashnikov, the head of the State Duma Committee on CIS Affairs, requesting assistance for Armenians wishing to travel to Russia to reunite with their families. He noted that thousands of Armenians are unable to travel to Russia and reunite with their families.

In order to obtain clarifications on the matter, Sputnik Armenia contacted the Russian Embassy, which provided a response.

According to the press service of the diplomatic mission, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Russian government had decided on March 16 to temporarily restrict entry into the Russian Federation for foreign citizens and stateless persons.

“According to the order of the Russian government, the restriction on entry into Russia for foreign citizens is still in effect. However, we would like to emphasize that all foreign citizens, including Armenian citizens, can enter Russia under various conditions primarily determined by humanitarian factors,” the embassy's comment stated.

Thus, foreigners who are family members of Russian citizens (spouse, parent, child) are allowed to enter Russia. Entry is also permitted for those who have a valid residence permit in Russia or those traveling to Russian medical institutions for treatment. In addition, entry is allowed for those arriving to care for sick relatives (spouse, parent, child, adoptive parents, adopted children), as well as guardians and trustees.

“Thus, as we can see, entry into Russia for the purpose of family reunification and a number of other humanitarian cases is permitted,” the statement emphasized.

Labor Migrants
Currently, only those citizens who are participating in the regulation and technical maintenance of foreign-made equipment listed in the list sent by the Federal Executive Authority (the agency overseeing the procuring entity) to the Russian Federal Security Service and the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia can enter Russia for work purposes. Additionally, entry is also permitted for highly qualified specialists in the fields of physical education and sports.

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