Will Turks Come to Armenia for Citizenship for $150,000? - Mnacakn Bichakhchyan

The former head of the Passport and Visa Department of the RA Police, Mnacakn Bichakhchyan, addressed public concerns during his appearance on Sputnik Armenia.

Foreigners must understand that an investment does not automatically grant them Armenian citizenship; a crucial condition should be the National Security Service's conclusion regarding that individual. This was the opinion expressed by the former head of the RA Police's Passport and Visa Department.

The police have presented the criteria under which foreign citizens who have made significant contributions to the economy, science, education, culture, sports, and healthcare sectors of Armenia can obtain Armenian citizenship. Accordingly, foreigners who invest $150,000 in our economy may be eligible for citizenship.

He also addressed the public anxiety regarding the fact that specifically ethnic Turks might soon acquire Armenian citizenship merely for a $150,000 investment and carry out economic expansion in Armenia.

“Naturally, citizenship will not be granted to everyone. The potential investor must understand this and not take offense. They should be aware in advance so that they can plan their business activities in Armenia accordingly. It is necessary to establish regulations similar to those in many European countries. A person first obtains a residence permit, then after some period, one, two, or five years later, they can submit an application for citizenship. This time is sufficient for them to be on the radar of the relevant authorities,” said the former head of the Passport and Visa Department.

Addressing concerns that ethnic Turks might participate in elections and choose the leadership of Armenia after obtaining citizenship, Bichakhchyan emphasized that the conditions and required investment amounts are such that it is unlikely that thousands of Turks will come to Armenia and obtain citizenship or that their numbers will significantly influence the outcomes of electoral processes within the country.

“The conclusion of the National Security Service acts as a critical condition running like a red thread. The applicant must understand that an investment does not guarantee citizenship,” said the former head of the Passport and Visa Department.

It should be noted that the aforementioned draft is currently circulating on the unified platform for the publication of legal acts.