Migration Services Allowed 4 Indians to Work in Armenia, But NSS Denied It

Having a work permit is a mandatory requirement for foreigners to work in Armenia. The legislation concerning foreigners outlines several exceptions, but the main document is this one,” said Ruzanna Pepanyan, head of the Employment Division at the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs of Armenia.

The competence to issue work permits in Armenia is reserved for the Migration and Citizenship Service. The Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs plays a specific role in the work permit process when the employer has a vacant position and submits a request to fill it with a foreign national through the appropriate electronic platform. According to R. Pepanyan, if such a request is submitted, they assess the labor market, analyze it, and attempt to find a suitable Armenian citizen for the vacant position within a 15-day period.

She noted, “Our primary goal is to examine the Armenian labor market, analyze, and if possible, offer the vacant position to an unemployed Armenian citizen.” This means that if, within the 15-day period, they cannot find a suitable Armenian candidate for the job presented by the employer, then the candidacy of a foreign national is considered.

“We try to fill the labor market with our citizens first. This is done from a perspective of certain protection of the labor market, and if suitable individuals are not found, then a corresponding conclusion is issued. The work permit and residence rights are granted through the platform by the Migration Service,” Pepanyan stated.

As for on what grounds a foreign national's right to work in Armenia is denied despite the employer's submitted request, “Factinfo” previously reported a precedent where the right of four Indians to work was denied despite the employer's application.

According to R. Pepanyan, in this case, they had issued a positive conclusion stating that these Indian citizens could work since there were no interested Armenian citizens for the suggested vacant positions. “Whether it’s a cleaner or some position requiring higher education, the primary concern is the employer's requirements. If a suitable candidate is not found among Armenian citizens within 15 days, we issue a corresponding conclusion, based on which the Migration Service grants the work permit,” the official stated, adding that this only pertains to their functions.

However, the NSS (National Security Service) also plays a role here and may impose restrictions for various reasons. In this particular case, the NSS raised concerns regarding the work permit for the four Indians, which leads to the question of how they entered Armenia if their presence is deemed suspicious.