No specific permits are required for individuals who wish to work remotely for employers based outside of Armenia, including:

• Armenian citizens can work remotely for any employer, anywhere in the world.
• Permanent and temporary residents with official residency permits in Armenia can also work remotely without a separate permit.
• Tax residents who meet the criteria for tax residency in Armenia (generally by spending 183 days or more in the country within a 12-month period) can also work remotely.
• Visitors on a valid visa or during a visa-free stay can work remotely for international employers.

Attention

While Armenia doesn't require a specific work permit for remote work, this doesn't exempt you from complying with all applicable laws and regulations, particularly tax regulations.

As long as you don’t have an Armenian employer, working from Armenia as a foreigner for up to 183 days does not require a work or residence permit. Foreign visitors can stay and work in Armenia for a valid visa or during a visa-free period, depending on their country of citizenship.

According to Armenian tax laws, individuals are considered tax residents if they spend 183 days or more in the country in a consecutive 12-month period. This means foreigners can benefit from residing in Armenia without immediately becoming tax residents.

Attention

The above doesn't apply to citizens and tax residents in the Republic of Armenia

A residence permit may be necessary to stay longer than the maximum permitted by your visa. Armenia grants residence permits to foreigners engaged in lawful business activities in the country, including digital nomads, freelancers, remote workers, and online business owners.

• If you decide to stay longer than 183 days, you must register with the tax office and obtain a tax identification number (TIN) to be eligible for a residence permit.
• Having an Armenian residence permit allows you to work with local and international clients and earn income from domestic and foreign sources.
• Armenia doesn't restrict foreign residents from working with and earning from the local market.

Attention

A temporary or permanent resident, doesn't necessarily have to be tax residents in the Republic of Armenia

Armenia currently doesn't offer a specific "digital nomad visa" or any special programs tailored for remote workers. Digital nomads are generally considered tourists and treated as such, and there are no specific tax or visa exemptions for them.

However, Armenia does offer a competitive option: an annual temporary residence permit. This permit can be an attractive alternative to many dedicated digital nomad visa programs offered elsewhere and may be a suitable option for those planning an extended stay while working remotely.

Advantages of the Armenian Annual Temporary Residency Permit

• No income restrictions to enter Armenia as a remote worker.
• No restrictions on working with and earning from local Armenian companies.
• Digital nomads get 183 tax-free days in Armenia in a 12-month period.
• Armenia has double taxation treaties with around 50 countries.
• Armenia offers reasonable income tax regulations.
• Armenia offers a seamless residence permit process.

Unfortunately, PayPal's functionality in Armenia is quite limited. While you can technically create a PayPal account, you can only send payments, not receive them.

If you already have a PayPal account created and registered in another country (i.e., not Armenia), you can still use it while you're in Armenia.

If you plan to relocate to Armenia from another country where PayPal is available, we advise you to ensure your PayPal account is fully verified with information from your original country.

Attention

If you're obliged to pay taxes in Armenia and receive payments into a foreign PayPal account while in Armenia, you are still responsible for reporting that income and paying any applicable taxes.

Yes, Payoneer is available in Armenia and can be integrated with many bank accounts. Once linked and verified, remote workers in Armenia can withdraw funds from Payoneer to their Armenian bank account.

We advise you to consult with your bank in Armenia regarding Payoneer fees and exchange rates to ensure there are no hidden expenses when working remotely with clients worldwide.

It's very common to receive foreign currency payments into Armenian bank accounts.  Contact your bank to understand the specifics of their multi-currency support, exchange rates, and applicable fees.

Attention

When receiving funds from a foreign employer in your Armenian bank account, you may be required to provide documentation to verify the legitimacy and purpose of the transfer.

Depending on the amount received and other factors determined by your bank, an invoice or employment contract is often sufficient.  For larger sums or more complex situations, additional documentation might be necessary.

While the answer depends on the specific bank and its internal policies, many banks in Armenia recognize remote work and the associated income as a legitimate source of income. However, you will likely be asked to provide documentation to verify your employment or income.

Therefore, it's important to keep records of all your payments by registering them through a bank account and avoiding any undeclared income, as this could be considered unofficial and may complicate the loan application process.

As a tax resident of the Republic of Armenia, you are required to declare all your income to the tax authorities. Even if you believe you can avoid doing so, it's strongly recommended that you declare your income and pay any applicable taxes.

This proactive approach will help you avoid potential complications in the future, especially with Armenia's new personal income declaration law.

In recent years, Armenia has seen a surge in professional co-working spaces. Besides that, almost every coffee shop in Yerevan and other major cities provides high-speed Wi-Fi and welcomes remote workers. Following are a few examples of modern co-working spaces in Yerevan:

The Factory is a subscription-based coworking space that offers dedicated desks and a premium location at a walkable distance from anywhere in the city center.  

Ground Zero is a specialty coffee shop in the city center with a shared coworking area, a huge international community, and networking events. There are no dedicated desks; you can grab coffee and work freely.

AI-9 is located in the center, within walking distance of any apartment on the east side of Yerevan. It is open to remote workers and has an emphasize on local AI startups.

Woods Center is a new facility that opened recently. It is about a 15 to 20 minute drive from the city center. As the name suggests, it's in the woods and offers all the amenities a coworker could need, including restaurants, sports gyms, and, soon, residential spaces.

Internet access is affordable and reliable in Yerevan and the major towns, with high-speed, widespread coverage available 24/7. However, some remote mountainous regions may experience limited or no internet or mobile connectivity. 

4G data access is readily available throughout the country, and 5G networks are currently being rolled out. Obtaining an internet SIM card is easy, and it is available to foreigners in Armenia. Starlink services are also available in Armenia.

Most local mobile operators offer eSIMs at their service centers or through their mobile applications.