Armenia says citizenship reform bill is being finalised

Armenia’s interior minister told a prime minister-led consultation on 14 October 2026 that a citizenship amendment bill had been drafted and was being finalised. The stated approach emphasises a genuine connection with Armenia and links citizenship reform to temporary and permanent residence requirements.^[1]

The meeting also addressed entry, visa and residency reform and interoperable migration systems. The prime minister ordered adjustments to the draft migration strategy and further adoption steps. This is a policy-preparation update: the briefing specifies no residence duration, affected categories or commencement date and does not establish that new citizenship conditions are in force.^[1]

Armenia’s Migration and Citizenship Service published a deputy-minister explanation on 12 October proposing five years of lawful residence, including at least 915 days physically in Armenia, for the general citizenship route. The 9 September notice identifies a public-consultation draft, not rules already in force.^[2][4]

The proposal specifies three years and at least 549 days for spouses, parents or children of Armenian citizens, and two years and at least 366 days for ethnic Armenians. The 12 October explanation also proposes restricting citizenship restoration for five years after renunciation and increasing acquisition and renunciation fees.^[2]

The 7 October explanation gives 1 January 2028 as the planned implementation date, subject to legislation. On 12 October, the authority said an investment-for-citizenship mechanism was not planned. This is not an announcement of an open investment-citizenship programme, and the proposed periods and date should not be treated as current requirements.^[2][3]

This article provides general information. Individual applications are subject to the applicable rules and the competent authority’s assessment.