Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has dismissed the possibility of introducing a visa requirement for Russian citizens, confirming that the country's entry rules will remain unchanged.
Speaking at a recent briefing, Pashinyan stated that the Armenian government had not even considered the idea of implementing a visa regime with the Russian Federation.
The prime minister added that Armenia gladly welcomes Russian tourists to the country, according to a report by the Russian state news agency TASS.
Visa-Free Travel and Tourism
Armenia has long been a highly popular destination for Russian travellers. Under the current regulations, citizens of the Russian Federation can enter Armenia without a visa. Furthermore, they are permitted to cross the border using only their internal Russian passports, rather than requiring an international travel document.
This accessible entry policy has made the South Caucasus nation a major hub for tourism and business. In recent years, hundreds of thousands of Russian citizens have travelled to or relocated to Armenia, providing a significant boost to the local economy and the hospitality sector.
Pashinyan, who took office as prime minister in 2018, leads a country that shares deep historical, cultural, and economic ties with Russia. Both nations are members of the Eurasian Economic Union, a regional economic bloc that facilitates the free movement of goods, services, capital, and labour between its member states.
Russian Foreign Ministry Response
The clarification from the Armenian leader follows recent remarks from Moscow regarding the bilateral travel arrangements.
Earlier, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova addressed the subject during an appearance at the Eastern Economic Forum. The annual event, currently in its 2026 edition, is held in the Russian city of Vladivostok to promote investment and international economic cooperation.
Speaking on the sidelines of the forum, Zakharova stated that the Armenian authorities would inflict harm upon their own citizens if they decided to introduce a visa regime with Russia.
A significant number of Armenian nationals currently live and work within the Russian Federation. These citizens frequently travel between the two countries and support the Armenian economy through cross-border remittances, which rely on open travel policies.
