Vardanyan & Partners
Sponsor
At the intersection of Europe and Asia, Armenia stands not merely as a geographical waypoint but as a nexus of possibility for global entrepreneurs and remote professionals seeking new horizons.
This isn’t just another residency option – it represents a carefully calibrated opportunity for genuine business development.
Two Distinct Pathways to Business-Based Residency
Armenia’s thriving economic landscape presents a fertile ground for international entrepreneurs, boasting GDP growth of 6% in 2024.
Within this vibrant environment, Vardanyan & Partners has structured dual residency approaches tailored to different investor profiles:
The Strategic Investment Route
For those seeking straightforward investment vehicles, Armenia facilitates connections between investors and small business owners hungry for capital. Through strategic equity placement, investors become legitimate shareholders in existing Armenian enterprises.
This pathway does not have a legally mandated minimum investment; however, based on our experience, we recommend an investment of $6,000. Through this route, we facilitate a connection between investors and businesses, enabling a meaningful economic impact․
Your contribution strengthens Armenia’s robust SME sector, which constitutes 99.8% of all firms and provides 66.1% of total employment in the non-financial business economy.
The program structures your investment as a donation without financial returns, but the intangible returns manifest in immediate residency rights and the satisfaction of catalyzing authentic economic development in a country where small businesses form the backbone of economic resilience.
The Entrepreneur’s Canvas
For those possessing entrepreneurial vision, Armenia offers perhaps the most barrier-free business establishment landscape in the region. Free from minimum capital requirements and allowing 100% foreign ownership, the country has systematically eliminated the traditional obstacles faced by international business founders.
This welcoming approach has contributed to Armenia’s impressive foreign direct investment growth—FDI inflows reached $998 million in 2022, nearly triple the previous year’s figure.
The process embodies refreshing transparency: Establish your Armenian company, operate it for a brief period, and utilize this legitimate business activity as the foundation for your residency application.
Unlike the donation pathway, this entrepreneurial option allows you to own and control your business, giving you full authority over its operations and the potential for unlimited returns on your investment. The model serves multiple strategic objectives beyond residency:
EAEU Business Foothold & Regional Trade Access
Armenia provides a strategic entry point for companies looking to expand into the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and broader regional markets.
Businesses benefit from simplified regulatory processes, lower operational costs, and access to a consumer base of over 180 million people across Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan. Moreover, Armenia maintains strong economic and diplomatic ties with Russia, Iran, and China, fostering a favorable business climate. These relationships are further strengthened by Armenia’s visa-free regime with all three countries, allowing seamless travel and business operations.
Access to Talent & Digital Business Hub
Armenia offers a highly skilled and multilingual workforce, making it an attractive destination for companies looking to hire competitively priced, well-educated professionals.
The country has a strong IT sector, with a high concentration of software developers, engineers, and tech entrepreneurs. This, combined with Armenia’s expanding digital infrastructure, makes it an ideal hub for remote and tech-driven businesses seeking a supportive and innovative ecosystem.
Tax Optimization
Armenia provides an exceptionally competitive tax framework, allowing entrepreneurs to legally optimize their global tax exposure. Businesses benefit from turnover tax rates as low as 1-10%, with IT companies enjoying a uniquely favorable 1% turnover tax—an advantage that sets Armenia apart from other popular jurisdictions like Georgia or Estonia.
This makes Armenia particularly appealing for tech startups, digital service providers, and globally mobile entrepreneurs seeking an efficient and cost-effective base of operations.
This flexible framework accommodates businesses across sectors—from technology startups to consulting services, manufacturing ventures to creative agencies—while delivering legitimate residency benefits and genuine business potential simultaneously.
Residency Structure and Timeline
Individuals pursuing residency through either the donation program or the business setup path have the option to apply for a one-year temporary or a five-year permanent residence permit. Considering current best practices, we advise that applicants first obtain a one-year residence permit before applying for a five-year permanent residence permit.
The application process remains streamlined regardless of pathway, typically concluding within three months and requiring minimal documentation.
Family Inclusion and Path to Permanence
Both business investment options extend full benefits to immediate family members, including spouses, parents, and children, ensuring that your residency strategy accommodates those who matter most.
The path to permanent status and potential citizenship follows the same clear trajectory found in the donation program – three years of residency qualifies you for citizenship consideration.
Please note that citizenship approval is highly uncertain, with more rejections than approvals in recent cases.
Creating Authentic Connections
What distinguishes Vardanyan & Partners’ approach lies in its emphasis on authentic integration and social impact. While physical presence remains optional, those who engage the Armenian business ecosystem discover more than tax optimization – they find a rapidly evolving market demonstrating surprising sophistication and a business culture that values relationship-building over bureaucracy.
Your investment helps strengthen a nation where entrepreneurship thrives, generating nearly 10 new companies per 1,000 inhabitants annually, creating a dynamic environment for business collaboration.
Securing Tomorrow’s Mobility Today
Remote work has transformed from a pandemic-driven experiment to an established norm, making “residency optionality” a necessity rather than a luxury for the globally mobile professional class. Armenia offers this optionality at an entry point accessible to early and mid-career professionals, not just the ultra-wealthy.
Inflation has dropped remarkably (from 8.6% in 2022 to 0% in early 2024), while GDP per capita has risen to $8,575 nominal ($21,746 PPP), marking Armenia as a stable economic environment demonstrating growing potential.
The nation’s improving diplomatic and trade relationships, particularly regarding the European Union, suggest that the value proposition of Armenian residency will only strengthen over time. Early participants in this business pathway will benefit from both current affordability and the program’s potential appreciation as a mobility asset.
The Armenian business residency options offered by Vardanyan & Partners stand apart in the investment migration landscape – not through excessive luxury or exclusivity, but through their rare combination of affordability, simplicity, and social impact.
Contact Vardanyan & Partners today via our website to begin your journey toward Armenian residency.
