Armenia’s new passport system, EU VLAP’s most extensive reform, set to launch

The introduction of a system for issuing new biometric passports and identity cards in Armenia is the most extensive reform in terms of resources within the visa liberalization process with the European Union, authorities have said.

“By introducing the system for issuing new biometric passports and identity cards, we will cover only one to three actions under the visa liberalization process with the EU, but in terms of the resources required, this is the most extensive reform,” Head of the Migration and Citizenship Service of Armenia’s Ministry of Internal Affairs Nelly Davtyan told Armenpress.

“If we had started developing this system in November 2025, when we received the Armenia-EU Visa Liberalization Action Plan, we would still have a long way to go by now. We began work related to the introduction of this system in 2023, which is why we now have the necessary infrastructure in place. Our European partners have noted that we are implementing the Visa Liberalization Action Plan (VLAP) with the EU at an accelerated pace, specifically highlighting the introduction of this system. In the first phase, we were expected to establish the legal framework, while in the second phase, we were to develop the necessary infrastructure. At this point, we can state that the entire system has been put in place. Only a few days remain before the system becomes operational,” Davtyan added.

Armenian citizens can pre-register to obtain a new biometric passport and identity card starting October 31.

The pre-registration platform will be available on the official websites of the Migration and Citizenship Service and Haypass, the private company providing services for the process.