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TRAVEL REPORT
Armenia

1. RECENT UPDATES

The level of Travel Warning in this report has not changed.

Section 8 has been updated (dual nationality).

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2. WARNINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Armenia

Exercise normal security precautions

Exercise high degree of caution

Avoid non-essential travel

Avoid all travel

The land border with Turkey is closed, although there are regular flights between Yerevan and Istanbul. Exercise a high degree of caution in the land border areas.

Regional Warning

Exercise normal security precautions

Exercise high degree of caution

Avoid non-essential travel

Avoid all travel

OFFICIAL WARNING: Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada advises against non-essential travel to Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding areas due to tensions resulting from the political situation and military presence. The border with Azerbaijan, including the Nakhichevan Autonomous Republic of Azerbaijan, is closed. A cease-fire has been in effect since May 1994. However, armed clashes along the border and cease-fire line may occur sporadically. There are numerous landmines surrounding the conflict zones with Nagorno-Karabakh.

OFFICIAL REGISTRATION RECOMMENDATION: We offer a registration service for all Canadians travelling or living abroad. This service is provided so that we can contact and assist you in an emergency abroad, such as a natural disaster or civil unrest, or inform you of a family emergency at home. Registration can be done on-line or by contacting a Canadian government office abroad. For more information, see our FAQs on Registration of Canadians Abroad.

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3. SAFETY AND SECURITY

The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller. Travellers are responsible for their own personal safety. The Government of Canada takes the safety and security of Canadians abroad very seriously and provides credible and timely advice in its Travel Reports. In the event of a crisis situation that requires evacuation, the Government of Canada’s policy is to provide safe transportation to the closest safe location. Canada will assist Canadians in leaving a country or a region as a last resort, when all means of commercial or personal transportation have been exhausted. This service is provided on a cost-recovery basis. Onward travel is at the individual’s personal expense. Situations vary from one location to another, and there may be constraints on government resources, which can limit the ability of the Government of Canada to provide assistance, particularly in countries or regions where the potential for violent conflict or political instability are high.

Crime

Terrorist violence and street crime occur. Incidents of pickpocketing, mugging, and theft from cars are on the rise, especially in Yerevan. Do not show signs of affluence. It is advisable to carry a photocopy of your passport and to leave another one with a relative or a friend at home. Passports and valuables should be kept in safe-keeping facilities. Travellers should arrange to be met at the airport.

 Demonstrations

Demonstrations sometimes occur in Armenia and some have been violent in the past. Canadians are advised to avoid political gatherings and demonstrations, and to stay away from areas where they may take place, as they could turn violent without warning. Canadians should also monitor news reports and follow the advice of local authorities.

General Safety Information

The emergency number for police is 02, ambulance 03 and fire department 01.

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4. ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS

It is the sole prerogative of each country or region to determine who is allowed to enter. All countries or regions have special requirements for persons intending to reside for extended periods (usually more than 90 days) or who plan to work, study, or engage in non-tourist activities. To obtain information on specific entry requirements, contact the nearest diplomatic or consular office of the destination(s) to be visited. Violations of entry and exit requirements may result in serious penalties.

The following information on entry and exit requirements has been confirmed with the Armenian authorities. However, these requirements are subject to change at any time. It is the traveller's responsibility to check with  the Embassy of the Republic of Armenia for up-to-date information.

A valid Canadian passport is required for Canadians intending to visit Armenia. The passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the date or your expected departure from the country. 

Transit Visa: Required (for stays up to three days)
Visitors Visa: Required (for stays up to 120 days)
Diplomatic Visa and Official visa: Required

Although visas can be obtained at major ports of entry, travellers should obtain their visa from the Embassy of the Republic of Armenia in Canada before departure to avoid the possibility of being refused entry or experiencing lengthy delays upon arrival. Armenian visa applications may also be submitted on-line through the Armenian Ministry of Foreign Affairs website.

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A Certificate of Canadian Citizenship is not a travel document. A Canadian passport is the only reliable and universally accepted travel and identification document available to Canadians for the purpose of international travel. Canadian citizens returning to Canada who present other documents, such as a Certificate of Canadian Citizenship, birth certificate, provincial driver’s license, or foreign passport, instead of a Canadian passport, may face delays or be denied boarding by transport companies.

Selling, altering, or allowing another person to use your passport is a criminal offence. It could lead to the laying of charges and imprisonment if convicted. It could also lead to the denial of future passport services.

Special and diplomatic passport holders should verify all visa requirements for this and other destinations, as they may differ from those that apply to regular passport holders.

Any adult travelling with children may be required to show evidence of parental/custodial and/or access rights. Foreign and Canadian authorities may also require evidence that the adult has the consent of the parents, legal guardian, and/or the court to travel with the children. Some countries or regions may not permit children to enter or, in some cases, leave the country or region without proper documentation such as a letter of consent or a court order.

Although same-sex marriages are legal in Canada, many countries or regions do not recognize them. Attempting to enter as a same-sex married couple may result in refusal by local officials. For more information, contact the foreign government office accredited to Canada.

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5. CANADIAN GOVERNMENT CONTACTS

You can obtain consular assistance and further consular information at the following address:

Armenia - YEREVAN, Consulate of Canada
Address: 1 Amirian Street, Hotel Marriott, Suite 306, Yerevan, Armenia
Tel.: 374 (10) 56-79-90 or 374 (91) 40-12-38 (cell)
Fax: 374 (10) 56-79-90
E-Mail: concda@gmail.com

The Embassy of Canada in Moscow, Russia, has consular responsibility for Armenia. The address is as follows:

Russia - MOSCOW, Embassy of Canada
Address: 23 Starokonyushenny Pereulok, Moscow, 119002, Russia
Tel.: 7 (495) 925-6000
Fax: 7 (495) 925-6004 or 7 (495) 925-6025
E-Mail: mosco@international.gc.ca
Internet: http://www.Russia.gc.ca

For emergency assistance after hours, call the Embassy of Canada in Moscow and follow the instructions. You may also call the Department in Ottawa at 613-996-8885. It is not possible to make collect calls from Armenia. However, pay phones can be used for international calls. Phone cards are available at newsstands and retail outlets. Most post offices have international telephone facilities. Cabins are equipped with a meter, and payment is made after the call. Internet telephones are now available at Internet cafés.

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6. TRAVEL HEALTH

The Public Health Agency of Canada and the World Health Organization (WHO) report on disease outbreaks that occur throughout the world. For the latest travel health advisories and related information, visit the Public Health Agency of Canada’s Travel Health Web site.

The Public Health Agency of Canada strongly recommends that your travel plans include contacting a travel medicine clinic or physician six to eight weeks before departure. Based on your individual risk assessment, a health care professional can determine your need for immunizations and/or preventive medication and advise you on precautions to avoid disease. Travellers are reminded to ensure that their routine (childhood) immunizations (e.g., tetanus, diphtheria, polio, and measles) are up to date.

Standards of medical care may differ from those in Canada. Treatment may be expensive, and payment in advance may be required. Travellers are advised to arrange for medical insurance prior to departure. Prescription medications should be kept in the original container and packed in carry-on luggage.

The Public Health Agency of Canada also recommends that travellers who become sick or feel unwell on their return to Canada seek a medical assessment with their personal physician. Travellers should inform their physician that they have been travelling or living outside of Canada.

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7. ADDITIONAL HEALTH INFORMATION

Consumption of untreated water and water-based foods greatly increases your chance of illness. Drinking tap water is not recommended. Travellers should boil water or drink bottled water, peel all fruits and vegetables, and avoid undercooked meat, dairy products, and most food sold in the streets.

Medical facilities are limited outside Yerevan and serious medical cases may require evacuation to a country equipped with adequate facilities.

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8. LAWS AND CUSTOMS

You are subject to local laws. A serious violation may lead to a jail sentence. The sentence will be served in local prisons. However, Canada and Armenia are signatories to the European Convention on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons, which enables a Canadian imprisoned in Armenia to request for a transfer to Canada, in order to serve the remainder of his/her sentence in a Canadian prison. The transfer requires the agreement of both Canadian and Armenian authorities.

Canadians arrested or detained have the right to contact the responsible Canadian government office (embassy, high commission, etc.) listed in Section 5 above. Arresting officials have a responsibility to assist you in doing so. Canadian consular officials can provide a list of local lawyers upon request.

The procedures required in legal proceedings or police investigations may be different from the procedures in force in the Canadian legal system. Canadians wishing to undertake such proceedings can expect to face long delays and additional efforts in order to resolve their case. The Government of Canada cannot intervene in ongoing legal proceedings in other countries or regions, unless requested to do so by local authorities. Such requests are rare.

Dual nationality is now legally recognized in Armenia. Therefore, Canadian officials may be limited in their ability to provide consular services to Canadian-Armenian nationals. Canadians with Armenian citizenship may also be subject to national obligations, such as taxes and military service, and should check their status with the Embassy of the Republic of Armenia in Canada. The Department publishes a booklet entitled Dual Citizenship: What Travellers Should Know, specifically targeted at Canadians with dual nationality.

Homosexual activity is legal but is not widely accepted in Armenian society.

Possession, use, or trafficking of illegal drugs may result in jail sentences and heavy fines.

Photography of military installations or government buildings may result in a penalty. Travellers should seek permission from local authorities before taking photographs.

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9. TRAVEL AND CURRENCY

Long-distance travel by train should be avoided. Trains are unreliable and may be stalled for hours at Georgian and Armenian customs. Exercise caution when travelling by train. Store personal belongings and documents in a safe place and do not leave the compartment unattended.

Some roads are poorly maintained outside Yerevan. Emergency roadside assistance services are very limited. Do not travel after dark. Poor driving standards, inadequate road signs, and poor road conditions make travelling hazardous. Police may set up roadblocks to search vehicles. Winter travel can be extremely hazardous at higher elevations. Public transportation networks are overcrowded and poorly maintained. Pedestrians should also be cautious.

An International Driving Permit (IDP) is recommended.

See our FAQ on transportation in order to verify if national airlines meet safety standards.

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The economy is primarily cash-based. The currency is the Armenian dram (AMD). Canadians are advised to use the local currency for their spendings. U.S. dollars and credit cards are generally accepted when paying for hotel accommodation. There are no limitations on exchange of foreign currency. However, amounts exceeding US$10,000 must be declared at border crossings.

Check with your bank for information on automated banking machine (ABM) services outside Canada. You can also check the VISA ATM locator page or the MasterCard ATM locator page for the addresses of ABMs around the world. Verify with your financial institution whether your bank card can be used with ABMs abroad. Some countries use chip and/or personal identification number (PIN) technology for credit cards. Check with your bank to find out if your credit card will be accepted abroad. Credit cards and debit cards should be used with caution due to the potential for fraud and other criminal activity. ABMs should be used during business hours inside a bank, supermarket, or large commercial building. Leave copies of your card numbers with a family member in case of emergency.

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10. NATURAL DISASTERS AND CLIMATE

Armenia is located in an active seismic zone. Landslides can also occur. You should know the address and telephone number of the Embassy of Canada in Moscow, Russia, and the Consulate of Canada in Yerevan in the event of an emergency.

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11. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Returning to Canada

Traveller's Checklist

Health and Travel Insurance: Do not rely on your provincial health plan to cover all expenses if you get sick or are injured while abroad. It may cover nothing or only a portion of the costs. Understand the terms of your supplementary insurance policy. Some credit cards offer their holders health and travel insurance. Do not assume the card alone provides adequate coverage. Carry details of your insurance with you. Also, tell your travel agent, a friend or relative, and/or travelling companion how to contact your insurer. Get a detailed invoice from the doctor or hospital before you return to Canada. Always submit original receipts for any medical services or prescriptions received abroad. Most insurance companies will not accept copies or faxes.

Cancelling a scheduled trip abroad could cost you money. Before cancelling a scheduled trip, you should discuss the matter with your travel agent, your travel insurer, or the airline. The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller.

Adoption: Provincial and territorial authorities in Canada are responsible for authorizing international adoptions. If you are thinking of adopting a child abroad, you must first obtain information about the adoption regulations of the province or territory in which the child will reside. While adoption is a provincial/territorial responsibility, Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) is responsible for allowing an adopted child entry into Canada. Entry can be refused if the child does not hold the appropriate immigrant visa. A visa may be denied, even if the adoption has already been completed. For more information contact CIC at 1 888 242-2100 (in Canada only), check the CIC Web site or contact your provincial or territorial government.

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12. ANNEX

N/A

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