Work Remotely from Armenia: Complete Guide

Visa Options

180-Day Visa-Free Entry

Armenia welcomes most international passport holders with a generous 180-day visa-free policy. Citizens of the United States, EU countries, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Israel, and many others can enter and stay for six months without a visa, application, or fees. Simply arrive at the airport with your passport.

This is ideal for remote workers who want to spend half a year in one location without administrative complexity. After your 180 days are up, you can do a visa run to a neighboring country (Georgia is just a short drive or 1-hour flight) and return for another six months.

Longer Stay Options

If you want to stay longer than 180 days, your options are:

• Visa runs - Exit to Georgia or Turkey and re-enter for another 180-day period
• Residence permit - Available for investors, businesspeople, and those with Armenian heritage
• Digital nomad visa - Check current availability; Armenia has been discussing nomad-focused visa programs

Most remote workers simply do the visa-free 180 days and combine with periodic border runs to neighboring countries. It’s simple and effective.

Tax Implications

Foreign Income Tax

Armenia’s tax system is relatively nomad-friendly. If you’re not a tax resident, foreign-sourced income is typically not taxed in Armenia. You’re generally not a tax resident if:

• You spend fewer than 183 days in Armenia during a calendar year
• Your permanent home and economic ties are outside Armenia

This means you can maximize your 180-day stay and pay 0% Armenian tax on foreign income. However, you must still comply with your home country’s tax obligations—US citizens are taxed on worldwide income regardless of location, and EU residents may have different rules depending on their residency status.

Residence and Business Setup

If you establish an Armenian residence permit or company, you’ll fall under Armenian tax residency (worldwide income taxable). Personal income tax in Armenia is a flat 10% on employment income—competitive globally.

For longer-term options, Individual Entrepreneur status is available with favorable tax treatment, but this typically requires more than visa-free visitor status.

Home Country Obligations

Consult a cross-border tax specialist for your specific citizenship and situation. The key takeaway: use your 180 visa-free days strategically to remain non-resident if tax optimization matters for your situation.

Best Cities for Remote Work

Yerevan

Armenia’s capital is the undisputed center of remote work activity, though it’s much smaller and less touristy than Tbilisi. Yerevan sits in a valley surrounded by mountains, and the Ararat mountain—Armenia’s national symbol—dominates the landscape from the city center.

Why it works:

• Growing coworking scene (Entr’acte, Yerevan.Dev, and others)
• Solid fiber internet infrastructure (50-100 Mbps standard)
• Walkable city center with Soviet architecture mixed with modern development
• Cheaper than Tbilisi—money stretches further
• English increasingly spoken, especially among younger people
• Growing tech and startup community
• Excellent local food scene with Armenian specialties
• Museums, galleries, and cultural events

The scene: Yerevan feels more authentically Eastern than Tbilisi—you’ll encounter fewer tourists and more local life. The city center around Republic Square is walkable, with cafes, restaurants, and parks. Dilijan and smaller mountain towns are nearby for weekend trips.

Costs:

• 1-bedroom apartment (city center): $400-600/month
• 1-bedroom apartment (outer neighborhoods): $300-400/month
• Coworking day pass: $5-10
• Meal at local restaurant: $4-8
• Monthly total: $800-1,200 living well

Downsides: Much smaller expat and nomad community compared to Georgia. Russian is more commonly spoken than English. Winter can be cold (but snow is rare in the city). Some neighborhoods still feel Soviet, though rapid modernization is happening.

Dilijan

A charming mountain town about 100km north of Yerevan, Dilijan is emerging as a secondary option for remote workers. It’s known as the “Armenian Switzerland” due to forests and cooler climate.

Why it works:

• Very peaceful and quieter than Yerevan
• Even cheaper than Yerevan ($600-900/month total)
• Mountain scenery and hiking opportunities
• Growing cafe culture with WiFi
• Slower pace of life

Considerations:

• Very small expat community
• Fewer coworking options than Yerevan
• Less international food options
• Still developing as a nomad destination

Best for: Those seeking peace and nature, or as a weekend escape from Yerevan.

Timezone Overlap

Armenia operates on Armenia Standard Time (AMT), which is UTC+4 year-round with no daylight saving time changes. This is identical to Georgia and Turkey.

Working with US Companies

• East Coast (EST): 9 hours ahead—morning meetings with US colleagues happen at 6-8pm your time
• West Coast (PST): 12 hours ahead—synchronous work is challenging; async-first culture is essential
• Overlap window: If you work 4pm-midnight Armenia time, you catch US East Coast colleagues 7am-3pm

Working with European Companies

• London: 4 hours ahead (3 hours during UK summer time)
• Central Europe (Berlin, Paris): 3 hours ahead (2 hours during summer)
• Good overlap: Working 9am-6pm Armenia time covers European afternoon

Working with Middle East, India, Asia

• Dubai: Same timezone (UTC+4)
• India: 1.5 hours behind—excellent overlap
• Singapore: 4 hours ahead—morning overlap possible

The timezone story is identical to Georgia—it works great for European and Middle East clients, requires flexibility for US West Coast work.

Cost of Living

Armenia is one of the cheapest countries in the Caucasus for remote workers. Here’s what to expect in Yerevan:

Monthly Budget Breakdown

Budget ($800-1,000/month):

• Rent (1BR outer neighborhoods): $300-400
• Groceries + home cooking: $100-130
• Eating out (local restaurants): $80-120
• Transport (metro, buses, marshrutkas): $5-10
• SIM card with data: $5-10
• Coworking/cafes: $20-40
• Entertainment: $50-100

Comfortable ($1,000-1,400/month):

• Rent (1BR city center or nice area): $400-550
• Food (mix of cooking and restaurants): $200-300
• Coworking membership: $80-120
• Gym membership: $20-35
• Transport + occasional taxi: $30-50
• Entertainment + exploring: $100-150

Splurging ($1,400-1,800/month):

• Rent (modern 2BR or premium area): $550-800
• Food (restaurants, wine, going out): $300-450
• Premium coworking: $120-150
• Regular taxis/Bolt: $40-80
• Weekend trips, activities: $150-200

What Your Money Gets You

Armenian cuisine is hearty and incredibly cheap. Lula kebab (grilled meat rolls), lula khash (winter stew), and fresh lavash (traditional bread) are staples. A plate of kebab with fresh vegetables costs $3-5. Khorovatz (Armenian BBQ) at local spots is $5-8 per person.

Wines from the Ararat Valley are exceptional and affordable. Local Armenian wine at a shop costs $5-12. Restaurant bottles run $20-40 for quality selections. Cognac is another Armenian specialty—Armenian brandy is world-class and surprisingly cheap.

Groceries at local markets are extremely affordable. Fresh produce, bread, local cheese, and regional products cost a fraction of Western prices. The Vernisage market in Yerevan on weekends is perfect for sourcing local goods cheaply.