Armenia expects to receive EU visa liberalization action plan in coming days

Armenian Minister of Internal Affairs Arpine Sargsyan said that active work is underway toward visa liberalization with the European Union.

Speaking at parliamentary joint committee hearings on the state budget bill, Sargsyan announced that the Armenian side will officially receive the Visa Liberalization Action Plan in the coming days.

“In this regard, the measures to be implemented by Armenia’s state bodies will become clear, and the government has already identified the relevant directions as reform priorities,” the minister said.

Speaking about the introduction of the biometric system, Sargsyan said that active work continues in this area. A contract has been signed, territorial office locations have been determined in partnership with the private sector, and the exterior design of these offices, as well as the biometric identification card, has been finalized. The passport design will be approved soon.

According to the minister, service building conditions must also be reviewed, and a construction model for new facilities has been planned with the private partner. The necessary work is set to be completed in the first half of 2026, after which the production of new biometric passports and ID cards will begin in the second half of the year.

Sargsyan noted that the transition to the new biometric system has been carefully coordinated with the private partner to ensure a smooth process and manageable queues.

Within the broader context of migration and citizenship system reforms, the minister also highlighted the importance of the new Law on the State Population Register adopted by the National Assembly on July 3, 2025. She said significant steps have already been taken, including the ongoing introduction of the X-Road interoperability platform, which will ensure the fast and secure exchange of data between government agencies.

Armenia and the European Union announced the launch of dialogue on visa liberalization in September 2024. Since then, active meetings and mutual visits between officials have been taking place to advance the process.