Armenia opens pre-registration for new biometric passports and ID cards on 31 October

Armenia is days away from putting into operation a new system for issuing biometric passports and identity cards, described by the authorities as the most resource-intensive reform in the country's visa liberalization process with the European Union. Armenian citizens can pre-register for the new documents starting 31 October 2026.

Key facts

• Pre-registration for the new biometric passport and identity card opens on 31 October 2026.
• The system is expected to become operational within a few days of 22 October 2026.
• Pre-registration will run on the official websites of the Migration and Citizenship Service and the private company providing services for the process.
• Work on the system began in 2023; the Armenia–EU Visa Liberalization Action Plan (VLAP) was received in November 2025.
• The reform covers only one to three actions under the visa liberalization process but is the largest in terms of resources.

What is changing?

Armenia has completed the build-out of the system that will issue new biometric passports and identity cards to its citizens. Nelly Davtyan, head of the Migration and Citizenship Service at the Ministry of Internal Affairs, said the entire system has been put in place and only a few days remain before it becomes operational.

The project was delivered in two stages: first establishing the legal framework, then developing the necessary infrastructure. Both stages are now complete, according to Davtyan.

Who is affected?

The change concerns Armenian citizens who want to obtain a new biometric passport or identity card. No details were given about validity periods, fees, processing times or whether existing documents will need to be replaced.

How do I register?

Pre-registration starts on 31 October 2026. The platform will be available on the official websites of the Migration and Citizenship Service and the private company providing services for the process. The announcement does not state when the first documents will actually be issued or where applications can be submitted in person.

Why is this happening?

The new document system is part of the Visa Liberalization Action Plan (VLAP) between Armenia and the EU, which Armenia received in November 2025. Davtyan said that if work had only started at that point, the country would still have a long way to go, and that preparation began in 2023 so the required infrastructure was ready.

She said European partners have noted that Armenia is implementing the VLAP at an accelerated pace, specifically highlighting the introduction of this system.

What this means for travellers

Armenian citizens planning to apply for a new biometric passport or identity card can pre-register from 31 October 2026 through the Migration and Citizenship Service's official website. Check the announcement details closer to that date, as no fees, document validity or in-person application procedure have been published.

No date has been given for the full rollout of document issuance beyond the statement that the system is set to become operational within days.