The Government has adopted a decision entitled “On Establishing the Procedure for Issuing and Refusing to Issue Passports and Identification Cards to Citizens of the Republic of Armenia; Setting the Timeframes for Issuing Passports and Identification Cards Within a Shorter Period Upon Payment of an Additional Fee, as well as the Amount of the Additional Fee; and Involving a Private Partner in the Process of Issuing Passports or Identification Cards to Citizens of the Republic of Armenia.”

The decision aims to ensure the implementation of Part 18 of Article 10 of the Law “On Identity Documents” by establishing the procedure for issuing and refusing to issue identity documents and clarifying the relevant legal framework and implementation mechanisms.
As Minister of Internal Affairs Arpine Sargsyan noted, a new biometric system will be launched in Armenia on 1 November.
“I would like to emphasise that today and tomorrow are the final two days of operation of the outdated infrastructure. We have mobilised all our resources to ensure that we can process all applications received to date and print documents in the old format. Starting on 1 November, we will be able to issue documents in the new format to citizens.”

The Minister of Internal Affairs noted that work had been carried out with a private partner to ensure the introduction of a document that meets European Union standards.

“Let me explain the procedure. For the first time, a pre-registration system will be introduced, allowing citizens to complete the entire process on a digital platform before visiting the office, from home or any other location convenient for them. Before allowing a citizen to enter the office, the state, represented by the Ministry of Internal Affairs, will conduct a comprehensive verification through the State Population Register. Only after receiving clearance from the state will the individual be able to visit the private office and receive the service,” Arpine Sargsyan said, adding that, as part of the pre-registration process, applicants will receive an email containing a QR code to use when visiting the office.
The Minister also noted that payment would be made in full before the office visit.
“Under the cashless payment system, payments will be made through the digital platform before visiting the office. At the private partner’s office, citizens will only need to provide their fingerprints and have their photographs taken. This will complete the entire transaction,” the Minister of Internal Affairs said.

She also highlighted the importance of introducing self-service options, including the use of kiosks, which would allow citizens to complete both procedures without interacting with any staff member: taking their own photographs and providing their fingerprints independently.
In response, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan noted that, starting in November, 14 offices would operate across Armenia, including two in Yerevan. The offices in the capital will be located in shopping malls.

“Biometric passport holders in Armenia will be able to cross the border without any contact with a border guard. We are already working to enable biometric passport holders to present their passports and pass through border control at Zvartnots International Airport and other border crossing points. In other countries, this will also depend on our bilateral arrangements. For example, we could reach an agreement with France or the European Union on data exchange. This would allow citizens travelling abroad to cross border checkpoints using their biometric passports as well,” the Prime Minister said, adding that this is of pivotal importance to the visa liberalisation process with the European Union.

According to Nikol Pashinyan, this will open a new chapter in digitalisation in Armenia.
Arpine Sargsyan also noted that citizens whose passports or identification cards are still valid may continue to use them until their expiry dates. Those wishing to obtain biometric documents will be required to surrender all the documents currently in their possession.