Sevan

Entering Armenia across the land border from Iran 

Armenia-Iran border is open to foreign nationals coming from Iran. This is subject to change at short notice. If you decide to leave Iran, you do so at your own risk and the British government cannot do anything to ensure your safety. Only travel if you feel it is safe to do so. In Iran, holding a British passport or having perceived connections to the UK can be reason enough for the Iranian authorities to detain you.     

British nationals entering Armenia from Iran will need a valid passport, see ‘passport validity requirements’. You do not need a visa to enter Armenia, see ‘visa requirements’.     

Read more FCDO advice if you’re affected by a crisis abroad.

Passport validity requirements 

If you are visiting Armenia, your passport must be valid for the duration of your stay.

Check with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to. 

You will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.  

Dual nationals

When returning to the UK, British citizens must carry a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement. See Dual Citizenship.

Visa requirements 

You can visit Armenia without a visa for up to 180 days in a year for tourism or business.  

To extend your stay, contact the Administration Department for Passports and Visas (OVIR).

Address: Davtashen, 4th District, 31/2 Building, Yerevan, Armenia 0054 

Telephone: +374 11 36 1394, +374 11 36 9140 

To work or study, you must check the requirements from the Armenian Embassy in the UK.

Vaccine requirements  

For full details about medical entry requirements and recommended vaccinations, see TravelHealthPro’s Armenia guide.

Customs rules 

There are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of Armenia. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty. 

Customs rules 

There are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of Armenia. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty. 

Emergency services in Armenia 

Telephone: 911 

Contact your travel provider and insurer 

Contact your travel provider and your insurer if you are involved in a serious incident or emergency abroad. They will tell you if they can help and what you need to do. 

Refunds and changes to travel 

For refunds or changes to travel, contact your travel provider. You may also be able to make a claim through insurance. However, insurers usually require you to talk to your travel provider first. 

Find out more about changing or cancelling travel plans, including: 

• where to get advice if you are in a dispute with a provider 
• how to access previous versions of travel advice to support a claim 

Support from FCDO 

FCDO has guidance on staying safe and what to do if you need help or support abroad, including: 

• finding English-speaking lawyers, funeral directors and translators and interpreters in Armenia  
• dealing with a death in Armenia 
• being arrested or imprisoned in Armenia 
• getting help if you’re a victim of crime  
• what to do if you’re in hospital  
• if you’re affected by a crisis such as a terrorist attack 

Contacting FCDO 

Help abroad 

See how to get help from the UK government abroad including in an emergency. 

Help in the UK

You can call FCDO in London if you need urgent help because something has happened to a friend or relative abroad. 

Telephone: 020 7008 5000 (24 hours) 

Find out about call charges 

Get travel advice updates

Sign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated. 

Follow FCDO: 

• travel advice on X
• travel advice on Facebook

Risk information for British companies 

The Overseas Business Risk service offers information and advice for British companies operating in Armenia on how to manage political, economic, and business security-related risks.

Areas where FCDO advises against travel  

Armenia-Azerbaijan border  

The border with Azerbaijan remains closed. FCDO advises against all travel to within 5km of the entire eastern border between Armenia and Azerbaijan, due to tensions between the 2 countries.   

M16/H26 road between Ijevan and Noyemberyan  

FCDO advises against all travel along the M16/H26 road between the towns of Ijevan and Noyemberyan, due to border tensions. 

Find out more about why FCDO advises against travel. 

Before you travel 

No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. You may also find it helpful to:  

• see general advice for women travellers 

• read our guide on disability and travel abroad 

• see general advice for LGBT+ travellers  

• read about safety for solo and independent travel 

• see advice on volunteering and adventure travel abroad 

Travel insurance 

If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency. 

About FCDO travel advice  

FCDO provides advice about risks of travel to help you make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice. 

Get travel advice updates

Sign up to get email notifications when this advice is updated. 

Follow FCDO: 

• travel advice on X
• travel advice on Facebook
• Travel Aware on Instagram

Laws and cultural differences  

Illegal drugs

If you possess, use or smuggle illegal drugs, including cannabis, you can get heavy fines and a long jail sentence, including when transiting through the airport. The penalty for smuggling drugs is a prison sentence of between 4 and 10 years. 

It is illegal to use, possess or trade marijuana, cannabidiol (CBD), or tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) products. You can be prosecuted for having these substances even when they are prescribed for medical purposes. 

Airports in Armenia have excellent technology and security for detecting illegal items. This is also used to scan the baggage of transiting passengers.

Using cameras and binoculars in secure areas 

It is illegal to photograph sites such as military bases, equipment and installations. These are considered sensitive areas and visitors have been detained and questioned for attempting to photograph them. 

LGBT+ travellers 

Same-sex sexual activity has been legal since 2003 but many Armenians still view same-sex couples with disapproval. LGBT+ people in Armenia tend to be discreet about their sexuality. Local LGBT+ groups occasionally suffer from verbal and physical harassment. Physical contact between members of the same sex, such as holding hands and kissing, are common signs of friendship in Armenian culture, and not necessarily an indicator of sexual orientation. 

Read more advice for LGBT+ travellers. 

Disorderly behaviour 

Armenian society does not tolerate drinking to excess as this leads to disorderly behaviour, particularly during the late evening and through the night. British nationals have been arrested for drunken behaviour.