Armenia: do South Africans need a visa?

Travel with cautionOther governments advise against travel to parts of the country, or to reconsider travel. Why

South Africans need to apply online for an e-visa before travel to Armenia. You can stay up to 120 days per visit, and you can apply to extend.

Visa required, but easy to get. South Africa is not on Armenia's visa-free lists and not on the invitation-only list, so South Africans can apply online for an e-visa at evisa.mfa.am. A visa on arrival is also reported to be available to nationalities that are not on the invitation-only list.1 2 3

Travel advice

Travel with caution

The UK advises against all travel to parts of Armenia near the border with Azerbaijan.

We show UK and US government advice because they publish detailed, regularly updated assessments. Checked 5 October 2026.

Read the full advice: UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office

Before you travel

Purpose of visit

Visitor visa covers tourism and short private or business visits. It does not allow work.1

Not yet confirmed by an official source

Passport validity

Not published on the MFA pages checked. The UK FCDO says the passport must be valid for the duration of the stay.5

Not yet confirmed by an official source

How to apply

Apply online at the official MFA portal evisa.mfa.am at least 3 business days before travel. Fees reported: EUR 7 for 21 days, EUR 34 for 120 days (not seen on an official page). Visa on arrival at the border is reported at AMD 15,000 for up to 120 days (not seen on an official page). Visas through an Armenian mission carry a consular fee of AMD 5,000 per the MFA.1 2 4

Confirmed by other governments' official advice

Where South Africans apply

Online through evisa.mfa.am, or on arrival. No Armenian embassy in South Africa was confirmed in this check.2

Not yet confirmed by an official source

Travel insurance

Not published by official sources

Return or onward ticket

Not published by official sources

Proof of funds

Not published by official sources

Accommodation or invitation

No invitation needed. South Africa is not on the MFA's list of countries whose citizens need an invitation and must apply at a mission.3

Confirmed on an official government source

Vaccinations, including yellow fever on return to South Africa

Armenia publishes no yellow fever rule for South Africans. Armenia is not a yellow fever risk country, so no certificate is needed to return to South Africa from Armenia, unless you transited a risk country on the way.

Confirmed by other governments' official advice

Arrival forms

Not published by official sources

Extending your stay and overstaying

MFA says the 120-day visa can be extended for another 60 days. The UK FCDO points to the Passports and Visas Department (OVIR) in Yerevan for extensions.1 5

Confirmed on an official government source

Transit

Not published by official sources

Travelling with children

Not published by official sources

What changed

1 July 2026MFA says citizens of 111 countries holding a valid residence permit from the US, EU, Schengen states, UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait or Oman are visa-exempt from 1 July 2026 to 1 July 2027 if the permit is valid at least 6 months from entry. Whether South Africa is one of the 111 countries was not confirmed.

Sources

Official

The destination's own government

1Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia mfa.am
2Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia (e-Visa portal) evisa.mfa.am
3Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia mfa.am

Other government

Official advice from other governments

5UK FCDO gov.uk

Reference

Used to find official sources, never the final word

4Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org

Last researched 5 October 2026. Rules change; confirm with the embassy before you book. Spotted something out of date? Report a change.