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IOM promotes new work permit issuance system for foreigners in Armenia

20 April 2022

Caption: Armen Ghazaryan, Head of Migration Service, MTAI RA; Ilona Ter-Minasyan, Head of Office, IOM Armenia; Vache Terteryan, Deputy Minister, MTAI RA; Carel Hoftra, Team Leader, ICMPD.

Photo: © IOM Armenia

The new unified online platform is addressed to digitalize the whole process of granting work permit and residence status to foreigners in Armenia.

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) in cooperation with the Migration Service of Armenia (MS) launched a new unified online platform, which is addressed to digitalize the whole process of granting work permit and residence status to foreigners in Armenia. The official launching event was held on 19 April 2022 in Yerevan.

IOM Armenia has been supporting the Government of the Republic of Armenia and the Migration Service of Armenia in strengthening the labour migration system since 2018. As part of this partnership, a new work permit issuance system has been developed and implemented within the framework of the labour migration management reforms. The new platform is an integrated electronic management registration system, serving as a tool for issuance and extension of work permits and employment contracts with foreign workers in the Republic of Armenia.

At the same time, foreign citizens who are exempted from the requirement to obtain a work permit in the Republic of Armenia, can register on the platform in order to verify the legality of their residence and receive a relevant certificate.

“IOM’s objective is to support Armenia’s Labor Migration System by effective mechanisms for the issuance of work permits in line with best international practices. In this way, we aim to contribute to advancing human rights of migrants and sustainable economic development, for the benefit of all,” said Ilona Ter-Minasyan, IOM Armenia’s Head of Office.

The Migration Service has already received about 700 applications through the website https://workpermit.am/. About 250 employers are registered in the system and more than 260 temporary residence permits have been already granted. 170 permits certifying legality of residence for the foreigners exempted from the requirement to obtain a work permit have been issued.

The event was followed by a Q&A panel with employers asking questions and presenting suggestions.

For more information visit the website at www.workpermit.am.