New biometric passports and ID cards in Armenia: prices and validity periods

YEREVAN, August 14. /ARKA/. Nelly Davtyan, the Acting Head of the Migration and Citizenship Service at the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Armenia, has revealed the pricing and validity details for the new biometric passports.

"The new biometric passport will be priced at 28,650 drams, an increase from the current 25,000 drams for passports issued before 2024, and it will remain valid for 10 years. The ID card will cost 5,950 drams, up from the previous 3,000 drams, with a validity of 5 years," Davtyan stated during a press conference on Friday.

She mentioned that Armenia is set to start printing and distributing these new biometric identification documents—passports and ID cards—to citizens this fall.

According to her, parents will also have the option to request ID cards for their children under 13.

"Starting at age 16, as per the new law 'On Identity Documents,' which is expected to take effect by November 1, having this document will be mandatory," Davtyan pointed out, referring to the ID card.

Additionally, she noted that having an ID card will be necessary to obtain a new biometric passport.

"Citizens will have the option to voluntarily exchange their old-style documents for the new ones, regardless of their expiration dates. However, the issuance of old-style documents will be discontinued, and in the future, only new documents will be provided if replacements or losses occur," Davtyan stressed.

She also mentioned that 14 offices established by a private company will be operational during the initial rollout. As per standard procedure, documents will be issued within 14 business days after an application is submitted.

In August 2024, the Armenian government made the decision to provide citizens with new ID cards and biometric passports.

The French consortium IDEMIA Identity Security France and A.C.I. Technology S.à r.l., which secured the contract, is in charge of developing the required infrastructure. In April 2025, an agreement was established in Armenia with HAYPASS, a company formed by this consortium.

As per the previously announced timeline, the distribution of biometric passports and ID cards is set to commence in the latter half of 2026.

The rollout of the biometric system is a key reform initiative under the Visa Liberalization Action Plan with the EU.-0-