US and UK citizens can visit Armenia visa-free for up to 180 days per year — one of the more generous visa-free allowances anywhere. Be careful not to confuse this standard rule with a separate, temporary program: a residence-permit-based visa waiver running from 1 January to 1 July 2026 for holders of valid US, EU/Schengen or GCC residence permits from 113 countries, which is a different thing from ordinary passport-based entry. If you’re a US or UK passport holder traveling on your own passport, the 180-day rule is what applies to you.
Visa and entry rules
US and UK citizens can enter Armenia visa-free for stays of up to 180 days per year — this is the standard rule for ordinary passport holders and is not tied to any 2026 expiration date. Separately, Armenia introduced a temporary visa waiver from 1 January to 1 July 2026 aimed at people holding valid residence permits (not passports) from the US, the EU/Schengen area, or GCC countries — travelers from 113 eligible countries can use this route regardless of their nationality, as long as they hold one of those residence permits. The two rules serve different groups and it’s easy to see them conflated online; if you’re traveling on a US or UK passport, the ordinary 180-day visa-free entry is what you’ll use.
For the full breakdown, including passport validity requirements and what to expect at the border, see our dedicated Armenia visa and entry rules guide.
Currency and costs
Armenia’s currency is the dram (AMD). Cards are widely accepted in Yerevan hotels, restaurants and larger shops, but cash is still useful for marshrutkas, small cafes, and rural areas. Armenia is generally inexpensive compared to Western Europe — a metro ride in Yerevan costs 150 AMD, and meals, transport and mid-range accommodation are noticeably cheaper than in most EU capitals.
Getting around Yerevan
Yerevan has a small but functional metro: 10 stations across 13.4km, running daily from roughly 6:30am to 11pm, with a flat fare of 150 AMD. Most visitors base themselves in Kentron, the central district holding Republic Square, the Opera House, and the bulk of the city’s hotels and restaurants within walking distance. For details on neighborhoods, sights, and day trips from the capital, see our Yerevan guide.
When to go
Late spring (May-June) and early autumn (September-October) offer the most comfortable weather for sightseeing and day trips into the countryside. Summer in Yerevan can be hot; winter brings snow to the highlands and can complicate travel to sites like Tatev and Lake Sevan’s surrounding passes.
FAQ
Do US and UK citizens need a visa for Armenia?
No — both can enter visa-free for stays of up to 180 days per year under the standard rule.
What’s the difference between the 180-day rule and the 2026 visa waiver?
The 180-day rule is the ordinary, standing visa-free policy for passport holders of the US, UK and other eligible countries. The temporary 2026 waiver (1 Jan-1 Jul) is a separate program for holders of residence permits from the US, EU/Schengen or GCC countries, regardless of their actual nationality — it does not replace or extend the standard rule.
What currency should I use in Armenia?
The Armenian dram (AMD). Cards work in most urban businesses, but carry some cash for transport and smaller purchases outside Yerevan.
Photo: Alexkom000, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons