Includes information on acceptable business etiquette, dress, business cards, gifts, etc.

Business Customs

Armenians are hospitable. Foreigners should be aware that large meals and lengthy toasts might accompany many of their business and social contacts. It is also common to give gifts and to take visitors to historical sites. Armenians unacquainted with Western Business norms might view refusals of traditional Armenian hospitality such as lengthy meals or all-day outings as disrespectful.

Due to differences in interpretation and understanding of some business terminology some of which is very new for Armenia, U.S. businessmen are strongly encouraged to make absolutely sure that the content of their communications, negotiations, and agreements with Armenian partners is thoroughly understood.

Corruption is a factor in the majority of state organizations in Armenia, including enforcement bodies such as the police, tax, and customs departments.  Though foreigners are sometimes exempt from petty corruption, there may be cases where officials will delay a process, hinting that a good "tip", or hiring a certain company to assist, may fix things immediately.  When this happens, U.S. businessmen are encouraged to consult with the U.S. Embassy's Economic Section.  The Foreign Corrupt Practices Act prohibits American companies from making corrupt payments to foreign officials for the purpose of obtaining or keeping business.

Travel Advisory

There is no U.S. State Department travel advisory in place for Armenia; however U.S. citizens should always exercise caution overseas.

For more information, click here.
https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/country/armenia.html 

Holders of U.S. passports taking up permanent residence in Armenia should register with the U.S. Embassy’s Consular Section to facilitate timely dissemination of security messages.  Citizens of the United States can register online.
https://travelregistration.state.gov/ 

Visa Requirements

As of January 1, 2015, U.S. citizens do not need visas to enter Armenia. Persons arriving with the intention to work must obtain special work permits. U.S. companies that require travel of foreign businesspersons to the United States should be advised that security evaluations are handled via an interagency process.

Visa applicants should go to the following links.
State Department Visa Website - https://travel.state.gov/content/visas/en.html
U.S. Embassy in Armenia - Visas - http://armenia.usembassy.gov/visas.html

Currency

The Armenian Dram (AMD) is the currency unit for Armenia and is used for all official transactions within the country. The average currency rate against 1 USD was 478 AMD in 2015. It has remained relatively stable throughout the year. As of April 29, 2016 the average rate for calendar year 2016 was 477 AMD for one U.S. Dollar.

The issuance and service of payment cards in Armenia is carried out via the ArCa unified cards payment system, which was created and introduced at the initiative of the Central Bank and commercial banks operating in Armenia. Currently, member banks of the system issue and service local ArCa cards and international cards such as Visa and MasterCard.  In service now are international cards Diners Club and Amex as well as cards of the HSBC Group. Apart from cash withdrawal, cardholders now can use the ATMs to pay for public utility services (gas, water, phone, electric energy), check the balance of the card account, and pay for mobile phones charge cards.  Armenian banks are servicing smart cards of Visa and MasterCard systems in the network of both POS terminals and ATMs. The use of debit and credit cards is increasing as the network of Automatic Tellers (ATMs) and point-of-sale (POS) terminals expands. 

In Armenia, traveler checks are not accepted in retail outlets and service centers as a means of payment. These usually can be withdrawn only at banks. Some banks accept traveler checks such as Visa, American Express, Thomas Cook, Citicorp, and provide cash in either dram or foreign currency to a check-holder. Some other banks in Armenia accept checks drawn on foreign banks, the payment against which is normally made once the check is collected and the payment from the foreign bank is received.

Telecommunications/Electronics

Beeline (Veon) and UCom provide land-line telecommunication services in Armenia. For information on long-distance service options contact: Beeline, Long Distance Telephone Exchange, Azatutian Avenue, Yerevan, 375044, Armenia: Tel: (374-10) 28-81-51, 15-10-02, Fax:(374-10) 15-13-33.

UCOM Telecommunications
40/1 Sayat-Nova Street, 0025, Yerevan, Armenia
Tel: (+374 60) 444 444
Fax: (+374 60) 444 441
E-mail: info@ucom.am.

Armenia has three mobile telephone providers. In addition to Beeline, both Vivacell and UCom provide mobile and internet service:
VivaCell (K-Telecom CJSC)
Argishti, 4/1, Yerevan, Armenia
Tel: (374 -10) 568 777
Fax: (374-10) 569 222
E-mail:info@vivacell.am. 

UCOM Telecommunications
40/1 Sayat-Nova Street, 0025, Yerevan, Armenia
Tel: (+374 60) 444 444
Fax: (+374 60) 444 441
E-mail: info@ucom.am.

To subscribe to international telex services, contact the Ministry of Transportation and Communication, Union Bldg., Republic Square, Yerevan 375010; Tel: (374-10) 52-66- 32, Fax: (374-10) 15-14-46.

Various providers offer Internet and e-mail services:
ARMINCO LLC, 28 Isahakyan St. PO OX 10, Yerevan, 0009, Armenia; 
Tel: +374 60 27 00 00
Fax: +374 60 27 11 11, +374 10 54 45 90
E-mail:support@arminco.com, administration@arminco.com (offer practically full coverage in Yerevan)

UCOM Telecommunications
 40/1 Sayat-Nova Street, 0025, Yerevan, Armenia
Tel: (+374 60) 444 444
Fax: (+374 60) 444 441
E-mail: info@ucom.am.

Transportation

Armenia's public transportation system includes a system of crowded minibuses and a modest one-line subway in Yerevan. Taxis are widely available through numerous taxi agencies or in the streets. Not all taxis are metered. Taxis with yellow license plates are owned by private companies and will most likely be metered. Taxis with regular white license plates are owned by individual drivers and most likely will not be metered. Foreigners should expect to pay 1,200 – 2,000 Armenian dram (around $3-$5 at current exchange rates) for a taxi fare within Yerevan, and 3,000 – 3,500 Armenian dram (about $8-$9) to the airport. Aerotaxi is the official taxi of the airport, but drivers frequently leave the meter off (200 Armenian dram per km) and passengers have to negotiate the price, which is usually around 6000 Armenian dram. A car and driver cost about $100 per day including gasoline.

Language

Armenian is the official language of the country and is used for all official documents. The majority of the population speaks Russian as well. English is a mandatory third language in many schools, and local universities produce an increasing number of English language specialists. Finding an interpreter or translator is usually not difficult.

Health 

The Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy keeps a list of doctors (https://am.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/doctors/).
 For more information you may call the Consular Section directly at (374 10) 49-46-86.

Local Time, Business Hours and Holidays

Armenia is in a single time zone, no daylight saving - GMT+4 throughout the year.
National public holidays are as follows:

New Year    December 31-January 2
Christmas    January 6
Armenian National Army Day    January 28
Women’s International Day    March 8
Armenian Genocide Memorial Day    April 24
Labor Day    May 1
Victory and Peace Day    May 9
First Republic Day    May 28
Constitution Day    July 5
Independence Day    September 21

Temporary Entry of Materials or Personal Belongings

Armenian and foreign citizens can import duty free articles valued up to $300, with some exceptions. A $100 or 20 kg exemption applies to goods not personally carried across the border. Persons arriving in Armenia for permanent residence can import certain numbers of personal belongings duty free. There is no limit on hard currency imports to Armenia.

Trade-Related Web Resources

The government of the Republic of Armenia
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia
Department of State: Visas
U.S. Embassy in Armenia - Visas

 

Prepared by our U.S. Embassies abroad. With its network of 108 offices across the United States and in more than 75 countries, the U.S. Commercial Service of the U.S. Department of Commerce utilizes its global presence and international marketing expertise to help U.S. companies sell their products and services worldwide. Locate the U.S. Commercial Service trade specialist in the U.S. nearest you by visiting http://export.gov/usoffices.