Knowledge base / Business relocation
Doing business in Armenia as a Belarusian citizen: what you need to know
What you need to register
- Passport with a notarised translation into Armenian.
- State fee receipt — AMD 3,000 to register an IE; there is no fee for an LLC.
- Public services number (often called the social card) — not required to register an IE, but banks and many services ask for it. How to get one: see our article on the public services number.
- An address in Armenia: a lease, your own property or the owner's consent.
- Choice of tax regime: the application is filed at registration or within 20 days after it.
The full list is in our document checklist for a sole proprietor. For step-by-step registration, see how to register a sole proprietor in Armenia.
Rights of EAEU citizens in Armenia
What EAEU membership gives you
- Employment without a work permit.
- Visa-free entry and stays of up to 180 days a year without a residence permit.
- Recognition of work experience and access to certain social guarantees under EAEU rules.
If you plan to stay longer, apply for a residence permit. Work, business or study can serve as grounds.
Money and banking
- Open a personal account in Armenia
Armenian banks serve Belarusian citizens but check the source of funds. Bring documents showing your income for recent years. More in our article on personal bank accounts. - Plan how you will transfer money
Some Belarusian banks are under sanctions, and direct SWIFT transfers from them may not work. Check the available options in advance. See our article on money transfers. - Open a business account
A sole proprietorship or LLC needs a separate current account. The bank will ask about your clients and business model. See business bank account.
Taxes: Armenia and Belarus
A sole proprietor pays tax in Armenia under the chosen regime. But if you remain a Belarusian tax resident, Belarus may expect a return covering your foreign income as well. According to guidance from the Belarusian tax authority, a citizen who has not spent 183 days in any one country is treated as a Belarusian resident.
The two countries have a double tax treaty. To use it, you need a tax residency certificate. How to obtain one in Armenia: see our article on tax residency. Belarusian rules change often, so confirm them with a Belarusian adviser.
Common mistakes
- Arriving without money for the first few months and counting on a quick transfer from Belarus.
- Not bringing documents on the source of funds. The bank may refuse you.
- Forgetting about tax obligations in Belarus if you remain resident there.
- Staying more than 180 days a year without a residence permit.
Frequently asked questions
Can a Belarusian citizen open a sole proprietorship in Armenia?
Yes, on the same terms as a Russian citizen. You need a passport with a notarised Armenian translation, the AMD 3,000 fee receipt, an address in Armenia and a choice of tax regime.
How long can Belarusians stay in Armenia without a residence permit?
As EAEU citizens, Belarusians enter visa-free and can stay up to 180 days a year without a residence permit. For longer stays, work, business or study can be grounds for a permit.
How can I transfer money from Belarus to Armenia?
Some Belarusian banks are under sanctions, so direct SWIFT transfers from them may not work. Check the options in advance and bring money for the first few months rather than counting on a quick transfer.
Do I still pay tax in Belarus if I run a business in Armenia?
Possibly. If you remain a Belarusian tax resident, Belarus may expect a return on foreign income. A double tax treaty exists, and using it requires a tax residency certificate.
Moving from Belarus?
We will register your sole proprietorship or LLC, help with the bank account and tax regime, and take over your accounting. We work in English and Russian.
Sources: Ministry of Justice of Armenia — registration of sole proprietors and legal entities; EAEU Treaty — eaeunion.org; Zerkalo — on tax residency and Belarusians' accounts; State Revenue Committee of Armenia — src.am.