no visas?
I've read a report or two stating that Americans, Canadians, and Japanese no longer need visas to enter Armenia. Can this be true?
posted by Arina at 12:03 PM
Monday, April 10, 2006
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18 Comments:
any links to the reports you read?
If it's true, this shows how racist Armenia has become (well, always was) when it comes to the diasora. I understand the American part (I mean, the world's only superpower yada yada), but why the Canadians? Or the Japs for that matter?
Damnit, I demand that the Lebanese not need a visa either! I mean, it's not like the Americans, Canadians, or Japanese cannot afford to pay $50 for a visa!
Actually, it was $30, not $50, but I haven't heard this news yet either. It would be very cool - esp if they did the same for EU countries, and anyone whose name ends in -ian, -yan :-)
Michael said,
If this is true,it prooves the adage that "the richer you are the less it costs"?
That,s the way of this world.
Heh, heh.....
Um... I'm not one to pick a fight, but after generalizing about Armenia being racist, isn't it pretty presumptuous to assume that all American Armenians can afford a $50 visa?
At first mention the idea of a free visa sounds great. Plane tickets to Armenia are quite expensive and I concede that all costs associated can add up. But really, individually, it is not that expensive - especially if you are able to afford a plane ticket. The visa fees provide an income for Armenian consulates and embassies that we wouldn't want to take away just to save $30 or $50 for ourselves... well, I wouldn't anyway. As for the waiving of fees for the other countries listed- aren't these things usually determined by agreements between countries and not radomly decided?
Taleen
Will that mean that the Armenian citizens will not pay for a visa to get to the US, Canada or Japan?
if this is true, i think it's a really good step as 3 of those countries screen their citizens well for security reasons. However, i would be opposed to the idea mentioned above to allow any middle eastern country’s citizens come to armenia without a visa. In fact i think giving visas to middle easterners should be made more difficult, unless of they are of Armenian origin. I wouldn’t want to see armenia become a cheap european style haven for vast numbers of middle eastern who lack freedom in their own countries. A visit to vienna and some other european capitals overwhelmed by middle easterners and turks should be enough reason to agree...
This doesnt make any sense and has no logic.
If this is true than Armenian nationals shouldnt need visa to enter Canada, US or Japan.
In general I am not against the $30 for 21 days visa payed by diaspora. Concider it as a contribution towards the country.
There's been a precedent. American, European, Japanese tourists etc can enter Georgia without a visa, the argument being it brings the country closer to integration in Western structures as well as promoting tourism. Flights are already apparently cheaper to Tbilisi and it would make sense for Armenia to follow suit, especially given the large number of tourists who might then come and spend money here.
However, as there have been no reports -- and one guesses that if you want to attract people they should know about it -- that I've seen, I'm skeptical. Please post links to the reports you've read -- especially as tourism season is now very nearly upon us.
Here is the link to the article - at this point I'm hesitant in thinking that this is even true...
http://www.iwpr.net/?p=crs&s=p&o=-&apc_state=henh - and scroll down to the news update section for March 29.
This is taken from the Foreigh Ministry website (can't get any more official than this):
Who needs visa to travel to Armenia?
Based on the principle of reciprocity, the Republic of Armenia waives entry visa requirement for the holders of valid passports issued by the following countries (the list is current as of September 24, 2004):
Argentine Republic Diplomatic and Official passports only
Azerbaijan, Republic of * All types of passports
Belarus, Republic of All types of passports
Brazil Diplomatic and Service passports only
Bulgaria Diplomatic and Service passports only
China, People's Republic of Diplomatic and Service passports only
Croatia, Republic of Diplomatic and Service passports only
Cyprus Diplomatic and Service (Official) passports only
Georgia All types of passports
Hungary, Republic of Diplomatic and Service passports only
India, Republic of Diplomatic passports only
Iran, Islamic Republic of Diplomatic and Service passports only
Kazakhstan, Republic of All types of passports
Korea, People's Republic of * All types of passport (invitation required)
Kyrgyz Republic All types of passports
Latvia, Republic of Diplomatic and Service passports only
Lithuania, Republic of Diplomatic and Service passports only
Macedonia Diplomatic and Service passports only
Mexico Diplomatic and Service passports only
Moldova, Republic of All types of passports
Poland, Republic of Diplomatic passport only
Romania Diplomatic and Service passports only
Russian Federation All types of passports
Serbia and Montenegro All types of passports (invitation required)
Slovak Republic Diplomatic and Service passports only
Tajikistan, Republic of All types of passports
Turkmenistan Diplomatic and Service passports only
Ukraine All types of passports
Uruguay Diplomatic and Official passports only
Uzbekistan, Republic of All types of passports
Holders of all other national passports and travel documents, including UN Laissez-Passer, are required to obtain an entry visa.
Guys Armenia is not Japan nor US. We cant ask them to ban the visa system for Amenian citizens, especially when Armenia is known for its high emmigration rate.
isn't it pretty presumptuous to assume that all American Armenians can afford a $50 visa?
I never said all American Armenians can afford it, but it is a fact that on average American-Armenians have better standards of living than, for example, Lebanese-Armenians!
If you get the visa at the airport, which is what most people do because it takes a long time for them to give you a visa at the embassy, from what I can remember, it's $50.
Pedro: there are more per capita murders and mass-murderers and terrorists in USA than there are in the whole M.E combined! But you prove that ordinary Westerners are unable to be hateful towards that which they cannot and will not have!
Oh, and Raffi, about the 'ian' ending, that would include quite a number of Indians and a significant number of Iranians. Oh, those terrorists... :)
Oh, and correction, it should read: "ordinary Westerners are unable to NOT be hateful towards that which they cannot and will not have!"
I don't think the reports are right. I have friends coming to visit from the US and they were required to get visas.
I have heard that it is about half the price to obtain an Armenian Visa in Armenia compared to obtaining it from the embassy in the US.
Does anyone have any experience with this? Is it difficult and/or time consuming to obtain the visa after getting to Armenia?
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