YEREVAN. – In 2016, more Iranians are visiting Armenia than expected, and additional resources will be provided to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to print new visas. 

The respective decision was made at Thursday’s Cabinet meeting of the Government of Armenia.

Given the track-record of previous years, issuance of around 180 to 190 thousand visas—primarily to Iranian citizens—was expected for the current year.

But after the lifting of international sanctions on Iran in the summer of 2015, visits from Iran to Armenia have sharply increased, reaching 47 percent—in the first seven months of the current year.

As of August 10, a visa-free regime has been set for Iranian citizens. Consequently, the demand for visas will reduce. But, still, additional resources are needed for current needs, even until the end of the year.

A growth in visits is observed also with several countries whose citizens need a visa to enter Armenia.