What is Repatriation?
Want a new place to live? Does the lifestyle in Armenia suit you better? Considering repatriation? Or are you a digital nomad and want to set up a new base?
Many people come to Armenia and find a better quality of life. Some of the first things people notice is a sense of community, safety, freedom, history, nature, and raw unfiltered honesty. But what is repatriation and what does it mean to be a repat
The Local’s Armenia
There is a lot to love about Armenia from the seemingly endless festivals and concerts to the holidays and cultural celebrations, locals regularly enjoy world class food and wine, great bars and nightlife, and an emerging yet already incredible café society. Armenia residents routinely enjoy the beautiful mountainous landscapes and let's not forget the welcoming villages.
Needless to say, there is plenty that makes a person want to remain in the land of mountains, but before you repatriate, take a look at some of the things you will want to know before you decide to repatriate.
Before You Buy the Ticket
Armenia is a remarkably welcoming country both on an individual level and as a government. Below is a list of countries whose citizens don’t have to obtain a visa to enter the Republic of Armenia. If you are a citizen of any of the following countries, you can stay in the territory of the Republic of Armenia up to 180 days per year.
Countries: Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Romania, San Marino, Singapore, Slovak, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Vatican City State, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United States of America.
Before Deciding to Stay
We recommend you come to Armenia and stay for at least 3-6 months before you decide to repatriate. Getting a feel for Armenia is absolutely essential to know if the environment is the right fit for you, because while there is a lot to love about Armenia, and almost everyone hates to leave, long term living in Armenia is not for everyone.
To get a better understanding of whether or not Armenia would be a good fit for you we recommend living and working in Armenia through Birthright Armenia if you are Armenian between the ages of 21 and 32, or AVC (Armenian Volunteer Corps) if you are not Armenian or are simply 32 years and older.
Once you have stayed for a while and possibly even lived in a few cities, you will know for sure if you are ready to immigrate to Armenia.
Welcome Home
When people decide to come and stay in Armenia they usually opt for the capital Yerevan. Most professional work in Armenia can be found in Yerevan, as the city is usually the most accessible for repat s. Nearly all government offices to get paperwork filled out are in Yerevan, as well as NGO offices, including the Repat Armenia office, where the foundation will provide comprehensive support, such as consultations, job assistance, networking events, medical insurance, and free Armenian language classes to name a few.
Beyond Yerevan
But for those who wish to be outside the big city, there are a number of cities that are wonderful places to live and work.
Gyumri is the second largest city in Armenia and has a well established infrastructure ready for growth and development. If your path is taking you to a place with a simpler and more grounded life, but still has all the necessities and luxuries of modern life, Gyumri is an excellent choice.
Dilijan is a city at the edge of one of the most beautiful national parks on Earth. Nestled in the mountains of Tavush, Dilijan is home to UWC Dilijan, an international college offering a world class education that has welcomed students from over 70 countries.
Vanadzor sits in the central northern part of Armenia in the Lori Region. Raw and beautiful, one can experience the softer side of a city life by living in the wholesome and welcoming mountain city of Vanadzor.
There are more repat s in Armenia than there have ever been before. From the days of the early 90s when people were leaving Armenia in droves, young people are starting to trickle back and immigrate to Armenia.
Repatriation Successes
With so many Armenians from all around the world finding a better quality of life, better social environment, and better professional growth, it is easier to find your place in Armenia than anywhere else. Naturally there are a number of repat s that stand out as success stories of repatriation.
Samson Avetian was born in Armenia and his family moved to Sweden when he was just a child. He repatriated after achieving his MBA from Harvard and began a platform called Eqwefy where people can invest in start-ups.
Ara Yeramian repatriated from Germany and established the BEAA, the Biomedical Engineering Association of Armenia and In 2021, he established a branch of a German medical software company in Yerevan.
Sara Anjargolian repatriated from California and co-founded Impact Hub Yerevan, taught at AUA, and is the former Chief of Staff at the Republic of Armenia’s Office of the High Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs.
Different ways to Repatriate
Keep in mind, that you don’t have to uproot your entire life and reestablish it in Armenia. There are different kinds of repatriation. Some do it long term, while others prefer to spend some of their time in Armenia and go back and forth from the country they came from. There is no right or wrong way to repatriate, and ultimately it is to suit what is best for you.
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