Employment relations in Armenia are governed by the RA Labour Code. A foreign citizen who holds a valid visa and residence permit is entitled to work in Armenia under the same conditions and procedure as citizens of the RA.
Employment of foreigners in Armenia. To work in Armenia, a foreign citizen generally needs a valid visa or residence permit and an employment contract with an employer. The law does not require a separate work permit for most foreign nationals - the key condition is a lawful basis to stay in the country (visa, residence permit, or resident status). Employment data is recorded in the employee's work record book, which tracks the periods of work with each employer.
Working hours and vacation:
- the normal working week is 40 hours, no more than 8 hours per day;
- overtime cannot exceed 12 hours per day or 48 hours per week;
- night work (10 p.m.-6 a.m.) is prohibited for persons under 18, with special protections for pregnant women and mothers caring for children under 3;
- at the employee's request, annual leave can be taken in segments; carrying leave over to another year requires the employee's initiative or consent;
- unused leave is compensated financially upon termination of the contract.
Pregnancy, maternity and childcare leave:
- 140 days (70 for pregnancy, 70 for delivery) in a standard case;
- 155 days in case of a difficult delivery;
- 180 days when more than one child is born at the same time;
- childcare leave until the child turns 3 can be taken not only by the mother but also by the father, grandmother, grandfather or another relative actually caring for the child, with the job position preserved.
Employment contract. As a general rule, an employment contract is concluded for an indefinite period; a fixed-term contract is allowed only in specific cases: personal services, home-based work, secondary employment, seasonal work, or temporary work of up to two months.
An employment contract is terminated:
- by agreement of the parties;
- upon expiry of the contract term;
- at the employee's initiative;
- at the employer's initiative;
- in other cases provided for by the Labour Code.
Guarantees for employees in case of illness or workplace injury, and for pregnant women and mothers caring for a child under 3, apply regardless of whether they are explicitly stated in the employment contract.
Intergovernmental agreements on labour migration. Armenia has signed intergovernmental agreements on the free movement of labour and mutual recognition of education and qualification documents with Russia, Ukraine, Turkmenistan, Georgia and Qatar - for citizens of these countries, mutual recognition of diplomas and qualifications is simplified without additional legalization.
Frequently asked:
Does a foreigner need a separate work permit in Armenia? In most cases a separate work permit is not required - a lawful basis to stay in the country (visa or residence permit) plus an employment contract is sufficient; special rules may apply to certain categories, which we clarify individually.
Can a pregnant employee or a mother caring for a child under 3 be dismissed? These categories enjoy enhanced protection against dismissal under the Labour Code.
What can be done about unlawful dismissal or unpaid wages? The employer's actions can be challenged out of court and in court; we help assess the prospects of the dispute and prepare the documents.
If you have a question about employment, an employment contract, or a labour dispute in Armenia, contact us. For more detailed information write to info@jurist.am.