The Armenian Ministry of Internal Affairs has released a brief overview of the EU-Armenia Visa Liberalization Action Plan, which was handed over to Armenia on November 5.

The plan includes 74 benchmarks, divided into four main directions. Below is a brief overview.

Document security, including a biometric system,

Comprehensive management of borders, migration, and asylum,

Public order and security, including combating organized crime, trafficking, drug trafficking, and corruption,

Foreign relations and fundamental rights

The evaluation will be carried out in a two-tier format:

• Formation of the legal and political framework
• Practical implementation and application
   

The action plan identifies the following priority areas:

Comprehensive document security ecosystem

Issuance of next-generation biometric passports,

Strengthening identity verification mechanism

2. Review of Armenian citizenship legislation

Integrated border management

Improving border checks and controls,

Strengthening data exchange and cooperation,

Implementing effective risk analysis and profiling mechanisms,

Capacity building of border personnel

Reinforcement of return and reintegration systems

Strengthening readmission and reintegration mechanisms,

Establishing effective return procedures for third-country nationals with irregular status in Armenia

Improvement of internal security systems

Adopting and implementing strategies for crime prevention and control,

Enhancing the efficiency of law enforcement agencies

Strengthening the fight against corruption

Effective implementation of anti-corruption strategies,

Expanding preventive and investigative tools

Strengthening and enforcing non-discrimination legislation by ensuring universal equality

Alignment of personal data protection systems with EU standards

Deepening information exchange and cooperation with EU bodies, including Europol and the EU’s border and coast guard agency, Frontex

Raising public awareness

Providing accurate information about the visa liberalization process, obligations, and limitations,
Preventing the spread of misinformation,

Strengthening human rights protection

Ensuring the rights of refugees and asylum seekers,
Improving protection mechanisms for vulnerable groups,

If the process is positively evaluated, Armenian citizens will gain the ability to travel to European Union countries without a visa. Under this regime, Armenian citizens holding biometric passports will be able to enter the Schengen Area for short-term visits without a visa. This will apply to Type C short-term Schengen visas, allowing up to 90 days of stay within a 180-day period.