What Documents Are Required for a Foreigner to Register a Company in Armenia (2026 Guide)

LLC vs JSC — Which to Choose

Foreign investors typically choose between two legal forms:

LLC (Limited Liability Company)

• Simple structure with minimal governance requirements
• Shareholders can exit and transfer their interests freely
• Lower administrative and compliance costs

JSC (Joint Stock Company)

• Nominee shareholders permitted — increases confidentiality
• Higher confidentiality: shareholder register held by the Central Depositary, not public
• More complex governance; used for larger structures

The LLC is the most common and practical choice for foreign founders.

IE vs LLC — Is There a Third Option?

Most founders arrive asking about the LLC. But there is a third entity type worth knowing: the IE (Individual Entrepreneur). Whether it makes sense for you depends on how you plan to work.

An IE is registered to a person, not to a separate legal entity. There is no company — you are the business. This has a few practical consequences:

• Cheaper to set up: MOSTAR's IE registration package is $510, versus $600 for an LLC
• Simpler and cheaper to close when you no longer need it
• Full personal liability: unlike an LLC, there is no liability shield. If the business owes money, you owe money.
• An IE can qualify for the 1% IT turnover tax, the same as an LLC, if the activities are classified as high-tech under Armenian law
• Best suited for: solo freelancers, independent consultants, and developers working alone or with a very small team
• Not suited for: anyone planning to raise investment, bring in co-founders as equity holders, or build a team of employees

The takeaway: if you are building a scalable product business, go with the LLC. If you are a solo consultant or developer who wants the simplest possible structure, the IE is worth considering. MOSTAR can advise you on which fits your situation during the initial consultation.

Required Documents

The standard document package for registering a company in Armenia includes:

• Chosen company name (checked for availability in the State Register)
• Registered address in Armenia
• Notarized and apostilled passport copy of each shareholder
• Notarized and apostilled passport copy of the director
• Charter (Articles of Association)
• Founding decision (decision of the founder(s) to establish the company)
• Power of Attorney for the local representative (required for remote setup)

There is no minimum capital requirement for an LLC or JSC in Armenia.

Where Do You Get These Documents Prepared?

This is one of the most common practical questions. The short answer: some documents are prepared in your home country, some are handled entirely by MOSTAR in Armenia. Here is how it works:

• Your passport copy must be notarized by a local notary in your country of residence. A regular photocopy is not enough — the notary certifies that the copy is a true reproduction of the original.
• If your country has signed the Hague Convention (most countries have), the notarized copy then gets an apostille stamp. An apostille is a standardized international certification that makes the document legally valid in Armenia without any further steps at an embassy.
• If your country is not in the Hague Convention, the document must go through consular legalization — an embassy stamp. This process takes longer and costs more. MOSTAR will tell you which route applies to your country.
• The Power of Attorney authorizing MOSTAR to act on your behalf can be notarized either at a local notary in your country or at an Armenian consulate abroad.
• The charter and founding decision are prepared entirely by MOSTAR — you do not need to write them. MOSTAR sends you template documents adapted to your situation. You review and sign; MOSTAR handles the translation into Armenian.
• All corporate documents filed with the State Register are in Armenian. You do not need to know Armenian to complete the process.

The typical time to gather the notarized and apostilled passport copy depends on your country. In most European countries and the US, this can be done within a few days. In some jurisdictions the apostille process takes one to two weeks — factor this into your timeline.

Registration Process

1. Prepare and notarize all documents in your country of residence
2. Send documents to Armenia (or transmit electronically where permitted)
3. MOSTAR submits to the State Register of Legal Entities on your behalf
4. Registration completed in 1 business day
5. Tax registration with the State Revenue Committee
6. Bank account opening (usually requires in-person visit for director or beneficial owner)

Registered Address

Every company registered in Armenia must have a registered address in the country. A PO Box address is accepted by the State Register. However, some banks require proof of a physical office address when opening a corporate account — this should be factored into your planning.

What Happens After Registration?

Registration takes 1 business day. But registration is not the finish line — it is the starting point. Here is what comes next, and what surprises founders who did not plan for it:

• Tax registration: within a few days of company registration, MOSTAR registers your company with the State Revenue Committee — Armenia's tax authority. You receive a Tax Identification Number (TIN).
• Tax regime election: if you want to apply the 1% IT turnover tax rate, this election must be filed within 20 days of company registration. Miss the window and you default to the standard tax regime. MOSTAR handles this filing as part of the registration package.
• Company seal: Armenian companies traditionally use a round stamp (seal) on official documents and contracts. MOSTAR can arrange production of the seal — it typically takes a couple of days.
• Bank account: opening a corporate bank account in Armenia is a separate process and typically takes 1–3 weeks after registration. Most banks require the director or beneficial owner to appear in person at some stage. Plan your client payment timeline around this — you cannot receive transfers into a company account you do not yet have.
• First accounting period: your company will need to file tax reports within the current calendar year. If you register in Q3 or Q4, the first filing comes quickly. MOSTAR's accounting team can handle ongoing monthly and annual reporting.
• eSIM with Armenian number: MOSTAR includes a free eSIM with an Armenian phone number in the registration package. This is more useful than it sounds — some banks require a local number for SMS verification during account setup.

Costs: What You Actually Pay

Founders often receive vague answers about costs. Here is a plain breakdown of what to expect for a standard IT LLC setup in 2026:

• MOSTAR registration fee: $510 for an IE, $600 for an LLC or JSC. This is an all-in service fee — it covers legal preparation, filing, registered address for the first year, tax registration, tax regime election, and eSIM.
• State registration fee: included in MOSTAR's package — no separate payment to the state is needed.
• Notarization and apostille in your country: this varies by country and notary. Budget $50–$200 total for passport notarization plus apostille. Some countries charge a flat government fee; others charge by the page.
• Bank account opening: no fee from MOSTAR. The bank itself may charge a small account opening fee or monthly maintenance fee — typically $0–$50 depending on the bank.
• Ongoing accounting: from $150 per month, depending on transaction volume and reporting complexity. This covers monthly bookkeeping, tax filings, and payroll if you have employees.
• Annual renewal: there is no mandatory annual state renewal fee for LLCs in Armenia and no annual franchise tax — unlike Delaware or Wyoming LLCs in the US. You simply continue operating and filing your regular tax returns.
• Total first-year cost for a solo founder setting up an IT LLC — including registration, notarization/apostille, and accounting for 12 months — is approximately $800–$1,200 all-in. This is among the lowest in any jurisdiction that offers a legitimate 1% tax rate.

Legal Framework

Company registration in Armenia is governed by:

• Law of the Republic of Armenia on Limited Liability Companies
• Law of the Republic of Armenia on Joint Stock Companies
• Law of the Republic of Armenia on State Registration of Legal Entities, Subdivisions, Foundations and Individual Entrepreneurs

Frequently Asked Questions