Opening a bank account in Armenia as a non-resident — especially doing so remotely — is still a live question in 2026. Plenty of Armenian banks offer account-opening services to foreign nationals. That said, for individuals, a fully remote process isn’t really available in practice: final identity verification always happens in person at a branch, even when the preliminary application can be filled out online. Right now, the only way to open an account remotely as an individual is by registering a sole-proprietor business account. You can submit a preliminary application to a given bank remotely, and once it’s approved, travel to complete the process in person. If you’re able to visit Armenia yourself, far more banks become available to you. Below is a rundown of Armenian banks and their fees.
Banks for Opening an Account in Armenia
1. Unibank
Unibank lets you submit a preliminary application online, but completing the process still requires an in-person visit to a branch.
Fees:
- Account opening: free.
- Annual maintenance: for non-residents — 100,000 AMD for a multi-currency card (AMD/USD/EUR), 200,000 AMD for a GOLD card.
- Expedited processing: getting a card the same day is possible for an extra fee of around 125,000 AMD.
Required documents:
- A foreign passport.
- A social card.
2. Ardshinbank
Fees:
- Account opening: 15,000 AMD for a single-currency account.
- Monthly maintenance: 400 AMD per card.
Required documents:
- A foreign passport.
- A rental agreement for a term of at least 6 months.
- A local SIM card.
3. Ameriabank
Remote opening: Ameriabank lets non-residents who already hold a bank account in another country submit a preliminary application remotely. Applicants fill out an online form and a cooperation agreement, both available on the bank’s official website. Final account activation happens during an in-person branch visit.
Fees:
- Account opening: roughly 2,000–30,000 AMD depending on the product and the date of application.
- Mobile banking activation: 10,000 AMD.
- Non-resident identity verification: 20,000 AMD.
- Maintenance: roughly 12,000 AMD a year and up.
Required documents:
- A foreign passport.
- Proof of residential address.
- An employment contract.
- A rental agreement.
4. Evocabank
Evocabank lets you submit a preliminary application online, though completing the process requires being there in person.
Fees:
- Account opening: 10,000 AMD.
- Maintenance: 75,000 AMD for a three-year period.
Required documents:
- A foreign passport with a notarized Armenian translation.
- A rental agreement for a term of at least 3 months.
5. Converse Bank
Remote opening: Converse Bank doesn’t offer remote account opening; an in-person visit is required.
Fees:
- Account opening: free for the first three accounts.
- Annual card maintenance: 25,000 AMD for non-residents.
Required documents:
- A foreign passport.
- A rental agreement for a term of at least 3 months.
- A social card.
6. Ararat Bank
Ararat Bank doesn’t offer remote account opening; an in-person visit is required.
Fees:
- Account opening: 5,000 AMD.
- Annual maintenance for a Visa Classic card: 25,000 AMD.
Required documents:
- A foreign passport with a notarized Armenian translation.
- A rental agreement for a term of at least 6 months.
7. IDBank
- Account opening: opening a current account online through the IDBanking.am platform or the Idram&IDBank app is free; you can open an account without a card and add one later if you want.
- Account maintenance: free remote maintenance through the online platform and mobile app, with roughly 20,000 AMD a year for non-residents.
- Transfers: free instant transfers between IDBank accounts via the online platform and app.
- Cards: debit cards such as Visa Gold, Visa Signature, and Visa Infinite, plus credit cards including Visa Platinum, Visa Signature, and Visa Infinite.
- Other services: access to a range of financial products, including loans, deposits, and investment services.
8. InecoBank
- Account opening: around 25,000 AMD for non-residents, usually processed within a day. You can open an account without a card — just with account details.
- Account maintenance: generally free for non-residents; a non-resident account is most often opened only via a notarized power of attorney.
- Transfers: the bank handles SWIFT transfers — check with them directly for exact fees.
- Cards: a card is issued separately from the account and isn’t required to open one.
- Other services: a standard range of retail banking products, including loans and deposits.
9. ACBA
Required documents:
- A foreign passport with a notarized Armenian translation.
- A rental agreement in Armenia for a term of at least 6 months.
- A local SIM card for contact with the bank.
Fees:
- Account opening: 5,000 AMD.
- Annual maintenance for a Visa Classic card: 25,000 AMD.
- Transfer fees: from 0.3% (domestic) to 1% (international).
The Social Card in Armenia
Before you can open an account in Armenia, the bank will ask for a social card. A social card in Armenia is an important document used for paying taxes, accessing social benefits, and, in some cases, applying for a Schengen visa. It’s a physical A4 sheet with text, a number, and a stamp, tied to a citizen’s individual tax number (SSN), and it serves as a form of identification with government agencies.
Getting a social card is fairly simple: citizens and residents need to provide a notarized translation of their foreign passport, including the photo page and entry stamp. For children, a copy of the birth certificate and the parents’ passports is required. You can get a social card at the passport office in any district of Yerevan.
Where Can You Open an Account Remotely?
Opening an account in Armenia in person typically takes 3–5 business days. Doing it remotely can stretch to a matter of weeks, though it doesn’t require travel for any of the preparatory stages — only for the final identity check. Beyond Armenia, remote account opening is currently also possible in Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and Turkey. As with Armenia, you’ll need a local tax-ID equivalent to open an account in these countries too. If you hold a European residence permit, you can also open an account remotely in a European country — for instance, in Lithuania, Montenegro, or Bulgaria.
Final Thoughts
As of 2026, the ability to open a bank account in Armenia fully remotely as a non-resident individual remains limited: banks can accept a preliminary online application, but final identity verification consistently requires an in-person visit. A more flexible route is opening a business account through sole-proprietor registration. It’s worth contacting your chosen bank in advance to confirm current terms and requirements, since fees and procedures change from time to time.
FAQ
Can you open a bank account in Armenia completely remotely?
Not for individuals — final identity verification always requires an in-person branch visit, even though the preliminary application can be filled out online. A more flexible option is opening an account through sole-proprietor registration.
How long does it take to open an account in person?
Usually 3–5 business days.
Which bank has the simplest online preliminary application?
Unibank, Ameriabank, Evocabank, and IDBank all let you fill out an application online, but in every case the final step requires being there in person.
What are the alternatives if traveling to Armenia isn’t an option?
Remote account opening is available in Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and Turkey, and — if you hold a European residence permit — in Lithuania, Montenegro, or Bulgaria as well.
Is a social card mandatory to open a bank account in Armenia?
Yes — most banks require a social card before opening an account. It’s issued at the passport office wherever you’re staying in Yerevan.
