The draft presented by the Government of the Republic of Armenia attempts to implement the 4th part of Article 13 of the Law on Citizenship of the Republic of Armenia, according to which citizenship of the Republic of Armenia may be granted to individuals who have provided exceptional services to the Republic of Armenia, as well as those who have made significant contributions in the fields of economy, science, education, culture, healthcare, and sports.
The description of significant contributions in the fields of economy, science, education, culture, healthcare, and sports, as well as the criteria for evaluation, are determined by a decision of the Government of the Republic of Armenia. Such criteria have not been established to date, and in essence, the draft is nothing more than a legal act that ensures its actual implementation, which has been developed by the Police of the Republic of Armenia.
However, the question arises whether meeting these criteria will guarantee obtaining citizenship of the Republic of Armenia - the answer is clear, no, it will only create a theoretical possibility of obtaining citizenship of the Republic of Armenia.
The justification for acceptance is that the adoption of the draft will ensure the granting of citizenship to individuals with significant contributions in the fields of economy, science, education, culture, healthcare, and sports in a simplified manner under the Law on Citizenship of the Republic of Armenia:
The description of significant contributions in the field of economy and the criteria for evaluation are as follows:
1) Providing non-repayable financial resources to a foundation established for activities in the field of education or science for the purpose of replenishing the foundation's endowment capital, in the amount of at least 150,000 USD,
2) Investment in the charter capital of a commercial organization (acquisition of shares or stocks) in the amount of at least 150,000 USD, for a minimum period of 10 years,
3) Acquisition of government bonds in the amount of at least 150,000 USD, for a minimum period of 7 years,
4) Acquisition of real estate in the amount of at least 150,000 USD, for a minimum period of 10 years, with a cadastral value close to the market value of the real estate,
5) Investment in any investment fund (approved by the state) in the amount equivalent to at least 150,000 USD, for a minimum period of 10 years,
6) Establishment of a company in the field of high and/or information technologies in the Republic of Armenia with a capitalization of at least 1 million USD, provided that the center of vital interests of the founder is located in the Republic of Armenia,
7) Establishment of a branch of a foreign information technology company with a capitalization of at least 100 million USD in the Republic of Armenia, which has 500 or more employees in the Republic of Armenia,
8) Establishment of a venture fund in the Republic of Armenia with a capitalization of at least 80 million USD,
9) Financial investment in a high-tech company or venture funds in the amount equivalent to at least 100,000 USD,
10) Having at least 20 years of work experience in high and/or information technology companies listed on the stock exchanges of New York, Frankfurt, or London,
11) Long-term (at least 5 years) active cooperation in international organizations in the postal sector, as well as making financial and material-technical investments in the sector in the amount equivalent to at least 250,000 USD.