PRESS RELEASE
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia
Contact: Information Desk
Tel: (374-1) 52-35-31
Email: info@armeniaForeignMinistry.com
Web: http://www.ArmeniaForeignMinistry.am
In less than one year, 1000 people have applied for an electronic visa
through Armenia’s innovative e-visa program.
As only the second country in the world to offer such a service, Armenia’s
Ministry of Foreign Affairs chose to utilize the Internet in order to
facilitate the visa process for all visitors.
The program was started in October 2002. Since then 1000 individuals have
used the opportunity to apply for a visa directly, from their own computer.
The 1000th applicant, scheduled to arrive in Armenia in early August is
Sossy Mazmanian. A nurse from Connecticut, Mrs. Mazmanian together with her
husband Victor and son Mark Nishan (# 999 and # 1001 respectively) will be
visiting Armenia for the first time. `We have no expectations other than to
hear everyone speak Armenian and enjoy a little piece of the world-famous
Armenian hospitality and have a sip of its water and breathe a fresh breath
of its air,’ said Mr. Mazmanian.
The Mazmanians take annual family trips abroad, but this particular trip was
suggested by their son, Mark, who graduates high school this year. `We made
sure that Mark attended Armenian Language/Culture school every Friday from
the age of 7 until 14, so that he will have the real Armenian spirit in him.
Judging from his request, it seems that he does. Mind you, the school was 50
miles from where we reside and sometimes it took us two hours to get there,
but it was all worth it now that Mark wishes to visit Armenia,’ says the
proud father.
The Mazmanian family will be greeted at the airport by a member of the
Ministry’s Protocol Department. During their visit they will have an
opportunity to tour the Ministry and visit with the staff of the Consular
Affairs Department responsible for the program.
They will also meet with Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian. `I am a great
advocate of the e-visa program, as well as other technologies which
facilitate relations between government and those it serves. The Ministry
looks forward to expanding the program and additional consular services.’
The e-visa is a tourist visa to Armenia that is available to anyone who
clicks on the e-visa button at www.armeniaforeignministry.am. Credit card
information is requested together with passport data, all of which are
submitted electronically. Within 48 hours, the visa approval arrives by
email. It is paperless, requires no mailing of passports back and forth to
embassies. The electronic approval is also sent to Armenia’s border control,
and the traveler is allowed entry into Armenia at the Zvartnots Airport. The
Ministry’s Consular Affairs Department is making the e-visa available, free
of charge, to all Pan-Armenian Games athletes. More than 1200 athletes from
more than 30 countries will be playing in various sports from August 16 –
24.
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