Articles
-
-webp(85)-o(png).webp?token=31aa6d781bf6ba1db2812c096ffb5afb "Repats Without Restrains - 12 Questions with Serine Petrossian")
Repat Story27.02.2026Have you seen the “Thank You” music video by Dido with the cute little house in the middle of two giant corporate buildings? That’s what 12 Tables always reminds me of. Located on 6 Alexander Spendiaryan street in the heart of Yerevan, this little family-run business has a somewhat unassuming feel to it. It’s one of those places that you want to keep as a secret, but also can’t wait to rave about. Walking in, you’ll find yourself pleased with a fully “homey” atmosphere, from the DIY interior design to the smell of delicious food that takes one straight back to mum’s. In a city of corporate restaurants, bars, and cafes, 12 Tables feels like a warm hug. A lot of that has to do with the current owner, Serine Petrossian, a repatriate from Iran who acquired and has been running the place for a little over 5 years. We sat down in one of the coziest corners of 12 Tables for a round of 12 questions, sipping tea and coffee along the way. -
-webp(85)-o(png).webp?token=a6f8b98f91ccb6cba1f501ee5e7497ce "Arriving in Armenia: How to Exchange Money at Zvartnots Airport Without Overpaying")
News25.02.2026If you’re moving to Armenia or planning a longer stay, one of the first practical questions comes up as soon as you land: where should you exchange money – and how much do you actually need right away? Even if you have a bank card, having a small amount of Armenian drams in cash on your first day can be useful – for transportation, small purchases, or unexpected expenses. Below is a clear, practical guide to help you avoid overpaying during your first hours in the country. What Currency Should You Bring to Armenia? -
-webp(85)-o(png).webp?token=22bd289ed9855e69b49e59a182999f90 "To Frankfurt and Back Again: Returning to Armenia")
Repat Story23.02.2026I first met Shushanik (last name withheld at her request) at the Old Tatev guesthouse. We struck up a conversation during breakfast with the rest of the guests, and it turned out she wasn’t that far from home. “I grew up in Tatev and Goris, but my parents grew up in Tandzatap. You can actually see it from the monastery.” Tandzatap is a very small village located in the Tatev municipality that houses a little over 100 people. When you walk through its narrow pathways, it feels like any other small Armenian village, a place that feels more remembered than maintained. -
-webp(85)-o(png).webp?token=b8e08c40b826e230a578b38678a95aba "Repats Without Restrains - Candid with Ara Yeramian (Part 2)")
Repat Story11.02.2026As mentioned in the first part of this in-depth interview, Ara delved into a lot of nuances when answering the questions. But then again, that’s what made things interesting. I just couldn’t bear leaving anything out and I suggested that we split the entire thing into two parts. Luckily for me, Ara agreed. And without further adieu, here’s part 2 of getting candid with Ara Yeramian! -
-webp(85)-o(png).webp?token=aa7fd532ccac28c0bb5df6fc5f27b20d "Understanding Armenia’s Labor Law - A Practical Guide for Repats - Part 1")
News10.02.2026This guide and its series of articles are based on the Employment Bootcamp held at Repat Armenia on December 2025, as well as materials prepared by Mary Grigoryan, Partner at MB Legal (labor, migration, corporate, and business law), and Alina Danielyan, Junior Lawyer at MB Legal (labor, migration, and corporate law). It is intended for repats and foreign professionals in Armenia who need clarity instead of complicated legal jargon. -
Repat Story04.02.2026To me, Ara is one of those “Yes! I totally agree with you!” repats. We meet in person once in a blue moon, usually over burgers and beer, and end up talking about all things Armenia-related. And for the most part, we’re on the same page. Ara already sat down with Repat Armenia for another article, but I decided to take a different approach this time around. I wanted this interview to be more candid, really bringing out Ara’s wit and wisdom that, if given the right platform, can amount to big changes. We ended up chatting over 14 questions, and Ara went into the smallest details. To make the whole interview easier to process, we’ve split it into two parts. Here’s the first part of getting candid with Ara Yeramian.
-
-webp(85)-o(png).webp?token=7c5505b9259def5f8f5b97a75031e918 "Is It Possible to Open a Bank Card in Armenia Remotely if You Are a Non-Resident?")
News02.02.2026Can a bank card be issued remotely? Armenia remains one of the most convenient countries for non-residents who want to open a bank account and use international payment systems. The local banking system is considered stable: fees are moderate, online services are developing rapidly, and mobile banking is available 24/7. At the same time, there is an important requirement that non-residents should be aware of in advance: the first visit to a bank must be in person. Even if a bank’s website includes sections such as “For Non-Residents” or buttons like “Open Account Online”, these do not replace mandatory in-person identification. This is a legal requirement, and banks cannot bypass it. -
-webp(85)-o(png).webp?token=3b5399a90a4f387ba6efd00942e22f6b "Short-Term Return: How Diaspora Armenians Can Contribute Without Moving Fully")
News09.01.2026Perhaps, as a diasporan, you’ve put off repatriation due to careers, family matters, financial obligations, or legal realities. After all, uprooting your entire life isn’t an easy decision and isn’t always realistic. At the same, you still want to contribute to Armenia, you still want to make a positive impact on the country that shapes a big part of your identity. Well, here’s the good news: meaningful Armenian diaspora engagement no longer requires a permanent move! Pathways now exist for Armenians who want to stay connected without fully repatriating. The options are endless: short-term return to Armenia, project-based work, targeted investments, youth exchange programs…you name it! -
-webp(85)-o(png).webp?token=4005638d0be1c4e947a6bc77c3bb5d79 "Mapping the Armenian Diaspora: Who They Are, Where They Are, and What They Want")
News23.12.2025We hear a lot of blanket statements about the diaspora and its role in shaping Armenia. Still, few people take the time to truly understand what the diaspora actually is. With debates around repatriation growing stronger, it is important for anyone considering a return to understand who Armenians abroad are, where they live, and what drives their decision to come home (or stay abroad). This article maps the Diaspora with an analytical lens, and explores what, in 2025, the Diaspora might want and expect if they consider repatriation. -
-webp(85)-o(png).webp?token=4ec2cdaea610009dbd01c69de2e46b11 "To Work Without the Right to Give Up. Artush Yeghiazaryan")
Repat Story22.12.2025Fighting Against Mine Exploitation as a Starting Point for Repatriation Having received an education and lived abroad for many years, Artush Yeghiazaryan, a native of Leninakan, one fine day in 2018 returned to his hometown — now Gyumri, formerly Leninakan — bringing with him solid professional experience.The decision to return home was not made immediately; moreover, it came only after nearly five years of active work in and for the homeland: “In 2012, like most Armenians who do not live in Armenia but live with Armenia in their hearts, I came across a Facebook post about a group of young people who were fighting against the opening of a mine in Teghut. This situation had a strong impact on me; I contacted them and offered my help. We became friends, and the story of the mine became the starting point on my path back home.” -
-webp(85)-o(png).webp?token=514c9bae97812b82544efe84923701c0 "“Building should be based on what unites us.” Lusine Khumaryan")
Repat Story17.12.2025Leaving Armenia Is an Unhealed Trauma Recently, the Forum of Armenian Culture and Art took place in Yerevan, organized by the Office of the High Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs of the Republic of Armenia. The founder of Armenian Creators, Lusine Khumaryan, who has been living in the Netherlands for many years, was also invited to the forum. Her visit became an occasion to get acquainted with her and to speak about the platform of Armenian creators she founded. -
-webp(85)-o(jpg).webp?token=71c9a9478ce108939db119f3b5933c1d "Choosing Your Armenian Region: Yerevan vs. the Provinces - Lifestyle, Opportunities, and Cost of Living")
News03.12.2025“Kotayk? Really? All that way from Kentron?” This was a common response whenever I told people that I was moving out of Yerevan after living on Pushkin street in the heart of the city center for more than 4 years. It almost felt like one of those video games, where the character hasn’t unlocked areas on the map yet. You see, Armenia might look compact, but living here isn't as one-size-fits-all as you’d think. In the span of a single afternoon, you can leave a crowded Yerevan intersection and drive past apricot orchards to arrive in a quiet village where someone you’ve never met still greets you like you’re old family. -
-webp(85)-o(png).webp?token=b4e1518172989901157df5d256041ab6 "In Armenia – My Port: A Completely Different Story of Yaroslav Zabavskiy")
Armenian by Choice28.11.2025In Search of Oneself Yaroslav Zabavskiy is a veteran among his compatriots in terms of the length of residence in Armenia: the first “stone” in establishing and strengthening his roots here was in fact laid in 2016. Yaro (as he is called in Armenia) has been living here for ten years already. At a young age, Yaroslav left the Moscow region for Wales to study in the UWC educational system, which radically changed the course of his entire future life. After graduating from college, he went to the USA to receive higher education in the field of international relations. -
-webp(85)-o(png).webp?token=cae3892f4238fee472334d32d2b18e38 "One-Way Ticket for a Birthday: The Story of Armen Aikazunyan")
Repat Story24.11.2025The most valuable birthday gift Armen Aikazunyan ever gave himself was celebrating his 31st birthday in his historical homeland. It was Armen’s first visit to Armenia, and now he no longer wants to leave and return back. “I was very interested in Armenia and the Armenian language. My grandparents, who had visited Armenia in the 1970s, and my father told me a lot about it. My parents, my grandparents and I — we all spoke, read, and wrote in Armenian; our entire family studied at an Armenian school,” the hero begins his story. -
-webp(85)-o(jpg).webp?token=afe8ebb21e7106f66ee574de2da90233 "Lav Kline vs. Sagh Vat A: Exploring How Attitudes Change Outside of Yerevan")
News24.11.20252 min“Lav kline,” an old man mutters as he warms his hands around a small glass of homemade moonshine outside his stone house in Sisisan, Syunik region. Looking at his face and haggard eyes, you can see decades of hardship; he’s a veteran of the first Artsakh war and participated in the 44-day war in 2020. Yet, when you ask how things are going, he replies as if he’s seen too much to waste his energy on despair. “Lav kline,” he says. All will be well.
