YEREVAN (ArmeniaNow.com)–Foreigners of Armenian and non-Armenian origin, who live in Armenia for a long time, will not have to prove any more that they have close relatives here in order to get a free of charge permanent residence status.

The National Assembly of Armenia in a second reading approved earlier this week draft amendments submitted by the Armenian government in the Republic of Armenia Law on Foreigners, Article 16. The amendment’s text will read: “A status of permanent residence permit may also be granted to a foreigner with Armenian origin or to a foreigner carrying out an entrepreneurial activity in Armenia.”

A foreigner has to have resided in Armenia for at least three years, must have a place of residence and must have a means of earning a living. The status of permanent residence is granted for a five-year period with an opportunity to prolong it for the same period.

On its website the National Assembly substantiates the need for the document, saying that it is aimed at developing Armenia-Diaspora cooperation, improving the process of getting a visa to Armenia, promoting Diaspora Armenian youth pilgrimage to Armenia and developing and strengthening Armenia-Diaspora national, cultural, trade-economic ties.

The draft law provides privileges for those students who want to secure a residence permit for studying in Armenia. According to the previous law, their residence permit was granted for a year, and the application to prolong the period of the status had to be submitted at least 30 days before it expired.

According to the data provided by the Department of Public Relations of the Police, in 2009, visas were given to 139,957 people, and residence permits were granted to 5,585 people.