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Compare jurisdictions, side by side.

Pick up to 4 countries and see residency, company, banking, family, and risk notes line up. No prices, no marketing packages - just the working notes.

 AM flagArmenia

Europe

VG flagBritish Virgin Islands

Central America & Caribbean

RS flagSerbia

Europe

OverviewArmenia has become an accessible relocation and operational base since 2022, with a maturing IT sector, simple residency routes, and a competitive tax framework. Bordercase coordinates with licensed Armenian partners for filings.The British Virgin Islands is a long-standing jurisdiction for BVI Business Companies used in international structures. Substance and reporting have tightened materially. Bordercase coordinates with licensed BVI partners.Serbia is an attractive non-EU European jurisdiction for founders, IT professionals, and remote workers - with accessible residency and competitive costs. Bordercase coordinates with licensed Serbian partners for filings.
Best for
  • Founders
  • IT professionals
  • Tax simplification
  • Banking diversification
  • Regional hub
  • Holding structures
  • International funds
  • English admin
  • Founders
  • IT professionals
  • Cost of living
  • Regional hub
CurrencyAMDUSDRSD
LanguageArmenianEnglishSerbian
Time zoneUTC+4UTC-4UTC+1
EU memberNoNoNo
SchengenNoNoNo
Residency

Common Armenian residency routes:

  • Temporary residence - issued for 1 year, renewable; granted for work, study, business, family, or Armenian ancestry
  • Permanent residence - typically 5 years renewable; available after qualifying temporary stay or other qualifying ground
  • Special residence - 10-year status for individuals of Armenian descent or those of significant value to Armenia
  • Family reunification - spouse, children, dependant parents

Many nationalities can enter visa-free or with a simple e-visa for up to 180 days, which is often used to plan the right route.

BVI presence options:

  • Work permits - employer-sponsored
  • Residency for HNW under specific programmes
  • Limited tourist / business visit arrangements

Serbian residency routes:

  • Temporary residence via employment
  • Self-employment / business
  • Real-estate ownership
  • Family reunification
  • IT-focused residency framework

Permanent residence typically after 3 years of continuous temporary residence.

Company setup

Standard Armenian entities and tax treatment:

  • LLC (Sahmanapak Pataskhanatvutyamb Enkerutyun) - the default private entity; fast online formation
  • Individual Entrepreneur (IE) - simple setup; Turnover Tax regime at 5% (or category-specific rates) for qualifying small businesses
  • IT Sector incentives - certified IT companies have historically benefited from reduced corporate tax and payroll incentives (programmes are revised periodically)
  • Standard CIT is 18%; dividend withholding is 5% for residents

Bordercase coordinates structure choice to match real activity and current incentive frameworks.

BVI Business Companies (BVI BC) are the standard structure. Economic substance applies to relevant activities; UBO reporting is mandatory.

DOO (limited liability) is the standard structure. Formation is well-documented, with online steps available. Tax registration (PIB) and APR (Business Registers Agency) registration follow.

Banking

Personal and corporate banking is broadly accessible through Ameriabank, ACBA Bank, Ardshinbank, and others - typically with USD, EUR, RUB, and AMD accounts. Onboarding is straightforward for clean cases; expect source-of-funds questions for larger flows. Bordercase coordinates introductions where useful.

Banking access has tightened materially; EMIs are common supplements. Bordercase coordinates introductions for cross-border cases.

Personal and corporate banking for residents is broadly accessible. Source-of-funds documentation matters for non-standard cases. Bordercase coordinates banking introductions.

Family

Family reunification is supported across most routes. English-language international schools are available in Yerevan. Healthcare is a mix of public and private; private cover is recommended for relocating families.

Family inclusion follows the main route. International schools are limited.

Family reunification is supported. International schools (English, French, Russian) are available in Belgrade.

Risks

Risks Bordercase watches for in Armenia:

  • Tax residency triggers - 183 days makes you tax-resident under Armenian rules
  • IT certification scope - incentives apply only to certified, qualifying activities
  • Russia/EAEU exposure - Armenia is part of EAEU; some structures benefit from this, others raise sanctions/banking flags
  • Source-of-funds scrutiny for non-standard transfer corridors
  • Permit renewals - documentation continuity matters across cycles

Risks Bordercase watches for in the BVI:

  • Economic substance reporting
  • UBO disclosure and beneficial ownership reform
  • Reputational handling around offshore structures

Risks Bordercase watches for in Serbia:

  • Tax residency triggers
  • VAT registration timing
  • Processing variations between MUP offices
  • EU Schengen access requires planning for cross-border travel
Documents

Typical Armenian residency documents:

  • Passport (6+ months valid)
  • Proof of basis (employment, business, study, ancestry, family)
  • Proof of accommodation
  • Health insurance
  • Bank statements / proof of income
  • Criminal record certificate (apostilled, where required)
  • Marriage / birth certificates for family routes

Apostille and certified translation into Armenian where required.

Typical BVI documents:

  • Passport
  • Source-of-funds evidence
  • KYC for all UBOs
  • Apostilled foreign documents

Typical Serbian residency documents:

  • Passport
  • Criminal record certificate
  • Proof of address
  • Basis for residence (employment, business, etc.)
  • Health insurance
  • Family certificates

Apostilled and translated to Serbian.

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