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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

CY flagCyprus

Europe

HK flagHong Kong

Asia

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.Cyprus is an EU member state with established routes for residency, company setup, and family relocation. Bordercase coordinates with regulated Cypriot lawyers and corporate-services providers for filings and ongoing compliance.Hong Kong remains an active jurisdiction for company formation, banking introductions, and selected residency routes. Bordercase coordinates with licensed Hong Kong company-services and immigration partners.
Best for
  • Founders
  • IT professionals
  • Tax simplification
  • Banking diversification
  • Regional hub
  • Founders
  • Holding structures
  • EU access
  • English admin
  • Founders
  • Banking
  • Holding structures
  • English admin
CurrencyAMDEURHKD
LanguageArmenianGreek / EnglishCantonese / English
Time zoneUTC+4UTC+2UTC+8
EU memberNoYesNo
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.

Cyprus residency routes:

  • Permanent residency by investment (Cat F / Cat 6.2)
  • Digital Nomad Visa
  • Employment routes (including the international headquartering route)
  • Family reunification

The investor citizenship programme is closed.

Hong Kong residency routes:

  • General Employment Policy (GEP)
  • Quality Migrant Admission Scheme (QMAS)
  • Top Talent Pass Scheme (TTPS)
  • Capital Investment Entrant Scheme (CIES) - recently revived
  • Dependant routes
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.

Cyprus Limited companies are widely used by international groups for IP, holding, and trading structures. Substance, local director, and accounting requirements have tightened in recent years and must be planned at setup.

Hong Kong Limited companies are widely used for trading and holding structures. Annual filings, audited accounts, and a company secretary are required. Substance expectations and BEPS-driven changes affect ongoing planning.

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.

Cypriot banks have strict KYC and source-of-funds processes following past compliance episodes. EMIs are widely used as supplements. Personal and corporate banking introductions go through vetted partners.

Local banking has tightened materially; some non-resident structures face long onboarding or rejection. EMIs and Singapore / Dubai banking are common alternatives. Bordercase coordinates introductions through current partners.

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 reunification is available on most routes. English-language schools (public and private) and healthcare options are widely accessible to legal residents.

Family relocation is supported on most residency routes. Schools (local, private, ESF, international) are competitive; international school waitlists are real.

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

Common pitfalls in Cyprus cases:

  • Post-reform substance requirements underestimated
  • Banking timelines longer than expected
  • Permanent residency confused with citizenship (different programmes)
  • Some sectors face additional KYC scrutiny

Risks Bordercase watches for in Hong Kong:

  • Company-only setups without substance face banking and audit friction
  • Banking has tightened materially
  • Political / policy shifts must be factored into long-horizon planning
  • Annual audit and filing discipline is real
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 document pack for Cyprus residency:

  • Passport
  • Criminal record certificate (apostilled)
  • Proof of income / investment
  • Health insurance valid in Cyprus
  • Accommodation evidence
  • Education certificates (for relevant routes)
  • Marriage / birth certificates for family routes

For company formation: business plan, ownership-chain documents, and KYC for all ultimate beneficial owners.

Typical Hong Kong documents:

  • Passport
  • CV
  • Education certificates
  • Employment history
  • Company documents (where applicable)
  • Family certificates with notarisation

Country pages stay the authoritative source. This view is a side-by-side; nothing here promises a particular outcome.