Foreign Nationals Waiting for Hours at Zvartnots Airport: Police Release Clarification

Chess player Lilit Galoyan raises alarm: 'Currently, more than ten foreign nationals at Zvartnots Airport are waiting for hours to receive a visa to enter Armenia. However, they still have to wait, as it's a holiday in Armenia, and the visa office at the airport has not started its workday. Furthermore, it turns out that this office doesn’t even operate during holiday periods. I have seen large queues for obtaining visas at airports, but I have never seen a visa office that doesn’t work. What are these foreign nationals supposed to do? Wait until the holiday is over? What kind of approach is this?' she wrote.

The police have released a clarification stating: 'On July 5, a social media user, and subsequently media outlets, reported that following the arrival of night flights at Zvartnots International Airport, employees were not present at the passport division to provide entry visas to foreign nationals arriving in Armenia, which was explained as a non-working day. In connection with this publication, we clarify: All units operated by the Passport and Visa Division of the RA Police at state border crossing points, including the Zvartnots Airport division, work around the clock. The shifts on July 4 and 5 have been conducted in full, the shift change occurred as scheduled, and the units carry out all functions assigned by law, regardless of whether it is a non-working day. We again urge media outlets to publish accurate and verified information.'