ArmInfo. Cargo carriers in Armenia are holding another protest demanding a resolution to the situation that has arisen following the implementation of the Russian Federation's Federal Law on the Legal Status of Foreign Citizens. According to the law, citizens of visa- free countries entering Russia for purposes other than employment (i.e., without a corresponding stamp on their immigration card) may stay in the country for up to 90 days within a 180-day period. This restriction also applies to drivers involved in cargo and passenger transportation, even though they are actually performing work duties. Violations of the law will result in drivers being banned from entering the Russian Federation for a period of 3 to 10 years.
It's worth noting that the 90-day period is insufficient for Armenian freight forwarders, as the only land route connecting Armenia with the Russian Federation is the road through the Upper Lars checkpoint (the Georgian-Russian border). Given the low throughput and various issues that arise, including technical ones, queues at Upper Lars can last for an unforeseen number of days. As a result, drivers unwittingly violate the 90-day limit.
Freight forwarders gathered outside the government building today wrote a letter to Armenian Deputy Prime Minister Mher Grigoryan requesting to address the issue at the level of the Eurasian Economic Commission (EEC). Specifically, the drivers believe these legislative changes should not apply to citizens of EAEU countries engaged in international freight transport.
If their request is not considered, the drivers are planning to close the state border of the Republic of Armenia, prohibiting foreign freight forwarders from entering the country.
Note that, according to the RA Statistics Committee, the volume of freight transportation in Armenia increased by 1.1% in January-August 2025 compared to the same period in 2024, reaching 10,620,600 tons. Of this volume, 78.4%, or 8,330,300 tons, was accounted for by road freight transportation, a 0.2% decrease compared to the same period last year.
Recall, the Eurasian Economic Commission (EEC) issued a statement a few days earlier stating the importance of regulating the situation with international road transport in light of changes in the conditions of stay of foreign citizens in the Russian Federation. "The Commission, acting strictly within its authority and competence, is taking all necessary measures to address any emerging issues," the EEC statement read.
