Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan visa and residence guide
- 17 visa types
- checked 25 October 2026
How visas for Azerbaijan work
Short visits to Azerbaijan run on three tracks. Citizens of countries with a reciprocal visa-free agreement enter without a visa; the State Migration Service (SMS) lists Türkiye, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, Ukraine and Uzbekistan at 90 days and Qatar at 30 days. Nationals on the ASAN Visa list buy a single-entry electronic visa online, and everyone else applies for an ordinary entry visa at an Azerbaijani embassy or consulate. A small group of travellers, such as residents of the Gulf states, can also receive an e-visa at an international airport.
Anything longer than a visit is handled inside the country by the State Migration Service. The Migration Code lists the grounds on which a temporary residence permit is issued: family ties, investment of AZN 500,000, real estate or a bank deposit of AZN 100,000, a job backed by a work permit, full-time study, running a company or a business, highly qualified status and several others. Most permits are granted for up to one year and extended for up to two years at a time; investors and highly skilled migrants can receive up to three years.
After two years of temporary residence on certain grounds a foreigner can apply for a five-year permanent residence permit, which is renewable without limit. Holders of a temporary residence permit based on a work permit or on study cannot use those years for permanent residence. State fees depend on the length of the permit and on how fast you want the decision; the official fee table is published by the SMS.
Every foreigner who stays longer than 15 days (30 days for Kazakh citizens) has to register the address with the SMS within 15 days of arrival. Registration is free and can be done online, by e-mail, at a regional migration office or at an ASAN Service centre. Missing the deadline is an administrative offence.
Which visa do I need?
Holiday, family visit or short business trip: check the visa-free list first (Türkiye, most CIS states and Qatar), then the ASAN e-visa list; only if neither applies, use an embassy entry visa.
A job with an Azerbaijani employer: the employer obtains a work permit, then you receive a temporary residence permit; highly skilled specialists can use the Highly Skilled Migrant Program instead and skip the work permit.
Buying property, depositing money or investing: real estate or a term deposit of AZN 100,000 gives temporary residence; AZN 500,000 invested in the economy gives up to three years; AZN 200,000 in property or deposit is needed later for permanent residence.
Running your own company: the head or 51 percent founder of a foreign-invested company with AZN 50,000 paid-up capital, or an individual entrepreneur, can hold temporary residence.
Joining family: spouses and relatives of Azerbaijani citizens and family members of resident foreigners have their own residence grounds.
Visa types for Azerbaijan
Visits and short stays
- Tourist visa Ordinary entry visa for tourism and personal travel (and visa-free entry)
Citizens of Georgia, Russia, Ukraine and several other CIS states, as well as Türkiye, visit Azerbaijan visa-free for up to 90 days, and Qatari citizens for 30 days.
Maximum stay: Visa-free: up to 90 days for most visa-free partner countries (30 days for Qatar). Embassy visa: the stay printed on the visa. - Transit visa Transit visa (single or double entry)
A transit visa lets a visa-required traveller cross Azerbaijan on the way to a third country.
Maximum stay: Up to 5 days
Business and self-employment
- Business visa Ordinary entry visa for a business visit (single or multiple entry)
Business travellers from visa-required countries can use the ASAN e-visa for short trips or apply at an embassy for an ordinary entry visa for a business visit.
Maximum stay: As printed on the visa; e-visa holders 30 days. - Entrepreneur and start-up visa Temporary residence for heads and majority founders of foreign-invested companies and for entrepreneurs
The Migration Code gives temporary residence to the head, or the owner of at least 51 percent, of an Azerbaijani company with a foreign founder whose paid-up capital is at least AZN 50,000, and to foreigners engaged in entrepreneurship.
Maximum stay: Permit for up to 1 year, extended for up to 2 years at a time. - Investor visa Temporary residence for investment of at least AZN 500,000 in the economy
A foreigner whose total investment in Azerbaijan's economy is at least AZN 500,000 can obtain a temporary residence permit for up to 3 years, extendable for up to 3 years at a time.
Maximum stay: Up to 3 years per permit
Study and training
- Student visa Temporary residence permit for full-time study
Foreign students admitted to full-time study at an Azerbaijani university or technical school, or attending a secondary school, receive a temporary residence permit on that ground.
Maximum stay: For the study period, permits of up to 1 year, extended for up to 2 years.
Work
- Work visa Work permit for paid labour activity, followed by a temporary residence permit
A foreigner aged 18 or over can work in Azerbaijan only after the employer obtains a work permit from the State Migration Service.
Maximum stay: As long as the work permit and the linked residence permit are valid. - Skilled worker visa Highly Skilled Migrant Program and residence for highly qualified specialists
Since 2025 Azerbaijan assesses foreign specialists online through pass.gov.az under the Highly Skilled Migrant Program.
Maximum stay: Temporary residence for up to 3 years, extendable for up to 3 years at a time.
Family
- Family reunification visa Temporary residence as a family member of a foreign resident
Family members of a foreigner who holds temporary or permanent residence in Azerbaijan can obtain their own temporary residence permit.
Maximum stay: Up to 1 year per permit, extended for up to 2 years. - Spouse and partner visa Temporary residence for close relatives of Azerbaijani citizens
Foreigners in a close relationship with an Azerbaijani citizen, including spouses, parents, children, siblings, grandparents and in-laws, can obtain a temporary residence permit.
Maximum stay: Up to 1 year per permit, extended for up to 2 years.
Residence
- Golden visa and residence by investment Temporary residence through real estate, a bank term deposit or state securities (AZN 100,000)
Azerbaijan has no programme branded a golden visa, but the Migration Code grants temporary residence to foreigners who own real estate worth at least AZN 100,000, keep at least AZN 100,000 on a term deposit in a local bank, or hold AZN 100,000 of government securities.
Maximum stay: Up to 1 year per first permit, extended for up to 2 years at a time. - Residence permit Temporary residence permit (müvəqqəti yaşamaq üçün icazə)
Foreigners who want to live in Azerbaijan beyond a visit need a temporary residence permit from the State Migration Service, issued only on a ground listed in the Migration Code.
Maximum stay: Up to 1 year at first issue (up to 3 years for investors and highly skilled migrants); extensions up to 2 years (3 for those groups). - Permanent residence Permanent residence permit (daimi yaşamaq üçün icazə)
After at least 2 years of temporary residence on qualifying grounds, a foreigner can apply for an Azerbaijani permanent residence permit valid for 5 years and renewable without limit.
Maximum stay: Unlimited while the permit is valid
Online travel permits
- e-Visa ASAN Visa – single-entry electronic visa
The ASAN Visa is Azerbaijan's official electronic visa, issued online through evisa.gov.az to nationals of the countries on its list.
Maximum stay: 30 days - Visa on arrival Single-entry e-visa issued at international airports
Since 15 May 2018 Azerbaijan issues single-entry electronic visas at its international airports, but only to the groups named in law and interstate agreements.
Maximum stay: Up to 30 days
Fast-track and priority services
- Fast-track and priority visa services Urgent ASAN e-visa and accelerated state-fee processing
Azerbaijan has no premium visa centre, but its official fee tables buy speed.
Maximum stay: Urgent e-visa: 30 days, single entry
Asylum and international protection
- Asylum and international protection Refugee status under the Law on the Status of Refugees and IDPs
Azerbaijan has a national refugee status procedure run by the State Migration Service under the 1951 Refugee Convention definition.
Validity: A refugee card certifies identity and lawful stay.
Frequently asked questions
Who can visit Azerbaijan without a visa?
Citizens of the reciprocal visa-free countries listed by the State Migration Service: Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, Türkiye, Ukraine and Uzbekistan for up to 90 days, and Qatar for 30 days. Nationals on the ASAN list buy an e-visa online; everyone else applies at an embassy.
How much does the Azerbaijan e-visa cost?
Azerbaijani embassies publish USD 20 for the standard ASAN e-visa, issued within 3 working days, and USD 50 for the urgent service, issued within 3 hours including weekends. It allows one entry and 30 days of stay within 90 days.
Do I have to register my address in Azerbaijan?
Yes, if you stay more than 15 days (30 days for citizens of Kazakhstan). Register within 15 days of arrival through the SMS electronic service, by e-mail, at a regional migration office or at an ASAN Service centre. It costs nothing, and a hotel or landlord can file it for you.
Can I extend my stay without a residence permit?
Only in the situations the Migration Code lists, such as urgent medical treatment, serious illness or death of a relative living in Azerbaijan, or unfinished official work confirmed by the host. The extension is up to 60 days and must be requested at least 3 working days before your stay ends.
Can buying property get me residence in Azerbaijan?
Yes. Owning real estate in Azerbaijan worth at least AZN 100,000 is a ground for a temporary residence permit. For permanent residence after two years, the property value threshold is AZN 200,000.
Who issues residence and work permits in Azerbaijan?
The State Migration Service of the Republic of Azerbaijan. Work permits are requested by the employer; temporary and permanent residence permits are requested by the foreigner in person or through a legal representative.
Embassies and consulates
Last checked 25 October 2026. Each visa page lists the official sources it is based on.