Visa policy of Azerbaijan

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Entry (right) and exit (left) stamps in a Swedish passport

Visitors to Azerbaijan must obtain a visa from one of the Azerbaijani diplomatic missions, unless they come from one of the visa exempt countries, countries eligible for visa on arrival or countries eligible for electronic visa. Visitors must hold passports that are valid for at least 3 months beyond the intended period of stay.

Visa policy map[]

Visa policy of Azerbaijan for ordinary passport holders
  Republic of Azerbaijan
  Visa free
  Visa issued upon arrival by air. Also eligible for ASAN electronic visa.
  Eligible for ASAN electronic visa. Visa on arrival under special conditions.
  Eligible for ASAN electronic visa.
  Visa obtained in person required prior to arrival.
  Admission refused

General visa requirements[]

Azerbaijan visa

Passport must be valid for at least 6 months after the expiry date of the Azerbaijani visa applied for.[1] If there is less than 3 months for the expiry of a foreign citizen's passport, a visa will not be granted.[2] Citizens of specific countries listed, who are required to obtain a visa with an ordinary passport or with a service passport, have to obtain a visa before travelling to Azerbaijan. Visas are issued in at an embassy or consulate of the Republic of Azerbaijan or upon arrival at the border crossing points of the Republic of Azerbaijan.[3] The visa application form may be filled online and submitted to the diplomatic mission.[4]

Visa exemption[]

Citizens of the following 11 countries can visit Azerbaijan without a visa for up to 90 days:[5][6]

  •  Belarus
  •  Georgia
  •  Iran (15 days, stay within Nakhchivan only)[7]
  •  Kazakhstan
  •  Kyrgyzstan
  •  Moldova

ID – May enter with an ID card

  •  Russia
  •  Tajikistan
  •  TurkeyID[8][9]
  •  Ukraine
  •  Uzbekistan

Non-ordinary passports[]

Visa policy of Azerbaijan for holders of diplomatic or service category passports
  Azerbaijan
  Visa free access for diplomatic and service category passports
  Visa free access for diplomatic passports

Additionally holders of diplomatic or service category passports of Albania, Argentina, Austria, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Bulgaria, China, Colombia, Cuba, Egypt, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Italy, Jordan, Kuwait, Latvia, Libya (temporary not applied), Lithuania, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Pakistan, Peru, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, San Marino, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Switzerland, Syria, Turkey, Turkmenistan, United Arab Emirates, Uruguay, Venezuela, Vietnam and only holders of diplomatic passports of Belgium, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Japan, Laos, Lichtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Mexico, Netherlands, Norway, Palestine, Poland, Spain and Sweden do not require a visa to visit Azerbaijan.[11]

Visa waiver agreements have already been signed with the following countries but are not yet ratified or applied:

  •  Chile – in September 2018 for holders of diplomatic and service passports[12]
  •  Paraguay – on 24 March 2019 for holders of diplomatic and service passports[13]

Visa on arrival[]

Citizens of the following countries can obtain a visa for Azerbaijan on arrival valid for 30 days obtainable at any international airport.[14][15][16][17]

  •  Bahrain
  •  China
  •  Hong Kong
  •  Indonesia
  •  Iran[18][19]
  •  Israel
  •  Japan
  •  Kuwait
  •  Macau
  •  Malaysia
  •  Oman
  •  Qatar
  •  Saudi Arabia
  •  Singapore
  •  South Korea
  •  United Arab Emirates
Limited visa on arrival

Citizens of  United States can obtain a 30 days visa on arrival only if arriving on a direct flight of Azerbaijan Airlines from New York City.[20][21]

Visa on arrival for holders of an official invitation letter issued by the State Migration Service of Azerbaijan or other Azerbaijan government authority. Visa on arrival for staff of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and their dependents, provided holding an official invitation letter issued by the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

Starting from 26 July, 2018 passengers with a residence permit issued by United Arab Emirates can obtain a tourist visa upon arrival in Azerbaijan.

The cost for the visa on arrival is $20 US Dollars except for Japanese passport holders (Free).[22]

Electronic visa[]

Azerbaijan introduced electronic visas for citizens of designated countries in January 2017. The system is called ASAN Visa and the visas are issued for a single-entry visit up to 30 days.[23] The e-visa should be printed and presented together with the passport (that should be valid at least 3 months more than the validity period of the electronic visa) at the border checkpoint.[24] The e-Visa is issued within 3 working days.[25] As of May 2018, the designated 95 countries or regions are the following:[26][27][16]

  • European Union All European Union citizens
  •  Albania
  •  Algeria
  •  Andorra
  •  Argentina
  •  Australia
  •  Bahamas
  •  Bahrain
  •  Barbados
  •  Bolivia
  •  Bosnia and Herzegovina
  •  Brazil
  •  Brunei
  •  Canada
  •  Chile
  •  China
  •  Colombia
  •  Costa Rica
  •  Cuba
  •  Djibouti[28]
  •  Ecuador
  •  Guatemala
  •  Honduras
  •  Hong Kong
  •  Iceland
  •  India
  •  Indonesia
  •  Iran
  •  Israel
  •  Jamaica
  •  Japan
  •  Jordan
  •  Kuwait
  •  Liechtenstein
  •  Macau
  •  Malaysia
  •  Maldives
  •  Mauritius
  •  Mexico
  •  Monaco
  •  Mongolia
  •  Montenegro
  •  Morocco
  •    Nepal
  •  New Zealand
  •  North Macedonia
  •  Norway
  •  Oman
  •  Pakistan
  •  Panama
  •  Paraguay
  •  Peru
  •  Qatar
  •  San Marino
  •  Saudi Arabia
  •  Serbia
  •  Seychelles
  •  Singapore
  •  South Africa
  •  South Korea
  •  Sri Lanka
  •   Switzerland
  •  Thailand
  •  Trinidad and Tobago
  •  Turkmenistan
  •  United Arab Emirates
  •  United Kingdom
  •  United States
  •   Vatican City
  •  Vietnam

As of February 2017, ASAN was looking into the possibility of making the electronic visa application available directly at the ports of entry at the border with Georgia, Russia, Turkey, and Iran.[29]

British travel magazine Wanderlust rated the Azerbaijan e-visa system (ASAN Visa) as the easiest visa to get in the world in 2017.[30]

There are plans to expand the ASAN Visa system for the issuance of visas to citizens of Azerbaijan as well. As of January 2018 Morocco was selected and negotiations were under way with Lithuania and United Arab Emirates.[31]

From 15 May 2018 citizens of Bahrain, China, Indonesia, Iran, Israel, Japan, Kuwait, Malaysia, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Korea, United Arab Emirates[32] can obtain an electronic visa on arrival in Baku International Airport.

Visa facilitation[]

Azerbaijan concluded a visa facilitation agreement with the  European Union (excluding Denmark and Ireland) which reduces the number of documents sufficient for justifying the purpose of the trip, envisages issuance of multiple-entry visas, limits the length of processing and reduces the issuing fee or waives it entirely for many categories of EU citizens.[33]

Bans[]

Due to a state of war with Armenia,[34] the government of Azerbaijan has banned the entry of citizens from Armenia, as well as citizens of any other country who are of Armenian descent (including Armenian Russians, Turkish Armenians, etc.),[35] to the Republic of Azerbaijan.[36][37] There have been exceptions, notably for Armenia's participation at the 2015 European Games held in Baku.[38]

The government of Azerbaijan strictly bans any visit of foreign citizens to the separatist region of Nagorno-Karabakh (the de facto Republic of Artsakh) and the Azerbaijani exclaves of Karki, Yuxarı Əskipara, Barxudarlı and Sofulu which are de jure part of Azerbaijan but under control of Armenia, without prior consent of the Government of Azerbaijan. Foreign citizens who enter these territories without permission are subject to being refused entry to Azerbaijan and being included into the "list of persona non grata". The same policy applied to the Armenian-occupied territories surrounding Nagorno-Karabakh until they returned to Azerbaijani control as a result of the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war.[39]

2020 pandemic travel restrictions[]

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the issuance of electronic visas and visas on arrival was suspended.[40] According to the last circumstance, the lock-down extended till 28 December 2020.[41]

Visitor statistics[]

Most visitors arriving to Azerbaijan were from the following countries of nationality:[42][43][44]

Year Visitors[45]
1992—2001
No data
2002
Increase 576,000
2003
Increase 768,000
2004
Increase 989,000
2005
Decrease 693,000
2006
Increase 682,000
2007
Increase 732,000
2008
Increase 1,043,000
2009
Decrease 1,005,000
2010
Increase 1,280,000
2011
Increase 1,562,000
2012
Increase 1,986,000
2013
Increase 2,130,000
2014
Increase 2,160,000
2015
Decrease 1,922,000
2016
Increase 2,044,000
2017
Increase 2,454,000
2018
Increase 2,635,000
Total (2002—2018) More 24,660,000

See also[]

  • Electronic visa (evisa) to Azerbaijan
  • Azerbaijani passport
  • Visa requirements for Azerbaijani citizens

References[]

  1. ^ "Azerbaijan Tourist Visa / Azerbaijan Visa Requirements". Archived from the original on 26 September 2011. Retrieved 14 July 2011.
  2. ^ "Republic of Azerbaijan Ministry of Foreign Affairs Visa Requirements - Documents required for granting visa". Archived from the original on 6 October 2011. Retrieved 14 July 2011.
  3. ^ "Republic of Azerbaijan Ministry of Foreign Affairs Visa Requirements". Archived from the original on 6 October 2011. Retrieved 14 July 2011.
  4. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 10 August 2015. Retrieved 19 September 2016.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  5. ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 13 July 2017. Retrieved 10 January 2016.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  6. ^ "Country information (visa section)". Timatic. International Air Transport Association (IATA) through Gulf Air. Retrieved 1 April 2017.
  7. ^ https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/442435/Nakhchivan-to-lift-visa-requirements-for-Iranian-travelers
  8. ^ https://www.resmigazete.gov.tr/eskiler/2021/01/20210130-1.pdf
  9. ^ https://m.sabah.com.tr/galeri/dunya/buyukelciden-vize-mujdesi-o-ulke-vize-muafiyet-suresini-uzatti-iste-turk-vatandaslarindan-vize-istemeyen-ulkeler
  10. ^ https://www.haberturk.com/son-dakika-azerbaycan-a-vize-1-eylul-de-kalkiyor-2507647
  11. ^ https://mfa.gov.az/en/content/74/visa-free-countries
  12. ^ https://minrel.gob.cl/chancellor-s-valdivia-signed-visa-exemption-agreement-for-diplomatic/minrel/2018-09-14/153738.html
  13. ^ http://www2.mre.gov.py/index.php/noticias-de-embajadas-y-consulados/paraguay-y-azerbaiyan-firman-acuerdo-de-supresion-de-visas-en-pasaportes-diplomaticos-oficiales-o-de-servicio
  14. ^ "News.Az - Visa centers to open in Azerbaijani airports". news.az. Archived from the original on 26 July 2018. Retrieved 25 January 2016.
  15. ^ Azerbaijan Simplified Visa Policy for Citizens of Certain Countries. Haqqin.az. 25 January 2016.
  16. ^ Jump up to: a b [1]
  17. ^ FS. "List of states whose citizens can be issued visas at international airports of the Republic of Azerbaijan". www.mfa.gov.az.
  18. ^ [2]
  19. ^ [3]
  20. ^ "US citizens traveling by the New York – Baku direct flight on AZAL are eligible to obtain Azerbaijani visa upon arrival at the Heydar Aliyev International Airport in Baku". 23 October 2014.
  21. ^ "Visa upon arrival for US citizens". Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the United States of America. Archived from the original on 4 June 2019. Retrieved 12 July 2018.
  22. ^ http://azerbaijan24.com/visas/azerbaijan-visa-support/. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  23. ^ Holding, APA Information Agency, APA. "Azerbaijan announces rules of e-visa issuance through ASAN Visa system".
  24. ^ Holding, APA Information Agency, APA. "Azerbaijan to launch ASAN Visa portal on Jan. 10". Archived from the original on 29 August 2017. Retrieved 16 December 2016.
  25. ^ "The Electronic Visa System of Azerbaijan Republic". evisa.gov.az.
  26. ^ Azerbaijan publicizes list of countries that will use ASAN Visa system Archived 29 August 2017 at the Wayback Machine. APA. 15 December 2016
  27. ^ ASAN Viza Enlarges List of Countries. Haqqin.az. 17 May 2017.
  28. ^ [4]
  29. ^ Visas to be Issued at Border. Haqqin.az. 20 February 2017.
  30. ^ "You're welcome! The 5 easiest visas to get in the world". www.msn.com. Retrieved 14 August 2017.
  31. ^ [5]
  32. ^ https://ria.ru/tourism/20180515/1520578555.html
  33. ^ AGREEMENT between the European Union and the Republic of Azerbaijan on the facilitation of the issuance of visas
  34. ^ "Republic of Azerbaijan Country Report 2014" (PDF). NCSEJ. Retrieved 9 July 2019.
  35. ^ Kucera, Joshua (21 January 2019). "Azerbaijan and Russia in escalating dispute over ban on Armenians". Eurasianet. Retrieved 9 July 2019.
  36. ^ McMahon, Bobby (31 August 2018). "Why Henrikh Mkhitaryan's Europa League 'Ban' From Azerbaijan Is A Red-Herring". Forbes. Retrieved 9 July 2019.
  37. ^ "Azerbaijan doesn't allow Armenians in the country".
  38. ^ "МИД Азербайджана: Мхитарян сможет сыграть в финале Лиги Европы". football.ua. 11 May 2019. Retrieved 9 July 2019.
  39. ^ FS. "Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan in Romania". azembassy.ro. Archived from the original on 16 August 2013. Retrieved 3 January 2014.
  40. ^ CORONAVIRUS OUTBREAK - UPDATE 14.03.2020, International Air Transport Association
  41. ^ [6]
  42. ^ [7]
  43. ^ "Number of foreign citizens arrived to Azerbaijan by countries".
  44. ^ "Record high number of tourists visited Azerbaijan in 2017". trend.az. Trend News Agency. 8 January 2018. Retrieved 1 October 2018.
  45. ^ "International tourism, number of arrivals: Azerbaijan". data.worldbank.org. Retrieved 1 February 2019.

External links[]

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