Azerbaijan (AZ)

Required for all immigration, banking, residence permit, work permit, driving licence, healthcare, and school enrolment processes. Keep 6+ months of validity beyond your planned stay. A copy of the biographic page, Azerbaijani visa/entry stamps and residence permit is essential at all times.

Most nationalities require an e-Visa (ASAN Visa / evisa.gov.az), a visa on arrival, or a regular consular visa to enter. Citizens of certain countries (Georgia, Turkey, Ukraine, Russia and several others) may enter visa-free. CIS country nationals have varied rules. Check the current list at mfa.gov.az before travel.

Required for all foreigners staying over 90 days per 180-day period. Applied for at the State Migration Service (SMS) office. Required for working, enrolling children in school, accessing healthcare services, and opening full bank accounts. Available in 1-year, 2-year and 5-year terms.

Required for all foreign nationals taking employment in Azerbaijan. Must be filed by the Azerbaijani employer with the State Migration Service before the employee begins work. Self-employed foreigners have limited options and typically need alternative visa categories. Violation is a deportable offence.

Required for registering children, school enrolment, family reunification residence permits, marriage registration, and inheritance proceedings. Must carry an apostille from the country of origin and a certified Azerbaijani translation.

Required for spousal residence permits, banking (joint accounts), insurance (dependant coverage), and estate planning. Apostille from country of issue and certified translation into Azerbaijani required.

Required for work permit applications, long-term residence permits, and some professional licence applications. Must be apostilled from the country of issue and translated into Azerbaijani. Keep it recent — many authorities require issued within the last 3–6 months.

Required for regulated profession registration, work permit category determination, and some employer requirements. Foreign degrees must be recognised by the Ministry of Science and Education of Azerbaijan (BSQDK — State Examination Centre) if the role requires recognised qualifications. Some professions (medicine, law) require full re-examination.

Must be in Azerbaijani language (or bilingual). Required for work permit application, TRP based on employment, bank account opening, and housing contracts. Ensure it references the correct work permit number and category.

Azerbaijani taxpayer identification number (Vergi Ödəyicisinin Eyniləşdirmə Nömrəsi). Required for any employment, self-employment, banking, property transactions, and filing tax returns. Issued by the Ministry of Taxes (taxes.gov.az). Employees receive it through their employer payroll registration.

Certificate from the State Migration Service confirming your temporary or permanent residence permit. Carries the permit number and validity dates. Required for many formal processes — always carry a copy. Also confirms your registered address in Azerbaijan.

Visitors may drive on a valid foreign licence or International Driving Permit (IDP) for up to 6 months. After 6 months of residence, residents must exchange for an Azerbaijani driving licence through the Ministry of Internal Affairs (State Road Police). Bring home-country licence, TRP, passport, medical certificate and photo.

Required for bringing pets into Azerbaijan. Includes microchip documentation (ISO 11784/11785), rabies vaccination certificate (issued at least 30 days but not more than 12 months before travel), EU pet passport or official veterinary certificate, and import permit from the Azerbaijani veterinary authority. Some breeds require additional permits.