Filipino Visa Requirements For Azerbaijan: All You Need To Know

If you're a Filipino citizen planning a trip to Azerbaijan, you'll need to obtain a visa beforehand. Here's an introduction to the topic, covering the essential visa requirements and application process.

Firstly, it's important to note that Filipino citizens require a visa to enter Azerbaijan. The type of visa needed depends on the purpose of your visit, such as tourism, business, work, or education. The Azerbaijan Embassy issues various visas, including tourist/visitor visas, official/diplomatic visas, and multiple-entry visas.

When applying for an Azerbaijan visa, you must submit specific documents. These typically include a valid passport with at least six months of validity, visa application forms, passport-sized photographs, proof of accommodation, travel insurance, and payment of visa fees. Additionally, you may need to provide supporting documents like invitation letters, flight itineraries, and proof of sufficient funds.

The application process can be done through the Azerbaijan Embassy or an accredited inbound tourist agency. It is recommended to start the process well in advance to ensure sufficient processing time and avoid unexpected issues.

Visa requirements for Filipino citizens travelling to Azerbaijan

Filipino citizens need a visa to enter Azerbaijan. They can apply for an e-Visa through the Azerbaijan Immigration Services website, or they can apply for a visa through the Azerbaijani Embassy in Manila.

E-Visa

The e-Visa can be used for tourism or business trips and can be obtained by filling out an online application form and providing personal information, including passport details, travel itinerary, and contact information. The visa is then received via email and must be printed out to be presented to immigration officials upon arrival in Azerbaijan.

Visa through the Embassy

To apply for a visa through the Azerbaijani Embassy in Manila, Filipino citizens need to provide the following documents:

• A valid passport with at least six months of validity remaining and at least two blank visa pages.
• A completed visa application form.
• Two passport-sized photos taken against a white background and no older than six months.
• Proof of fee payment for the visa.
• A letter of invitation from a relative, friend, or company in Azerbaijan, stating the purpose and length of the visit.
• Travel itinerary, including flight reservations and proof of accommodation.
• International health insurance covering Azerbaijan.
• Proof of sufficient funds, such as bank statements from the last three months.

The visa application process typically involves gathering the required documents, scheduling an appointment at the embassy, submitting the application and supporting documents, and then waiting for the application to be processed and the visa to be issued. It is recommended to apply well in advance of the intended travel date to allow for processing time.

How to apply for an Azerbaijan tourist visa from the Philippines

To apply for an Azerbaijan tourist visa from the Philippines, you need to follow these steps:

Step 1: Prepare the Required Documents

You will need to gather the following documents:

• A valid passport with at least six months of validity remaining and at least two blank visa pages.
• A completed visa application form.
• Two recent passport-sized photographs with a white background, taken within the last six months.
• Proof of travel insurance with a Certificate of Insurance.
• Bank statements from the last three months showing sufficient funds to cover your stay.
• Proof of accommodation, such as a hotel reservation.
• A cover letter stating the purpose of your travel to Azerbaijan.
• A round-trip flight reservation or travel itinerary.
• A negative COVID-19 PCR test result within 72 hours of departure.
• A COVID-19 immunization certificate, with the final dose administered at least 14 days before travel.

Step 2: Submit Your Application

You can choose to submit your application in person or through a representative to the Azerbaijan Embassy or Consulate in your country. In the Philippines, the Azerbaijan Embassy is located in Taguig City, Metro Manila. You can schedule an appointment with the embassy or consulate and submit your application, passport, and supporting documents.

Step 3: Wait for Processing

After submitting your application, an immigration officer will review your documents. The processing time can vary, but it generally takes around 3 to 10 working days. During this time, the visa application will be either approved or denied based on the information provided.

Step 4: Receive Your Visa

If your application is approved, you will receive your visa in your passport, which you can then collect from the Azerbaijan embassy or consulate. With the tourist visa, Filipinos can stay in Azerbaijan for a maximum of 30 days.

It is important to note that the visa application process may vary slightly depending on specific regulations and requirements. Therefore, it is always recommended to visit the official website of the Azerbaijan Embassy or Consulate for the most up-to-date and accurate information.

Azerbaijan visa fees for Filipino citizens

Filipino citizens are required to obtain a visa before travelling to Azerbaijan. The visa fees for Filipino citizens vary depending on the type of visa, the duration of their stay, and other factors. Here is a detailed guide on the Azerbaijan visa fees for Filipino citizens:

Visa Types and Fees:

• Tourist Visa: This is the most common type of visa for Filipino citizens visiting Azerbaijan. The tourist visa allows a maximum stay of 30 days and typically costs around $55 for a single-entry visa. However, the cost can vary depending on the processing time, with urgent visas costing up to $200.
• Business Visa: For Filipino citizens visiting Azerbaijan for business purposes, a business visa is required. The fee for this type of visa may vary and is typically higher than a tourist visa.
• Work Visa: Filipino citizens who intend to work in Azerbaijan will need to apply for a work visa. The fee for this type of visa is likely to be higher than a tourist or business visa.
• Student Visa: Filipino students enrolled in educational institutions in Azerbaijan must obtain a student visa. The fee for this type of visa may vary and could be similar to or higher than the business visa fee.
• Transit Visa: Individuals transiting through Azerbaijan will need a transit visa. The fee for this type of visa is typically lower than other visa types.
• Family Visit Visa: Filipino citizens visiting relatives in Azerbaijan can apply for a family visit visa. The fee for this visa may be similar to the tourist visa fee.

Payment Methods and Additional Costs:

When applying for an Azerbaijan visa, Filipino citizens can pay the visa fees through various methods, including wire transfers, electronic payments (Visa, Mastercard, PayPal, American Express), and bank transfers. In some cases, ATM deposits may also be accepted. It's important to note that the visa fee is non-refundable.

In addition to the visa fee, there may be other costs involved, such as:

• Notary fees: If any supporting documents require notarization, there may be additional notary fees.
• Translation fees: Documents that are not in English may require translation, incurring additional costs.
• Invitation letter: A letter of invitation from a relative, friend, or company in Azerbaijan may be required, and the host may need to provide proof of funds if they are sponsoring the trip.
• Medical insurance: Global health insurance that specifically covers Azerbaijan is mandatory for all visitors.
• COVID-19 insurance: Although not mandatory, it is highly recommended to obtain COVID-19 insurance to cover any potential medical or travel-related expenses.

Visa Application Process:

The Azerbaijan visa application process for Filipino citizens is straightforward but requires several documents. Here are the key steps:

• Gather Documents: Ensure you have all the necessary documents, including a valid passport, completed visa application form, passport-sized photos, proof of fee payment, invitation letter, travel itinerary, and proof of accommodation.
• Submit Application: Submit your application, along with the required documents, to the nearest Azerbaijan embassy or consulate. You may need to schedule an appointment for submission.
• Wait for Processing: The processing time can vary but typically takes around 3 to 10 working days. It's advisable to apply well in advance to allow for any unforeseen delays.
• Receive Visa: Once your application is approved, you will receive your visa, which will be valid for a specific period. For Filipino citizens, the typical validity is 90 days from the issue date, allowing a stay of up to 30 days.

In summary, the Azerbaijan visa fees for Filipino citizens depend on the type of visa, duration of stay, and other specific requirements. The application process is generally straightforward, but it's important to plan ahead, gather the necessary documents, and be aware of any additional costs that may be involved.

Azerbaijan visa exemptions

Citizens of the following countries are exempt from obtaining a visa prior to entering Azerbaijan:

Visa-free entry

Citizens of the following countries can enter Azerbaijan without a visa for up to 90 days (unless otherwise noted):

• Bosnia and Herzegovina
• United Arab Emirates

Visa-free entry with ID card

• Bosnia and Herzegovina
• United Arab Emirates

Conditional visa-free entry

Citizens with a residence visa issued by the United Arab Emirates may obtain a 30-day tourist visa on arrival in Azerbaijan. They must present their valid visa or residence permit along with their passport.

Citizens with a valid permanent residence card issued by any country of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) may obtain a 30-day tourist visa on arrival. They must present their valid residence permit along with their passport.

Electronic Visa (e-Visa)

Citizens of the following countries and territories may obtain an e-Visa:

• All European Union member states
• Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Trinidad and Tobago

The ASAN e-Visa system was introduced in January 2017 and visas are issued for a single-entry visit of up to 30 days. The e-Visa should be printed and presented with the visitor's passport at the border checkpoint.

There are two types of e-Visa applications: a standard application, which costs 20 USD and takes up to 3 working days, and an urgent application, which costs 55 USD and is processed within 3 hours. In addition, applicants must pay a 5 USD service fee.

Visa on arrival

Citizens with a letter of consent from the State Migration Service may obtain a visa on arrival in Azerbaijan.

Reciprocal visa-free agreements

Azerbaijan has reciprocal visa-free agreements with the following countries:

• Kazakhstan
• Uzbekistan
• Tajikistan

Historical visa exemptions

The following countries previously had visa-free agreements with Azerbaijan:

• Turkey (until September 2019)
• Qatar (until November 2021)
• Serbia (until November 2023)
• China (until 20 July 2024)
• Morocco (until 28 August 2024)

Azerbaijan also had a visa-on-arrival agreement for citizens arriving on direct flights from New York City, USA, but this is no longer in effect as no airline operates direct flights between New York and Baku.

Long-term visa requirements for Filipino citizens

To enter Azerbaijan, Filipino citizens are required to obtain a visa. This can be done through the e-Visa system of Azerbaijan Immigration Services, or by visiting the Azerbaijani Embassy in Manila. Long-term visas are necessary for Filipino citizens intending to relocate to Azerbaijan or seek employment in the country. Here are the requirements for a long-term visa for Filipino citizens:

• The applicant must submit their application at least 15 days before the intended travel date.
• A valid passport with a minimum of six months of validity remaining, starting from the entry date to Azerbaijan.
• A recent passport-sized photograph taken against a full white background.
• Original bank statements for the last three months, showing sufficient funds to cover the stay in Azerbaijan.
• Proof of travel insurance with a Certificate of Insurance.
• Two passport photographs sized 88mm x 125mm.
• Proof of accommodation, such as a hotel reservation or rental agreement.
• Specify the type of visa being applied for.
• Proof of sufficient funds to support the travel and stay in Azerbaijan.
• Payment of the visa fees.
• A cover letter stating the purpose of travel to Azerbaijan.
• For a work visa, a letter of invitation from the organization in Azerbaijan, civil status (if married, a marriage certificate), and a letter of authorization from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Azerbaijan Republic are required.
• For a business visa, an invitation letter from the company in Azerbaijan, a certificate from the employer allowing business travel, proof of previous trade relations, and business bank statements for the last six months are needed.

Frequently asked questions