Armenia-Azerbaijan: Visa-Free Travel Between Historic Foes

Armenia and Azerbaijan have a tumultuous relationship, and their visa policies reflect this. Armenia does not require a visa for Azerbaijani citizens to enter, but Azerbaijan does require visas for Armenian citizens. This is due to the ongoing conflict between the two countries, with Azerbaijan prohibiting entry to citizens of Armenia and those of Armenian descent. Armenian citizens with an Armenian stamp in their passport may be denied entry to Azerbaijan or face questioning upon arrival. Azerbaijan's visa policy is also influenced by its participation in the Commonwealth of Independent States, which allows citizens of member countries to enter without a visa.

Azerbaijan's visa policy

Azerbaijan has a complex system when it comes to who needs and who does not need a visa to enter its borders. Generally, visitors to Azerbaijan must obtain a visa from one of the Azerbaijani diplomatic missions unless they are citizens of one of the visa-exempt countries, or citizens eligible for an electronic visa on arrival, or citizens eligible for an electronic visa.

Citizens of the following countries can enter Azerbaijan without a visa for up to 90 days: Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the United Arab Emirates. Citizens of Serbia, China, Morocco, Turkey, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates can also enter visa-free, but for shorter periods. Citizens of Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan have never required a visa to enter Azerbaijan.

Azerbaijan also has visa exemption agreements with several countries for holders of diplomatic and service passports. These include Bosnia and Herzegovina, the United Arab Emirates, Rwanda, and Saudi Arabia.

Citizens of the following countries may obtain an electronic visa, valid for a maximum stay of 30 days, on arrival at any international airport: All European Union member states, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Trinidad and Tobago. The cost of an electronic visa on arrival is US$30, except for nationals of Japan, who are exempt from visa fees.

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, provided they present their valid residence permit along with their passport.

Azerbaijan's visa and other migration policies are also implemented in accordance with the mobility rights arrangements within the Commonwealth of Independent States.

Due to the state of war with Armenia, Azerbaijan prohibits entry and transit to citizens of Armenia and other countries of Armenian descent. However, exceptions have been made during certain high-profile international events, such as the Europa League.

Armenia, on the other hand, does not require citizens of Azerbaijan to have a visa to enter. Citizens of Azerbaijan must have a special entry permit to enter Armenia.

Armenia's visa policy

Citizens of the European Union and the United Arab Emirates can also enter Armenia without a visa and stay for up to 180 days within a calendar year. Citizens of Georgia can enter with an ID card instead of a passport if arriving by air.

Citizens of other countries may be eligible for a visa on arrival or an e-Visa, which allows visitors to stay in the country for up to 120 or 141 days. The application for an e-Visa must be submitted at least three business days before the trip.

Citizens of African Union member states (except Algeria, Egypt, Morocco, South Africa, and Tunisia) must apply for a visa in advance at the Armenian embassy or consulate and only with an invitation.

Armenia does not recognize the passports of Abkhazia, Sahrawi, Somaliland, South Ossetia, and Transnistria. Entry and transit are refused to citizens of Kosovo.

Azerbaijan's stance on Armenian citizens

Azerbaijan and Armenia have had strained relations due to the five wars waged between the two countries in the past century. There are no diplomatic relations between the two countries, and citizens of Armenia, people of Armenian descent, and those who have visited the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh are forbidden from entering Azerbaijan without prior formal authorization. This restriction is part of Azerbaijan's visa and migration policy, and those who enter these territories without authorization will be banned from entering the country and will be included on a list of persona non grata.

Anti-Armenian sentiment, or Armenophobia, is widespread in Azerbaijan, mainly due to the conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh. Armenians are considered the most vulnerable group in Azerbaijan in terms of racism and racial discrimination. A 2012 opinion poll found that 91% of Azerbaijanis perceive Armenia as "the biggest enemy of Azerbaijan." The word "Armenian" is widely used as an insult in Azerbaijan, and the media often portrays Armenians in a negative light, fostering a negative climate of opinion towards people of Armenian origin. This sentiment is also reflected in Azerbaijani school textbooks, which label Armenians with derogatory terms and present them as historical enemies.

The conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh has resulted in the destruction of Armenian cultural heritage sites in Azerbaijan, including churches, cemeteries, and schools. There have also been reports of vandalism against the Armenian Apostolic Church in Azerbaijan, fueled by anti-Armenian sentiments.

Despite the tensions and anti-Armenian sentiment, there have been recent efforts towards peace and normalization between the two countries. In 2023, for the first time since the collapse of the Soviet Union, Azerbaijan and Armenia made a joint statement without an intermediary, agreeing to exchange prisoners. In October 2022, the leaders of both countries met at the European Political Community summit in Prague and confirmed their commitment to upholding the United Nations Charter and recognizing each other's territorial integrity and sovereignty. Additionally, the deployment of a European Union mission on the Armenian side of the border was agreed upon, leading to a longer-term European Union Mission in Armenia. In June 2023, the leaders of Azerbaijan and Armenia met again and agreed to recognize each other's territorial integrity within Soviet-era administrative borders. These developments indicate a positive step towards improving relations and reducing anti-Armenian sentiment in Azerbaijan.

Armenia's stance on Azerbaijani citizens

Armenia's visa policy is implemented in accordance with the mobility rights arrangements within the Commonwealth of Independent States and the rules of the single market of the Eurasian Economic Union. This means that citizens of all Eurasian Economic Union and European Union member states may enter Armenia without a visa. Citizens of Azerbaijan do not fall into this category and so require a special entry permit.

Armenian visas are issued for a maximum of 120 days with the possibility to extend for another 60 days if no other term is defined by international agreements. Nationals of countries who need an invitation to obtain a visa can find the list of countries on the official website of the Migration and Citizenship Service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Armenia.

In contrast, Azerbaijan prohibits entry and transit to citizens of Armenia and other countries of Armenian descent. Exceptions have been made for certain high-profile international events, such as the Europa League.

The Nagorno-Karabakh Republic's impact on Azerbaijan's visa policy

The Republic of Artsakh, also known as the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic, was a small republic in the South Caucasus region with limited recognition. It controlled most of the territory of the former Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast and was recognised only by three other non-UN member states: Abkhazia, South Ossetia, and Transnistria. The international community, including the United States, recognised Artsakh as part of Azerbaijan.

Following an Azerbaijani assault in September 2023, Artsakh agreed to dissolve itself by 1 January 2024, and it did so on that date, ending its self-proclaimed independence.

Due to the state of war with Armenia, Azerbaijan prohibits entry and transit to citizens of Armenia and other countries of Armenian descent. However, exceptions have been made during certain high-profile international events, such as the Europa League.

Azerbaijan also prohibits foreign citizens from entering the exclaves of Karki, Yuxarı Əskipara, Barxudarlı, and Sofulu, which are de jure part of Azerbaijan but under Armenian control, without prior consent. Foreign citizens who enter these territories without permission may be denied entry and transit to Azerbaijan and may be included on a list of persona non grata.

Azerbaijan's visa policy states that travellers who have visited illegally occupied areas of Azerbaijan from Armenia, notably the self-declared entity of Nagorno Karabakh, will not be allowed to enter the country. Travellers who have visited Nagorno Karabakh will have broken Azerbaijani law and may be liable for prosecution if they enter Azerbaijan.

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