Obtaining Azerbaijan Permanent Residency: A Comprehensive Guide

Foreign nationals seeking to establish long-term residence in Azerbaijan must obtain a residence permit. The Republic of Azerbaijan offers two types of residence permits: Temporary Residence Permit and Permanent Residence Permit. This text will provide an overview of the requirements and procedures for obtaining permanent residency in Azerbaijan.

Marry an Azerbaijani citizen

Marrying an Azerbaijani citizen is a viable route to obtaining permanent residency in Azerbaijan. Here is some information on the process and requirements:

Azerbaijani Marriage Requirements

According to Azerbaijani law, either the bride or groom must be an Azerbaijani citizen for the marriage to be registered in Azerbaijan. If you plan to marry in Azerbaijan, ensure you have all the necessary civil documents from your country, especially those that prove the end of any previous marriages. These documents must be originals or certified copies, translated into Azerbaijani. A valid visa is also required for the marriage registration process, and the process takes approximately two months, so a longer-term visa is necessary.

Obtaining a Marriage Certificate

The government of Azerbaijan may require a "Certificate of No Record of Marriage" from your country of residence, stating that no marriage record exists for you. If you have been married before, you will need to provide a marriage dissolution certificate, and if you are widowed, you will need to provide the previous marriage and death certificates. All documents must be authenticated by the relevant authorities in your country, then translated into Azerbaijani and submitted to ASAN Services in Azerbaijan.

Temporary Residence Permit

After marrying your Azerbaijani spouse, you can apply for a temporary residence permit. This can be issued to those who are married to an Azerbaijani citizen and meet other requirements, such as having a valid visa and submitting the necessary documents. The temporary residence permit is typically issued for one year and can be extended four times, each extension valid for one year.

Permanent Residence Permit

To obtain a permanent residence permit, you must first hold a temporary residence permit and have lived legally in Azerbaijan for at least two consecutive years. You must also possess some knowledge of the local language. The permanent residence permit is valid for five years and can be extended for another five years if the relevant grounds exist.

Application Process

The State Migration Service of the Republic of Azerbaijan issues and extends residence permits. The application process typically takes 10 to 20 business days, and applicants must submit the required documents, including a medical certificate issued in Azerbaijan.

Sponsoring Your Spouse

If you plan to bring your Azerbaijani spouse to live in another country, such as Canada, you will need to file a sponsorship application for them to become a permanent resident of that country. Your spouse may also need to apply for a visitor visa if they wish to visit you while their permanent residency application is being processed.

Invest 500,000 AZN in the country's economy

To obtain permanent residency in Azerbaijan by investing 500,000 AZN in the country's economy, you must first understand the requirements and procedures. Here is a detailed guide to help you through the process:

Investment Requirements

According to the Migration Code of Azerbaijan, investing 500,000 AZN (approximately 295,000 USD) in the country's economy is one of the legal bases to obtain either a temporary or permanent residence permit. This investment can be made in various ways, such as purchasing commercial property, investing in securities, or acquiring shares in companies. It's important to note that this option is also available to family members of foreign investors.

Application Process

Once you have made the required investment, you or your representative can proceed with the application process. The State Migration Service of the Republic of Azerbaijan is the authority responsible for issuing residence permits. The application can be submitted online or offline, and the required documents include:

• A copy of your passport or other border-crossing document.
• A medical certificate.
• The original or a notarized copy of the document proving your investment.
• A copy of the document granting you the right to stay or reside in Azerbaijan.
• Documents related to your residential area, such as the address, consent form from the owner, and their identity document.

Residence Permit Duration

The duration of the residence permit depends on the type of permit you are granted. A Temporary Residence Permit (TRP) is typically granted for 1 year and can be extended for up to 2 years at a time, with valid grounds for extension. In certain cases, a TRP can be issued for a maximum of 3 years, such as when investing in commercial real estate worth at least 500,000 AZN. On the other hand, a Permanent Residence Permit (PR) is valid for five years and can be extended for another five years upon application, with no limit on the number of extensions.

Additional Requirements for Permanent Residence

To obtain a Permanent Residence Permit in Azerbaijan, there are additional requirements beyond your investment. You must have resided in Azerbaijan temporarily for at least two consecutive years and possess knowledge of the local language. The processing time for residence permit applications is typically between 10 to 20 business days, and applicants will receive a certificate known as the Azerbaijan TRC.

Remember to carefully review the official sources and seek legal assistance if needed to ensure you meet all the requirements and have the necessary documentation for obtaining permanent residency in Azerbaijan through investment.

Deposit 100,000 AZN in a local bank

To obtain permanent residency in Azerbaijan, one of the options is to deposit a minimum of AZN 200,000 (approximately USD 120,000) in a local bank. This option is available to those seeking a Permanent Residence Permit, which grants foreigners and stateless persons the right to reside in the country permanently.

Now, let's focus on the specific requirements and process for depositing AZN 100,000 in a local bank as a step towards obtaining permanent residency in Azerbaijan.

Eligibility and Requirements:

• This option is typically available to foreigners and stateless persons who want to obtain a Temporary Residence Permit (TRP) in Azerbaijan.
• The deposited amount should be at least AZN 100,000 (approximately USD 59,000).
• The deposit should be made under a term deposit agreement with a local bank in Azerbaijan. This means that the funds are placed in a savings or deposit account for a fixed period, earning interest over time.

Process and Additional Information:

• To open a bank account, foreigners typically need to visit a local bank branch in person or through a legal representative.
• Required documents for opening a personal bank account include a passport or residence card, a valid visa (for citizens of visa-required countries), and a power of attorney if applying through a representative.
• It's important to note that some banks may require a residence permit or have specific requirements based on the individual's citizenship.
• While opening a bank account is a straightforward process, obtaining local bank payment cards may be more challenging for foreigners, as this usually requires having a residence permit.
• The deposited funds will earn interest over the term of the deposit agreement.
• It's recommended to consult with migration and legal services professionals for detailed guidance on obtaining a residence permit and ensuring compliance with Azerbaijan's migration laws.

By following these steps and meeting the requirements, depositing AZN 100,000 in a local bank can be a viable option for those seeking to obtain a Temporary Residence Permit as a step towards permanent residency in Azerbaijan.

Buy property worth at least 100,000 AZN

To obtain a permanent residency permit in Azerbaijan, you must invest a minimum of AZN 200,000 (approximately USD 118,000) in real estate. This is twice the amount required for a temporary residence permit.

If you are looking to invest in real estate in Azerbaijan to obtain a permanent residence permit, there are a few things you should keep in mind. Firstly, you should be aware of the reasons why foreigners invest in Azerbaijani real estate. Premium real estate in Azerbaijan is relatively affordable compared to other countries, and its prices are steadily increasing, with an average annual price increase of 15% in recent years. Additionally, the stable socio-economic and cultural environment, along with the natural beauty of the country, makes it an attractive option for foreign investors.

• Rights and restrictions: According to Azerbaijani legislation, foreigners have the same rights as citizens to purchase residential or commercial property. However, foreign individuals cannot directly purchase land plots. Instead, they can establish a local company to buy land.
• Mortgage and financing options: Resident foreigners can purchase property through mortgages, but local banks usually prefer those with permanent residence permits. An alternative is developer financing, which allows foreigners to buy property by paying an initial portion upfront and the rest over several years, interest-free.
• Obtaining a residence permit: As mentioned, investing AZN 100,000 (approximately USD 59,000) in real estate will grant you a temporary residence permit. To obtain a permanent residence permit, you need to invest at least AZN 200,000 and meet additional requirements, such as residing in Azerbaijan for two consecutive years and having knowledge of the local language.
• Practical steps: When investing in Azerbaijani real estate, you should decide on the type of property, consider your investment method, find the property, ensure legal details are in order, and then sign the contract and pay.

In conclusion, investing in Azerbaijani real estate can be a great option for those seeking a stable and affordable market with potential for growth. By following the necessary steps and meeting the investment requirements, you can successfully obtain a residence permit, including permanent residency, through real estate investment in Azerbaijan.

Be a highly qualified specialist

To obtain a permanent residency permit in Azerbaijan, you must be a highly qualified specialist in a field such as the economy, industry, military, science, culture, or sports. This route to permanent residency is also open to specialists in other fields, provided that they are included in a category defined by the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan and that they have been invited by citizens of the country or legal entities established in the country to work in specific areas determined by the President.

To be eligible for a permanent residency permit on the grounds of being a highly qualified specialist, you must first obtain a temporary residency permit. This is issued to foreigners and stateless persons who are considered highly qualified specialists in the aforementioned fields. To apply for a temporary residency permit, you must submit the following documents:

• A completed application form
• A copy of your passport or other border-crossing document (valid for at least three months after the expiry date of the temporary residency permit)
• A notarized copy of your birth certificate or equivalent document (for those under 18 without a passport)
• A justified application by an authority, enterprise, or organization inviting highly qualified specialists to the country
• Two photos sized 3.5 x 4.5 cm
• A document confirming your address in the country (e.g., an extract on the state registration of property rights, a warrant for accommodation, a rent or tenancy agreement, etc.)
• An application from the person providing you with a residential area (if you do not have your own residential area)
• A copy of the identity document of the person providing you with a residential area (if you do not have your own residential area)
• A receipt confirming payment of the state fee

It is important to note that the State Migration Service of the Republic of Azerbaijan issues and extends residence permits. The processing time for applications is typically between 10 and 20 business days, and the state fee for a one-year residence card ranges from 120 AZN to 160 AZN.

Once you have obtained a temporary residency permit, you can apply for a permanent residency permit after residing in Azerbaijan temporarily for two consecutive years. The grounds for obtaining a permanent residency permit as a highly qualified specialist are the same as those for the temporary permit. However, the investment requirements are twice as high. For example, while a temporary residency permit can be obtained by investing at least AZN 500,000 (approximately USD 295,000) in the country's economy, the requirement for a permanent residency permit is twice that amount.

Frequently asked questions