Get Pr In Azerbaijan: A Comprehensive Guide To Success

If you're considering relocating to Azerbaijan, there are a few things you should know about the country's permanent residency requirements. Foreigners or stateless individuals who have lived in the country for two uninterrupted years can apply for a permanent residence permit. This means that they haven't left the country for more than 90 days within a 180-day period. The permit is valid for five years and can be renewed for another five years with no limit on the number of extensions. To apply, you must submit various documents, including proof of income, knowledge of the official language, and more.

Temporary Residence Permit

A Temporary Residence Permit (TRP or TRC) is a document that confirms the right of a foreign citizen to live in Azerbaijan for a certain period, and to enter and exit the country without a visa. The State Migration Service of Azerbaijan issues the TRP, and it is usually valid for one year, renewable annually.

To obtain a TRP, foreigners and stateless persons must meet one or more of the following requirements:

• Have close kinship relations with an Azerbaijani citizen, such as being a parent, child, grandparent, grandchild, or sibling.
• Be married to an Azerbaijani citizen.
• Have invested at least 500,000 manats in the country's economy or possess real estate worth at least 100,000 manats in Azerbaijan.
• Have deposited at least 50,000 manats in a bank in Azerbaijan.
• Possess a work permit and be employed in Azerbaijan.
• Have received formal education in Azerbaijani educational institutions.
• Be a highly qualified specialist in fields such as the economy, industry, defence, culture, sports, or science.
• Be a family member of a foreigner or stateless person with temporary or permanent residence in Azerbaijan.
• Hold a senior position (head or deputy head) in a company registered in Azerbaijan and owned by a foreign person or entity.
• Engage in entrepreneurial activity in Azerbaijan, employing at least five full-time or ten part-time workers, of whom at least 80% must be Azerbaijani citizens.
• Carry out paid labour activity in Azerbaijan.
• Be enrolled in full-time education at an institution of higher education, technical school, or secondary school in Azerbaijan.
• Engage in professional religious activity at officially registered religious institutions in Azerbaijan.
• Have grounds for residence as envisaged by international agreements of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

The application process for a TRP involves submitting various documents to the State Migration Service of Azerbaijan, including:

• An application form.
• A copy of a valid passport (with a validity period of more than three months from the expiry date of the TRP).
• A notarized copy of a birth certificate or equivalent document for applicants under 18 without a passport.
• A notarized document confirming the existence of one or more of the justifying cases mentioned above.
• A notarized consent letter from an Azerbaijani family member or close relative, as specified by the Migration Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan.
• A health certificate confirming that the applicant is not a carrier of any dangerous infectious diseases.
• A copy of the document authorizing temporary stay or residence in Azerbaijan.
• An invitation letter from an authority, enterprise, or organization in Azerbaijan (if applicable).
• Two passport-sized photos (3.5 x 4.5 cm).
• Proof of address in Azerbaijan, such as a rental agreement or similar document.
• An application from the person providing accommodation (if applicable).
• A copy of the identity document of the person providing accommodation (if applicable).
• Receipt of payment for the state fee.

It is important to note that there are strict procedures and penalties for non-compliance with immigration regulations in Azerbaijan. Therefore, it is advisable to seek legal consultancy to ensure proper guidance throughout the process.

Permanent Residence Permit

To obtain a permanent residence permit in Azerbaijan, you must first have held a temporary residence permit for at least two years without interruption. This means that you cannot have stayed outside of Azerbaijan for more than 90 days within 180 days.

You must apply to the State Migration Service of the Republic of Azerbaijan at least three months before your temporary residence permit expires. The permanent residence permit is issued for five years and can be extended for another five years. There is no limit to the number of extensions.

To apply for a permanent residence permit, you must submit the following documents:

• Application form
• Copy of passport or other border-crossing document
• Notarized copy of the birth certificate or a document equivalent (for persons under 18 without a passport)
• Health certificate confirming you are not a carrier of any dangerous infectious diseases
• Document certifying the existence of necessary funds to meet minimal needs (unless a close relative is supporting you)
• Copy of the temporary or permanent residence card
• Notarized copy of the document certifying that the grounds for issuing a temporary residence permit are still valid
• Two photos sized 3.5 x 4.5 cm
• Notarized consent of minors between the ages of 14 and 18
• Document of the residential area where the person will be registered (e.g. extract on the state registration of the property right, warrant for accommodation, rent or tenancy agreement)
• Application of the person providing the foreigner with accommodation (unless the foreigner has their own accommodation)
• Copy of the identity document of the person providing the foreigner with accommodation (unless the foreigner has their own accommodation)
• Receipt certifying payment of the state fee

There are several ways to qualify for a permanent residence permit in Azerbaijan. You can qualify if:

• You are in a close relationship with an Azerbaijani citizen (e.g. parent, child, grandparent, grandchild, sibling)
• You invest at least 500,000 manats in the country's economy
• You possess real estate in Azerbaijan worth at least 100,000 manats, or funds in that amount in Azerbaijani banks
• You are a highly qualified specialist in specific industries such as the economy, industry, defence, science, culture, or sports
• You are a special category of professional invited by individuals or entities for specified purposes
• You are a family member of a foreigner or stateless person temporarily or permanently residing in Azerbaijan
• You hold a position of head or deputy head in the branch or representation of a foreign legal entity in Azerbaijan
• You engage in entrepreneurship activity in Azerbaijan, employing at least five full-time or ten part-time employees, with at least 80% being Azerbaijani citizens
• You obtain a work permit to carry out paid labour activity in Azerbaijan
• You are a full-time student at an institution of higher education or technical school, or you are enrolled in a secondary school in Azerbaijan
• You are engaged in professional religious activity at officially registered religious institutions
• There are grounds envisaged by international agreements of Azerbaijan

Visa requirements

To enter Azerbaijan as a visitor, your passport must have an expiry date of at least six months after the date you arrive and at least two blank pages for entry stamps. If you are entering as a resident, your passport must have an expiry date of at least three months after the expiry date of your temporary or permanent residence permit.

All visitors to Azerbaijan must obtain a visa in advance. This includes British citizens. You can apply for a visa from the ASAN Visa (e-visa) service. An e-visa will usually allow a 30-day visit within a 90-day period of validity. You must print out the e-visa and bring it with your passport to show on arrival.

If you are travelling for business or to work, you will need to contact the Azerbaijani Embassy in your home country. For example, the Azerbaijani Embassy in the UK states that you should contact them at least one month before your travel date.

If you are staying in Azerbaijan for longer than 15 days, you must register with the State Migration Service within 15 days of arrival, either in person or online. If you are staying in a hotel, they may be able to do this for you.

Temporary Residence Permits

To apply for a temporary residence permit, you must contact the State Migration Service of Azerbaijan. This permit is usually issued for one year and can be extended four times, for one year each time.

You may be eligible for a temporary residence permit if you:

• Are married to an Azerbaijani citizen or have close ties/family of an Azerbaijani citizen
• Open a deposit account with 50,000 AZN
• Work in Azerbaijan and hold a work permit
• Are a full-time student at one of Azerbaijan's universities
• Are a specialist in defence, the economy, culture or science

Permanent Residence Permits

You can apply for a permanent residence permit after you have lived in Azerbaijan on a temporary residence permit for two years. A permanent residence permit is issued for five years and can be extended for another five years.

To apply for a permanent residence permit, you must submit the following documents:

• A medical certificate issued in Azerbaijan
• A completed application form
• Your passport

Healthcare and insurance

Azerbaijan has both state-run and private healthcare facilities. However, only Azerbaijani citizens have access to free healthcare in the country. Therefore, it is highly recommended that expats purchase international health insurance to ensure they can access high-quality care during their stay in Azerbaijan.

The public healthcare system in Azerbaijan is inefficient and underfunded, with most facilities located in Baku, the country's capital. Outside the capital, public healthcare services are almost non-existent, and the few facilities that do exist lack adequate services, equipment, and medical staff. Due to these limitations, expats living outside Baku will likely need to travel to the city to access public healthcare services.

On the other hand, the private healthcare sector in Azerbaijan offers much higher standards of care, including modern equipment and well-qualified staff. The private sector has expanded in recent years, providing expats with more options. However, private healthcare costs are typically higher.

International health insurance is a popular choice for expats in Azerbaijan due to its comprehensive coverage, flexibility, and portability. Some popular insurance providers among expats include Morgan Price, Expacare, Now Health, and Cigna. It is important for expats to carefully review their insurance documents to understand the extent of their coverage.

When seeking medical care in Azerbaijan, expats can choose between public and private clinics, hospitals, or polyclinics. Polyclinics offer a combination of primary care and outpatient specialised services. For more serious medical conditions, it may be necessary to seek treatment abroad, usually in Turkey or other European countries. Therefore, expats should ensure that their insurance plan covers medical evacuation. Additionally, in the case of a medical emergency in Azerbaijan, dial 103 to call for an ambulance.

Employment rules

To obtain a permanent residence permit in Azerbaijan, you must have resided in the country on a temporary basis for at least two consecutive years. This means that you must not have stayed outside of Azerbaijan for more than 90 days within 180 days.

There are two types of residence permits in Azerbaijan: Temporary Residence Permit and Permanent Residence Permit. The State Migration Service is responsible for issuing and extending these permits.

Temporary Residence Permit

This type of permit grants foreigners and stateless persons the right to live in Azerbaijan for a specified period, typically up to one year. It can be extended for up to two years at a time, if there is a valid reason. The permit has to be extended at least one month before its expiry date.

To be eligible for a temporary residence permit, you must meet one of the following criteria:

• Invest a minimum of AZN 500,000 (approximately USD 295,000) in the country's economy.
• Deposit at least AZN 100,000 (approximately USD 59,000) in a local bank under a term deposit agreement.
• Invest a minimum of AZN 100,000 (approximately USD 59,000) in real estate in Azerbaijan.
• Be the head or founder of a company with foreign investment, owning at least 51% of the shares, with a paid-up Charter Capital of at least AZN 50,000 (approximately USD 30,000).
• Hold a position as head or deputy head in the branch or representation of a foreign company.
• Be an individual entrepreneur employing a minimum of five full-time employees, with a business turnover of at least AZN 50,000 (approximately USD 30,000).
• Invest a minimum of AZN 100,000 (approximately USD 59,000) in securities.

Permanent Residence Permit

The permanent residence permit grants foreigners and stateless persons the indefinite right to live in Azerbaijan. It is valid for five years and can be extended for another five years if required.

The grounds for obtaining a permanent residence permit are the same as for a temporary residence permit. However, the investment requirements are twice as high. For example, the minimum bank deposit requirement is AZN 200,000.

To apply for a permanent residence permit, you must have lived in Azerbaijan on a temporary residence permit for two consecutive years and have a basic knowledge of the local language.

Applications for a permanent residence permit must be made at least three months before the expiry date of the temporary residence permit.

Frequently asked questions