A Guide To Relocating And Settling In Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan is a former Soviet Union country in the Caucasus region of the Middle East, bordering Armenia, Russia, the Caspian Sea, Iran, and Georgia. It has a diverse climate, with snowy winters in highly elevated places and year-round sunshine in other regions. The official language is Azerbaijani, a Turkic dialect, and the majority of the population follows Shia Islam. While it is not a popular destination for immigrants, Azerbaijan has experienced waves of immigration, particularly from ethnic Azerbaijanis from Armenia, Russia, and other former Soviet Union countries. To migrate to Azerbaijan, foreigners must obtain the relevant visas and permits, which may include a temporary residence permit, work permit, or permanent residency visa. The requirements and procedures for immigration are strict, and it is recommended to consult with immigration lawyers or the local Azerbaijani embassy for detailed advice.

Visas and permits

The type of visa or permit you will need to migrate to Azerbaijan will depend on your personal circumstances, such as your reason for migrating, your nationality, and your intended duration of stay.

If you are a foreign citizen or stateless person intending to reside in Azerbaijan for more than 15 days (or more than 30 days if you are a citizen of Kazakhstan), you must register your place of stay with the State Migration Service of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic. You can do this by applying via the electronic services of the official website of the State Migration Service of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the e-government portal, email, or in person at regional migration departments or "ASAN service" centres. You will need to provide an application form and a copy of your passport or other border-crossing document, including the visa page and pages indicating your last entry to the country. There is no state fee for this registration.

To obtain a visa for Azerbaijan, you must consult your local Azerbaijani embassy. They will be able to provide detailed advice relating to your individual circumstances and provide a visa application form. Before being granted a visa, you must provide the consulate with a completed application form, one passport-style photograph, a valid passport, a letter of invitation, and proof of address in the form of a rental agreement, utility bill, or recent bank statement.

It is important to note that there are some areas of the country that are off-limits to foreign visa holders, such as the occupied parts of Azerbaijan like Nagorno-Karabakh, which are temporarily out of the control of the Azerbaijani government due to occupation by Armenia.

If you are a foreign citizen or stateless person intending to reside temporarily in Azerbaijan, you must obtain a relevant permit and a permission card for temporary residence from the State Migration Service of Azerbaijan ("SMS"). This permission card, or TRC, allows you to reside in Azerbaijan temporarily and exit and return to the country under a visa-free regime during its validity period. It also certifies your identity and place of residence in Azerbaijan. Small business owners are usually issued a TRC card for 3 to 6 months, and the processing time is 25 days after submitting all the required documents, including the temporary residence permit application form.

To apply for a permanent residency visa, foreigners must have resided in Azerbaijan with a temporary visa for a minimum of two years and provide an official medical certificate confirming they are in good health. You can apply for both residence and work permits through the same authority, the State Migration Service, following the "one window" principle.

To obtain permanent residence (PR), you must have a minimum of two years of stay on temporary residence grounds, and the grounds for residence must still be valid. Additionally, applicants must pass an examination on Azerbaijani language skills and certain migration rules conducted by a special commission composed of officials from the State Migration Service, the Ministry of Education, and the Ministry of Justice.

Finally, to obtain citizenship of Azerbaijan, you need a minimum of five years of stay in the country on permanent grounds (after obtaining PR), as well as Azerbaijani language proficiency and a source of income.

Registration

• Temporary Stay Registration: Foreigners or stateless persons staying in Azerbaijan for more than 15 days (30 days for Kazakhstan citizens) must register their place of stay. This registration must be done within 15 days (30 days for Kazakhstan citizens) of arrival. Registration can be done through the State Migration Service website, e-government portal, email ([email protected]), or in person at regional migration departments or "ASAN service" centres. No fee is required for this registration.
• Change of Address: If a foreigner or stateless person changes their place of stay, they must re-register within 5 working days of arriving at the new address. This re-registration is done through the same channels as the initial registration.
• Required Documents: To complete the registration process, individuals need to provide an application form and a copy of their passport or other border-crossing document, including the visa page and entries indicating their arrival in the country.

Temporary Residence Permit (TRP):

• Obtaining a TRP: Foreigners and stateless persons intending to reside temporarily in Azerbaijan must obtain a temporary residence permit from the State Migration Service. This permit allows them to stay in the country, exit, and return under a visa-free regime during its validity period.
• Eligibility for TRP: There are several eligibility categories for obtaining a TRP, including being a close family member of an Azerbaijani citizen, owning real estate or having funds in Azerbaijan, being a highly qualified specialist, being a family member of temporary or permanent residents, holding specific positions in companies registered in Azerbaijan, investing in the economy, engaging in entrepreneurial activities, obtaining a work permit, pursuing full-time education, or engaging in professional religious activities.
• Processing Time: The processing time for a TRC card (temporary residence permit) is approximately 25 days after submitting all the required documents and the application form.

Permanent Residence and Citizenship:

• Permanent Residence Requirements: To obtain permanent residence in Azerbaijan, individuals must have resided in the country on a temporary residence visa for a minimum of 2 years. They must also pass an examination that assesses their Azerbaijani language skills and knowledge of migration rules. This examination is conducted by a special commission comprising officials from the State Migration Service, the Ministry of Education, and the Ministry of Justice.
• Citizenship Requirements: Obtaining Azerbaijani citizenship requires a minimum of 5 years of permanent residence in the country, along with Azerbaijani language proficiency and a stable source of income.

Immigration routes

There are several ways to immigrate to Azerbaijan, each with its own requirements and procedures. Here are some of the most common immigration routes:

• Skilled Workers: Immigration to Azerbaijan as a skilled worker is limited to individuals with specific qualifications and work experience. To be eligible, individuals must have either a university or polytechnic degree or at least three years of training, along with relevant job experience. This route is typically for those in the fields of economy, industry, defence, science, culture, or sports.
• Students: Foreign students can immigrate to Azerbaijan to pursue their education. They must enrol in a recognised institution of higher education, technical school, or secondary school in the country.
• Family Members: Spouses, children, parents, grandparents, and siblings of Azerbaijani citizens or foreign residents in Azerbaijan may immigrate to join their family members.
• Investors and Entrepreneurs: Foreigners who invest significant amounts in the Azerbaijani economy or start a business that employs a certain number of people may be eligible for a temporary residence permit. The investment threshold is currently set at 500,000 manats (AZN).
• Work Permit: Foreigners can obtain a work permit and temporary residence in Azerbaijan. The process typically involves finding an employer who is willing to sponsor the work permit and applying through the State Migration Service.
• Refugees and Asylum Seekers: Azerbaijan offers protection to those seeking refuge from persecution or conflict. Refugees and asylum seekers can apply for asylum through the State Migration Service and may be granted temporary or permanent residence if they meet the necessary criteria.
• Permanent Residency: Foreigners who have resided in Azerbaijan with a temporary visa for a minimum of two years can apply for a permanent residency visa. They must provide a medical certificate confirming their good health and submit the application through the State Migration Service.
• Citizenship: Obtaining Azerbaijani citizenship typically requires a minimum of five years of permanent residence in the country, along with language proficiency and a stable source of income.

It is important to note that the nationality of the applicant does not alter the legal requirements or procedures for immigration to Azerbaijan. The above-mentioned routes provide a general framework, and specific requirements and processes may vary depending on individual circumstances.

Employment and business

Employment opportunities in Azerbaijan are limited to skilled workers with either a university or polytechnic degree or at least 3 years of training with job experience. The main sectors hiring foreign workers are construction, services, and the booming petroleum industry.

To obtain a work permit, you must apply to the State Migration Service of Azerbaijan (“SMS”). You will need to provide the following documents:

• Completed application form
• Copy of your passport (including visa page and pages indicating the last entry to the country)
• Proof of qualification (degree or training)
• Job offer or contract from an Azerbaijani company

It is important to note that there are strict procedures and penalties for immigration and work permit violations in Azerbaijan. Seeking legal advice from immigration lawyers is recommended to ensure compliance with all requirements.

If you are interested in starting a business in Azerbaijan, be prepared for bureaucratic challenges. There are, however, great small business opportunities in the country, particularly in Baku. To establish a business, you may need to meet one or more of the following requirements:

• Close family member of an Azerbaijani citizen
• Ownership of real estate in Azerbaijan worth at least 100,000 manats (AZN) or equivalent funds in Azerbaijani banks
• Highly qualified specialist in areas such as economy, industry, defense, science, culture, or sports
• Head or deputy head of a company registered in Azerbaijan and owned by a foreign person
• Investment of at least 500,000 manats (AZN) in the Azerbaijani economy
• Employment of at least 5 full-time or 10 part-time employees, with at least 80% being Azerbaijani citizens
• Engaged in entrepreneurial activity in Azerbaijan

Citizenship

To become a citizen of Azerbaijan, you must meet the eligibility criteria. This includes a minimum of five years of residency in the country, proficiency in the Azerbaijani language, history, and culture, a clean criminal record, and good moral character.

The next step is to obtain permanent residency, which requires evidence of five years of residency in Azerbaijan and a police clearance certificate. Once you have permanent residency, you can apply for citizenship with the following documents: a completed application form, proof of permanent residency, a police clearance certificate, and proof of knowledge in Azerbaijani language, history, and culture.

The process of obtaining Azerbaijani nationality may include an interview to assess your cultural and language knowledge and moral character. The final stage involves a waiting period for the decision, which is communicated in writing after a review that could last several months.

Azerbaijani nationality is typically obtained under the principle of jus sanguinis, i.e. by birth to parents with Azerbaijani nationality. It can also be granted to persons with an affiliation to the country or to permanent residents who have lived in the country for a given period. Foreigners can apply for naturalization in Azerbaijan provided that they have continuously resided in the country for at least five years, have a legal income, have proficiency in the Azerbaijani language, and respect the laws of the country. Applications for naturalization must be submitted to the State Migration Service in Baku.

Azerbaijani law allows individuals to renounce their nationality, provided they comply with registration processes. The government may oppose if the applicant has outstanding civic obligations or is involved in a criminal proceeding. Nationals can be denaturalized for obtaining another nationality, serving in a foreign country's government administration or armed services, committing crimes against the state or state security, or actions related to religious extremism or terrorism.

Frequently asked questions