When planning a trip to Azerbaijan, one of the first key steps is to determine whether you need a visa and how to apply for one. Here is the information you need about applying for a visa for Azerbaijan at the embassy and the other options available to you.
Who needs to apply for a visa for Azerbaijan?
Depending on your nationality, you may be exempt from visa requirements for a short stay in Azerbaijan. Travellers from member countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), as well as certain neighbouring countries such as Georgia, Turkey and Iran, can enter without a visa for stays of up to 90 days. However, for most other nationalities, a visa is required to enter Azerbaijan.
Types of visa available
There are three main types of visa for foreigners wishing to visit Azerbaijan:
- Tourist visa : for people wishing to visit the country for holidays or tourism.
- Business visa : for those coming for business reasons, such as attending conferences, meetings or corporate events.
- Private visit visa : for people invited by an Azerbaijani resident for personal purposes.
How do I apply for a visa for Azerbaijan?
There are two main ways of applying for a visa for Azerbaijan: online or in person at an embassy or consulate. We will detail the steps to follow for each of these options below.
Electronic visa application (e-Visa)
Since 2016, the Azerbaijani government has introduced an e-Visa application system via the ASAN Visa portal. This is a simplified procedure, which allows eligible travellers (including nationals of the European Union, the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada and other countries) to obtain a tourist visa online in a few days, without needing to visit the embassy. Here are the steps to follow to apply for an e-Visa:
- Access ASAN Visa's official website - or that of an expert private agency - and complete the online application form.
- Scan and download a colour copy of your passport.
- Pay your visa fees online using a credit or debit card.
- Once your application has been approved, you will receive your e-Visa by e-mail.
- Print it out and present it on arrival in Azerbaijan.
Note that the e-Visa is only valid for a maximum stay of 30 days and cannot be extended. It is also only available for tourist visas.
An "express" version of the ASAN Viza, edited in 3 hours, for a much higher cost.
Applying for a visa at an embassy or consulate
If you are unable to apply for an e-Visa or if you require another type of visa (business, private visit, etc.), you will need to apply for a visa at the Azerbaijani embassy or consulate in your country of residence. Here are the general steps to follow:
- Check the specific requirements for your nationality and the type of visa you require on the website of the relevant embassy or consulate.
- Complete the visa application form, available online or in person.
- Gather the required documents, such as your passport, recent passport photos, a letter of invitation (if necessary), and any other relevant documents.
- Make an appointment at the embassy or consulate to submit your application in person.
- Pay the visa fee, usually by credit card, cheque or money order. Please note that fees can rise to more than USD 250 for a multiple-entry visa.
- Wait for the decision on your visa application, which can take from a few days to several weeks depending on the case. Once the visa has been granted, it will be affixed to your passport.
It is important to note that processing times and documentation requirements may vary from embassy to embassy. It is therefore crucial to check this information with the relevant embassy or consulate before starting the visa application process.
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