NOTES FOR TOURISTS

Conception
Visa - is the official document providing legal origin to the foreigners and stateless persons: 
- For entrance to the country in the visa-required regime;
- For temporarily staying in the country during the period stated in their visas;
- For leaving the country within the rules of boundary supervision during the same period stated in their visas.  

Categories
Visa consists of three categories - diplomatic, service and ordinary. 

Types
Two types of visa - entrance and transit visa granted to the foreigners and stateless persons is formalized as below:
1. Entrance visa - such kind of visa is valid from three days up to three months.
- One time (ordinary) entrance visa - allows entering and exiting the country only one time during its validity period.
- Multiple entrance visas - such kind of visa is valid from 1 year up to 2 years. This visa allows person for multiple entrance-exit to the country during the appropriate period.
If the visa is not used during these periods it expires.
2. Transit visa.
One time or multiple transit visas – are granted to foreigners and stateless persons traveling to third countries via the territory of the Republic of Azerbaijan.
Transit visa allows person to stay in the Republic of Azerbaijan maximum 5 days.

Objectives
Foreigners and stateless persons can obtain ordinary (one time) entrance visa within the objectives as mentioned below:
- business purpose
- scientific purpose
- education purpose
- labor purpose
- tourism purpose
- cultural purpose
- sport purpose
- humanitarian purpose
- Purpose of personal visit
Diplomatic and service entrance visa is granted only to persons coming to Azerbaijan with the official purposes.
To the attitude of foreigners and stateless persons coming for labor activity to the Republic of Azerbaijan!
Diplomatic missions and consulates of the Republic of Azerbaijan issue one time entrance visa for the foreigners or stateless persons, who come to Azerbaijan for labor activity.
According to the Decree of the Cabinet of Ministry of the Republic of Azerbaijan “On issuance of personal permits for carrying out paid labor activity on the territory of the Republic of Azerbaijan by the foreigners and affirming the sample of this personal permit” dated 6 December 2000, foreigners and stateless persons have to apply to appropriate state bodies in order to get personal permits for labor activity in our country.
You can get information on rules of issuing personal permits for paid labor activity in the Republic of Azerbaijan by foreigners and stateless persons and related issues from the official web-pages of State Migration Service of the Republic of Azerbaijan (www.migration.gov.az).
Responsibilities and restrictions defined by legislation
According to the Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan “On exiting country, entrance to country and passports” (article No: 12) the foreigners’ and stateless persons’ entrance to the Republic of Azerbaijan can be restricted in cases mentioned below:
1) If it is vital for the protection of national security or public order
2) If it is significant for protection of rights and legal interests of citizens of Azerbaijan Republic and other persons.
3) If person disordered/violated the laws of the Republic of Azerbaijan in his/her previous visit to the Republic of Azerbaijan.
4) If the person gave false information about himself/herself when applying for the entrance to the Republic of Azerbaijan.
5) If the coming of mentally ill person or the person infected with infectious diseases constitutes a threat to public health (except the persons who do not constitute such threat and arriving at his/her or their legal trustee’s expense for medical treatment);
6) If the person has been extracted from the boundaries of the Republic of Azerbaijan before
7) If a person’s entrance to the Republic of Azerbaijan was considered undesirable.
In these cases, it is rejected to grant a visa to the person.
If there is a bureaucracy in considering the application or it is rejected to consider the application, foreigners and stateless persons can complain about it by administrative means or to the court.
Attention! In case of rejection for granting a visa, the state fee paid by foreigners or stateless persons will not be given back!
Foreigners and stateless persons crossing the border of the Republic of Azerbaijan in violation the requirements of the Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan “On exiting country, entrance to country and passports” without passport, visa or with invalid (unfaithful) passport and other documents, will be returned back. 
If the rules of exiting the country and entering the country defined by the law are not obeyed or violated, guilty persons bear administrative and criminal responsibility intended in the legislation of the Republic of Azerbaijan.
According to the Code of Administrative Delicts of the Republic of Azerbaijan, foreigners and stateless persons are responsible in the case stated below:
• For the disordering the rules of staying in the Republic of Azerbaijan or transit passing from the territory of Azerbaijan Republic –
 foreigners or stateless persons are fined from 300 Manat up to 400  Manat with the extraction from the boundaries in administrative  way or without extraction.
• For the loss of documents for temporary or permanent residence in the Republic of Azerbaijan or spoiling the documents intentionally –are fined from 15 Manat up to 25 Manat.
The exit of foreigner and stateless persons from the Republic of Azerbaijan can be limited temporarily in the cases mentioned below:
1) If their exit will be contrary to the interests of providing national security – until these basis disappear;
2) If they are accepted as suspicious or accused person on criminal act – until the end of criminal prosecution;
3) If they are condemned for criminal act – until they are set free or faced punishment fully;
4) If there is a civil claim against them - until the civil decision defined by the legislation of the Republic of Azerbaijan enters into force.
Documents required for granting visa
1. You have to present the following documents to obtain a visa by the diplomatic representations and consulates of the Republic of Azerbaijan abroad, as well as by means of the Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan:
• 1 application-form
• Double colored photos (3x4cm, in white background)
• Foreigner’s passport and stateless person’s identification card
• Invitation letter from receiving part (in 2 copies)
• Receipt of state fee:
1. Abroad - for granting visa
2. In the Republic of Azerbaijan – for sending appropriate instructions by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan Republic to the diplomatic representations and consulates of the Republic of Azerbaijan connected with granting visa on the basis of invitation letter.

2. You have to present the following documents to obtain a visa by the visa divisions of the Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs operated in Heydar Aliyev International Airport and Ganja International Airport, as well as by the  visa division of the Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic operated in Nakhchivan International Airport:
• 1 application-form
• Double colored photos (3x4cm, in white background)
• Foreigner’s passport and stateless person’s identification card
• Invitation letter from receiving part (in 2 copies)
• Receipt of state fee for granting visa (fee is paid in cash)
Attention! If there is less than 3 months for expiry of foreigner’s passport and stateless person’s identification document visa is not granted.


How to apply to obtain a visa
Regulations for granting visa
According to requirements of our current legislations, foreigners and stateless persons can arrive to and exit from the Azerbaijan on the basis of their valid personal passports and the official permission – visa, except the nationals of the states defined a mutual agreement on visa-free motion.
Foreigners and stateless persons have to apply to the diplomatic representations and consulates of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the existence country with application-form clearly indicating the purpose and duration of their travel.
Here you can find the list of countries applying visa-free regime.
Foreigners and stateless persons can apply for and obtain a visa at the appropriate visa divisions of the Ministry of the Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan operated in the international airports only in the cases defined by Decree of the President of Republic Of Azerbaijan (dated 13 September 2010, No: 326.) “On certain issues dealing with the granting visas to the foreigners and stateless persons traveling to the Republic of Azerbaijan”:
- visa divisions of the Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs operated in Heydar Aliyev International Airport;
- visa divisions of the Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs operated in Ganja International Airport;
- visa division of the Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic operated in Nakhchivan International Airport.The Ministry of the Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the diplomatic representations and consulates of the Republic of Azerbaijan examines the foreigners’ and stateless persons’ applications no later 1 month after their applications accepted.
In case of his/her urgent medical treatment or death of his/her closest relatives living in Azerbaijan foreigners and stateless persons can obtain a visa by presenting documents approving these facts. In this case their application is examined no later than 48 hours.

State fees for granting visa
and the rules for its payment

1. According to the Law “On State fees” (article 16.1.5.) for sending  appropriate instructions by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan Republic to the diplomatic representations and consulates of the Republic of Azerbaijan connected with granting visa on the basis of invitation letter costs – 2 manat.
Payment address:
International Bank of Azerbaijan, Sahil branch, Sh.Qurbanov str.4.
2. According to the Law “On State fees” foreigners and stateless persons coming to the Republic of Azerbaijan should pay following amount of fees for obtaining visa:
For one time entrance visa (from 3 days up to 3 months) - 40 USD
For double entrance visa (from 3 days to 3 months) - 80 USD
For multiple entrance visa (for 1 year validity) - 250 USD
For touristic visa - 20 USD
(Only for persons presenting touristic/travel voucher) 
For ordinary transit visa - 20 USD
For double entrance transit visa - 40 USD
Attention! Each member of the travel group of foreigners and stateless persons have to pay state fees for himself/herself.  
If the amount of fees determined by the relevant bodies of foreign states with regard to the Azerbaijani citizens differs from that determined by the relevant bodies of the Republic of Azerbaijan, then in accordance with article 17.8 of the “Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan on states fees” the amount of the state fees is defined by the decision of relevant executive power bodies to equal the amount of fees that the Azerbaijani citizens are charged in those countries.
It means that, foreigners and stateless persons coming to Azerbaijan should pay fees in that amount determined for the citizens of Azerbaijan by his/her state in reciprocity principle.
Attention! Here you can find the amounts of state fees required from citizens of relevant states.
Payment address:
Abroad – to the account determined by the diplomatic representation and consulates of the Republic of Azerbaijan
 
In the following addresses state fee for obtaining visa is paid in cash:
- visa divisions of the Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs operated in Heydar Aliyev International Airport;
- visa divisions of the Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs operated in Ganja International Airport;
- visa division of the Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic operated in Nakhchivan International Airport.The Ministry of the Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the diplomatic representations and consulates of the Republic of Azerbaijan examines the foreigners’ and stateless persons’ applications no later 1 month after their applications accepted.
Attention!  If it is rejected to grant a visa, the state fee paid beforehand will not be given back!

Exemption of paying state fees for granting visa

According to the Law “On State fees” (article No 17.2) foreigners and stateless persons listed below are free from paying state fees for obtaining visa to the Republic of Azerbaijan:
- member of state representative staff and official persons;
- representatives of internatiol humanitarian organization in the Republic of Azerbaijan;
- persons studying via state proqramms and labouring on pedagogical activity;
- traviling via official defence purposes

Citizens of following countries holding ordinary passport can obtain a visa exempting state-fees:
1. In accordance with the agreement between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Turkey, citizens of Turkey holding ordinary passport can obtain a visa:
 - in the diplomatic representatives and consulates of the Republic of Azerbaijan - without paying state fees;
- in the visa divisions of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan operated in the international airports - costs 10 USD.
2. Citizens of Japan holding ordinary passport can obtain a visa without paying state fees.
3. Citizens of Pakistan Islam Republic holding ordinary passport can obtain a visa without paying state fees for the validity of 15 days.

The countries applying the visa-free regime

According to the Law “On exit from, entry into the country and passports” of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Milli Mejlis of the Republic of Azerbaijan can establish a simplified (without visa) procedure for foreigner and stateless persons to enter the Republic of Azerbaijan on a basis of their personal passports in accordance with the interstate agreements concluded by the Republic of Azerbaijan, and by suggestion of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan. 
 
According to the bilateral interstates agreement, mutual visa-free regime is applied between the Republic of Azerbaijan and countries listed below.
I group. 
For the holders of diplomatic or service (official/special) passports.
Mutual visa-free regime is applied between the Republic of Azerbaijan and countries listed below only for
1. Nationals of the Republic of Azerbaijan and appropriate states holding diplomatic or service (official/special) passports;
2. And family members (supposes and children) of above mentioned persons:
- traveling with them;
- having no own diplomatic or service (official/special) passports;
- photos, given name, family name and patronymic officially registered
   in that diplomatic or service (official/special) passports
II group.
For the holders of any kind of passports
(Diplomatic, service, (official/special) and ordinary)
Mutual visa-free regime is applied between the Republic of Azerbaijan and countries listed below for
1. National of both countries holding any kind of valid passport –including diplomatic, service (official/service) or ordinary passports providing the right of international cross-border;
2. Family members (supposes and children) of above mentioned persons:
- traveling with them;
- having no personal passports;
- photos, given name, family name and patronymic officially registered
        in relevant type of passports
3. stateless persons holding relevant identity document providing the right of international cross-border and granted especially to the stateless persons by the relevant state bodies of the Azerbaijan Republic or appropriate foreign country;
4. Nationals or stateless persons holding Reentry Certificate - temporary document for international cross border, granted only for returning to the citizenship country or permanent residence country in the cases of lost/theft/became invalid/expiry of passport.
Attention!
It is determined 90 days to stay temporarily in the Republic of Azerbaijan for the citizens of the countries listed above holding ordinary passports.
Upon the termination of temporary staying duration (90 days) foreigners and stateless persons have to extend of this duration or leave the country.
Foreigner and stateless person coming to Azerbaijan in visa required regime and extended his/her temporary staying duration in the Republic of Azerbaijan for next 90 days have to leave the territory of the Republic of Azerbaijan upon the termination of this extended duration.
They can return to Azerbaijan in visa-free regime after living abroad no less than 30 day, except the cases confirming the serious illness or death of his/her closest relatives).
III group. 
Only following countries are applying a visa-free regime for the nationals of the Republic of Azerbaijan holding ordinary passport in unilateral order.

More info: http://mfa.gov.az/eng/index.php

Foreign currency must be declared on arriving (introduced into declaration). Bringing items intended for private use is permitted free of charge; up to 600 g of caviar, up to 3 blocks cigarettes and medicines, as needed. It is permitted to export personal belongings, articles of craft and goods obtained in the country. Export of any antique goods (including precious stones, coins, transcripts and other works of art) without the permission of authorities is forbidden. Transit of narcotic substances, guns and ammunition (excluding shotguns for which permission is given), literature and video materials offending moral and violating laws of the country are forbidden.

Currency

National currency of Azerbaijan is Azerbaijan manat (AZN). The rate of national currency is 0, 8732 AZN (new manat) per 1 USD and 1, 1144 AZN per 1 EUR as of 01/11/2006. Foreign currency and traveler’s checks can be exchanged for Azerbaijan manats in all banks. Master Card / Visa are acceptable in many banks and stores.

Time zone

GMT + 4 hours (GMT + 5 hours from the last Sunday of March to the last Sunday of October).