Do I Need a Visa for Azerbaijan?
Azerbaijan, officially the Republic of Azerbaijan, is a transcontinental nation situated at the crossroads of Eastern Europe and Western Asia. Bordering Russia, Georgia, Armenia, Iran, and the Caspian Sea, it is home to the vibrant capital city of Baku — a rapidly growing destination for business and tourism. Azerbaijan operates an independent, sovereign visa policy and does not participate in any regional free-travel zone equivalent to the EU’s Schengen Area.
The country’s visa system is managed by the State Migration Service and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Azerbaijan’s visa policies are partly aligned with the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) mobility rights framework, which explains why many former Soviet states enjoy visa-free access. In 2017, Azerbaijan launched its globally recognised ASAN Viza (electronic visa) system, which has dramatically simplified travel for citizens of roughly 80 countries.
This guide provides a complete breakdown of visa requirements for all nationalities — from fully visa-free access, to eVisa on arrival, to the online ASAN Viza, to those who require a visa in advance, and those who are refused entry altogether.
| Passport Validity Rule All visitors to Azerbaijan must hold a passport valid for at least 3 months. Critically, the passport must be valid for at least 3 months longer than the intended expiry date of any visa being applied for. Passports with less than 3 months remaining will not be issued a visa. |
| Registration Requirement All visitors planning to stay for more than 15 days must register their place of stay with the State Migration Service upon arrival. Exception: citizens of Kazakhstan only need to register if staying more than 30 days. |
Visa-Free Entry — No Visa Required
Citizens of a select group of countries — predominantly former Soviet states and close regional partners — may enter Azerbaijan without any visa at all. Visa-free entry is granted solely on the basis of an ordinary (regular) passport.
Visa-Free for Up to 90 Days
The following nationalities may stay in Azerbaijan for up to 90 days without a visa. Note that different sub-conditions apply:
| Country (Column A) | Country (Column B) |
| Albania¹ | Belarus |
| Georgia | Kazakhstan |
| Kyrgyzstan | Moldova |
| Morocco | Russia² |
| Serbia¹ | Tajikistan |
| Turkey (ID card if from Turkey)¹ | Ukraine |
| United Arab Emirates¹ | Uzbekistan |
Important notes:
- ¹ Albania, Serbia, Turkey, and UAE: The 90-day allowance applies within any 180-day period, meaning repeated short visits are counted cumulatively — you cannot spend more than 90 days in Azerbaijan in any rolling 6-month window.
- ² Russia: The 90-day visa-free allowance applies within one calendar year (January 1 to December 31), rather than a rolling 180-day period.
- Turkey: Turkish citizens may additionally enter Azerbaijan using a national ID card (in lieu of a passport), provided they are arriving directly from Turkey.
Visa-Free for Up to 30 Days
The following countries benefit from a shorter 30-day visa-free arrangement:
| Country | Notes |
| Qatar | Ordinary passport holders; 30-day stay permitted |
| China (PRC passports) | For holders of People’s Republic of China passports only; 30-day stay |
| Hong Kong SAR | Temporary measure: valid from 2 February 2026 to 2 February 2027 only; HKSAR passports only |
| Macao SAR | Temporary measure: valid from 2 February 2026 to 2 February 2027 only; Macao SAR passports only |
| Note on China/HK/Macao While China, Hong Kong SAR, and Macao SAR holders have visa-free access, they are also eligible for the e-Visa on arrival at international airports as an alternative. The 30-day visa-free access for HK and Macao is a temporary measure and should be confirmed before travel. |
Non-Ordinary Passports — Diplomatic, Official, Service & Special Passports
A far wider range of countries benefit from visa exemptions for holders of non-ordinary passports. Holders of diplomatic, official, service, or special passports from the countries listed below may enter Azerbaijan without a visa for up to 90 days (unless otherwise noted):
| Country | Eligible Passport Types | Stay Limit |
| Albania | Diplomatic (D), Service (S) | 90 days |
| Argentina | Diplomatic (D), Official (O), Service (S) | 90 days |
| Austria | Diplomatic (D), Service (S) | 90 days |
| Belarus | Diplomatic (D), Official (O), Service (S) | 90 days |
| Belgium | Diplomatic (D) | 90 days |
| Bolivia | Diplomatic (D), Official (O), Service (S) | 90 days |
| Bosnia and Herzegovina | Diplomatic (D), Official (O), Service (S) | 30 days |
| Brazil | Diplomatic (D), Official (O), Service (S) | 90 days |
| Bulgaria | Diplomatic (D), Service (S) | 90 days |
| Cambodia | Diplomatic (D) | 90 days |
| Chile | Diplomatic (D), Official (O), Service (S) | 90 days |
| China | Diplomatic (D), Service (S), Public Affairs (PA) | 30 days |
| Colombia | Diplomatic (D), Official (O), Service (S) | 90 days |
| Croatia | Diplomatic (D), Service (S) | 90 days |
| Cuba | Diplomatic (D), Official (O), Service (S) | 90 days |
| Cyprus | Diplomatic (D) | 90 days |
| Czech Republic | Diplomatic (D) | 90 days |
| Egypt | Diplomatic (D), Service (S), Special (Sp) | 30 days |
| Estonia | Diplomatic (D) | 90 days |
| Finland | Diplomatic (D) | 90 days |
| France | Diplomatic (D) | 90 days |
| Georgia | Diplomatic (D), Official (O), Service (S) | 90 days |
| Germany | Diplomatic (D) | 90 days |
| Greece | Diplomatic (D) | 90 days |
| Hong Kong | Diplomatic (D), Service (S) | 14 days |
| Hungary | Diplomatic (D) | 90 days |
| India | Diplomatic (D), Official (O), Service (S) | 90 days |
| Indonesia | Diplomatic (D), Service (S) | 30 days |
| Iran | Diplomatic (D), Service (S) | 30 days |
| Iraq | Diplomatic (D), Official (O), Service (S) | 30 days |
| Israel | Diplomatic (D), Service (S) | 90 days |
| Italy | Diplomatic (D), Service (S) | 90 days |
| Japan | Diplomatic (D) | 90 days |
| Jordan | Diplomatic (D), Service (S) | 90 days |
| Kazakhstan | Diplomatic (D), Official (O), Service (S) | 90 days |
| Kuwait | Diplomatic (D), Service (S), Special (Sp) | 90 days |
| Kyrgyzstan | Diplomatic (D), Official (O), Service (S) | 90 days |
| Laos | Diplomatic (D) | 30 days |
| Latvia | Diplomatic (D), Service (S) | 90 days |
| Libya | Diplomatic (D), Service (S), Special (Sp) — TEMPORARILY SUSPENDED | N/A |
| Liechtenstein | Diplomatic (D) | 90 days |
| Lithuania | Diplomatic (D), Service (S) | 90 days |
| Luxembourg | Diplomatic (D) | 90 days |
| Malaysia | Diplomatic (D), Official (O), Service (S) | 30 days |
| Malta | Diplomatic (D) | 90 days |
| Mexico | Diplomatic (D) | 90 days |
| Moldova | Diplomatic (D), Official (O), Service (S) | 90 days |
| Mongolia | Diplomatic (D), Official (O), Service (S) | 90 days |
| Montenegro | Diplomatic (D), Service (S) | 90 days |
| Morocco | Diplomatic (D), Official (O), Service (S), Special (Sp) | 90 days |
| Netherlands | Diplomatic (D) | 90 days |
| Norway | Diplomatic (D) | 90 days |
| Pakistan | Diplomatic (D), Service (S) | 30 days |
| Palestine | Diplomatic (D) | 30 days |
| Paraguay | Diplomatic (D), Official (O), Service (S) | 90 days |
| Peru | Diplomatic (D), Service (S), Special (Sp) | 90 days |
| Poland | Diplomatic (D) | 90 days |
| Portugal | Diplomatic (D), Service (S), Special (Sp) | 90 days |
| Qatar | Diplomatic (D), Service (S), Special (Sp) | 30 days |
| Romania | Diplomatic (D), Service (S) | 90 days |
| Russia | Diplomatic (D), Official (O), Service (S) | 90 days |
| San Marino | Diplomatic (D), Service (S) | 90 days |
| Serbia | Diplomatic (D), Official (O), Service (S) | 90 days |
| Singapore | Diplomatic (D), Official (O), Service (S) | 90 days |
| Slovakia | Diplomatic (D), Service (S) | 90 days |
| Slovenia | Diplomatic (D), Service (S) | 90 days |
| South Korea | Diplomatic (D), Official (O), Service (S) | 30 days |
| Spain | Diplomatic (D) | 90 days |
| Sweden | Diplomatic (D) | 90 days |
| Switzerland | Diplomatic (D), Service (S) | 90 days |
| Syria | Diplomatic (D), Service (S), Special (Sp) | 30 days |
| Tajikistan | Diplomatic (D), Official (O), Service (S) | 90 days |
| Turkey | Diplomatic (D), Service (S), Special (Sp) | 90 days |
| Turkmenistan | Diplomatic (D), Service (S) | 30 days |
| Ukraine | Diplomatic (D), Official (O), Service (S) | 90 days |
| United Arab Emirates | Diplomatic (D), Service (S), Special (Sp) | 90 days |
| Uruguay | Diplomatic (D), Official (O), Service (S) | 90 days |
| Uzbekistan | Diplomatic (D), Official (O), Service (S) | 90 days |
| Venezuela | Diplomatic (D), Official (O), Service (S) | 30 days |
| Vietnam | Diplomatic (D), Official (O), Service (S) | 30 days |
Additionally, Azerbaijan has signed (but not yet ratified as of writing) visa exemption agreements for diplomatic and service passport holders with Rwanda (signed September 2023) and Saudi Arabia (signed September 2024).
Electronic Visa on Arrival (eVisa on Arrival)
Citizens of a specific group of countries may obtain an electronic visa directly upon arrival at any international airport in Azerbaijan, without needing to arrange a visa in advance. This eVisa on arrival is valid for a single entry and a maximum stay of 30 days.
| Country | Visa Fee | Notes |
| Bahrain | USD 30 | |
| China | USD 30 | Also visa-free (ordinary passport) |
| Indonesia | USD 30 | |
| Israel | USD 30 | |
| Japan | Free (USD 0) | Exempt from visa fees by agreement |
| Kuwait | USD 30 | |
| Malaysia | USD 30 | |
| Oman | USD 30 | |
| Saudi Arabia | USD 30 | |
| Singapore | USD 30 | |
| South Korea | USD 30 |
The eVisa on arrival is processed at the airport immediately upon landing. Travellers should note that this option is available only at international airports — not at land or sea borders. Travellers should ensure they arrive with the necessary funds to pay the USD 30 fee.
Conditional Visa on Arrival
Beyond the standard eVisa on arrival list, certain categories of travellers from other countries may also qualify for a visa on arrival based on their existing visa/residency status:
- UAE Residents: Citizens of any country holding a valid residence visa or residence permit issued by the United Arab Emirates may obtain a 30-day tourist visa on arrival. They must present both their passport and their valid UAE visa or residence permit at the port of entry.
- GCC Permanent Residents: Citizens of any country holding a valid permanent residence card from any Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) country (Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, or Oman) may obtain a 30-day tourist visa on arrival. The permanent residence card and passport must be presented.
- State Migration Service Letter Holders: Travellers holding a letter of consent from Azerbaijan’s State Migration Service may also obtain a visa on arrival, regardless of nationality.
| Note on US Citizens US citizens could previously obtain a visa on arrival when arriving on direct flights from New York City. As of 2024, no airline operates direct flights between New York and Baku, so this option is no longer practically available. US citizens should instead apply for the ASAN Viza (e-Visa) online before travelling. |
ASAN Viza — Azerbaijan’s Electronic Visa System
Azerbaijan’s ASAN Viza (electronic visa) is one of the most widely praised digital visa systems in the world. In 2017, British travel magazine Wanderlust rated it the easiest visa to obtain in the world. Launched in January 2017, it allows citizens of approximately 80 countries and territories to apply for a visa entirely online — no embassy visit, no paperwork queue.
The ASAN Viza is issued for a single-entry visit of up to 30 days. It must be applied for online at evisa.gov.az before travel and must be printed and presented alongside the passport at the border checkpoint upon arrival.
e-Visa Fees and Processing Times
| Application Type | Fee (USD) | Processing Time |
| Standard Application | USD 25 + USD 5 service fee = USD 30 total | Up to 3 working days |
| Urgent Application | USD 60 + USD 5 service fee = USD 65 total | Within 3 hours |
The USD 5 service fee is unavoidable and applies to all applications regardless of type. The e-visa, once approved, should be printed and carried together with the passport when crossing into Azerbaijan.
Countries Eligible for the ASAN Viza (e-Visa)
Citizens of the following countries and territories may apply for the ASAN Viza online at evisa.gov.az:
| Column A | Column B | Column C |
| All EU Member States (27 countries) | All EFTA Member States (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland) | Algeria |
| Andorra | Argentina | Australia |
| Bahamas | Bahrain | Barbados |
| Bolivia | Bosnia and Herzegovina | Brazil |
| Brunei | Canada | Chile |
| China | Colombia | Costa Rica |
| Cuba | Djibouti | Ecuador |
| Guatemala | Honduras | Hong Kong |
| India | Indonesia | Iran |
| Israel | Jamaica | Japan |
| Jordan | Kuwait | Macau |
| Malaysia | Maldives | Mauritius |
| Mexico | Monaco | Mongolia |
| Montenegro | Nepal | New Zealand |
| North Macedonia | Oman | Pakistan |
| Panama | Paraguay | Peru |
| San Marino | Saudi Arabia | Seychelles |
| Singapore | South Africa | South Korea |
| Sri Lanka | Thailand | Trinidad and Tobago |
| Turkmenistan | United Kingdom | United States |
| Vatican City | Vietnam |
Note: All 27 European Union member states and all 4 EFTA member states (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland) are eligible for the ASAN Viza. This includes all citizens of France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, Poland, Sweden, and all other EU/EFTA nations.
Visa Required in Advance — Embassy Application
Travellers who do not qualify for visa-free entry, eVisa on arrival, or the online ASAN Viza system — or who wish to stay longer than 30 days, or who intend to work or study in Azerbaijan — must apply for a physical (sticker) visa at the nearest Azerbaijani diplomatic mission (embassy or consulate).
Applications may be submitted by mail or in person by appointment. The visa application form can also be filled out online through the Azerbaijani Ministry of Foreign Affairs website.
| Iraq, Syria and Afghanistan Citizens of Iraq, Syria, and Afghanistan must apply for a sticker visa only — they are not eligible for the e-Visa, ASAN Viza, or any on-arrival options. |
Visa Fees for Embassy Applications
| Visa Type | Cost |
| Single-entry visa | USD 20 |
| Transit visa | USD 20 |
| Multiple-entry visa | USD 250 |
Documents Required for a Visa Application
When applying for any Azerbaijani visa at a diplomatic mission, the following documents must be submitted:
- Completed visa application form (available online)
- Valid passport and a photocopy of the information page (passport must be valid for at least 3 months beyond visa expiry)
- Two colour, passport-regulation photographs
- Proof of legal status in the country of application (if applying from a country other than your own)
- Payment of visa application fees (by certified check)
Invitation Requirement
For all visa types except transit visas, a valid invitation from a person or organisation within Azerbaijan is required. The type of invitation document varies by visa type:
- Tourist Visa: Applicants must provide proof of a hotel booking within Azerbaijan and confirmed flights in and out of the country.
- Private Visit Visa: The applicant’s host in Azerbaijan must provide a notarised copy of their identity card and a formal invitation letter.
- All Other Visa Types (business, work, study, etc.): Prior permission from the Azerbaijani Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) must be obtained before applying at a diplomatic mission.
To obtain MFA permission, the inviting party in Azerbaijan must file the following documents in person at the MFA office in Baku:
- A completed application form (available online)
- A letter from the inviting person or organisation stating: the purpose of the visa, the duration of the visit, the number of required entries, and the diplomatic mission where the applicant will apply
- A copy of the invitee’s passport
- Proof of payment of the AZN 4 (approximately USD 2.35) application fee, paid by bank or online
If a legal representative submits on behalf of an individual, they must additionally provide proof of power of attorney and a copy of their own identity card. If the inviting party is an individual (not a company), they must also provide a copy of their tax number registration letter and proof of address.
EU Visa Facilitation Agreement
In 2013, Azerbaijan concluded a Visa Facilitation Agreement with the European Union (excluding Ireland). This agreement simplifies the visa process for EU citizens applying for Azerbaijani visas in the following ways:
- Reduces the number of supporting documents required to justify the purpose of the trip
- Provides for the issuance of multiple-entry visas
- Limits processing time for visa applications
- Reduces or eliminates visa fees for certain categories of EU citizens
This agreement does not grant visa-free access, but it makes obtaining a physical visa to Azerbaijan significantly easier for EU citizens who need to stay beyond 30 days or require a multiple-entry arrangement. Note that EU citizens eligible for the ASAN Viza (e-Visa) for stays up to 30 days will typically find the e-Visa more straightforward than a physical visa application under this facilitation agreement.
Admission Restrictions — Who Cannot Enter Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan maintains strict entry prohibitions for certain nationalities and categories of travellers. These are non-negotiable and enforced at all entry points.
Armenian Citizens and Persons of Armenian Descent
Due to the state of war with Armenia over the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Azerbaijan prohibits entry and transit to citizens of Armenia. Furthermore, Azerbaijan also prohibits entry to citizens of other countries who are of Armenian descent. This policy is applied broadly. Limited exceptions have been made for specific high-profile international events (such as UEFA Europa League matches played in Baku), but such exceptions are rare and require prior government approval.
Kosovo Passport Holders
Entry and transit is refused to all holders of Kosovo passports. This refusal applies absolutely — even passengers in transit who do not intend to leave the aircraft are refused transit and the airline cannot carry them to/through Azerbaijan.
Unrecognised Travel Documents
Azerbaijan does not recognise the following travel documents and will refuse entry to holders:
- Abkhazia passports
- Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR) passports
- Somaliland passports
- South Ossetia passports
- Transnistria passports
Restricted Exclave Areas
The Government of Azerbaijan strictly prohibits foreign citizens from entering or transiting the Azerbaijani exclave territories of Karki, Yuxari Askipara, Barxudarli, and Sofulu — which are de jure part of Azerbaijan but under Armenian control — without prior government consent. Foreign citizens who enter these territories without permission may be denied future entry to Azerbaijan and listed as persona non grata.
Quick Reference Summary Table
| Who You Are | Entry Status | Max Stay | How to Arrange |
| EU & EFTA citizens | e-Visa (ASAN Viza) | Up to 30 days (single entry) | Apply online at evisa.gov.az before travel |
| Albania, Serbia, Turkey, UAE | No visa needed | Up to 90 days / 180-day period | Ordinary passport; Turkey can use ID card |
| Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Morocco, Russia, Tajikistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan | No visa needed | Up to 90 days (Russia: per calendar year) | Ordinary passport |
| Qatar | No visa needed | Up to 30 days | Ordinary passport |
| China, Hong Kong SAR, Macao SAR | No visa needed (temp. until Feb 2027) / e-Visa on arrival also available | Up to 30 days | PRC/HKSAR/MSAR passports only |
| Bahrain, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Kuwait, Malaysia, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Korea | e-Visa on arrival | Up to 30 days | Obtainable at any international airport; USD 30 (Japan: free) |
| UAE residents | Conditional visa on arrival | Up to 30 days | Must show valid UAE visa/residence permit |
| GCC permanent residents | Conditional visa on arrival | Up to 30 days | Must show valid GCC permanent residence card |
| ~60 other countries (see list) | e-Visa (ASAN Viza) | Up to 30 days (single entry) | Apply at evisa.gov.az; USD 25 standard / USD 60 urgent |
| All other countries | Visa required in advance | Varies by visa type | Apply at nearest Azerbaijani diplomatic mission |
| Armenia / ethnic Armenians | Admission refused | N/A | Entry and transit prohibited |
| Kosovo passport holders | Admission refused | N/A | Entry and transit refused (even in transit) |
Who Visits Azerbaijan? — Visitor Statistics
To provide context on the visa policy, the following table shows the top source countries for visitors to Azerbaijan in 2021 (the most recent complete data available from official statistics):
| Country | Visitors (2021) | Visitors (2020) |
| Russia | 258,315 | 225,201 |
| Turkey | 197,907 | 160,504 |
| Iran | 125,358 | 72,783 |
| Georgia | 62,666 | 184,228 |
| Ukraine | 17,428 | 16,953 |
| UAE | 17,320 | 7,951 |
| United Kingdom | 9,428 | 7,051 |
| Saudi Arabia | 8,834 | 11,945 |
| Kazakhstan | 6,928 | 8,498 |
| Israel | 6,655 | 4,238 |
| Germany | 5,922 | 3,531 |
| Belarus | 5,730 | 6,036 |
| India | 5,117 | 12,731 |
| United States | 4,409 | 2,604 |
| Uzbekistan | 4,213 | 5,283 |
| Italy | 3,498 | 2,820 |
| Poland | 3,331 | 1,198 |
| Japan | 3,081 | 2,201 |
| Total (all countries) | 791,751 | 795,722 |
Conclusion
Azerbaijan’s visa policy is structured across four main tiers: full visa-free access for a select group of countries (primarily CIS and close partners), a widely accessible e-Visa on arrival for Asian markets, the globally lauded ASAN Viza e-Visa system covering roughly 80 countries, and a traditional embassy visa process for remaining nationalities.
For the vast majority of travellers from Western countries, Europe, the Americas, Australasia, and much of Asia, the ASAN Viza e-Visa system at evisa.gov.az is the simplest and most recommended route. It takes as little as 3 hours on an urgent basis and costs just USD 30 total. British travel magazine Wanderlust named it the easiest visa in the world to obtain.
All travellers should remember the key rules: passports must be valid for at least 3 months beyond the visa; stays longer than 15 days require registration with the State Migration Service; and Armenian citizens or persons of Armenian descent, as well as Kosovo passport holders, will be refused entry.
For the most up-to-date requirements for your specific nationality and purpose of travel, always consult the official Azerbaijani Ministry of Foreign Affairs website (mfa.gov.az) or the ASAN Viza portal (evisa.gov.az) before making travel arrangements.
| Disclaimer: This article is intended as a general reference only. Visa policies are subject to change, sometimes at short notice. Always verify current requirements with the Azerbaijani Embassy or Consulate in your country of residence, or via official government sources, before travelling. |
