Europe

Visas

Azerbaijan has changed its visa regime. Under the new system, letters of invitation must be submitted to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Baku and tourists must show a voucher from a local travel agent before the Azerbaijani Embassy in London will issue a visa. It is still possible to obtain a visa on arrival at the airport, for which we advise you to carry a letter of invitation or confirmation of hotel reservation, but long delays should be expected. We therefore recommend that all travellers to Azerbaijan seek advice from the Azerbaijani Embassy in London and apply for a visa one month before they are due to travel.

The Azerbaijan Ministry for Foreign Affairs have stated that the new fees for single entry visas will match the fee charged for a UK six-Month Multiple Entry Visa - £63.00 (AZN 111).  At the airport, the fee can be paid in US dollars and Azerbaijani manats.  You are advised to carry a sufficient amount of either currency to cover the cost of a visa.  There are cash machines at the airport but these may not always work.  In addition to the fee you should present two passport-sized photographs.  A letter of invitation is also requested.

 

Please ensure to check the duration of your visa as soon as it is given to avoid unintentional illegal overstaying and problems with Immigration at the airport on leaving Azerbaijan.

 

Your visa should be valid when departing Azerbaijan.  Extensions can be obtained at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs in Baku, 4 ShikhaliGurban Street, Baku (telephone 492 8383).  An exit visa, which you would require if your visa has expired, costs AZN 111.  You may also be liable for a fine for overstaying.

Passport validity

Passport should be valid for at least six months from the date of entry into Azerbaijan.

 

Caspian Sea ferry services

If you intend to take one of the Caspian Sea ferry services from Azerbaijan to Turkmenistan or Kazakhstan you should be aware that you need a valid visa for that country before you travel. You may find that if you arrive at your destination without a valid visa you will be returned back to Azerbaijan. Please note that there is now an Embassy of Turkmenistan in Baku from where British nationals can obtain visas.

 

Staying for longer than 30 days

All foreign nationals staying in Azerbaijan for longer than 30 days are required to carry an official ID card. This can be obtained from the police station nearest to your residence. We advise you to carry a photocopy of your passport details page and existing Azerbaijan visa while your application for a new or renewed visa or ID card is being processed. This can take between 1-2 weeks. Ministry of Interior Police conduct random checks of expatriates, and have detained some who were not carrying valid ID cards in accordance with the law.

 

Travelling with children

Single parents or other adults travelling alone with children should be aware that some countries require documentary evidence of parental responsibility before allowing lone parents to enter the country or, in some cases, before permitting the children to leave the country.