Azerbaijan Business Visa - Definitive Guide

Whenever any foreign business person is willing to travel to Azerbaijan to carry out their business, a business visa to Azerbaijan is issued. There are several benefits to a business permit. On this permit, the holder can attend business meetings, exhibitions and conferences, seminars, and other business errands. The validity of the permit is for 90 days. The permitted stay per visit will differ and the visa can be single-entry or multiple-entry type.

The process for the application of the permit is mainly online and the visa is obtained in the form of an E-visa. However, to apply for the permit, you need to match the eligibility criteria, only after which you can apply to get a business visa for Azerbaijan. The steps for the process of issuing this permit are given as follows:

• Online procedure

1. Visit the E-visa portal of the Republic of Azerbaijan.
2. You can immediately start your application.
3. Fill out the required information in the application form.
4. Attach your photograph and required documents.
5. Submit the application form.
6. Pay the required visa fee online.

• Offline procedure

1. You can start by downloading the application form.
2. Fill out the form thoroughly and sign it.
3. Attach a recent photograph as per the specifications.
4. Collect the required supporting documents.
5. Submit the application form and the copies of the documents.
6. Pay the required visa fee.

When you are filling out the application form, it is important to take care that you are providing the correct information. The details must match with whatever documentary proof is being submitted along with it. If there is any information that is found to be false and incorrect, there are chances that you can get your visa application rejected. In case of a visa rejection, you can re-apply for the same again, however, there are certain consequences. This incident can affect your future applications to Azerbaijan or any other country.

There are certain parameters set by the Republic of Azerbaijan in case any foreigner is willing to visit the country for a specified purpose. The criteria that will make you eligible to issue a business visa for Azerbaijan are listed as follows:

• You must have proof of business ownership and purpose of visit

• You must have proper proof of your business enterprise to show it to the authorities.
• If you have been invited to a business conference or to attend a business or client meeting, an invitation letter from the company must be provided to the embassy.
• You must meet the health requirements
• You must be healthy enough to travel to Azerbaijan.
• You must perform a medical test before travelling to the country and provide a relevant documentary proof.
• You must meet the character requirements
• You must be of good character and have genuine intentions behind working in Azerbaijan.
• You need to provide a relevant documentary proof for the same as well (if asked) in the form of a Police Clearance Certificate (PCC).
• You must have sufficient funds
• You must possess or have access to sufficient funds to be able to cover your stay and other expenses in Azerbaijan.
• Bank statement or any equivalent document is to be submitted as well as proof of the same.

There are not many documents that are required for the issuance of a business visa for Azerbaijan. The requirements generally change depending on the nationality of the applicant. The list of Azerbaijan business visa requirements are given as follows:

• E-visa requirements

• Passport valid for at least 3 months ahead of the date of travel.
• Recent Photograph.
• Confirmed flight tickets.
• Additional documents if asked - invitation letter, etc.
• Stamp visa requirements
• Passport valid for at least 3 months ahead of the date of travel.
• Duly signed visa application form.
• Recent Photograph.
• Cover Letter.
• Confirmed flight tickets.
• Proof of purpose of visit - exhibition pass, invitation letter, etc.
• Proof of sufficient funds - bank statement, etc.

• One copy must be provided
• Photo size: 30 mm x 40 mm.
• Coloured copy must be provided.
• The face must cover about 70-80% of the frame.
• Head should well-centred.
• A gap of 2mm to 6mm must be kept between the top of the head and the frame.
• The picture must not be older than 6 months.
• The background must be white
• Neutral expressions
• Glasses are not permitted.
• Headgears are not allowed except for religious reasons.
• Clothing shouldn’t match the background.

The processing time required for the issuance of a business visa for Azerbaijan is 3 working days for online visa and about 10 to 15 days for offline permit, extending upto 90 days at times. There are various factors that affect the processing time. Such as the rush at the embassy office, availability of the staff, whether the documents are complete or the rest of the documents are yet to be submitted and others.

The business visa for Azerbaijan is issued online, therefore, concerned fee is paid online as well. The applicant can pay the fee using Visa, Mastercard and UnionPay. The fee required to get this permit is calculated depending on a set of factors, which include - the type of permit, service charges to cover the international operations, number of entries required and others.

When you have completed your application, there are a few things that you need to know at the time of submission and after the submission of the form and the documents. They are as follows:

• After you have paid the fee, your application will process and you will be granted your business visa for Azerbaijan within three working days. 
• The required documents must be attached as their scanned copies. 
• The content of the documents must be clearly visible and readable by the authorities. 
• If there are any kind of changes to be made in the form or if there is a change of status or birth of a child, the officials must be informed immediately. 
• If there is a change of plans and you need to withdraw the application, you must do the same within the processing time.
• The visa fee is non-refundable.

A business visa for Azerbaijan follows an online procedure, therefore, it can easily be tracked online. If you have applied through a visa application centre or a professional agency, you can visit their website for visa tracking. Else, you can even do a visa status check online on the Republic of Azerbaijan Official E-visa portal.

After the verification of the documents and the application form is complete, you will receive your e-visa on your registered email ID. There are a few things that you need to mind once you have received your business visa for Azerbaijan -

• Before you travel

• Make a note of the visa expiry date, as well as the number of entries permitted. You must not stay in the country beyond this period.
• Ensure that you set a reminder for the expiry date of your visa as you won’t legally be permitted to stay in the country for business post your business visa validity.
• Make sure to carry a copy of your passport and other travel documents while you are in the country.
• Issue health insurance and travel Insurance from a certified company.
• At the Border

• Get your documents checked and your passport verified by the Border Officers.
• Consult the airport authorities for any kind of assistance required.
• Check your visa copy for other guidelines and rules to be followed.
• When you enter Azerbaijan

• If you are planning to stay in the country for more than 10 days, you need to get yourself registered.
• You can register through the hotel/hostel you are staying in, or do it yourself at the Migration Service Centre.
• Save the Registration Slip until the date of your departure. 
• You need to note that if you do not have your Registration Slip at the time of departure, you are eligible for a fine of up to $220 and a possible ban for 2 years.
• Ensure not to get involved in any kind of employment. You can, however, do volunteer work.
• The business visa does not permit you to employ or reside as a citizen in the country.
• It is a permit that allows you to only perform business and business-related operations in the country. You are still permitted tourism.
• The tourist prohibited areas must be stayed out of.
• Make sure you don’t overstay and apply for a visa extension in time.