Azerbaijan Visit Visa - Definitive Guide

There is a permit that is to be issued if you are visiting your friends and family members in the country which is termed as a visit visa. It is a permit that is issued in the name of the traveller who is visiting Azerbaijan. This visa will allow you to visit your acquaintances and carry out leisure activities at the same time. It is not very different from the tourist visa to Azerbaijan. The validity of the visa is for about 90 days allowing a stay of up to 30 days per visit. This can later be extended as well.

The process for the application of a visit visa to Azerbaijan is mainly online. Although, before applying for the permit it is essential that you check if you are eligible for the permit. This can be done by going through the eligibility criteria. The steps for the process of obtaining this permit are listed 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.

There are certain guidelines that you need to follow at the time of filling out the application form. While filling out the form, it is important that you provide all the correct information as there are chances that with false or unverifiable information, the visa may get rejected. To avoid the visa rejection for sure, it is better to consult the professionals.

There is a process that you need to carry out before applying for the visa. You need to check for the eligibility criteria and make sure that you have all the requirements that are needed for the application process. There are certain factors that decide whether you are eligible for the application of the visa. Some of the parameters are given as follows:

• You must possess proof of purpose of visit

• If you are visiting your acquaintances, you must have an invitation letter from the resident in Azerbaijan.
• You must visit for tourism only, or visiting acquaintances and not searching for or taking up any kind of employment.
• 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 be within the age limit to be able to apply for a work permit.
• 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 certain documents that are required for issuing a visit visa to Azerbaijan. The documents required for the same are listed 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 needed for the issuance of the visit visa is dependent upon various factors and the time is not always the same for every visa. The factors that affect include the type of visa, the number of entries required, the workload at the embassy at the time, and others. The visit visa is generally processed within 3 working days for online visa and about 10 to 15 days for offline permit, extending upto 90 days at times. The time span may differ and increase or decrease depending upon the previously mentioned factors.

The fee for the visit visa can be paid online using Visa, Mastercard or UnionPay. The fee is calculated based on certain parameters and is fixed for particular types of visas. There are service charges, the processing fee and additional prices for the urgent processing of the visa.

After the completion of the application process,

• After you have paid the fee, your application will process and you will be granted your Azerbaijan visit visa 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.

The State Agency for Public Service and Social Innovations, who carry out the visa process, will require time to process the documents after which, only the approved visa applications will be processed upon paying the fees and the travel documents will be verified and your visa will be issued. If you want to check the status at the time of processing, you can do so online on the Republic of Azerbaijan Official E-visa portal or the website of the agency if you have applied through one.

You will have your visa after the processing and the payment of the fees. After the issuance of the visa, you must be careful about your actions as there are chances that with bad conduct, the visa may get cancelled. Some of the pointers are listed as follows:

• 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.
• You should travel to Azerbaijan within the validity of your visa.
• 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 through the host who has invited you to Azerbaijan. You can do it yourself as well 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 tourist prohibited areas must be stayed out of.
• Make sure you don’t overstay and apply for a visa extension in time if required.

First of all, you must have a reliable reason to extend the visa. To extend the visa you can apply to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. You will have to provide necessary details and you will receive an extension within 4 working days. The fee for an extension is 30 AZN. You can even apply for an extension once you are back home. You can do so online or by contacting the embassy officials.

You are not supposed to be staying in Azerbaijan after the expiration of your visit visa. If you have to stay in the country for some reason, you can apply to get your visa extended. If you are caught without a visa, you will be fined and even deported and may face a possible ban for 2 years.