Is your company planning an expansion to the Republic of Azerbaijan? During this exciting time of growth for your business, it’s important to hire a talented team of employees and make sure that they remain compliant with the country’s laws and regulations.
If you’re unsure of what types of visas your team needs or you don’t know how to get a work visa in Azerbaijan, your company may face fines or operational delays.
Types of work visas in Azerbaijan
Like any other country, Azerbaijan has a specific set of regulations regarding the issuance of visas for nationals from other countries who wish to travel within its borders. Typical visas issued by the government in Azerbaijan include:
- Tourist visa.
- Transit visa.
- Business visa.
- Diplomatic visa.
- Official visa.
These visas allow nationals from other countries to stay in Azerbaijan for varying lengths of time. However, to work in Azerbaijan, nationals from other countries will need to obtain a work permit as well as a temporary residence permit that will allow them to stay in the country legally.
Requirements to obtain Azerbaijan work visas
The duration of the required temporary residence permit and the work permit is the same, and the required documents for both are submitted together. Some of the documents required from the applicant include the following:
- A duly completed visa application form and temporary residence permit application form
- Notarized copies of any documents in support of the prospective employee’s professional qualifications
- An identity document for the employee
- The employee’s work history from the previous 5 years
- A health certificate for the employee confirming that they are not carrying HIV or Hepatitis B or C
- A copy of the employee’s passport, which must be valid for at least 6 months after the planned arrival in Azerbaijan
- A notarized copy of proof of residence, including the extract on the state registration on the property right together with the landlord’s identity card
- A reference confirming the necessity for a specialized worker
Documents will have to be translated into Azeri. There are also a number of documents that will need to be provided from the employer’s end as part of the sponsorship requirements.
Application process
In Azerbaijan, it is the responsibility of the employer to obtain work permits for any international employees. Employees will need to provide any relevant documents to the employer so that they may be submitted during the application process.
The employer will need to provide evidence to the State Migration Service that the international employee is at least 18 years old and that the position cannot be filled by any eligible job seekers in Azerbaijan. After justifying these points, the employer should submit the required documents listed in the previous section.
After receiving all of the necessary documents, the State Migration Service will make a decision on the issuance of a work and temporary residence permit.
Azerbaijan’s work permits are typically issued within 20 working days from the submission of the application. In the event that a work permit application is rejected, the applicant will receive a notification in writing within 5 business days.
Upon approval, the applicant may travel to Azerbaijan and begin working.
Other important considerations
In Azerbaijan, work permits are issued for an initial period of 1 year. Permits can be renewed in 1-year increments.
Employees should also be aware of the process of obtaining a permanent residence permit. After living in Azerbaijan for 2 years with a temporary residence permit, they may apply for a permanent residence permit.
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