Azerbaijan residence permit

Grounds for a residence permit

A temporary residence permit in Azerbaijan can be obtained on any one of the following grounds:

• Investment. An investment of $300,000 or more in the economy of Azerbaijan.
• Property. Owning property in Azerbaijan worth $59,000 or more.
• Bank deposit. Depositing $59,000 or more with a bank operating in Azerbaijan.
• Running a branch. Holding the position of head or deputy head of a branch (representative office) of a foreign legal entity in Azerbaijan.
• Running a company. Holding the position of head or deputy head of a legal entity established in Azerbaijan, where the founder is a foreign legal entity or individual.

Thresholds in dollars

If the deposit falls below $59,000 or the contract is terminated, the bank informs the migration service within 3 working days and the ground is lost. The same applies to securities. Dollar amounts at the manat peg of 1.70 per dollar, rounded up.

Other grounds

• Close family ties with an Azerbaijani citizen.
• Family member of a foreigner living in the country temporarily or permanently.
• Highly qualified specialist.
• Work permit for employment.
• Business activity.
• Full-time study at a university, college or school.

Condition for company managers

The head of a local company qualifies if its paid-up charter capital is not below the amount approved by the Ministry of Economy and its founder, or one of the founders, is a foreign company or individual; owning at least 51% of the shares gives the same ground. A team of at least 5 full-time or 10 part-time employees, at least 80% of them Azerbaijani citizens, is required for the separate entrepreneurship ground. After a year of residence on either ground, turnover in the set amount must be shown.

Term, fee and renewal

The first permit is issued for up to 1 year, then renewed for up to 2 years each time; investors of AZN 500,000 or more and highly skilled specialists get up to 3 years. The fee for children is half. Processing time depends on the fee paid, and applications can be filed electronically.

Registration and permanent residence

A foreigner staying more than 15 days must be registered at their place of stay, and within 5 working days after moving to a new address. The temporary residence card itself confirms registration and allows visa-free entry and exit.

After 2 years of continuous temporary residence you can obtain permanent residence, for example with property or a deposit of $120,000 or more.

Taxes

You become Azerbaijani tax resident after 182 days in the country in a calendar year. From 1 January 2026, salaries in the private non-oil sector are taxed at 3-10-14%. More on the Azerbaijan taxes page.

Documents and where to get them

1. Application - filed with the State Migration Service or at a public service centre; electronic filing is also available.
2. Passport and its notarised translation into Azerbaijani - from a notary in Baku.
3. Photos in the required format.
4. Proof of the ground: an extract from the state real estate register, a bank certificate of a fixed deposit, investment documents or documents on your position in a company.
5. A certificate of absence of HIV and hepatitis B and C - from one of the Azerbaijani medical organisations that issue them.
6. Proof of registration at your place of stay.
7. Receipt for the state fee.

Steps and timelines

1. Entry. Russian citizens do not need a visa, and in 2026 you can enter by air or on the Tbilisi-Baku train, open since 25 May 2026 to citizens of visa-free countries; other land crossings are closed to passengers under a special quarantine regime extended until 2 January 2027.
2. Registration at your place of stay if you stay longer than 15 days.
3. Preparing the ground: buying property and registering the title, or opening a deposit.
4. Filing the application no later than 30 days before your permitted stay ends.
5. Review - 15 or 20 working days depending on the fee paid.
6. Receiving the temporary residence card, then renewals while the ground remains.

Cost by item

• state fee - $75, for a permit of up to a year for an adult, half for children;
• notarised translations of the passport and documents;
• medical certificate - at the medical organisation's rate;
• the ground: property or a deposit from $59,000.

The cost of our support is on request from a manager and is confirmed in writing.

How to get approved the first time

• the application was filed less than 30 days before the permitted stay ends;
• no registration at the place of stay;
• the property value in the documents is below the threshold;
• the deposit fell below $59,000 or the agreement was terminated;
• the company you manage has fewer employees or a smaller share of Azerbaijani citizens than the law requires.

What changes in 2026

Since 1 January 2026 salaries in the private non-oil sector have been taxed on a 3-10-14% scale. Amendments approved at the end of December 2025 cut the tax on individuals' residential rental income from 14% to 10%, which matters for those who get residence through property and rent it out. Land borders stay closed until 2 January 2027, so trips are planned through airports.

Comparison with neighbouring countries

Azerbaijan has one of the lowest investment thresholds, and its path to permanent residence after 2 years is shorter than its neighbours'.

The card and travel

The temporary residence card itself confirms registration and lets you enter and leave the country without a visa throughout its validity. If you move to a new address, you must report it within 5 working days.

What we do

We choose the ground that fits your assets, check property or deposit documents, prepare the application, translations and registration, and track renewals and the move to permanent residence. We quote the fee after a free consultation and fix it in writing.

Why an Azerbaijan residence permit is convenient

FAQ