Azerbaijan visa

Azerbaijan is a country worth exploring, from the spectacular mountains to medieval old towns, amazing coastlines along the Caspian Sea, to wildlife that you won’t find anywhere else in the world. The Flame Towers in the capital, Baku, are a must-see as they glow after sunset. 

Besides that, Azerbaijan is the host of the 2020 UEFA European Championship, with four matches, including the quarter-final at the Baku Olympic Stadium. Travellers from the UK can visit Azerbaijan for football matches and plenty more using this information about the Azerbaijan visa.

Summary 

What Is the Azerbaijan Visa? 

The Azerbaijan visa also called the ASAN visa, is an electronic visa that allows eligible travellers to visit Azerbaijan for short stays. The ASAN Visa allows entry into Azerbaijan over land, sea and air. 

The Azerbaijan visa comes to your email address, but you must print it out to present to immigration officials upon arrival. If you plan to stay in Azerbaijan for more extended periods or other reasons such as work and study, apply for a traditional visa from the Embassy of Azerbaijan in London. 

Types Of Azerbaijan Visas

There are three main types of Azerbaijan visas available today. The most popular visa is the tourist eVisa which is suitable for tourism, business meetings, cultural exchanges, sports, medical, scientific, humanitarian visits. The business eVisa is better for exclusively business visits that don’t involve employment. 

Finally, the Azerbaijan visa on arrival is available at international airports worldwide, but it is only open to visitors from selected countries. At the time of writing (June 2021), UK travellers can only qualify for the Azerbaijan visa on arrival if they have at least one ticket for a UEFA EURO 2020 match. Otherwise, you must apply for an e-Visa. 

Requirements For Azerbaijan Visa

UK travellers must meet the following requirements when applying for the Azerbaijan visa: 

• A passport with at least 6 months validity remaining 
• A scanned copy of the passport’s biographical page
• Proof of accommodation, usually the address at which you will be staying
• A debit or credit card for visa payment 
• An active email address 
• A clear statement of the purpose of your visit

Who Needs the Azerbaijan Visa? 

All UK travellers need a visa to visit Azerbaijan regardless of age. You can also apply for the Azerbaijan visa on behalf of others, such as friends or family members, as long as their passport and contact information is accurate and up to date. No visa is mandatory for transit through Azerbaijan.

How Long Does the Azerbaijan Visa Last? 

The Azerbaijan visa is valid for 90 days from the date of issue and 30 days upon the arrival. It is a single entry visa that you can at all points of entry in Azerbaijan. However, UK travellers who wish to remain in Azerbaijan for more than 15 days must register their stay with the State Migration Service. You can do this with the help of your Azerbaijan hotel to guide you through the registration process. You can also apply for a temporary residence card through the Azerbaijan State Migration Service in Baku. 

How Long Does It Take to Get the Azerbaijan Visa? 

It usually takes 3 business days to process the Azerbaijan eVisa. However, you can have it within 2 business days with rush processing or within 6 hours for the fastest processing at additional fees. It takes about 20 minutes to complete the online Azerbaijan visa application from start to finish. You must choose the purpose of your visit on the form to determine which type of Azerbaijan visa you qualify for. 

How Much Does the Azerbaijan Visa Cost? 

For standard processing, the Azerbaijan visa costs $45, while rush processing costs $75. For the fastest processing, your Azerbaijan visa will cost $105. 

Extra tips 

• At the time of writing (June 2021), Azerbaijan borders are inaccessible due to the Covid-19 pandemic. However, travellers can enter Azerbaijan for the UEFA EURO Championship until 5 July 2021. 
• Only the nationals of qualifying teams in the Championship playing in Azerbaijan will be able to enter with proof of a ticket to the match. However, this means that UK citizens can only travel for the Championship as Wales supporters. 
• UEFA EURO Championship matches will kick off at the Baku Olympic Stadium from Saturday, 12 June 2021, to Saturday, 3 July, 2021. 
• Visa on arrival is available for travellers with match tickets. However, it is still best to apply for your Azerbaijan visa in advance online to avoid delays and queues at the airport. 
• All eligible Championship visitors must present a negative PCR test taken 48 hours before their arrival time. This will exempt them from mandatory quarantine on arrival. 
• If you are travelling to Azerbaijan for the Championship through other countries and not directly from the UK, you will need a negative PCR test 48 hours before your arrival. Otherwise, all land borders with Azerbaijan remain inaccessible. 
• If you are a UK traveller, plan to take and pay all PCR tests for travelling to Azerbaijan through a private provider, not the NHS. Then print out the test results if you receive them via email or present a paper certificate version, both of which should have a QR code for faster clearance on arrival.
• No Covid-19 tests are necessary to enter the stadium on match days, but everyone should observe prevention measures, such as wearing masks, social distancing and sanitizing. 
• Plenty of activities are available before and after Championship matches, most of them free of charge as part of the UEFA Festival. These include outdoor shows and stadium entertainment, all of which conform to Covid-19 prevention regulations. 
• You can extend your Azerbaijan visa for an additional 30 days, but you must apply for the extension at least 48 hours before your visa expires. If you apply too late for an extension, you may receive with exit papers instead. 
• If you overstay your visit but still intend to leave Azerbaijan, you can apply for an exit permit to allow you to leave within 48 hours. Expect a fine between AZN 300 to AZN 400 (about $177 to $235) and present the receipt as you check-in for your departure flight. 
• When leaving Azerbaijan at the end of your trip, you must also take a PCR test 48 hours before departure. This compulsory test is available from certified clinics and laboratories, as well as mobile laboratories around Baku. These mobile laboratories are conveniently available outside the Baku Olympic Stadium and other points in the city for Championship fans to get tested. The average cost is EUR 45 (about USD 55) per test. 

Plan Your Azerbaijan Holiday Today

In addition to the festivities surrounding the 2020 UEFA EURO Championships, there is plenty to explore in Azerbaijan, the Land of Fire. Fill your itinerary with walking tours, sunbathing on the coastline, sampling the cuisine and exploring temples, old towns and national parks all around Azerbaijan. Click here to apply for your Azerbaijan visa today.