03.02.2018

Azerbaijan simplifies procedures for obtaining entry visas

Nationals of 13 countries will be able to obtain visas for Azerbaijan on arrival at the country’s international airports. Visas can be obtained via the ASAN Visa electronic system rather than through the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry’s consular department, as was formerly the case.

The ASAN service (literally translated from Azerbaijani as ‘easy’) was developed in 2012 with the aim to ‘help citizens avoid extra costs and save time, to ensure observance of ethical norms and politeness in communication with citizens, to further improve the level of professionalism and transparency, to build confidence towards public agencies, to strengthen the fight against corruption and promote broader use of e-services.’

Throughout its five-year activity the service has won trust among many citizens in Azerbaijan.

Nationals of Bahrain, Israel, Malaysia, Oman, Japan, China, Qatar, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Turkey, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates, as well as stateless persons residing in those countries, will be able to obtain visas on arrival through the simplified scheme within three hours.

However, Iran, which is Azerbaijan’s nearest neighbor, is not listed among those countries. Although Iran lifted its visa requirements for Azerbaijani citizens in 2012, the Azerbaijani authorities are in no hurry to facilitate visa-free travel with their southern neighbor. The fact that nationals of Turkey are also required to obtain visas for entering Azerbaijan raises questions as well.

Nationals of more than 100 countries, including the USA and EU countries, can obtain visas within three days through the simplified procedure. The visa costs USD 20 (about AZN 34) and allows one to stay in Azerbaijan for 30 days.

Nationals of Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, Uzbekistan, Ukraine and Tajikistan can travel to Azerbaijan visa-free.

The Azerbaijani Minister of Culture, Abulfas Garayev believes that this novelty will contribute to a growth in international tourist arrivals in Azerbaijan.