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Baku Entry Requirements

Baku Entry Requirements

Visa, immigration, and customs information

Important Notice Entry requirements can change at any time. Always verify current requirements with official government sources before traveling.
Baku's Heydar Aliyev International Airport (GYD) is the main way into Azerbaijan. All scheduled international flights land here. Passengers step off via jet-bridge, walk to the immigration hall, then queue by visa type. Expect biometric capture, a few short questions, and occasional baggage screening on exit. Lines are shortest before 07:00 and after 22:00. Midday arrivals from IST, DXB, and DOH can take 45, 60 minutes. Have your passport, printed visa/e-Visa, and first-night address ready before you reach the counter. Every visitor must hold a passport valid at least three months beyond the intended departure date from Baku. Visas, electronic or sticker, must match the passport exactly. Azerbaijan no longer asks for COVID tests or vaccination proof. Yet rules can snap back without notice. Arrival cards were abolished in 2023. Entry stamps go straight into your passport.

Visa Requirements

Entry permissions vary by nationality. Find your category below.

Visa-Free Entry
90 days within any 180-day period.

Ordinary passport holders may enter Baku without a visa for tourism or business.

Includes
Turkey Russia Georgia Kazakhstan Kyrgyzstan Uzbekistan Belarus Moldova Ukraine Qatar Oman Saudi Arabia Bahrain Kuwait UAE China Japan South Korea Malaysia Singapore Israel

The period begins on the first day of entry into Azerbaijan. Overstay fines start at AZN 200.

Single-entry e-Visa (ASAN Visa)
30 days.

Issued entirely online. You receive a PDF to print and present at Baku immigration.

Includes
United States United Kingdom Canada Australia EU/Schengen states Norway Switzerland India Pakistan South Africa Brazil Mexico Indonesia Philippines Thailand Egypt Morocco
How to Apply: Apply at evisa.gov.az. Allow three working days. Approval often arrives in hours. Upload passport bio page only, no hotel voucher needed.
Cost: moderate, roughly the price of a mid-range dinner in Baku.

The e-Visa is valid 90 days from issue. You must enter within that window but can stay 30 days once inside.

Sticker Visa (Embassy Visa)
up to 30 days single-entry, or longer if approved.

Citizens who must obtain a sticker visa in advance.

Includes
Afghanistan Armenia Iraq Niger Pakistan (diplomatic only) Somalia Syria Yemen plus holders of refugee or stateless documents
How to Apply: Apply in person or by courier at the nearest embassy. Supply invitation letter or hotel bookings, proof of funds, and return ticket. Processing takes 5, 10 days.

Contact the embassy for current requirements.

Arrival Process

Immigration at Baku's GYD is straightforward. Follow signs for 'Passport Control' then pick the queue matching your visa type.

1
At the immigration counter
hand over passport and printed e-Visa (or show visa-free passport). Officer scans, takes fingerprints, asks purpose of visit.
2
Baggage claim
is downstairs. Monitors show flight numbers. Free luggage trolleys sit near belt 1.
3
Customs channel
Choose the green channel if you have nothing to declare. Pick red if carrying currency over USD 10,000 equivalent or restricted goods. Random X-ray scans occur after exit.

Documents to Have Ready

Passport
must be valid ≥3 months beyond exit date and issued within the last 10 years.
Printed e-Visa or visa-free passport
Officers rarely accept phone screens, keep an A4 copy of your printed e-Visa or visa-free passport.
Hotel reservation or host address
is sometimes requested. Have confirmation on phone or paper.

Tips for Smooth Entry

Exchange a small amount at the airport for taxi or metro. Downtown rates are better.
Join the 'e-Visa' queue if you hold ASAN Visa, lines move faster than the 'Other Nationals' desk.

Customs & Duty-Free

Azerbaijan uses the red/green channel system at Baku airport. Officers can still search green-channel luggage.

Alcohol
3 litres total. Max 1 litre spirits >22%.
Age 18+. Larger quantities taxed at approximately mid-range restaurant price per litre.
Tobacco
200 cigarettes or 250 g other tobacco.
Age 18+.
Currency
equal to or below USD 10,000 or equivalent.
Sum in cash, cheques, and securities must be declared if higher.
Gifts/goods
personal goods up to USD 1,500 value.
Applies to items not for resale. Electronics counted individually.

Prohibited Items

  • narcotics and psychotropic substances, criminal prosecution
  • weapons, ammo, explosives, including pepper spray
  • printed or digital material against Azerbaijan's state or religion

Restricted Items

  • medication containing tramadol, codeine, or psychotropics, carry prescription translated into English or Azerbaijani
  • caviar >125 g per person, requires CITES certificate
  • drones, must be declared and registered with State Aviation Agency on arrival

Health Requirements

None

Recommended Vaccinations

  • Hepatitis A
  • Hepatitis B
  • Tetanus-diphtheria
  • Measles-mumps-rubella (if not previously given)
  • Typhoid for prolonged stays outside Baku

Health Insurance

Health insurance is not mandatory. Yet hospital deposit in Baku private clinics can exceed mid-range hotel nightly rates. Carry a policy document showing coverage in Azerbaijan.

Current Health Requirements: No vaccinations are compulsory for travelers entering Baku from any country. COVID-19 vaccination and testing are no longer entry conditions. Check evisa.gov.az the week you fly in case Baku health rules change.

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Important Contacts

Essential resources for your trip.

Your country's embassy or consulate
None
check your government's travel advisory website.
State Migration Service of Azerbaijan
handles visa extensions and official information.
migration.gov.az
Emergency services
police, ambulance, or fire.
Dial 112 from any phone in Baku.

Special Situations

Additional requirements for specific circumstances.

Traveling with children

Carry the child's birth certificate and, if only one parent is present, a notarized travel consent from the other parent or proof of sole custody. Border officers occasionally ask.

Traveling with pets

Dogs/cats need an ISO microchip, rabies vaccination ≥30 days and ≤12 months before travel, and an EU or USDA vet health certificate endorsed by the government vet. Apply for an import permit at least 10 days before arrival. Present paperwork to the veterinary post at GYD cargo terminal.

Planning an extended stay

If you want to remain in Baku beyond your e-Visa or visa-free period, apply online for a 30-day extension through migration.gov.az at least 3 working days before expiry. Or leave and re-enter after 48 hours for a fresh e-Visa, max twice per year for most nationalities.

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