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AZE - NEW MIGRATION RULES

The Government has just published rather considerable changes made to the Migration Code of Azerbaijan effective December 29, 2024. Thus, amongst others, with immediate effect, one of the notable changes that a work permit can be obtained by sponsoring company/employer electronically upon payment of state duty. Also, in the case of obtaining of replacement work permit electronically (lost WP for instance), no state fee shall be charged.

Furthermore, new category has been added to work permit holders, namely, highly qualified migrant, which means foreigners engaged under the framework of the program implemented in order to expand the opportunities for attracting highly qualified specialists in the Republic of Azerbaijan. At present, such highly qualified migrant can be engaged under or through government projects only. As per the amendments to the Code, some special exemptions/rules and regulations have been established for such highly qualified migrant, namely:

  • highly qualified migrant is exempt from obtaining work permit (when working in the field in which he/she is a specialist)
  • TRP can be issued for a period of up to 3 years with the possibility of extension up to 3 years if there are grounds for such extension
  • requirements to stay in the country for up to 90 days within 180-day period for work permit exempt category does not apply to highly qualified migrant
  • highly qualified migrant will no need to pass requested exam to get permanent residence permit (if any)
  • processing time for applications for highly qualified migrants and their dependents is 5-10business days shorter than the standard and expedited timeframes (15-day standard processing time instead of 20-day, etc.)

Other changes also affected the period of stay of citizens of countries with visa and visa-free regimes in Azerbaijan. It is now being introduced that the period of stay in the country would be reciprocal in relation to nationals of countries where a special/private regime or period of stay is established for Azerbaijani nationals.

As per the decision of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Azerbaijan the quarantine regime in Azerbaijan has been extended till April 01, 2025.