Azerbaijan TRP: Essential Guide

Changes occurring around the world are expanding economic, trade, and diplomatic relations between states. This process also affects Azerbaijan, and the number of foreign nationals arriving in the country is increasing. However, since migration is regulated by certain legal requirements, failure to comply with these requirements may lead to various difficulties. This article provides an overview of the procedure for obtaining a Temporary Residence Permit (TRP).

1. Relevant legislation and competent authority

The grounds for issuing a Temporary Residence Permit (TRP) to foreign citizens and stateless persons are defined by the Migration Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan. The procedure for issuing a TRP is regulated by relevant decisions of the Cabinet of Ministers and the administrative regulations of the State Migration Service.

The competent authority issuing the TRP is the State Migration Service. Applications are also accepted through ASAN Service centers (except for Ganja Regional ASAN Service No. 1).

The amount of state fees paid for obtaining a TRP is defined by the Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan “On State Fees”.

2. Grounds for issuing a TRP

According to Article 45.1 of the Migration Code, a temporary residence permit is issued to foreign citizens or stateless persons in the following cases:

• Being a close relative of an Azerbaijani citizen; 
• Investing 500,000 AZN or more; 
• Owning immovable property worth 100,000 AZN; 
• Having a deposit of 100,000 AZN in an Azerbaijani bank; 
• Holding government securities or state-owned company investment securities worth 100,000 AZN; 
• Being a highly qualified specialist; 
• Being a highly qualified migrant or a specialist in a special category; 
• Being a family member of other foreigners residing in Azerbaijan; 
• Being the head or deputy head of a foreign company’s branch or representative office in Azerbaijan; 
• Being a director or 51% shareholder in a company established in Azerbaijan; 
• Engaging in entrepreneurial activity in Azerbaijan; 
• Meeting special entrepreneurship or economic activity criteria defined by law (Article 64); 
• Having an official work permit and working in Azerbaijan; 
• Receiving full‑time education in Azerbaijan (higher, secondary, vocational, or general education); 
• Engaging in professional religious activity within religious organizations; 
• Being a victim of human trafficking; 
• Assisting criminal prosecution authorities; 
• Cases envisaged in Azerbaijan’s international treaties.

3. Application procedure and review of applications

As noted above, in order to obtain a TRP, an application with the required documents must be submitted to the State Migration Service or ASAN Service Centers.

According to Article 46 of the Migration Code, the required documents for obtaining a TRP are:

• Application form; 
• Passport copy (valid for at least 3 months beyond the permit’s expiration date); 
• Certified copy of birth certificate (for individuals under 18 without passports); 
• Document confirming the grounds for temporary residence (notarized or equally certified);  
• Notarized consent letter from a family member or close relative; 
• Medical certificate regarding dangerous infectious diseases; 
• Copy of the document confirming the right to temporary stay or residence; 
• Justified petition from the inviting organization for highly qualified specialists; 
• Two photos sized 3.5 × 4.5 cm; 
• Document for the residential property to be used for registration (extract, order, rental agreement, etc.); 
• Application from the person providing the residential property (if the foreigner is not the owner); 
• Copy of the identity document of the person providing the residential property (if the owner provides the residence); 
• Document confirming payment of the state fee.

Applications for a TRP are reviewed within 15 or 20 working days depending on the paid state fee.

According to Articles 14.8 and 14.8.2 of the Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan “On State Fees”, the state fee for issuing or extending a temporary residence permit for adult and minor foreigners and stateless persons in the territory of Azerbaijan is:

15 working days

20 working days

Fees for issuing a temporary residence permit for students

4. Liability

The Administrative Offenses Code of Azerbaijan provides liability for loss or deliberate damage of documents, as well as for staying in the country without proper registration.

According to Article 566 of the Code, a fine of 30 AZN is imposed for the loss or deliberate damage of documents required for temporary residence in Azerbaijan.

According to Article 575 of the same Code, foreigners or stateless persons residing in Azerbaijan without documents granting the right to stay or reside, or without registration, may be fined from 300 AZN to 400 AZN, with or without administrative expulsion from the country.

5. Conclusion

Obtaining a temporary residence permit requires submitting a comprehensive and detailed set of documents. Each document must be obtained separately from relevant state bodies, and all requirements must be strictly followed. Each ground for obtaining a TRP has its own legal features and procedural requirements. Therefore, the documents listed in this article are of a general nature, and the list may vary depending on the specific grounds for application.

Failure to obtain a temporary residence permit may result in serious consequences such as administrative expulsion from the Republic of Azerbaijan.

For this reason, as Ironwood Consulting, we are ready to provide professional assistance in correctly completing all legal procedures required for your stay in Azerbaijan.