A work permit in Azerbaijan is an official document that grants local business entities the right to employ foreign employees in their business activities in the country. Therefore, local companies or individual entrepreneurs must apply for and obtain a work permit for the foreigners they intend to employ before concluding an employment contract with them. In addition, it is important to note that business entities must also apply for a temporary residence permit on the relevant basis if foreign employees are personally present in the country.

It should be noted that foreign citizens do not have the right to independently apply for a work permit in Azerbaijan. This right belongs exclusively to companies and individual entrepreneurs operating in Azerbaijan. To clarify, it is worth noting that only local business entities have the right to apply for and renew a work permit for employees they intend to hire. Therefore, a foreign employee can only work at a specific workplace and for a specified vacancy.

According to the law, any able-bodied foreign citizen who has reached the age of 18 can work in Azerbaijan only after local companies or individual entrepreneurs obtain a work permit for him. However, this does not mean that businesses can easily obtain a work permit for every foreigner they plan to hire. Thus, the law includes additional requirements for companies to obtain a work permit for foreigners. Therefore, foreign citizens who are going to be hired by local companies must have the education and qualifications for the relevant vacancy. Moreover, the vacancy intended for a foreigner must be one that is difficult to fill due to the limited local labor force. It is known that sometimes it is quite difficult to find local specialists for employment.

The State Migration Service issues and extends work permits in Azerbaijan. To apply, business entities or their legal representatives must collect the necessary documents and submit them accordingly. It is important to note that companies and individual entrepreneurs can apply for a work permit online or apply to the relevant institution.

A work permit in Azerbaijan is usually issued for a period of 1 year. However, in cases where employers plan to conclude an employment contract for a period of less than 1 year, a work permit may be issued for a shorter period. A work permit may be extended for no more than 1 year at a time. In addition, a work permit must be extended by the employer no later than 30 days before its expiration.

The legislation also provides business entities with the right to apply for a work permit for foreigners they intend to employ, even if the persons are not in the territory of Azerbaijan. In this case, once a business entity has received a work permit, foreigners can immediately start working upon arrival in the country and apply for a residence permit.

A temporary residence permit in Azerbaijan is an official permit that grants foreigners the right to temporarily reside in the country. Therefore, foreign citizens and stateless persons planning to reside in Azerbaijan must obtain the appropriate permit.

Foreigners and stateless persons can obtain or extend this permit on the following grounds:

Investment in the economy of Azerbaijan: Foreigners have the right to obtain a permit by investing at least 500,000 manat (approximately 295,000 US dollars) in the economy of Azerbaijan. Thus, investors can invest in several ways, for example, by purchasing commercial real estate, investing in securities and using other practical options.

Investment in real estate in Azerbaijan: To obtain or extend a temporary residence permit, foreigners can invest or purchase real estate in Azerbaijan. To do this, it is necessary to make a minimum investment in real estate in the amount of 100,000 manat (approximately 59,000 US dollars).

Bank deposit in Azerbaijan: Foreigners can obtain or extend a permit by depositing funds under a fixed-term deposit agreement in local banks in Azerbaijan. As with real estate investments, to obtain and renew a temporary residence permit (TRP in Azerbaijan), the minimum deposit is 100,000 manat (approximately US$59,000).

Individual entrepreneurship (IE) activity in Azerbaijan: According to the legislation of Azerbaijan, individual entrepreneurs are also entitled to obtain and renew a temporary residence permit in the country. To meet the criteria, individual entrepreneurs must employ at least five people working full-time. In addition, the above-mentioned decision of the Ministry of Economy sets out additional requirements for the issuance or renewal of temporary residence permits. Thus, foreign individuals residing in Azerbaijan for at least one year on the basis of entrepreneurial activity must have an annual turnover of at least 50,000 manat (approximately $30,000) to be able to renew their temporary residence permit in Azerbaijan (TRP in Azerbaijan).

Managerial activity in a branch or representative office of a foreign company: Foreigners holding the position of head or deputy head of a branch or representative office of a foreign company in Azerbaijan are also entitled to obtain and renew a temporary residence permit in Azerbaijan.

Business activity in a company with foreign investment: According to the law, a foreigner who is a manager (director) or founder of a company with foreign investment can apply for and receive a temporary residence permit in Azerbaijan. This right applies to founders if they own at least 51% of the shares of a company with foreign investment. To apply for and receive a temporary residence permit based on these criteria, the company's paid-up authorized capital must be at least 50,000 manat (approximately $30,000). At the same time, to extend this permit based on the same criteria, the company must have an annual turnover of at least 100,000 manat (approximately $59,000). It is important to note that these requirements are established by the Decision of the Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Azerbaijan dated January 17, 2024.

Family relations with a citizen of Azerbaijan; 

Family ties with foreigners and stateless persons living in Azerbaijan.