Entry Rules for Russians to Azerbaijan

Old Baku, pilaf, dushbara, dolma, and luxurious Azerbaijani carpets — we tell you how to experience all this as soon as possible.

COVID-19 Restrictions

Currently, Russian citizens over 18 years old are required to provide a certificate of full vaccination (COVID passport) or recovery from COVID-19 in English with a QR code to visit Azerbaijan. Among Russian vaccines, only Sputnik V is approved by Azerbaijan. Oxford/AstraZeneca, Pfizer/BioNTech, and Sinovac are also accepted.

COVID passports are required to visit cafes, restaurants, shopping centers, hotels, cinemas, and other public places. Entry with only a PCR test will not be possible.

As of April 15, 2022, a negative PCR test is no longer required to cross the border.

Required Documents

Before buying flights to Azerbaijan, it's worth remembering that Russians need a foreign passport valid for at least three months from the end of their trip to cross the border.

Do I need a visa for Azerbaijan?

A visa-free regime is in effect between Russia and Azerbaijan. It allows Russian citizens to freely stay in Azerbaijan for 90 days with a foreign passport. 

However, if the purpose of the trip is long-term study or work, then a visa is required. 

You can apply at the Consular Section of the Embassy of Azerbaijan in Moscow at: Leontyevsky Pereulok, 16.

You will need the following documents:

• invitation from Azerbaijan (from an educational institution or company);

• completed application form;

• foreign passport (original and copy). Its validity period must exceed the period of stay in Azerbaijan;

• two photos 3.5 x 4.5 cm;

• receipts for payment of the state fee (paid at the Embassy).

Is insurance required?

COVID insurance is not listed among the mandatory entry requirements for Russians entering Azerbaijan, but we still recommend getting it.

Medical assistance in Azerbaijan is provided on a paid basis. Prices are higher than in other CIS countries (therapist consultation from 100 manats), so insurance will help you save a significant amount of money for any doctor's visit. 

However, Russian citizens can receive free emergency medical care for acute illnesses, but the patient covers the costs of further treatment.

Duration of Stay

If your trip lasts more than 15 days, you must register at your place of stay. According to information from the Embassy of Azerbaijan in Russia, the owners of the premises where you are staying, or the administrations of hotels/hostels, are obliged to register you. Therefore, upon arrival, we advise you to clarify this point with your hosts.

Just in case, here's a reminder on how to do it yourself:

you can register in person by contacting a branch of the Migration Service, or on their website through the electronic services section. You can also email them at qeydiyyat@migration.gov.az, attaching an application form and a copy of your passport. 

If you need to stay in the country for more than 90 days, you must contact the State Migration Service of the Republic of Azerbaijan at least three days before the expiration of the permitted period. For an extension, certain reasons are required: the need for urgent medical treatment in Azerbaijan; extension of a business trip by the host party; serious illness of a relative who is an Azerbaijani citizen; forced transit through the territory of Azerbaijan.

If the application is approved, the period of stay can be extended by 60 days.

In other cases, to live in Azerbaijan for more than 90 days a year, you must obtain a study/work visa or a temporary residence permit, which is issued if you have a close family connection with a citizen of the country, invest in the economy, conduct business, or confirm that you are a highly qualified specialist in economic, cultural, defense, sports, and other fields.

Traveling with Children

According to Azerbaijan's entry rules, a child must have:

• foreign passport (mandatory for children aged 14 and over), or the child can be entered into a parent's foreign passport;

• original birth certificate.

If a child travels with one parent or an accompanying person, a notarized power of attorney in English is required + a copy of the internal passport of one or both parents, depending on the situation. 

Children aged 1 to 18 previously needed a PCR test, but after the changes on April 15, tests for children are no longer required.

How to get to Azerbaijan

Plane is the easiest way to get to Azerbaijan. Aeroflot, Ural Airlines, Azerbaijan Airlines, Utair, Nordwind, and S7 fly there. Moreover, planes land not only in Baku but also in other major cities: Ganja, Nakhchivan, Lankaran.

Flights Moscow — Baku are operated several times a day by Aeroflot and Azerbaijan Airlines. Direct flights are also available from Mineralnye Vody and St. Petersburg.

If you want to travel to Azerbaijan by car, we have bad news. The land border has been closed since March 31, 2020, due to the pandemic. There are two checkpoints at the border, but they only allow entry for commercial vehicles or cars with special permits.

We hope for a quick opening of the borders (Azerbaijan extended the land quarantine until January 1, and no further news has been received), so we are providing a list of documents required for crossing the border by car:

• foreign passport;

• driver's license;

• car insurance;

• vehicle registration certificate; 

• power of attorney, if the driver is not the car owner.

Also, if the car's ecological class is below Euro-4, a deposit will be required: 33% of the car's average market value. The deposit will be returned upon leaving Azerbaijan.

How to pay in Azerbaijan

The local currency is the Azerbaijani manat. Exchange rate: 1 manat ≈ 42 rubles as of January 2023.

Visa and Mastercard cards issued by Russian banks do not work in Azerbaijan. MIR payment system cards are also not accepted. The exception is a UnionPay card issued by a non-sanctioned bank (e.g., Pochta Bank). It can be used for payments and cash withdrawals, but it doesn't work everywhere. 

The most advantageous way to transfer money from Russia to Azerbaijan is to use the services "Zolotaya Korona" and Contact. Transfers can be received in cash at bank branches or to an Azerbaijani bank card. 

You can also exchange cash euros and dollars at exchange offices and banks. 

SIM cards and communication in Azerbaijan

There are three mobile operators in the country: Azercell, Bakcell, Nar Mobile. The most popular is Azercell. It also has the widest coverage across the country. Prices are approximately the same for all operators. Tariffs with the ability to make calls within the country + 5 gigabytes of internet cost 15 manats. An internet package of 5 GB without call services costs 10 manats.

If you insert an Azerbaijani SIM card into your phone, it will be blocked within the country after 30 days. To avoid this, you need to register your phone within a month. You can do this online via the link: https://portal.rinn.az/az/mcqs-service.

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