Multiple Immigration Law Changes Implemented
Multiple immigration law changes have been effective in Azerbaijan since July 24, 2019 for Temporary Residence Permit (TRP), Permanent Residence and citizenship applications:
Azerbaijan
Immigration
At a Glance
Multiple immigration law changes have been effective in
Azerbaijan since July 24, 2019 for Temporary Residence Permit
(TRP), Permanent Residence and citizenship applications:
- TRP holders must now register a
new address within five business days of their move, down from the
previous 10 business days. Applicants who fail to register their
address may have their TRP cancelled or their extension
refused.
- TRP applicants now benefit from
relaxed financial documentation requirements.
- Foreign nationals must now have
lived in Azerbaijan for two years without a break in order to be
eligible for permanent residence. Absences of 90 days or more
during any 180-day period will constitute a break in residence,
whereas previously absences from Azerbaijan during the two-year
period were not tracked.
- If an Azerbaijani national's
citizenship is cancelled upon acquiring another nationality, he or
she will need to leave Azerbaijan or apply for a TRP, whereas
previously this was not required.
The situation
Widespread changes to immigration and nationality law in
Azerbaijan have been implemented touching on Temporary Residence
Permit (TPR), work permit, permanent residence and citizenship
rules.
A closer look
IMMIGRATION CATEGORY
|
CHANGE DESCRIPTION
|
IMPACT |
Temporary
Residence Permit/Work Permit |
- Shorter deadline to register new address. A
foreign national who moves to a new address must register the new
address with the Migration Authority within five business days,
whereas the deadline was previously 10 business days
|
- Foreign nationals who fail to register their new address by the
five-day deadline may have their TRP cancelled or their extension
refused.
|
- Relaxed financial document requirements. TRP
applicants under this category must demonstrate they have
sufficient funds amounting to at least AZN 100,000. This can now be
evidenced by submitting a written confirmation from a financial
institution that the applicant holds AZN 100,000, whereas
previously a bank statement was required.
|
- The relaxed document requirements will make the process easier
and more convenient for foreign nationals as more banks move to
digital banking systems and phase out bank statements.
|
- Additional document requirements for
dependents. Dependents of TRP applicants must now submit a
notarized permission letter with their TRP application. The letter
must confirm the main applicant's relationship to the dependent
and confirm they are applying for a TRP for the dependent.
|
- The process to include dependents is likely to be lengthier and
more costly as applicants will now need to incur the cost of a
notary public and wait until the notarization is complete before
submitting the application.
|
- In-country filing. Visa-exempt nationals can
extend their TRP in Azerbaijan if the foreign national's
father, mother, spouse, child, brother or sister have successfully
filed an extension application in country.
|
- Extension applications of one family member can now be used as
grounds to extend visas of other specified family members, whereas
previously this was not the case.
|
- Expedited processing options. Work Permit and
TRP applications can now be expedited for additional fees, whereas
previously no expedited options were available.
|
- The standard government processing time remains 20 business if
no expedited service has been selected.
|
Citizenship |
- Dual nationality restrictions. If an
Azerbaijani national's citizenship is cancelled upon acquiring
a second nationality, he or she must leave the country or apply for
a TRP in order to reside in Azerbaijan, whereas previously this was
not the case.
|
- The impact of the new restriction will be severe for applicants
who need to travel or reside in Azerbaijan and may lead to
applicants choosing not to obtain a second nationality.
|
Permanent Residence |
- Absence restriction implemented. Foreign
nationals with a TRP must reside in Azerbaijan for a continuous
two-year period and ensure they are not absent from Azerbaijan for
90 days or more in any 180-day period to apply for permanent
residence, whereas previously absences were not limited.
|
- Foreign nationals who intend to apply for permanent residence
must now ensure they track and limit all absences from Azerbaijan
during their two-year qualifying stay.
|
Background
The changes are part of a wider reform to Azerbaijani
immigration law, which will also implement visa-free travel with
Turkey for stays of up to 30 days for business, personal and
tourist purposes and introduce expedited visa processing options.
Changes to immigration law in recent years have attempted to
streamline the visa application process by introducing visa
exemptions and easing document requirements, however the
eligibility requirements and enforcement measures have become stricter.
Looking ahead
If the number of foreign nationals entering Azerbaijan continues
to rise, Fragomen expects further efforts to
streamline the application process to continue, though scrutiny and
restrictions are also likely to continue as a counterbalance to
ensure that migration to the country remains documented and
controlled.
The content of this article is intended to provide a general
guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought
about your specific circumstances.