A business-based residence permit, or Business TRP, is a type of residence permit issued to foreigners engaged in business activities in Azerbaijan. It is one of the most common options for legalizing your stay in the country while engaging in entrepreneurial activities. Moreover, of course, doing business in Azerbaijan offers significant advantages for regional and international business expansion due to the country’s strategic geographical location. This status provides entrepreneurs with unique opportunities to grow their businesses and develop new projects in one of the most dynamically growing regions.
We hope this article provides you with useful information about the process of obtaining a Business TRP in Azerbaijan. If you need legal assistance or consultation regarding the process, the DLB Consulting team is always ready to offer professional support at every stage.
Basis for Obtaining a Business TRP in Azerbaijan
According to the Migration Code, there are several bases for obtaining a residence permit in Azerbaijan for business people. Therefore, if you plan to start a business and obtain a Business TRP (Business-based residence permit), you have one of the following options:
Company Registration in Azerbaijan
Foreign business people who are founders of a company with a minimum of 51% of the shares and/or heads of registered companies in Azerbaijan can apply for a residence permit.
It is important to note that this applies only to companies with a paid-up Charter Capital of at least 50,000 AZN (approximately $30,000), confirming the financial viability and real activity of the business. For further information, to extend the residence permit under the same basis, the company’s annual turnover must be at least 100,000 AZN (approximately $59,000).
Opening a Branch or a Representative Office
Along with company registration, registering a branch or representative office of a foreign company also provides a legal basis to start a business and obtain a business residence permit in Azerbaijan. Therefore, the head and deputy head of foreign company branches registered in the country can apply for a residence permit.
Unlike company registration, there are no minimum investment requirements for branches and representative offices to qualify for a residence permit. However, while there is no investment requirement to obtain or extend a business residence permit under this basis, it is recommended to provide proof of activity, such as tax and social security payments, business operations, and other relevant documentation.
Registering as an Individual Entrepreneur (IE)
Foreigners registered as Individual Entrepreneurs (IE) can also apply for a Business TRP under certain conditions. To qualify, they must hire a minimum of five full-time employees, at least four of whom must be Azerbaijani citizens. Additionally, to extend the residence permit under the same basis, the entrepreneur must have had an annual turnover of at least 50,000 AZN (approximately $30,000) in the previous year.
Special Note: As we have noted, the Migration Legislation grants Individual Entrepreneurs the right to obtain a Business TRP under the conditions mentioned. However, in contrast, the Tax Legislation allows only residents to register as Individual Entrepreneurs.
Residence Permit Application Process
The State Migration Service issues and extends business-based residence permits (or Business TRPs) in Azerbaijan. Foreigners can apply for a permit and its extension both offline and online. Therefore, applicants who meet the criteria should simply collect the necessary documents and apply accordingly.
The processing time for business-based residence permit applications typically ranges from 10 to 20 business days. Within this period, the Migration Service will request additional documents related to the actual activity of the business. At the end of the process, applicants who are deemed eligible receive a Residence Card Certificate (Business TRC).
Temporary Business Residence Permit holders must apply for an extension at least one month before the expiry date. Similarly, foreigners seeking to obtain or extend a Permanent Business Residence Permit must apply at least three months before the expiration of their current residence card (Business TRC).
Required Documents for Obtaining a Business-Based Residence Permit
To apply for a Business TRP, or business-based residence permit, in Azerbaijan, foreigners must collect and submit the following documents:
- Application form;
- Copy of passport;
- Medical certificate;
- Documents proving Business Registration;
- A copy of the document granting the right to stay or reside in Azerbaijan;
- Two photos;
- A document of the residential area;
- Consent form submitted by the owner of the residential area;
- Document confirming the identity of the owner of the residential area.
How to Apply for a Business-Based Residence Permit in Azerbaijan
If you are planning to obtain a Business TRP in Azerbaijan or extend your current one, follow these practical legal steps:
Step 1: Register Your Company or the Branch of a Foreign Company
First, you must register your business entity or obtain registration as an Individual Entrepreneur in Azerbaijan to be eligible to apply. We recommend seeking professional legal assistance to ensure a smooth business registration process.
Step 2: Ensure That the Charter Capital Has Been Paid (If Required)
As mentioned above, local companies registered in Azerbaijan are required to have a paid-up Charter Capital of at least 50,000 AZN (approximately $30,000). Therefore, it is necessary to pay the Charter Capital accordingly during the company registration process. For reference, this requirement applies only to companies, not to branches of foreign companies, representative offices, or Individual Entrepreneurs.
Step 3: Start Business Activities in Azerbaijan
Business registration and Charter Capital payment may seem sufficient to obtain a Business TRP in Azerbaijan. However, based on years of professional experience, we can say that, in practice, the State Migration Service may require additional proof of business activity to ensure that the business is actively operating or has the potential to do so.
Step 4: Apply for and Obtain a Residence Card (Business TRC)
Once you have registered your business entity or as an Individual Entrepreneur and ensured that you meet all the requirements, you can apply for a business-based residence permit in Azerbaijan. To avoid any risk of rejection, seeking professional guidance is highly recommended.
Legal Services
We hope this blog has provided detailed information about obtaining business-based residence permits in Azerbaijan. Additionally, if you need professional legal assistance in obtaining or extending Business TRPs, feel free to contact us.