A Residence Permit in Azerbaijan or Azerbaijan Residency is an official permission that grants foreigners, including citizens of Pakistan the right to live in the country for a certain period. According to Migration Law, there are two types of residency in Azerbaijan: Temporary Residency (TRP) and Permanent Residency (PR).
We believe that this blog post will provide valuable insights on requirements and procedures for obtaining a residence permit in Azerbaijan for the citizens of the Pakistan. Additionally, if you require legal assistance in obtaining or extending a residence permit, consider applying for DLB Consulting’s services. DLB Consulting provides legal services and consultation in the sphere of Azerbaijan Migration Law to its clients worldwide.
Whom We Provide Legal Services in the field of Migration Law
We at DLB Consulting provide professional legal services for foreigners planning to obtain a residence permit in the country. However, as we offer only specific services to our clients, we provide Migration Law Services only to a specific category of foreigners. Therefore, the following categories of foreigners can apply for our services to obtain a residence permit in Azerbaijan:
- Foreigners who deposit a certain amount in banks operating in Azerbaijan;
- Foreigners who invest in the economy of Azerbaijan, in real estate, or in securities;
- Business people who are the founders or heads of companies operating in Azerbaijan, or heads or deputy heads of foreign company branches in Azerbaijan, or Individual Entrepreneurs;
- Family members of residence permit holders, and foreigners who are in a close relationship with a citizen of Azerbaijan;
- Businesses in Azerbaijan that plan to obtain work permits for the foreigners they intend to hire for their commercial activities.
Visa Requirements for the Citizens of the of Pakistan
Citizens of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan are eligible to apply for either online or offline entry visas for Azerbaijan. The e-visas being issued for the 30 days. If the Pakistan citizens want to apply for a longer period of time they can apply for it through the Azerbaijan embassy to Islamabad.
Azerbaijan Temporary Residence Permit (TRP) for the Citizens of Pakistan
Temporary Residence Permit (TRP) in Azerbaijan is a type of residence permit that grants foreigners, including the right to reside temporarily in the country.
Article 45 of the Migration Code defines the criteria for the issuance and extension of Temporary Residence Permits. Accordingly, foreigners can obtain or extend their Temporary Residence Permits (TRP) in Azerbaijan under the following cases:
Investment in the Economy
Citizen of the Pakistan as any other nations can invest at least AZN 500,000 (approximately USD 295,000) in the country’s economy of Azerbaijan to get a residence permit.
Real Estate Investment
Pakistanies who invest a minimum of AZN 100,000 (approximately USD 59,000) in real estate in Azerbaijan are also eligible for TRP Azerbaijan.
Bank Deposit
Foreigners who deposit at least AZN 100,000 (approximately USD 59,000) into local banks in Azerbaijan under a term deposit agreement;
Business Activity in a Company with Foreign Investment
Foreigners who are either the head or a founder of a company with foreign investment with AZN 50,000 (approximately USD 30,000) paid Charter Capital;
Management Activity in the Branch of a Foreign Company
Foreigners who hold positions as head or deputy head in the branch or representation of a foreign company in Azerbaijan;
Family Relations
Foreigners who are family members of residence permit holders or in a close relationship with a citizen of Azerbaijan.
In Azerbaijan, foreigners can initially obtain a Temporary Residence Permit (TRP) for a period of up to 1 year. Also, temporary residence permit holders can apply to extend their permits for up to a period not exceeding 2 years each time.
Permanent Residence Permit (PR) for the Citizens of Pakistan
Permanent Residence Permit in Azerbaijan is a type of residence permit that grants foreigners the right to reside permanently in the country.
Article 52 of the Migration Code defines the criteria for the issuance and extension of Permanent Residence Permits. Accordingly, foreigners can obtain or extend their Permanent Residence Permits in Azerbaijan under the following cases:
Investment in the Economy
Foreigners who invest at least AZN 500,000 (approximately USD 295,000) in the economy of the country;
Real Estate Investment
Foreigners investing a minimum of AZN 200,000 (approximately USD 120,000) in real estate in Azerbaijan;
Bank Deposit
Foreigners who deposit at least AZN 200,000 (approximately USD 120,000) into local banks in Azerbaijan under a term deposit contract;
Business Activity in a Company with Foreign Investment
Foreigners who are either the head or a founder of a company with foreign investment with AZN 50,000 (approximately USD 30,000) paid Charter Capital;
Management Activity in the Branch of a Foreign Company
Foreigners who hold positions as head or deputy head in the branch or representation of a foreign company in Azerbaijan;
Family Relations
Foreigners who are family members of permanent residence permit holders or in a close relationship with a citizen of Azerbaijan.
Additionally, to obtain a Permanent Residence Permit in Azerbaijan, applicants must meet further requirements. To apply, foreigners must have resided in the country for two consecutive years. They must also possess knowledge of the local language.
The Permanent Residence Permit in Azerbaijan is valid for five years and can be extended for an additional five years if relevant grounds exist.
Residence Permit Application Process
The State Migration Service issues and extends residence permits in Azerbaijan. It’s important to note that foreigners can apply for a residence permit and its extension both offline and online. So, applicants who meet the criteria should just collect the necessary documents and apply accordingly. The processing time for residence permit applications typically ranges from 10 to 20 business days. At the end of the process, residence permit applicants receive a Residence Card Certificate (Azerbaijan TRC). Notably, the state fee for a one-year Residence Card (Azerbaijan TRC) can vary from 120 AZN to 160 AZN.
Temporary Residence Permit holders must apply for an extension at least one month before the expiry date. In turn, foreigners must apply for obtaining or extending a Permanent Residence Permit at least three months before the expiry of their current residence card.
Document Requirements for Applying for and Extending a Residence Permit
To apply for and get a residence permit in Azerbaijan foreigners must collect and submit the following documents:
- Application form;
- Copy of passport;
- Medical certificate;
- Documents that confirm the circumstances justifying the issuance of a residence permit;
- 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 and Obtain a Residence Permit in Azerbaijan: Step by Step Guide
If you are planning to obtain a residence permit in Azerbaijan or extend your current one, follow these practical steps:
Step 1: Decide on the legal ground
As mentioned earlier, there are several legal grounds for applying for a residence permit in Azerbaijan. Begin by identifying the one that aligns with your situation or the type of investment you prefer.
Step 2: Prepare and Collect Required Documents
Once you have determined the appropriate legal ground, gather and prepare the necessary documents. Document requirements can vary significantly depending on the chosen legal ground. To ensure everything is in order, we recommend seeking professional consultation or services.
Step 3: Submit Your Residence Permit Application
After preparing all required documents, you can submit your application to the Migration Service, either online or in person. Processing times for temporary residence permits typically range from 15 to 20 business days, while permanent residence permits may take up to 60 days.
Step 4: Receive Your Residence Card
If your application is approved, you will be issued a residence card (Azerbaijan TRC). This card is an official ID that certifies your residency status in the Republic of Azerbaijan.
The Benefits of a Residence Permit in Azerbaijan
Why become a resident of Azerbaijan? What types of benefits and advantages does a residence permit offer to foreigners? Whether you’re an investor, student, professional, or planning to relocate with your family, obtaining a residence permit in Azerbaijan provides numerous legal, economic, and social benefits. Below are some of the key advantages that make Azerbaijan an attractive destination for foreign nationals:
- Legal Status to Reside in the Country: Residence card holders (TRC Card) can legally stay in the country during the validity period of the card. They are not required to obtain a visa to enter Azerbaijan.
- Doing Business in the Country: Regardless of the basis on which you obtained your residence permit, you are eligible to start business in Azerbaijan—even as a student, an employee of a local firm, or a dependent of a foreigner holding a residence card. Operating a business in Azerbaijan also opens doors to expanding into international markets;
- Family Sponsorship Opportunities: Residents can sponsor their spouse, children, and parents (if they are above the age of 65), enabling the entire family to legally reside in Azerbaijan and benefit from social services;
- Eligibility for Citizenship: Certain types of residence permits—such as those based on business or investment—can lead to permanent residency and eventually Azerbaijani citizenship after five years of legal residence;
- Access to Banking and Financial Services: Residents can open personal and corporate bank accounts, conduct international transactions, pay taxes, and benefit from favorable loan terms offered by local banks;
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Education and Healthcare Access: Residency provides access to both public and private educational institutions and healthcare services, often at lower costs compared to those available to non-residents.
Legal Services
We hope this blog post has provided detailed insights into the requirements and application process for issuing a residence permit in Azerbaijan. Furthemore, if you need professional legal assistance with obtaining or extending a residency in Azerbaijan, feel free to contact us. We proudly provide our services to clients from all around the world.
Migration Law Legal Services We Offer
We offer the following consulting and legal services to business entities and foreigners regarding the Migration Law:
- Legal consulting on the Migration Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan;
- Increasing the charter capital of a company;
- Foreign company branch registration in Azerbaijan;
- Services for opening bank accounts and guidance for depositing in banks;
- Investment consulting services;
- Application for obtaining a Temporary Residence Permit (TRP) in Azerbaijan;
- Application for obtaining a Permanent Residence Permit in Azerbaijan etc.
