Legal status of foreigners and stateless persons in the Republic of Azerbaijan

Depending on the duration of stay 3 legal statuses of foreigners and stateless persons are distinguished:
1. Temporary staying 
2. Temporary residence 
3. Permanent residence

 In accordance with the Decree of the President of the Republicof Azerbaijan, dated 04 March 2009, N 69 “Single window” principle is being applied in our country for the management of the migration processes from 01 July 2009. 
According this Decree, the State Migration Service of theRepublic ofAzerbaijan is implementing the authorities of unique state organ on the “Single window” principle.

You can get the information on following issues from the official web-page of State Migration Service of the Republic of Azerbaijan (www.migration.gov.az):
- Extension of duration of temporary staying of foreigners and stateless persons in the Republic of Azerbaijan; 
- Providing permissions to foreigners and stateless persons for temporary or permanent residence in the territory of the Republic of Azerbaijan;
- Registration of foreigners and stateless persons having permission for temporary or permanent residence on place of residence etc.

1. Temporary staying
For persons coming to Azerbaijan in visa requirement regime: 
Temporary staying duration of such category foreigners and stateless persons in the Republic of Azerbaijan is determined with the duration of stay stated on their visas.
Otherwise, the limited period for stay in theRepublic ofAzerbaijan, indicated in the visas of the foreigners and stateless persons, is equal to the duration of their temporary staying inAzerbaijan.

For persons free from visa requirement regime: 
Temporary staying duration of such category foreigners and stateless persons in the Republic of Azerbaijan can’t be more than 90 (ninety) days.
Upon the termination of the duration of their temporary stay foreigners and stateless persons who come to the Republic of Azerbaijan with a visa, as well as with visa-free regime, have to extend this duration or leave the country in accordance with the requirements of the “Rules on extension of duration of the temporary staying of foreigners and stateless persons who come to the Republic of Azerbaijan”, affirmed with the Decision of the Cabinet of the Ministers of the Republic of Azerbaijan, dated June 9, 2009, N 88. 

Attention! There is no conception of extension of the visa duration in present legislation. The conception of the extension of temporary existence is used instead.

Extension of duration of temporary staying
Both categories of foreigners and stateless persons (coming to Azerbaijan on the basis of visa required or visa-free regime) extended the duration of temporary staying by the State Migration Service of the Republic of Azerbaijan, can leave the country introducing valid personal passport (or other border crossing document) and the decision on the extension of duration of temporary staying.
Attention! You can get the list of persons having extended the duration of temporary staying via providing new visa by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs here.

2. Temporary residence 
Permission for temporary residence is provided up to 1 year in accordance with rules defined by legislation and can be extended no more than 4 times in order re-documentation.
From the day of applying “single window” principle for the management of the migration processes in the Republic of Azerbaijan (2009, 01 July) foreigners and stateless persons obtained permission for temporary residence in the Republic of Azerbaijan can leave and return to the country introducing valid identification card (passport or appropriate document identifying the personality of stateless person) and the appropriate certificates granted by the State Migration Service of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

3. Permanent residence 
Foreigners and stateless persons obtained the permission for permanent residence in the Republic of Azerbaijan is considered immigrants. 
The status of immigrant is provided for 5 years, can be extended for next 5 years in order re-documentation. The number of extensions is not limited.
From the day of applying “single window” principle for the management of the migration processes in the Republic of Azerbaijan (2009, 01 July) foreigners and stateless persons obtained permission for permanent residence in the Republic of Azerbaijan can leave and return to the country introducing valid identification card (passport or appropriate document identifying the personality of stateless person) and the appropriate certificates granted by the State Migration Service of the Republic of Azerbaijan.