Azerbaijan to simplify visa regime

The Azerbaijani government has decided to simplify the issuing of visas to tourists and make the process clearer.

Tourism agencies will be allowed to issue visas. Internet requests to Azerbaijani embassies and consulates will be available.

Visas will be issued in electronic form, they will not be attached to passports. They will be seen at crossing points. All Azerbaijani embassies and consulates have been included in the system.

The issuing of a visa requires presentation of a tour, passenger ticket and evidence of the booking of a hotel room or camping area.

The new rules allow visas to be issued within 15 days. Tourist visas will last 30 days. There will be no visa-issuing at Azerbaijani international airports.

The new rules were adopted according to recommendations of the Center for Economic and Social Development (CESD) of Azerbaijan. The center presented a report on visa support, becoming part of the road map on visa-free travelling of members of the Eastern Partnership program and the European Union, the Policy Association for an Open Society (PASOS), Local Government and Public Service Reform Initiative (LGI), Turan reports.