A work permit is an official document issued by the State Migration Service of the Republic of Azerbaijan, that entitles foreign nationals and stateless persons to engage in paid employment within the territory of Azerbaijan.
The procedure is governed by the Migration Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Labour Code, the Law “On State Duty”, and the Law “On the Legal Status of Foreigners and Stateless Persons”.
Key eligibility conditions
- Attaining the age of 18 and being capable of work
- Existence of a vacancy for which no suitably qualified Azerbaijani citizen is available
- Inability to meet the employer’s needs using local labour resources (confirmed by the State Employment Service)
The application may be submitted exclusively by the employer (legal entity, individual entrepreneur, or branch/representative office of a foreign company). The foreign national cannot apply personally. The employment contract may be concluded only after the work permit is issued and only for its validity period. The employee must work exclusively at the position and employer indicated in the permit.
Validity period of the work permit
- Up to 1 year (or for the duration of the employment contract if shorter)
- Extension – annually for 1 year (on liberated territories – up to 2 years per extension)
- Extension application must be submitted by the employer no later than 30 days before expiry
State duty is paid by the employer. Processing time depends on the duty amount (10-20 working days). Failure to pay the duty within 30 days or denial of a temporary residence permit results in automatic cancellation of the work permit.
Cancellation and departure obligation
If the work permit ceases to be valid (including early termination of the employment contract) and no other legal grounds for stay exist, the foreign national must leave Azerbaijan within 10 working days.
Labour migration quotas
Established annually by the Cabinet of Ministers upon proposal of the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection of the Population (indicative nature; e.g., 6,500 in the current year).
Work Permit in Azerbaijan: Required Documents, Procedure and Exemptions
Documents required for initial issuance (submitted by the employer to the SMS online or in person)
- Application form (approved template)
- Copy of passport or other border-crossing document
- Notarized copy of qualification document (diploma, certificate)
- Justification letter confirming the need to hire a foreign specialist (absence of local candidates)
- For legal entities: notarized copies of charter and state registration certificate
- For individual entrepreneurs: notarized copies of ID and taxpayer certificate
- Medical certificate confirming absence of dangerous infectious diseases (HIV, hepatitis B/C, etc., per the approved list)
The permit is issued after payment of the state duty.
Documents required for extension
- Application form
- Notarized copy of qualification document
- Updated justification letter
- Medical certificate (HIV, hepatitis B/C)
Application procedure
- Vacancy verification – confirm no local candidates are available (recommended: publish the vacancy)
- Collection and notarization of documents
- Submission to SMS – online via e-portal or in person (processing: 10-20 working days)
- Payment of state duty (amount determines urgency)
- Conclusion and electronic registration of employment contract with the Ministry of Labour
- Temporary residence permit application – may be filed simultaneously or after the work permit is granted
The work permit can be obtained remotely; the foreign national may enter Azerbaijan after approval.
Cases where a work permit is NOT required (Article 64 of the Migration Code)
Among others, no work permit is needed for:
- Holders of permanent residence permits
- Persons engaged in entrepreneurial activity
- Diplomatic and consular staff, employees of international organisations
- Heads and deputy heads of organisations established under international agreements
- Persons invited by executive authorities (President, Cabinet of Ministers)
- Military personnel and specialists of the Armed Forces
- Accredited media representatives
- Business travellers staying up to 90 days per year (certain sectors)
- Highly qualified specialists in categories defined by the relevant executive authority
- Seafarers, university lecturers, artists, coaches, professional athletes in registered clubs
- Accredited religious figures
- Heads/deputy heads of branches and representative offices of foreign legal entities
- Heads of Azerbaijani legal entities with foreign participation (≥51 % foreign ownership)
- Spouses of Azerbaijani citizens (registered at place of residence)
- Refugees and persons granted political asylum
- Guardians of minor children or Group I disabled Azerbaijani citizens
- Victims of human trafficking
- Employees in Alat Free Economic Zone, industrial parks and technology parks (residents, ICT specialists)
- Highly qualified migrants in their field of expertise
State control
The State Migration Service conducts on-site inspections regarding compliance with permit conditions, may request information from employers and employees, cancel permits in case of violations, and impose administrative sanctions. Employers are obliged to grant access and provide required documents.
Practical recommendations
- Strong justification of the vacancy is the key approval factor (e.g., shortage of local IT specialists, executive chefs, etc.)
- Simultaneous submission for residence permit significantly accelerates the overall process
- Professional assistance – Expert SM Law Firm provides full support: document preparation, submission, and appeal against refusals
- Risks of illegal employment – heavy fines and deportation
Obtaining a work permit is a mandatory step for lawful employment in Azerbaijan. Compliance with quotas and priority for local workforce ensures the country’s economic security.
Expert SM – your reliable partner for fast and guaranteed work permit and residence permit procedures in Azerbaijan.