Kronenburg Estates S.L.

Tourism

Baku, the capital and commercial hub of Azerbaijan, is a low-lying city with coastline along the Caspian Sea. It's famed for its medieval walled old city, which contains the Palace of the Shirvanshahs, a vast royal complex, and the iconic stone Maiden Tower. Contemporary landmarks include the Zaha Hadid–designed Heydar Aliyev Center, and the Flame Towers, 3 pointed skyscrapers covered with LED screens.

Other notable sites include the reconstructed Bibi-Heybat Mosque, a pilgrimage center, and the Azerbaijan Carpet Museum, housing a vast collection of ornate carpets from the region. The Baku Museum of Modern Art showcases 20th-century Azerbaijani painters and sculptors. Another prominent museum, the National Museum of History of Azerbaijan, is housed in an Italian Renaissance–style mansion from 1902. National Flag Square contains one of the world's tallest flagpoles (162m), while bustling Fountains Square is a hub for shops and restaurants. Beyond the city, Yanar Dag is a continuously blazing natural gas fire.

Foreign investment

With an ability to exploit extensive oil and gas reserves, the Republic of Azerbaijan has experienced a dramatic increase in foreign investment since the late 1990’s, when it began entering into production sharing agreements with private international firms.  Since that time, the government has aggressively implemented regulatory reforms, prioritizing business efficiency as it strives to control inflation and decrease the country’s reliance on the energy sector.  The Economist Intelligence Unit predicts a 9.5 percent increase in Azerbaijan’s GDP for 2010; among the highest in the world.
Azerbaijan’s relatively straightforward immigration laws reflect an eagerness to streamline access to its markets, particularly in relation to the oil and gas sectors.  As a practical matter, however, employers – especially those operating outside of key industries – often find it a challenge to meet all statutory obligations. Move One has extensive experience with immigration compliance in Azerbaijan, and can ensure that the process runs as smoothly as possible for both your company and its employees.

The standard process outlined below is for the common scenario of non-CIS citizen employees of limited liability companies. Keep in mind that the procedure will differ for CIS citizens and employees of companies registered as branches of foreign entities. Please contact Move One to determine your exact visa and permit requirements.
The immigration procedure can be divided into four stages:

1. Arrival based on an entry visa which is valid for 90 days
2. Police registration
   • All business foreigners visiting Azerbaijan for more than 30 days must register their passports with the local police department (Ministry of Internal Affairs) within five days of arrival.
   • In case of non-registration or late registration, a fine must be paid or foreigner will have to leave the country once the 30-day period expires.
3. Simultaneous application of the work permit and residence card applications
   • A signed employment contract with the local entity is required.
   • A medical certificate issued in Azerbaijan is required for the residence card process.
   • Productive work can be performed once the work permit has been issued.
   • Work permits may be valid for an initial period of up to one year.
   • Residence cards are determined according to work permit validity.
4. Police registration extension

Important to Note

• Work permits and residence cards may be renewed.
• Foreigners who have obtained a residence card issued by the State Migration Service may depart and return to the Republic of Azerbaijan, provided they carry their residence card and a valid identification document (passport).
• Foreigners may engage in labor activity in the country for not more than five years. After five years he/she should leave Azerbaijan for one year.
• Immigration paperwork for accompanying family members (spouse and children) may be started simultaneously with the assignee.
• Degree certificates, marriage and birth certificates are required for work permit and residence card application.  These documents must be notarized.
• Foreigners must provide proof of their professional experience from the past 5 years.
• Notarized copies of company documents are required for work permit applications.
• Passports should be valid for at least six months beyond the intended stay in Azerbaijan.

Travelers to Azerbaijan should note that immigration procedures may vary greatly, depending on the specific circumstances of the transferee his or her family members.