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AZERBAIJAN: Work Permit Exemptions Announced
June 17, 2016
Amendments to the Migration Code of Azerbaijan came into effect earlier this month, the new changes mean that certain company directors and specialists will be exempt from requiring a work permit.
Additionally, a recent presidential decree announced an upcoming new unified online visa application and issuance system, called ASAN Visa. The introduction of this visa should increase the number of tourism companies as issuance of the online visas will be granted within three days.
Who qualifies for work permit exemption?
Foreign national directors and deputy directors of companies which are locally incorporated in Azerbaijan, and which have at least one foreign national shareholder, no longer need to obtain a work permit.
Previously this exemption was only available for directors and deputy directors of foreign-incorporated companies, or of their branches or representative offices in Azerbaijan.
The work permit exemption has also been extended to shipbuilding specialists with at least one year of professional experience and a university degree or relevant professional qualification, who are contracted to work at the Garadagh Industrial Park.
What is the ASAN Visa system?
The ASAN Visa system is aimed at simplifying procedures for issuing visas to nationals of approved countries, via a single online portal.
However, the service has not yet been developed, and it will likely be several months before it is fully implemented.
How this will affect you?
Directors and deputy directors of companies established locally in Azerbaijan which have at least one foreign national shareholder, and qualified shipbuilding specialists contracted to work at the Garadagh Industrial Park, should take advantage of the new work permit exemption;
We advise that everyone should be prepared for delays during the development and implementation of the planned online visa application and issuance system within the next few months.
If you require any further information regarding these new implementations please contact one of our experts at [email protected].
