What is important to know about moving to Azerbaijan from Russia
Miscellaneous / / April 22, 2022
We explain what is required to enter the republic and how a foreigner can settle down here.
Azerbaijan is the largest country in the Transcaucasus, it is located on the coast of the Caspian Sea and borders on Russia by land. in the republic activelyAzerbaijan's GDP growth in 2021 amounted to 5.6% / Interfax-Azerbaijan the economy is developing, but the prices are relatively low. And here is delicious national cuisine and beautiful nature.
Documentation
Russian citizens can stay in the country for up to 90 days without a visa. For entry needCOVID‑19 Travel Rules / Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the Russian Federation only a foreign passport, a negative PCR test received 72 hours before entry, and a certificate of full vaccination against COVID-19. Suitable vaccinations CoronaVac, AstraZeneca, Pfizer, Sputnik V. The certificate can be replaced by a certificate of transferred coronavirus. For children under 18 years of age, a PCR test is enough; children under one year old do not even need it.
Foreigners who plan to stay in Azerbaijan longer than 15 days must register at their place of residence. The host or hotel employee can do this online at site immigration service and portal e-government, in the offices of the migration service and the centers of the ASAN service - an analogue of the Russian MFC. You will need a completed questionnaire and a copy of the passport.
There are three ways to stay in the country longer than 90 days:
- Cross the border and return to Azerbaijan to reset the deadline. Land borders are now closed, so you will have to buy a plane ticket, before returning you will need to do a fresh PCR test.
- Extend the period of temporary stay in the migration service for 60 days. There must be a good reason for this, such as illness. Instructions on how to increase this period are Online migration service;
- Get a temporary residence permit. It is issued in several cases, for example, to those who have contribution in a local bank or real estate in Azerbaijan. All conditions for obtaining a permit can be found at site migration service.
A temporary residence permit is valid for a year, after which it can be extended for another two. After 2 years of permanent residence in Azerbaijan, foreigners are entitled to receive a residence permit.
Road
Now the only way to get to the country is by plane. There are direct flights to Baku from Moscow. Economy class ticket costs from 42 295. Demand is high, so even at the end of May prices stay at the same level and start from 37 346 rubles.
An option for budget travelers is to fly with a transfer in Minsk. In the second half of April, such a flight will cost at 28,013 rubles.
Language
The state language in the country is Azerbaijani, but many residents know Russian, so shops and government agencies will most likely understand you. You can also use English to communicate.
Signboards and signs in Azerbaijan do not duplicate in Russian.
Money
The national currency of Azerbaijan is manat, in one manat there are 100 qepiks. As of April 5, 2022, the official exchange rate is as follows: 1 manat - 49.5 rubles, 1 dollar - 1.7 manats.
Russian Mastercard, VISA and "World» do not work in the country. So it remains to bring cash with you or get a UnionPay card. Operation of the Chinese payment system in Azerbaijan limitedAzerbaijan / UnionPay. Most likely, you will not be able to use the card in the store, but you will be able to withdraw money from an ATM.
Foreigners can open a bank account in the country. For example, in Bank Respublika, Yelo Bank, Unibank, PASHA bank and Xalq Bank. To do this, you will need a passport, a local SIM card and registration at the place of stay. It will take 3-4 days to complete.
If you pay with an Azerbaijani card for the services of foreign companies, such as Bolt or Apple Music, do not forget to add to the cost taxQanunvericilik / Azərbaycan Respublikasının Vergi Məcəlləsi 18%.
Housing
You can find daily accommodation in Azerbaijan through Airbnb and Booking. A night in a one-room apartment in the center of Baku will cost 2,500–3,500 rubles.
For long-term rental use the services bina.az, lalafo.az, arenda.az, tap.az and Telegram channels. You can rent a one-room apartment near the center of Baku for a month for 400-500 manats ($235-294).
Add to this the cost of utilities - about 50-70 manat (29-41 dollars) along with the Internet.
If you want to settle in a quiet place, choose Lankaran on the shores of the Caspian Sea, Shirvan or Ganja. There are much fewer offers and the infrastructure is less developed than in the capital. But on the other hand, you can find a two-room apartment for 200–300 manats (117–176 dollars) per month.
Food
Azar, Spar, Bravo, Bazarstore chain supermarkets operate in the country. The food prices are something like this:
- 1 kg of apples - 1.3 manats (0.8 dollars);
- 1 kg of bananas - 2.8 manats (1.6 dollars);
- 1 kg of potatoes - 1.9 manats (1.1 dollars);
- 1 kg of tomatoes - 2.6 manats (1.5 dollars);
- 1 kg of beef - 15 manats (1.1 dollars);
- 1 kg of chicken fillet - 8.6 manats (8.8 dollars);
- 10 eggs - 1.9 manats (1.1 dollars);
- 1 liter of milk - 1.5 manat ($0.9);
- 1 pack of cottage cheese - 1.5 manats (0.9 dollars);
- 1 kg of hard cheese - 14 manats (8.2 dollars);
- 1 kg of sausage - 18 manats ($11);
- 1 liter of vegetable oil - 3.8 manats (2.2 dollars);
- 1 loaf of white bread - 0.75 manats (0.4 dollars);
- 0.5 beer - 2 manats (1.2 dollars);
- 1 liter of fruit juice - 1.3 manats ($0.8);
- 1 bottle of European wine - 17.5 manats (10.3 dollars).
In search of inexpensive products, do not forget to go to markets such as Baku's Taza Bazaar and Yashil Bazaar. There you will find local fruits and vegetables, farm cheese, fresh bread, meats and spices.
For a quick bite, you can buy an open pie. lahmacun for 2.5-3 manats (1.5-1.8 dollars) or doner with meat and vegetables for 3-3.5 manats (1.8-2 dollars), for a cup of cappuccino you will be asked to pay about 5 manats (3 dollars ). A two-course dinner and a soft drink at a mid-range restaurant will cost 35-50 manats ($17-30).
Connection
local SIM card can be purchased at mobile phone shops and at the airport. When buying, you will be asked for a passport. There are three major operators in the country: Azercell, Bakcell and Nar. A package with 10 GB of mobile internet costs about 20 manats ($11.8).
Please note that a SIM card purchased with a foreign passport is valid for a limited amount of time. If you want to use the number for more than 30 days, you will need to register your mobile device on imei.az. You will have to pay 150–170 manats (88–100 dollars) for this.
Work
The chances of getting an official job in Azerbaijan for visitors are low. By law, companies reliesWork permit for foreign citizens in the AR / Consulate General of the Republic of Azerbaijan in St. Petersburg issue a work permit for each foreign employee and pay a fee. So the candidate must be highly qualified. An experienced specialist from the IT or oil industry is more likely to receive an offer.
Websites to search for jobs boss.az and jobsearch.azbut it is better to explore professional social networking groups. Look for vacancies in the IT field in the Telegram channel IT Vakansiyalar.
Or try starting your own business. Foreigners with a temporary residence permit can apply for an IP. Make it work in the tax office.
Health
Coronavirus restrictions in Azerbaijan are now stricter than in Russia. Cafes, museums and shopping centers can only be entered with covid passports, and in closed areas you must wear a mask.
To receive a free COVID‑19 vaccine, foreigners needRecommendations in connection with COVID‑19 / Azerbaijan Travel residence permit, temporary residence or work permit in the country. But you can do the procedure for a fee. Conditions and prices will depend on the specific clinic. Probably, somewhere you will need a passport and temporary registration, so it’s better to call several clinics and find out the details in advance.
Without a residence permit, foreigners can only count on free emergency medical care. For everything else, there are paid institutions, such as Saglam Aile, Merkezi Klinika and Diamed. The PCR test will cost 95 manats ($56), a complete blood count - 19 manats ($11), a doctor's appointment - 30 manat ($18), a visit to a neurologist, cardiologist and other narrow specialists - 50–60 manat (29–35 dollars).
Service
Taxi in Baku and other major cities can be ordered through Bolt, Uber and 189 Taxi. A trip from the airport to the center costs 15–20 manats ($9–12).
Baku has a subway and ground public transport is frequent. Both there and there, the fare is paid with a single card - Bakı Kart. It will be possible to buy and replenish it at the subway ticket offices.
To navigate the city, you can use navigator.az and 2gis.az.
To order food, install applications Wolt, Bolt and 189 food. Even restaurants often have their own delivery, so you can call the establishments directly.
In big cities, there are many beauty salons, hairdressers and fitness centers, but there are almost no large chains. good craftsman or trainer It is worth looking in social networks and on the recommendations of friends.
Baku has a rather active cultural life: museums, art galleries, theaters and a philharmonic society are open. You can go to the cinema, look into a cafe or just take a walk along the promenade. To learn about events in the city, subscribe to Telegram channels and local bloggers. There is, for example, a Russian-speaking Cellar door.
Read also🗺🏃🏻♀️🎒
- What to look for if you are going to move to Armenia
- What you should know for those who are going to move to Georgia
- Planning to move to Thailand? Here's what you need to know
- What is important to know for those who are planning to move to Turkey