Residence permit in Azerbaijan or Georgia: which to choose when relocating
Both countries are visa-free for many nationalities and grant residence through business or property. Georgia is easier to enter; Azerbaijan offers a more predictable procedure and fixed thresholds. We compare the points that actually drive the decision.
- Grounds and thresholds
- First permit and extension
- Business taxes
- Banks
- Language and daily life
- Logistics
- Bottom line
Grounds and thresholds
Azerbaijan: temporary permit through a company (director or owner of ≥ 51%, capital from AZN 50,000), real estate from AZN 100,000, employment or family; processing 15 or 20 business days. Georgia: permits through real estate (a value threshold is set by law and changes periodically), business with confirmed turnover, employment or study; processing times are comparable. In Azerbaijan the thresholds are fixed in the Migration Code — easier to plan.
First permit and extension
In Azerbaijan the first temporary permit is up to 1 year, each extension up to 2 years, permanent residence after 2 years of continuous stay. In Georgia the first permit is usually 1 year with extensions, permanent residence after several years. The schemes are similar; the differences are in procedure.
Business taxes
Azerbaijan: simplified 2% turnover tax up to AZN 200,000 without VAT; general regime — profit tax 20%, VAT 18%. Georgia: small business status for sole traders with a low turnover tax rate, profit tax on distributed profit and VAT. For IT and consulting with modest turnover both are comfortable; for trade and manufacturing, model the numbers.
Banks
Banks in both countries apply enhanced checks to foreign clients and may require presence in person. In Azerbaijan a corporate account usually opens within 3–7 business days after registration.
Language and daily life
In Baku, Russian and increasingly English are common in business and paperwork, which eases adaptation. In Tbilisi English is widely used; official paperwork is in Georgian.
Logistics
Baku has direct flights to Istanbul, Dubai, Moscow and major European hubs; Tbilisi likewise. Visa-free stays: Azerbaijan up to 90 days for many nationalities; Georgia up to 1 year for many.
Bottom line
Georgia — quick, low-cost entry, good for freelancers and a trial relocation. Azerbaijan — a more structured market with fixed permit thresholds, strong ties to Turkey and the Gulf, suited to businesses with regional partners and to those who value a predictable procedure.
Frequently asked questions
Can I hold permits in both countries?
Formally yes, but an Azerbaijani temporary permit holder must not be absent for more than 90 days within any 180-day period — plan a two-country life around that rule.
Where is a company faster to open?
A few days in both. In Azerbaijan an LLC with foreign capital is registered in 2–4 business days, and most of the process can be done by power of attorney.
Verified 5 Nov 2026. Sources: taxes.gov.az, migration.gov.az, e-qanun.az.
Checklist: documents for a residence permit and an LLC in Azerbaijan
A 2-page PDF: what to prepare before you travel, where an apostille is needed and where notarisation is enough, and the order of filing.
- Document list for LLC registration and for each residence permit ground
- Table: apostille vs notarisation — by country
- Document list and timelines for every step
- Common mistakes that get a file returned
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