Residence Permit Through a Company in Azerbaijan
- What conditions apply at each stage?
- Who can apply as a company head or founder?
- Who is exempt from the capital and turnover requirements?
- How long is the review and how long is the permit issued for?
- What needs to be prepared?
- What has changed in the rules?
- What must you keep doing after you get the permit?
- Frequently asked questions
Owning a company does not by itself give a residence permit, but the head or founder of a company with foreign investment can apply for a temporary one. The company needs paid-up share capital of at least AZN 50,000, and a founder must hold at least 51%. The decision comes within the set period of 15 or 20 business days, and in TCA's practice the first permit through a company is issued for 6 months.
This route suits investors who plan to live in Azerbaijan and run their business through their own company — with full foreign ownership and no local partner.
What conditions apply at each stage?
Capital and turnover requirements depend on which status you are applying for: a first temporary permit, a repeat one or a permanent one. The amounts were set by a decision of the Ministry of Economy and apply from 16 January 2024.
| Stage | Paid-up capital | Turnover in the last year | What proves it |
|---|---|---|---|
| First temporary permit | At least AZN 50,000 | Not specified in the decision | Tax authority certificate of paid-up capital |
| Repeat temporary permit (after a year of residence) | At least AZN 50,000 | At least AZN 100,000 for a company with foreign investment | Tax authority certificates of turnover and capital |
| Permanent permit on this ground | At least AZN 100,000 | At least AZN 200,000 | Tax authority certificates of turnover and capital |
For sole traders the turnover is lower: AZN 50,000 for a repeat temporary permit and AZN 100,000 for a permanent one.
TCA comment. The migration service asks for tax authority certificates, so capital payment and turnover should be confirmed in advance and match the company's filings. — TCA
Who can apply as a company head or founder?
The head of a company with foreign investment registered in Azerbaijan, or a founder holding at least 51%. The ground is set out in Article 45.1.6-1 of the Migration Code. If you are reading older guides, note that before the 2023 amendments a deputy head of a company with a foreign founder also qualified; the current wording is narrower.
How to set up the company: Company registration in Azerbaijan for foreign investors.
Who is exempt from the capital and turnover requirements?
They do not apply to non-commercial legal entities and, for a temporary permit, to residents of an industrial park, industrial district or agropark. A separate exemption covers entrepreneurs with an investment promotion document or a "Startup" certificate in the Karabakh and East Zangezur economic regions.
How long is the review and how long is the permit issued for?
- Review time: 15 or 20 business days, depending on the period chosen and the state fee paid. In TCA's practice the decision comes within this period.
- First permit term: by law, a first temporary permit is issued for no more than 1 year. In TCA's practice, the first permit through a company is usually issued for 6 months.
- Extension: up to 2 years at a time.
- When to apply: no later than 30 days before your temporary stay or residence expires.
- State fee: must be paid within 30 days after the review period ends, otherwise the permit is cancelled.
- Permanent residence: issued for 5 years and extended for 5 years; apply no later than 3 months before the temporary permit expires.
The migration service sets the term of the first permit for each application, so the 6-month figure reflects practice, not a commitment.
What needs to be prepared?
In outline: an application, a passport valid for more than 3 months beyond the permit term, company documents and tax authority certificates, a certificate showing no dangerous infectious diseases, photos, a housing document for registration and the fee receipt. The exact list depends on your situation.
What has changed in the rules?
In May 2023 the Migration Code was amended in Articles 45.1.6-1 and 45.1.7, and since 16 January 2024 the capital and turnover amounts from the Ministry of Economy decision apply. In summer 2026 amendments on electronic extension of temporary stay were adopted; they concern extending a stay, not the conditions of this ground. We check the current wording before filing.
What must you keep doing after you get the permit?
Register at your place of stay within 15 days of arrival. Among the grounds on which a temporary permit is not issued or extended, the migration service lists staying outside the country for more than 90 days within 180. The "head or founder" ground is tied to the company, so closing it or changing its ownership should be planned together with your residence.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a residence permit to open a company?
No. A residence permit is needed, for example, to register as a sole trader.
Can I apply if someone else is the director and I am the founder?
Yes, if you hold at least 51% and the company meets the capital requirement.
How much capital is needed?
At least AZN 50,000 paid-up for a first and repeat temporary permit, and at least AZN 100,000 for a permanent one.
Is turnover required?
For a repeat temporary permit after a year of residence and for a permanent permit: AZN 100,000 and AZN 200,000 respectively for a company with foreign investment.
How long is the first permit issued for?
By law, no more than 1 year. In TCA's practice, through a company the first permit is usually for 6 months; extensions are up to 2 years at a time. A permanent permit is issued for 5 years.
How long does the decision take?
15 or 20 business days, depending on the fee paid. In TCA's practice the decision comes within that period.
What happens to the permit if the company closes?
A permit on this ground is tied to the company, so the basis for residence is resolved before liquidation.
This article is for information only and is not legal advice. TCA is a private consulting company, not a government body. Legislation changes; check current conditions on official websites.
We will check whether this ground fits you and handle both the company and the residence application — leave a request at tca.az.
Sources
Checked 10 November 2026.
- State Migration Service, capital and turnover amounts (17.01.2024): www.migration.gov.az/en/news_detail/16188
- State Migration Service, amendments to the Migration Code (19.05.2023): www.migration.gov.az/en/news_detail/15936
- State Migration Service, temporary residence (terms, documents): migration.gov.az/en/page/73
- State Migration Service, filing deadlines and permanent residence: www.migration.gov.az/en/news_detail/12742
- State Migration Service, questions and answers (review times): migration.gov.az/en/questions
- State Migration Service, registration and grounds for refusal or non-extension: migration.gov.az/en/useful/8?page=2
- AzerNews, electronic extension of stay (27.07.2026): www.azernews.az/nation/261614.html
- TCA practice (decision time, first permit term): no external link.
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
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- Common mistakes that get a file returned
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