Azerbaijan
Summary
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) advises against all travel to:
- Nagorno-Karabakh
- The rayons (districts) of Zengilan, Jabrayil, Qubadli, Lachin and Kelbajar. Western areas of Khojavand, Fuzuli and Aghdam rayons
- within 5km of the border with Armenia
A ceasefire agreement was signed between Armenia and Azerbaijan in November 2020 to end the military action in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone. Some territory under Azerbaijani control post-conflict is currently closed to the general public and may contain high amounts of unexploded ordnance (UXO) and landmines. As part of the ceasefire agreement a Russian peacekeeping operation has been deployed to the area to monitor Armenian populated areas of Nagorno-Karabakh and the Lachin Corridor. On 1319 September 2022,2023, there was military action, in severalNagorno-Karabakh, areas,which acrossresulted thein internationala borderfurther betweenceasefire Armeniaagreement. andThere Azerbaijan.have been no military escalations since. Further military activities cannot be ruled out.
Several other civilian areas were affected by the conflict and could also contain UXO. These areas include, but are not limited to, the towns and rayons of Barda, Tartar, Ganja, Beylagan and Aghjabadi. The Azerbaijani authorities are working to remove UXO. However if you come across UXO do not approach it, or touch it. Make a note of where it was spotted, and notify the authorities on 102 or 112. Be aware that there may be more UXO nearby.
Before you travel, check the ‘Entry requirements’ section for Azerbaijan’s current entry restrictions and requirements. Monitor this advice for the latest updates and stay in contact with your travel provider.
If you plan to pass through another country on your journey, check the travel advice for the country you’re transiting.
It is more important than ever to get travel insurance and check it provides appropriate cover. See the FCDO’s guidance on foreign travel insurance.
Around 30,000 British nationals visit Azerbaijan every year, mainly on business. Most visits are trouble free. See Safety and security
Consular support is not available in areas of Nagorno-Karabakh region not under Azerbaijani control. Tensions between Azerbaijan and Armenia over Nagorno-Karabakh remain. There have previously been military actions in Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding areas, particularly from September to November 2020, and on the inter-state border between Azerbaijan and Armenia. Civilian areas were hit, resulting in deaths and casualties. Anyone who has previously visited areas of Nagorno-Karabakh without the permission of the Azerbaijani authorities will be refused entry to Azerbaijan. See Local travel
Terrorist attacks in Azerbaijan cannot be ruled out. See Terrorism
If you’re abroad and you need emergency help from the UK government, contact the nearest British embassy, consulate or high commission.
Update history
2025-04-04 15:28
FCDO now advises against all but essential travel to south-western Azerbaijan (‘Warnings and insurance’, ‘Entry requirements’ ‘Safety and security’ and ‘Regional risks’ pages).
2024-09-10 13:57
Updated visa requirements for visitors travelling to Azerbaijan in connection with COP29(‘Entry requirements’ page).
2024-08-16 16:22
Updated visa procedures for visitors travelling to Azerbaijan in connection with the Formula 1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix. (see ‘Entry requirements’ page).
2024-07-09 20:53
Updated assessment that terrorists are likely to try to carry out attacks in Azerbaijan. (see ‘Safety and security’ page).
2024-06-14 14:09
Information on registering SIM-compatible devices in Azerbaijan (‘Entry requirements’ page).
2024-05-17 13:28
Information on restricted entry by land or sea borders, entering Azerbaijan with a vehicle and importation of drones (‘Entry requirements’ and ‘Safety and security’ pages).
2024-02-20 15:50
This travel advice has been rewritten to make it easier to read and understand.
2024-01-26 16:55
Clarifications on registering your mobile phone (‘Entry requirements’ page).
2024-01-23 13:19
Information about registering your mobile phone at a local Post office using the device’s IMEI number (‘Entry requirements’ page).
2023-11-21 15:26
Information about registration of mobile devices on arrival to Azerbaijan (‘Entry requirements’ page).
2023-08-29 14:54
Information about visa requirements related to the 74th astronautical congress (‘Entry requirements’ page).
2023-06-22 11:31
Information about the global terrorism risks to British nationals abroad on all FCDO travel advice pages
2023-05-17 10:39
New information about altitude sickness (‘Health’ page).
2023-04-06 16:54
Updated information on the lifting of COVID-19 related restrictions (‘Coronavirus’ page), and the simplification of the visa procedures related to 2023 Formula 1 (‘Entry requirements’ page).
2022-09-14 15:20
Updated information on recent military action across the Armenian and Azerbaijani international border (‘Summary’ page).
2022-08-25 10:55
Updated information on the definition of who is vaccinated, (‘Coronavirus’ page)
2022-06-08 17:20
Added link to advice page for Azerbaijan F1 Grand Prix in Baku on 12 June 2022 (‘Summary’ page)
2022-05-19 16:45
Updated with information in Air Travel about how UK sanctions affect purchases of flight tickets on Russian owned airlines (‘Safety and security’ page)
2022-05-12 11:35
Updated information on entry requirements for Azerbaijan (‘Entry requirements’ page)
2022-04-29 21:12
The requirement to wear masks indoors is lifted (‘Coronavirus’ and ‘Entry requirements’ pages)
2022-04-14 21:50
Azerbaijan no longer requires a negative PCR test to enter the country. (‘Entry Requirements’ page).